“We’re here for student issues,” emphasized Dan Schniedermeier, College of Public Service Senator.
In its meeting last night, the Saint Louis University Student Government Association Senate attempted to balance regulatory and administrative tasks with the concerns of students.
Primary on the agenda of student issues, the senate passed a resolution regarding the handling of course evaluations and anonymity involved.
According to student investigations, many departments give teachers the handwritten copy of course evaluations rather than a typewritten copy.
“This is just not right,” said Margeurite Senator Nick Fagan. “We need to be assured anonymity.”
The resolution requested that the Office of the Provost mandate that each department make known its policy of handwritten versus typed. In addition, the resolution requested that the Provost take necessary steps to reinstate the implied anonymity of the evaluations.
Going yet another step, the SGA resolution recommended students not complete evaluations in such classes where handwritten copies are viewed.
“You may have that teacher again,” Fagan explained. “There is a chance of retaliation.”
“I think it is important that students feel that they can write whatever they choose without fear of any sort of consequence,” Parks College Senator-Elect Matt Love added. “It is important that students be able to speak their minds freely because their voice goes towards tenure and salary decisions.”
In additional business, the senate failed to pass an amendment that would add a senatorial attendance policy for departures during senate meetings. In the last three senate meetings, quorum has either been lost or become very close to being lost due to senators leaving midway through the meeting.
“Last week, you asked us to give it more strength,” explained author Commuter Senator Rich Bergin.
“In the student handbook, there is a section about conduct unbecoming, which includes dishonesty.”
“There are some ways to get around it,” replied Arts & Science Senator Todd Stonewater. “If I’m going to lie to you, I will.”
In rebuttal, Bergin said, “If you feel like going home, take an unexcused absence. If you’re going to sit here and lie, pack up the crap and get out of here. It really disgusts me.”
As the debate over attendance policies dragged on, Law School senator John Gunn said, “It’s debates like these on bills like these that make senators want to leave.”
The bill failed by a margin of 2 to 1.
Other business included the removal of funding from inactive student group accounts. The two groups that are nonexist that require no funding are University Broadcast Network and Wanting Healthy Alcohol-Free Thrills.
In addition, the senate tabled an amendment to seat a Graduate & Professional School Association Ambassador on the executive board of SGA.
