[In these minutes: Reports, Tuition and Graduation Rates, Reciprocity,
Research Committee membership]
STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
(SSCC) MINUTES
FEBRUARY 28, 2002
[These minutes reflect
discussion and debate at a committee of the University of Minnesota Senate or
Twin Cities Campus Assembly; none of the comments, conclusions, or actions
reported in these minutes represent the views of, nor are they binding on, the
Senate or Assembly, the Administration, or the Board of
Regents.]
PRESENT: Khaled Dajani (chair), Judy Berning, Nick
Cecconi, Trevor Ewanochko, Scott Ferguson, Chris Frazier, Anthony Heryla, Shawn
Lavelle, Kari Lindeman, Matt McBlair, Ryan Osero, Jason
Stingl.
REGRETS: Ryan Brux.
GUESTS: Dan Kelly,
Patrick Pederson.
1. CLOSED SESSION
A closed session was
held to discuss nominations to the University Services Vice President search,
roles and responsibilities of SSCC members, and proposed changes to
SSCC.
2. WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Scott Ferguson, SCEP
representative, said that he has received a resolution from CSA on the proposed
withdrawal policy. MCSA does not want to be included in any withdrawal policy
that is approved.
Chris Frazier noted that there is a provision in the
policy that each campus would determine their own policy since Duluth has
special considerations because of the bargaining units.
Shawn Lavelle
said that Duluth tabled a resolution until next week, but he will forward it for
presentation at the next SCEP meeting.
The committee then discussed
whether SSCC should write a resolution in addition to the separate ones from
each campus assembly. It was decided that SSCC would write a statement
supporting the issue approved separately on each campus, as well as noting
advising problems that exist on the Twin Cities campus. The resolution will be
sent to the committee by e-mail before it is forwarded to SCEP.
3.
DISCUSSION OF TUITION AND GRADUATION RATES
Khaled Dajani distributed
two statements from Senate committees and one comparison of Big Ten school
tuition and graduation rates. He asked if SSCC should also make a statement on
this issue.
Q: Would a policy affect all campuses?
A: Each campus
would still set their own minimum credit requirements and tuition
rates.
Q: Is Senate approval needed?
A: No, the administration,
with the approval of the Regents, sets tuition rates. The administration can
also create policies to improve undergraduate graduation
rates.
Coordinate campus members noted that while this policy seems to
mostly affect the Twin Cities it would be harmful to not comment since there
might be a residual affect for the coordinate campuses.
Khaled Dajani
asked that each student assembly be consulted before the next SSCC meeting, at
which time a decision will be made.
4. DISCUSSION OF
RECIPROCITY
Khaled Dajani noted that this issue is being discussed by
the state legislature. While there is not much that students can do, he wanted
to provide an opportunity for discussion on the topic.
Committee members
noted that this issue should be discussed at the next Student Senate meeting to
urge students to talk to their legislators. SLC will also be consulted to see
if a statement would be useful during their lobbying.
5. INCREASE IN
RESEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Khaled Dajani stated that the faculty
representation on the Research Committee was increased in the fall, and now the
student representation needs to be looked at. He asked one of the current
students on the committee for their thoughts on increased representation; this
information was distributed to all members.
Q: Do graduate/professional
or undergraduate students mostly serve on the committee?
A: This year
there are two undergraduates and one graduate student. In the past the
committee has been composed of mostly graduate/professional
students.
Committee members made the following comments:
- Committee members need experience in research to fully participate
- Numbers of students should not be increased if attendance will not
improve
- Subject matter is more pertinent to graduate/professional students but
undergraduates should not be excluded
- Students should be found from the same subject areas as the
faculty
The committee decided to ask the Research Committee to
look into increasing the number of student representatives in light of the
increase in faculty representatives, as well as whether spots should be
allocated for graduate/professional students separate from undergraduate
students.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
The committee informed Dan
Kelly, MSA President, and Patrick Pederson, GAPSA President, that they have only
received one application and asked if they had already made their nominations
for the University Services Vice President search.
Patrick Pederson said
that MSA and GAPSA will be forwarding one name together for the position within
the next week.
The committee asked if they would consider accepting
SSCC’s one nomination into their pool; Patrick Pederson
agreed.
Khaled Dajani reminded Twin Cities undergraduate students that
candidate packets are now available to file for Senate positions for 2002-03.
An e-mail will be sent to all current senators reminding them to file if they
want to participate for another year.
With no further business, Khaled
Dajani thanked all members for attending and adjourned the meeting.
Becky
Hippert
University Senate