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Tuesday, December 9, 1975
University Daily Kansan
STUDENT SENATE MID YEAR REPORT 1975 Compiled by Communications Committee
OPEN LETTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
Since the election of the new Student Government last February, there have been many accomplishments and several failures. I would like the opportunity to briefly review those projects which have been undertaken during this past year.
The creation of the Student Advisory Committee to the Board of Regents by the State Legislature and the Governor has prompted a new and exciting exchange of ideas between students and leaders in higher education. As a result, the Committee which came into effect in July has already effected changes in the Board's policies for the sale of cereal malt beverages on campuses and is looking toward continued involvement with the Regents. On that same level, students are taking a close look at the funding of higher education by the Legislature and the Governor. This activity is borne in a large part due to the awareness and attention that is being given to the quality of classroom instruction by the Senate. Student Government is traveling in uncharted waters in the area of teaching, but the range and scope with which it is addressing the subject is totally appropriate. Although resistance has been substantial, it is my view that there is nothing that affects more students in a greater way than classroom instruction; and, for this reason, I believe we have a responsibility to address the subject.
The Student Senate is also moving ahead with a report to the student body on the possible construction of a satellite union. The satellite union's construction would, in all probability, represent an approximate $7.00 increase in tuition per semester. One of the proposed sites for the construction is in the end zone parking lot in the area of the new Law School building, Daisy Hill, and Murphy Hall. I will recommend that this question be placed on the spring election ballot for a direct referendum vote by all of the members of the student body.
ED. C. ROLFS
CEREY ED. C. RULES President of the Student Body
STUDENT COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE
Planned state-wide activities; initiated new student publications bill and conducted research into Student Senate funding of KJHK radio station.
STUDENT RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES COMMITTEE
Examined the role of StudEx; Conducted a study of complaints concerning the removal of the Hawkett Dining Area and initiated the Student Referendum Bill. CULTURAL FAIRAIS COMMITTEE
TURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Established representation of the Cultural Affairs Committee on the University Concert Series. Research the various University lecture series.
SPORTS COMMITTEE
Established Recreational Advisory Board. Is in the process of recommending the instigation of the computerized selling of football tickets during Enrollment. Established Women's Athletic Board. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Responsible for directing "K.U. on Wheels" program and initiated "Lunch Box Express." Is presently working in conjunction with the city of Lawrence in order to obtain Federal Grant for the purpose of constructing a mass transportation system for the University and the City of Lawrence.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Conducted a study on the subject of grade inflation. Surveyed faculty and students on the value of the Credit-No Credit and Withdrawal policies. Investigated the possibility of joining Associated Students of Kansas. TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Researching and planning for the possible construction of a Satellite Union.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS FUNDED BY STUDENT SENATE
