Report to focus on student involvement, academics
Report to focus on student involvement, academics
Board of Trustees report chairman John Obsorn and vice chair Mark Donahey presented their proposed topics for the May report at Wednesday's Student Senate meeting.
"What we could be addressing this year are three main issues," Osborn said. "[The] first issue is that of tuition, fees and student financial assistance."
Osborn said, adding that there is a 5 to 6 percent increase on tuition every year and questions arise on whether students are seeing a corresponding increase in services.
"The next issue is increasing student involvement in University governance," Osborn said. "Who's on these committees? How'd they get there?"
Osborn called for central coordination of student appointments to these committees and also dissemination of committee records and decision for public record.
"I've been told that the Board of Trustees is not the proper body to address this issue with," Osborn said. "However, I would respond to this complaint that it is the only body to possibly address this issue. If the Board of Trustees were to commit itself to this issue, it would be very powerful motivation. It would have a large effect and changes could be made."
This topic included possible addition of a student to the Board of Trustees itself.
"There are wonderful alumni, faculty and other members making decision that will effect students," said Michael Palumbo, student body vice president. "Having a student presence on the Board would be nice."
"The final proposed topic is curricular reform, modernization and enrichment," Osborn said. "This would include increasing access to high popularity classes and also make consistent requirement numbers and give students more opportunities by increasing the number of minors." Osborn added this would include specialized programs in cultural studies.
After presenting all three proposed topics, the Senate voted with an overwhelming majority to support the second topic addressing student involvement in University governance.
Also presented at the meeting by James Jesse, was the 1999-2000 Student Union spending review.
"We're out of debt and I foresee us going even more out of debt," Jesse said. "The money is there and I feel very comfortable."
However, there was controversy around the Student Business Board which controls N.D Video, Ad-Works, Irish Gardens Flower Shop and Dome Design.
Senators questioned whether the Business Board's debt was affecting other allocated funds.
"The current debt [for the Student Business Board] is around $32,000, but it's an historical debt. For the first time in years, they were profitable," Jesse said.
Jesse explained that over the past six years, the board has lost about $5,000 per year and thus, the debt had continued to add up.
"The assumption was `Hey, it's going to eventually help repair itself' and for the first year it has fixed itself. However, this debt does not effect anything else. It has no bearing on other money allocated."
The actual spending review report will be brought to vote next week by the Senate.
In other Senate news:
u Senators were presented with a letter from Matthew Mamak, chief of staff, explaining the current state of SafeRide. The letter said that a student coordinator is currently being hired for SafeRide and hopefully this new design will rectify the problems.
u Micah Murphy, student body president, addressed the Senate and said that a new plan for distribution of football tickets is in the works and will be presented by March.
u Also, a plan is being made to provide a hockey ticket pass for students. Finally, Murphy said that a student services week will be held Feb. 20 through March 3.
All News Stories for Thursday, February 3, 2000
