Senate approves $1,428 sound system
Student Senate began its meeting Monday with a plagiarism presentation by David Nesheim, assistant professor of history.
Nesheim introduced a new pilot program CSC is running to detect plagiarism. The site, turnitin.com, does more than just flag works of plagiarism; it also aids in further citations for student use. If adopted by CSC, students and faculty could access it through Sakai. Also, Neshiem proposed that instead of “Academic Dishonesty” in the student handbook, the college should instead frame it in an “Academic Integrity” heading that focuses on what we expect students do instead of what they should not.
The idea was open to discussion and many questions arose. The new program would check websites, scientific journals and other published works for copied words or phrases. Students also questioned cost. This site would cost $2.75 per student per academic year and would not be charged from student fees or tuition, Aaron Prestwich, interim executive director of student affairs, said. Currently, 15 faculty members across campus are doing a pilot trial. The first half of the trial will end in April, and if accepted at an institutional level, instructors could choose if they would like to use it. A few members of senate discussed how they are currently using the program or used a similar program in high school. These students listed benefits of the website. One of these benefits include more time for instructors to grade papers as opposed to checking for plagiarism.
In other business, more discussion of the bean bag chairs for the lounge and new CAB stereo system was discussed. Many members felt the bean bag chairs would get torn and be unsanitary. The purchase of the sound system, costing $1,428.94, was passed, however, no senator moved to approve the furniture purchase.
Secretary Beth Wroblewski said that at the Commencement Committee meeting a new layout for the graduation program was considered. Instead of listing the names of graduates with the general degrees, the program would be changed to have specific majors under each name. Open discussion led to an agreement in changing the layout. Wroblewski also brought up that a potential program cover change would occur. Wroblewski said she suggested that the college ask students to design the cover.
Laure Sinn, coordinator of student activities, reviewed the details for the internship fair. The career and internship fair will be 10 a.m.-p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the Student Center Ballroom. It will be a great opportunity for students to interact with businesses. Dressing up is not mandatory but recommended.
At Tuesday’s CAB meeting, CAB members reviewed the upcoming community service project “The Big Event.” CSC student Sam Parker, communications intern, brought up that planting trees for the Chadron State Forest, visiting nursing homes and painting rooms in Chadron’s middle school or high school will be some of the event’s volunteer projects. Clubs that participate and allocate money towards the event will be sponsored on the back of T-shirts to be given to those who help. The event will be April 20.
“This will be the biggest event of the semester,” Sinn said.
Protocol for missing CAB meetings was brought up. If a club has to miss a meeting they must type a letter as to why they will be absent and have the adviser of that club sign it. It must be turned into one of the members of the executive board before the meeting they will be missing. Not doing so will result in an unexcused absence.
In celebration of Black History Month, Charley Sampson, the first black bull riding world champion will be coming to CSC February 21 and 22. He will be speaking in Memorial Hall and having roping clinics.