2008 Woodie Awards
RSSSenate agenda includes accreditation, probation
By Jacyln Weissman
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: News
Student senators discussed the university's internal accreditation process, the large number of fraternities on social probation and Senate's lack of progress this semester during last Tuesday's meeting.
Lehigh is undergoing an internal accreditation process. The administration wants feedback from students on two self-study topics - the first year experience and beyond, and technology support for a learning-centered mission.
"There are so many freshmen that have such great ideas, but because they're not aware of how important accreditation is, they're not going to take the time," said Senate Parliamentarian Divya Nayar, '10.
The Senate is encouraging its members and the student body to take part in the accreditation process. An e-mail encouraging students to participate was sent out to the entire student body, but Nayar said most people deleted it.
In new business, Katie Goldstein, '10, raised concern over Lehigh putting a large number of fraternities on social probation.
"There are apparently 14 or 16 fraternities on probation," Goldstein said. "Can we look into that? Because I think it's ridiculous."
Jordan Giallanzo, '10, also expressed concern, suggesting social probation may affect the alumni endowment in the future.
President Clark Cohen, '08, said Senate members need to take it upon themselves to start looking into the social probation problem.
A small group of Senate members has begun to investigate the issue by speaking with administrators. The topic will be fully addressed at the next Senate meeting Oct. 30.
In other business, Cohen and Vice President Laura Sobol, '08, addressed the concern that the Senate has not made as much progress as it should.
"The concern is that we're at meeting six, mid-way through October, and if there is progress being made, we're not aware of it," Sobol said. "And that means the student body is not aware of it."
In order to make more progress, Sobol said committees need to make long and short-term goals. She also said work needs to be taken care of outside of Senate and committee meetings so that meetings are more productive.
The Green Lehigh committee said it attended the Green Summit meeting held a few weeks ago. Other groups interested in a greener campus also attended. Green Lehigh's main initiative is to establish a sustainable recycling program on campus.
Green Lehigh is working on a proposal for President Alice Gast.
Lehigh is undergoing an internal accreditation process. The administration wants feedback from students on two self-study topics - the first year experience and beyond, and technology support for a learning-centered mission.
"There are so many freshmen that have such great ideas, but because they're not aware of how important accreditation is, they're not going to take the time," said Senate Parliamentarian Divya Nayar, '10.
The Senate is encouraging its members and the student body to take part in the accreditation process. An e-mail encouraging students to participate was sent out to the entire student body, but Nayar said most people deleted it.
In new business, Katie Goldstein, '10, raised concern over Lehigh putting a large number of fraternities on social probation.
"There are apparently 14 or 16 fraternities on probation," Goldstein said. "Can we look into that? Because I think it's ridiculous."
Jordan Giallanzo, '10, also expressed concern, suggesting social probation may affect the alumni endowment in the future.
President Clark Cohen, '08, said Senate members need to take it upon themselves to start looking into the social probation problem.
A small group of Senate members has begun to investigate the issue by speaking with administrators. The topic will be fully addressed at the next Senate meeting Oct. 30.
In other business, Cohen and Vice President Laura Sobol, '08, addressed the concern that the Senate has not made as much progress as it should.
"The concern is that we're at meeting six, mid-way through October, and if there is progress being made, we're not aware of it," Sobol said. "And that means the student body is not aware of it."
In order to make more progress, Sobol said committees need to make long and short-term goals. She also said work needs to be taken care of outside of Senate and committee meetings so that meetings are more productive.
The Green Lehigh committee said it attended the Green Summit meeting held a few weeks ago. Other groups interested in a greener campus also attended. Green Lehigh's main initiative is to establish a sustainable recycling program on campus.
Green Lehigh is working on a proposal for President Alice Gast.
