The Observer, September 19, 2008
Volume XLI, Issue 4
USG • BRIEF
As the Undergraduate Student Government general assembly convened last Tuesday evening, a warm welcome was extended to its newly elected members. The USG retreat this past weekend had the highest attendance in history and the assembly greeted the announcement with enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, the first year representatives of Raymond and Sherman house could not attend as there was a tie in their respective elections. The run-off elections were held on Thursday.
Much of the night's discussed business centered around IT issues. Representative Zac Wilkins, acting on behalf of interim vice president of technology Nicole Hofert, announced that the USG was urgently seeking to hire paid architects for the website. It was also announced that Schuyler Thompson would be the webmaster of the USG website. Nominations for vice president of information technology were also submitted.
In addition, open discussion focused on recurrent problems with printing on Northside as well as issues with Access Services that will be addressed in future meetings.
During the caucus reports, the Weatherhead School of Management caucus was represented by Duwain Pinder, who expressed the caucus's disapproval of Weatherhead's organization of departmental seminars that have left some seniors scrambling to graduate on time. It was suggested that the school reorganize their 395 seminars so that the supply of classes can meet the student demand.
Bills and resolutions addressed at this meeting included R-18-03, "Elephant Stairs Resolution," R-18-04, "Resolution to Recommend Elimination of 30 Additional Hour Requirements," and B-18-03, "Bill to Amend Fall 2008 Student Life Improvement Grant."
The elephant stairs resolution is designed to raise awareness of the current dangers of the stairs due to a lack of traction strips and was passed by the assembly.
Resolution 18-04 addresses Case Western Reserve policy that states if one desires to earn a dual degree, they must complete 30 hours of coursework beyond the requirements of one degree. The resolution was crafted to stop "preventing the pursuit of dual degrees by a great proportion of the student body," and was passed by the general assembly as well.
However, Bill 18-03, which was designed to create additional rules for awarding the USG Student Life Improvement Grant, such as some regard for the impact on student life and long term sustainability, was referred back to committee.
As for announcements, this Saturday in Nord, USG will be cosponsoring the Student Leadership Conference with Greek Life.
