Academic reforms, improvements to the Point website and the creation of a new cafe in Dillon Gym headlined the discussion at last night's USG meeting.
USG academics chair Sarah Breslow '08 updated the group on how reforms to the P/D/F grading option are progressing. According to a U-Council study conducted last spring, "there is a significant number of classes not being offered P/D/F, and that's a problem for the University community," Breslow said. Breslow is also a photographer for The Daily Princetonian.
She added that the USG is trying to balance the needs of faculty and students as it pushes for changes. "We're trying to figure out a way to meet students' needs who want to P/D/F multiple courses and to satisfy professors who don't want to have students P/D/Fing their classes," she said.
Another academic issue the USG plans to address is transparency of grade distributions following midterms. U-Councilors Matt Field '08, Merritt Hummer '10 and Brian No '10, who is a staff writer for the 'Prince,' recently met with Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel to discuss the possibilities of having compulsory midterm progress reports for each class and of releasing grade distributions at the end of semesters.
The U-Councilors said Malkiel seemed somewhat resistant to the idea of releasing this information but suggested that they ask department chairs about implementing mandatory midterm progress reports.
USG members also discussed efforts to let students receive comments on their midterms rather than just a letter grade, saying that some undergraduates have expressed a desire for increased feedback.
Rather than being required to write comments for every student, USG president Rob Biederman '08 said, preceptors could offer office hours after the midterms or give students the option of requesting additional feedback.
Progress of the planned Dillon Cafe was also a major point of discussion. Biederman said officers have chosen to defer control of the cafe to Dining Services rather than running it themselves.
"It could be run better by Dining Services," Biederman said. "It could be more professional, be on the prox and it could be open for more hours ... This is closer to our longterm vision."
To decide what items to offer in the cafe, the USG looked at menus of comparable cafes at Penn and Duke. Most likely, the cafe will offer an extensive menu of smoothies.
To find out which items potential student patrons would like, the USG plans to distribute a survey among students who frequent Dillon and staff members who also use the facility. "Having a gym that everyone enjoys will benefit undergraduates in the long term," USG senator Tracy Vu '09 said.
Also during last night's meeting, OIT Committee heads Phil Stern '09 and Bruce Halperin '09 reported on the plan to redesign Point, which they hope will result in a sleeker, simpler layout.
Stern and Halperin said they are trying to get more student feedback on the website and are forming focus groups that will meet three or four times after Fall Break to discuss ideas.
"We're trying to get more people involved who aren't necessarily as tech savvy," Halperin said. "That's in response to complaints we've had that [Point is] too complicated ... for the average Princeton non-techie student."
Senate members agreed with the feedback, saying Point's appearance is overly complicated and features too many links and applications.
At the close of the meeting, the Senate discussed problems of low attendance at Undergraduate Film Organization (UFO) showings, to which the USG allocates ample funds. The idea of establishing a UFO-USG liaison was proposed.
Read More
Princeton awards 1,293 degrees to the Class of 2025 as speakers reference political headwinds
Maya MukherjeeReunions and graduation speakers referenced the tense political climate around higher education, adding urgent undertones — and sometimes overtones — to otherwise standard ceremonial speech fare.
Reunions and graduation speakers referenced the tense political climate around higher education, adding urgent undertones — and sometimes overtones — to otherwise standard ceremonial speech fare.
Joseph ’25 next Young Alumni Trustee in 21 percent turnout election
Vitus LarrieuGil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
Gil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
‘A brilliant young contemporary writer and a beautiful human being’: Remembering Lauren Blackburn ’26
Victoria Davies and Caitlyn TabladaBlackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
Blackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”