USG representatives and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students Thomas Dunne were sitting around a table on Monday in the dining area of Frist Campus Center with trays of cookies when a student approached the group with a complaint: "P/D/F's shouldn't be before midterms." USG Senator Alex Lenahan '07 and U-Council representative Jeremy Johnson '07 smiled and recorded the grievance in a notebook.
The student was one of dozens who stopped by the USG's Air Your Grievances Day, at which representatives encouraged students to voice concerns, complaints and suggestions for student government.
The grievances ranged from concerns over grade inflation and the residential college system to "My preceptor sucks!" and "There are too many puddles on campus." Meanwhile, those at the table brainstormed ways to offer chartered bus rides for back-to-school dorm shopping.
The list of complaints will be brought before the Senate, and members will decide which are feasible to address.
By mid-afternoon, USG members had compiled a list of 37 grievances and suggestions. "That's 37 students who might not have otherwise have let us know what's on their minds," Johnson said.
Lenahan agreed, saying, "Any input we wouldn't get otherwise from students is good ... We're urging/bribing people [to talk] with cookies."
Johnson said in an email that more than 60 grievances were registered over the course of the day, of which around 50 were "legitimate concerns."
Dunne described the atmosphere as "informal and fun," which he said contributed to student participation.
Past efforts to solicit student opinions have included sending mass emails and encouraging student participation and attendance at USG meetings. Organizers said they hoped the Air Your Grievances table would make students "feel more like they are part of the USG."
The idea was originated by Rob Biederman '08, a U-Council representative in a Senate email. Lenahan said, "It's a good idea to disseminate information and let people know what we're doing and [find out] what people want."
Read More
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
Effort to restore chapel’s pews slowly progresses
Ben GoldstonHead carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Head carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Metals, molecules, and medicine: chemical biology’s influence on health and sustainability
Aanya KaseraChemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.
Chemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.