The Observer, October 19, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 8
USG Briefs
There will be no General Assembly next week, due to fall break. The next GA meeting will be on Oct. 30.
Committee and Caucus Reports:
Myles Nickolich, VP of Student Life, reported that USG will continue to check the lights around campus this week. The Smoking Policy started being implemented today.
David Poerschke, VP of Academic Affairs, reported that there will be a May summer session running tentatively from May 12 to May 30, during which there will be approximately five experiential learning courses offered.
Andrew Witte, VP of Information Technology, reported that Tommy Cusick has been hired as an IT architect. They hope to have the finance system ready to show the finance committee by the end of the semester.
The First Year Caucus reported that its Feed the Need Food Drive Program starts a week from Wednesday. Each freshman dorm is encouraged to collect canned food. The food will be donated to the Cleveland Food Bank at the end of the month.
New Business:
Gennifer Gibbs was nominated as the student representative to the University Undergraduate Faculty Curriculum Committee. She was confirmed unanimously.
Resolution R. 17-07, A Resolution to Support the Implementation of a Revised Standard Teaching Grid, was introduced. The resolution supported the proposed addition of a Provost's Exam Block on Thursday during the Provost's Hour, but would allow other classes to be scheduled during this time as well. In addition, it called for the addition of an Undergraduate Activities Period, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. The resolution failed, 6-27, with 6 abstentions.
Bill B. 17-05, a bill to add a supplemental line item for an online recognition and funding system to the Fall 2007 USG budget, was introduced. The bill added a $1500 line item to cover 100 hours of estimated programming time for the IT architects who will be working on USG's online finance system. The budget was updated, and the bill passed, 38-1.
Bill B. 17-06, a bill to allow student organization membership requirements in limited circumstances, was introduced. The bill would allow sex-based restrictions for performance groups, and major or GPA restrictions for groups whose national affiliate require that restriction.
Bill B. 17-07, a bill to add supplemental policies regarding recognition, was introduced. The bill aimed to enact formal rules for the recognition of groups, and included restrictions that would prevent multiple groups with the same purpose from being recognized.
Bill B. 17-08, a bill to add additional recognition requirements, was introduced. This bill was aimed at revising the requirements for recognition. The number of member signatures for a group organization was raised from 10 to 20. In addition, organizations would be required to submit reports on their activities every semester.
Bills B. 17-06, B. 17-07, and B. 17-08 were tabled because they involve changes to the USG bylaws, and USG bylaws state that such changes have to be tabled for at least one meeting.
