Senate evaluates desk hours

Student Senate discussed Senator desk hours at its meeting Monday.

Heather Wing, Chief Justice, said that many of the senators had not been showing up for desk hours every week. Wing asked how people would feel about donating their time for a group community service project, so that she would not be wasting paper on sign-up sheets no one was signing.

Laure Sinn said that people do want to talk to their senators to know what’s going on around in the school. Hannah Clark, senator of liberal arts; however, said that sometimes senators may not know the answers when a student asks a question. Clark suggested that there be a drop box where students can put their questions, then senators could post answers during their desk hour. Spike Jordan, senator at large said that more students might talk to the senators at the desk if they were to advertise, and suggested a sign or banner be made for display at the desk.

T.J. Thomson, vice president, thanked everyone for their input, and said that the executive board would consider the options and report back next week.

In other business, Jordan said the Academic Review Committee is currently looking at the class College 191 and trying to find a way to advertise to students so they do not wait to take it until their senior year.

Jordan also said that the Academic Review Committee is looking at a new proposal of academic probation and suspension, as currently, a student who is suspended from physical classes may still take online and summer classes.

Aaron Prestwich, interim executive director of student affairs, said that the administration is trying to clear up confusion with the policy. The system depends on GPA, and is confusing, Prestwich said. He said that it sends a mixed message if students can take online classes rather than on campus classes.

Matthew Brust, assistant professor of Life Sciences said that students could register for spring classes now, and to pass on the word.

Prestwich said that the system office did a phone conference with administrators from each of the Nebraska state colleges about Board Policy 3300 last week. The policy states, among other things, that fundraised club funds must be maintained at off-campus locations. He said that he is currently working on providing guidance on the policy and will be providing handouts in the next week or two.

Randi Hughes, senator at large, said that students in Edna and the Math and Science would like an ice machine, as currently, there are only two on campus, one in the Student Center, and one in Kent. Hughes said that science students occasionally need ice for experiments, and that when they go to the Student Center cafeteria for ice, the staff there sometimes gets mad at them.