Student Bar Association $ 540.00
Black American Law Students Association 919.00
Chicano Law Students Association 305.00
Women in Law 340.00
Engineering School Council 2,400.00
American Society of Civil Engineers 817.00
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics 335.00
University Association for Women Engineers 400.00
Architecture/Urban Design School Council 525.00
Black Tects 700.00
School of Education Student Advisory Board 276.00
K.U. Federation of Student Social Workers 560.00
Association of Black Social Work Students 70.00
Chicano/Indian Students of Social Work 70.00
K.U. Business Club 375.00
Student Association for Combined Health Science 230.00
Kansas Defender Project 905.00
Chancery Club 250.00
Alpha Rho Gamma 156.00
Amateur Radio Club 250.00
KUOK Radio 1,646.00
Operation Friendship 1,000.00
K.U. Folkdance Club 100.00
Tau Sigma 900.00
International Club 1,597.00
Black Arts Alliance 100.00
Jayhawk Fencing Club 472.00
K.U. Rugby Club 398.00
K.U. Soccer Club 490.00
Campus Veterans 1,126.00
Committee on Indian Affairs 657.00
Commission on the Status of Women 1,431.00
Consumer Protection Association 7,145.00
Douglas County Legal Aid Society, Inc. 3,356.00
Headquarters, Inc. (Friends of Headquarters) 3,575.00
KU-Y 647.00
MECHA 692.00
Ombudsman 50.00
SCORMEBE 1,681.00
Volunteer Clearing House 337.00
Women's Coalition 492.00
ED ROLFS Student Body President
MARY LOU REECE
Student Body
Vice-President
BRUCE WONER StudEx Chairman
CHUCK FISCHER Cultural Affair Chairman
STUDENT SENATE EXPENDITURES AND ALLOCATIONS
KUAC (Student Ticket Subsidy) $ 97,001.00
KUAC (Stadium Bonds) 50,000.00
Women's Intercollegiate Athletics 47,819.00
Intramurals 23,024.00
KU Bands 6,313.00
Kansas Forensics 8,501.00
University Daily Kansan 47,819.00
University Concert Series 26,566.00
University Theatre 28,337.00
Graduate Student Council 9,209.00
Student Senate 48,755.00
Student Organizations 50,259.00
Controlled Reserve Fund    18,007.00
Unallocated Funds on hand    33,420.57
TOTAL $495,030.57
BILL BLESSING Academic Affairs Chairman
DAVE SHAPIRO Sports Chairman
JULI ANDERSON Finance & Auditing Chairman
BRITT BUCKLEY Elections Chairman
STEVE McMURRY
Student Rights
Co-Chairman
JEFF RHOADS Student Services Co-Chairman
KEVIN FLYNN Communications Chairman
SCOTT SIEBELS
Student Services
Co-Chairman
Not pictured: John House, Treasurer
FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
ON CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
1. All teaching awards should carry a 5 to 10 per cent increase in pay, in addition to the bonusary of $ 6,000.
2. An award for teaching excellence in introductory courses should include instructors (including AI's and TA's) of such courses could compete.
3. Five teaching professorships should be established.
4. The Office of Instructional Resources should be enlarged and given the status commensurate with the importance of teaching at the University. The duties would need to be increased to encompass audio-visual resources and to further expand and publicize the pool of information available to teachers for their im
9. the administration should insure that sabbatical leaves for the improvement of classroom teaching are possible.
5. The Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs should place an increased emphasis on teaching at KU. The Vice-Chancellor should direct the department heads to assign equal weight to teaching and research ability for selection of new faculty.
7. Curriculum and Instruction Survey
a. The length of the survey should be cut to 15-20 questions.
b. There should be at least three different surveys. One survey should be for the large lecture class, one for the small lecture and/or discussion class, and one for the studio or lab type course.
c. There should be adequate space in the survey for departments to add their own pertinent questions
e. The results need to be distributed earlier and more widely.
d. The survey questions should be so structured that ambiguity is eliminated.
f. The "Feedback" should include a section on Instructor's Comments and credentials, and a description of the course structure.
8. Student Responsibilities
a. The Credit/ No Credit option should be restricted to one course every two semesters and must be taken during undergraduate degree requirements seeking students.
b. Grievance procedures should be established for students. This course provides information about the procedures for student grievances from the Office of Academic Affairs.
MECHANICAL PROPOSALS (01/11)
9. In construction of new classrooms and remodeling of old classrooms, consideration should be given to providing an atmosphere conducive to a good learning environment. In addition, current buildings must be designed to see what a good teacher might add a good teaching atmosphere.
10. Each faculty member should be given the opportunity by his department or school to use effective and innovative ideas in the classroom. In particular, teachers should be referred periodically to any new publications from the Office of Instructional Rea. There needs to be a definite selection process as outlined below in this report.
11. Unless impossible, all departments and schools should be required to assign instructors to each section of all classes and that information should be included in the timetable or addendum.
Pre-enrollment for AI's and TA's would help to facilitate this as well as written contracts for graduate students signed in advance of the timetable publication.
12. Assistant Instructors and Teaching Assistants
1. Wherever possible, a personal interview should be conducted. Anyone living within a 300 mile radius should be personally interviewed. Outside the 300 mile radius, a phone call (possibly conference) shall be made to individuals under consideration for the position of Assistant Instructor or Teaching Assistant.
2. Selection of Assistant Instructors or Teaching Assistants
3. No person who is not proficient in speaking English should be bired for a teaching position at KU.
4. The basic dosister should be submitted prior to appointment. The dosister will be documented of teaching ability and a personal when possible.
5. Criteria for selection of AI's and TA's shall be made available in the data and that criteria adhered to during the selection process.
6. Written contracts stipulating pay and responsibilities shall be agreed with AI's and TA's prior to the beginning of teaching duties.
b. A uniform procedure should be established for removal of an ANTIMIG device. The ANTIMIG device should be placed in room for reasons for removal should be provided the AI or TA
c. A grievance committee consisting of faculty and graduate students should be established in order to appeal hiring and red. Tuition fee waivers and other benefits should be sought for graduate student instructors. In addition, graduate student instructors should be allowed to compete for funds for innovative teaching ideas from the Office of Instructional Resources.
PROPOSALS IN NEED OF FURTHER RESEARCH
(413-315)
13. Some means of training and evaluation of all graduate instruction and new faculty needs to be established.
16. Each faculty member at the University of Kansas should un-
derstand evaluation annually.
15. Steps should be taken to improve Wafson Library so that it could
be a more effective learning aid for students.
16. The Commission proposes that it become a permanent part of the Student Senate to be a tool in the ongoing process of the improvement of classroom teaching at KU.
in order to be more responsive, the Student Senate needs feedback from the University Community and, in particular, the student body. If you have any suggestions or comments concerning the Student Senate and how it operates, please write them down and send to:
STUDENT SENATE 105 B Kansas Union
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