Representatives of the USG Senate managed to contain their objections to the University's proposals to combat grade inflation during their meeting Monday night long enough to endorse a proposal to expand student involvement in administrative committees and include more USG input when planning social events.
In what USG President Matt Margolin '05 called one of the most important meetings of the year, representatives expressed frustration with the University's failure to seek student input during its review of grading policies and criticized the proposals.
The group discussed ways to make sure all students' opinions are heard in the two weeks leading up to the April 26 meeting — the earliest the faculty could vote on the proposals.
If passed, each department could hand out A-range grades to only 35 percent of undergraduates in its classes.
"One of our goals is to find a way to empower the student voice," Margolin said. "Regardless of how we feel about the proposal, the USG especially and I think all students should be concerned that there was no student input into this decision, and this decision affects us."
The USG decided to draft a letter to students, administrators and faculty after Thursday's student forum. Margolin said the letter will include opinions from students both for and against the proposals.
Margolin estimated that of the 300 emails he has received on the topic, 250 have been against the proposals.
Though USG representatives recognized the importance of addressing grade inflation, none expressed support for the current proposals at Monday's meeting.
Representatives argued that the new policy would draw students away from small departments, discourage extracurricular participation and create a more competitive academic climate.
They also said the proposals would disadvantage Princeton students competing against those at peer institutions when applying for jobs and to graduate programs.
Several students suggested the University should act in conjunction with other schools.
The USG also voted to endorse a proposal to establish an online database to provide the administration with profiles of students interested in serving on University committees. They hope it will increase the number and diversity of students appointed to the committees.
The senate also discussed a proposal to require the social chair to discuss event plans with members of the senate.
The USG provides between $120,000 and $150,000 annually to the social chair, who has the ultimate authority to hire performers for the spring and fall concerts as well as other social events.
Several U-Councilors disagreed with the proposal's commitment to maintain the social chair's autonomy.
"We spend five minutes every meeting talking about the projects board for things we spend $100 on, yet we don't even discuss this thing that we spend $40,000 on," U-Councilor John Brunger '05 said.
A revised proposal stipulating more USG input in social events is on the agenda for next week's USG meeting.
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