If USG president David Ascher '99 thought his first three weeks in office were hectic, then he had better not glance at his own longterm agenda.
After responding to the administration's report on grade inflation, ensuring the USG Web calendar is running smoothly and rectifying a mistake in the USG budget that would have meant lower grants to student groups, Ascher said he hopes to settle down and attack the campus problems and policies he intended to address when elected.
"We spend a lot of time working on issues that won't affect current students," Ascher said. "In fact, it inspires me to see that students involved in student government are willing to put in time for future Princetonians. After all, we are benefitting from the efforts of Princeton students in the past."
Perhaps the most farsighted issue is one that Ascher pursued as former academics chair – flexible finals. Rather than push the "five-day flexibility" plan originally proposed by the USG, Ascher and new academics chair Todd Rich '00 will see what proposal the Course of Study Committee will produce.
"We'll initiate discussion, work toward consensus, then come up with recommendations as a group," Ascher said. At the very least, the USG hopes to establish a rule that would allow students to avoid taking more than one exam on any given day, according to Rich.
Other reforms
Meanwhile, another of Ascher's projects, P/D/F reform, will be considered by the Committee on Examinations and Standing, the same committee that issued the report on grade inflation.
"I was originally very skeptical about University committee structure, and to some extent I still am," Ascher said, adding, "But I see that it can still work."
Other academic initiatives include increasing the number of certificate programs and improving Career Services, Ascher said.
"We had hoped to launch a task force that would recommend sweeping changes in the way that Career Services works at Princeton. Unfortunately, much of our time will be spent finding a new director," he said.
Dining discounts
One effort that will not require negotiations with the University administration is obtaining more discounts for students at restaurants and stores. Ascher said campus and community affairs chair Brad Saft '00 will spearhead the task of gaining more discounts and compiling a student guide to such bargains.
Last year's USG administration discussed facilitating the use of the U-Store card in town, which would require approval of the U-Store Board of Trustees.
"I'm not so sure the U-Store card is the way to go on this," Ascher said. "My dream scenario is that University students have one card they use as their ID, prox card, vending-machine card, photocopy card and town-discount card."
Ascher said he is committed to town-gown relations. "We're renewing discussions about an all-night diner," he said.
He also has a laundry list of "the little things that make student life just that much better" – improved TigerVision with student programming, campus telephones on B-Floor of Firestone Library and in the western entrance to the Student Center and a revision of the academic calendar. He said he is pleased with "Roomline," which will facilitate living arrangements between alumni and current seniors.
He said he and social chair Jeff Leven '00 are planning a "Battle of the Bands" and a Spring Fling event, which will assume a "carnival-like atmosphere."
Ascher said he expects the USG workload will not be as intense as it has been in the past few weeks. When he sent a campus email in the wee hours of the morning, some of his friends were concerned.
"I got all these messages back saying, 'Ascher, go to sleep.'"
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