Yes, this space is once again being devoted to ways to utilize the University Senate to its full extent. But don’t stop reading yet. This time we’re not here to chastise senate members for canceling another meeting but to remind the entire university community of a powerful tool for improving everyone’s academic experience. (Yes, including the brand-new freshmen who are still sorting through First Look Fair pamphlets.)
The senate is the university’s legislative body, consisting of student, faculty and staff representatives, and is responsible for advising the president on virtually all university policy matters. One of its primary functions, as stated in the bylaws, is to “receive and consider recommendations from, and advise and consult with, all sectors of the campus community on matters of concern.” Another is to “work for the promotion of student welfare and the enhancement of student life.”
Given the rate at which the senate has been canceling committee meetings because of lack of issues to talk about and the remarkable emptiness of the senate inbox (only two e-mails since January) one might be led to believe all of the students at the university are tucked up in ocean-view penthouses, sailing through their classes and left with nothing to do but ponder the perfection of their lives.
Somehow, that doesn’t seem very likely.
For whatever reason, the senate is in a “dry spell” when it comes to suggestions for policy changes, particularly suggestions from students. However, after a few minutes of thought, every one of the 35,000 students on the campus could probably think of some aspect of their life that has room for improvement. There’s water, water everywhere, but not a drop to… fill out a committee meeting agenda.
It’s time for students to step in and end this senate drought with a flood of suggestions, comments and complaints – even simple rants about what it’s like to be a student on the campus. Don’t let the senate get away with saying there’s nothing to look at. Tell them what’s out there.
Sportsmanship regulations. Crime on the campus. Course registration. Graduation requirements. Textbook prices. There are committees that meet monthly for the sole purpose of discussing the campus community’s ideas and concerns in each of these areas.
Where to start? Traditionally, many student-initiated policies are suggested by the Student Government Association, so it’s worth a shot to flag down SGA President Andrew Rose or e-mail the SGA legislator from your college or residential area. However, given the SGA’s record so far this semester and the obvious abundance of free time on the hands of the senate members, it might be more productive to go straight to the senator from your academic college. There’s a list under “members” at www.senate.umd.edu. Or, better yet, start filling up the senate’s e-mail inbox at senate-executive@umd.edu.
