Monday, October 25, 2010

5:30 pm - 8 pm

            The meeting began with the senators discussing ideas for how to better improve the UMBC undergraduate experience. The senators created a list of 17 ideas. Each senate member then chose a flaw of UMBC they wanted to improve, pursue, and take initiative on. 8 flaws were chosen to be pursued, which include: lack of school spirit and social events, lack of liveliness of the Commons on weekends (a.k.a. “Death of the Commons”), the purell dispensers in the RAC are empty, there are not enough parking lots and the price of parking tickets is too high, meal plans should be improved, perhaps there should be rollover meal plans from week to week, inadequate security, more shuttle transportation to Baltimore/BWI, and there should be free printing in the library. Over the next few weeks, the senators will further investigate these flaws and will ponder about solutions to these flaws.

            After that, Samy Rabb, FYA of Student Organization Support Staff (SOS) told the senators about this year’s SOS. To find out more information about SOS and/or to find out EXACTLY what Sammy discussed, check out the followings sheets he handed out, attached below.

            After Samy left, one of the Senate members presented a proposal to revise the Undergraduate Academic Conduct Policy, representing Academic Conduct Committee (ACC). The Senate then discussed their views of the proposal and the proposed academic conduct policies, and came up with questions to ask the faculty advisor of the ACC when she visits the Senate next Monday.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog to find out about the conversation with the ACC advisor, what the Senate members discovered about their initial research regarding the flaws of UMBC they wish to improve, and more!

Or even better, come to a senate meeting! They are on Mondays at 5:30 pm in Commons 318.  

                Take Care,

              Anisha Khandelwal

 p.s.

. 

 Dr. Antonio R. Moreira, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, visited the Senate. He discussed the Retriever Learning Center, the 24/7 learning center which should be ready by August 2011. The Retriever Learning Center will be located inside the library. In order to maintain a safe and secure area, there will be video camera surveillance and a swipe key access in order to enter the room. In order to make the room interactive and fun, he is also considering the idea of walls you can write on. He aims to make the study room very cozy and comfortable, just like if one was to study at home. The idea of security for students walking from dorms or from parking lots at night to this learning center was also discussed. Construction of the place is planned to begin in December. Please state your idea(s) regarding the design of the room or what you hope the room to be like, in the comment box below. He is really trying to get student input and feedback in the design of this room, as this room is for students. His goal is to make a cozy, safe, secure, and active learning place where students will actually go in order to study.