Altman ’11 to focus on clubs, grade deflation

“The recent COMBO II survey revealed some seriously disturbing facts about the composition of the clubs that need to be addressed,” Altman said. “However, these should simply be viewed as areas for improvement, and I will fight the administration advancing attempts to marginalize the clubs.”

Two important problems students face regarding grade deflation are “lack of clarity and consistency on the part of the University and lack of publicity on a national level,” Altman said. “If administrators want to implement grade deflation in a grade-inflated world, it is their obligation to make sure that the policy is as widely understood as possible.”

Altman explained he will sign a pledge saying he “will not solicit or accept” letters of recommendation from University administrators, in accordance with a referendum passed last May. “Ultimately, this referendum passed because a majority of student voters thought it was best, and I want to be able to challenge administrators without any sort of conflicted interest,” he said. Students supported the referendum by more than a two-to-one margin.

Another academic policy Altman said he hopes to address as USG president is the University’s pass/D/fail policy. “Our current academics chair, Ben Lund [’10], has taken great steps to reform the P/D/F policy,” he said, adding that as USG president, he would continue the work Lund has done.

The USG should increase its collaboration with other student groups and class governments working toward similar goals, Altman added, noting that fostering a sense of personal responsibility among USG members is another way to improve efficiency. “I want to reintroduce pet projects, which have historically been incredibly effective, and I will go to great lengths to make sure USG members are working on projects they really care about,” he explained.

Altman said the relationship between students and the Office of Career Services will also garner special attention if he is elected. “The USG fits into the equation by serving as a vehicle to help students understand how they can get the most from Career Services, and to give them an opportunity to voice their feedback,” he explained.

He said he wants to see improvements made regarding several quality of life issues on campus, including wireless internet access, TigerTransit and spending limits at late meal.

“I want to take steps to reform questionable policies about painting dorm walls and fines for lost Firestone books,” he added.

Altman is running on a ticket with vice presidential candidate Sam Dorison ’11, who has been a member of the Undergraduate Life Committee, the Honor Committee and the Whitman College Council.

This is the first of a series of articles on the candidates for USG president.