Yes RADIKAL readers, we have a new feature on the blog that continually brings you SG News (even during the time no one wants to cover *hint, hint SG, LL)
For the first edition of W.O.T.N. two questions were presented to a loyal Radikal reader, IRHA President E.J. Walicki. So, here goes:
T.R. Could you please address the Minus Grade Issue?
E.J.W.: I agree with the minue grade issue, probably one of the few students that do. I read the facebook group posts about it (there were a lot) and there was a lot of good ideas out there. I do believe it is a better indicator of where a student lies on the grade spectrum. I know a lot of students feel that they will be cheated, I have an A and now I have an A- and the B+ is lower gpa wise and the B- is a 2.67. But what about the person who does just enough to get a B is now equal to someone who just missed a B+, you have the same GPA. The Faculty Senate seems set on the system that is common but a modified scale could work. I like to play devil's advocate because I feel it brings out better arguments and educates people. And with any change at a university, in four or fives years, there won't be many students who will remember that we didn't have minus grades, it will be a normal thing, I am not saying that is the only reason to do it though.
I know students are worried about grad school, etc. with mixed scales for the sophomores and juniors but all colleges have a way to take that into account. I plan on talking with the Faculty Senators from CLAS (my college) to get their ideas. My main issue with the proposal is timing and cost. Is this a priority for the faculty and the university right now? I feel that it is not with so many other issues going on with CLAS and the new academic enhancement program. Maybe it will just get passed but not be initiated for a few years, I don't know. I also want to know how much this will cost the university and if that cost is a priority over other costs. I can tell you from what I have seen and heard that the students feel it would not be a priority costwise. If the Faculty Senate feels it is a priority then they will probably go ahead with the plan. As a representative of the students on the Faculty Senate though, I need to speak on their behalf, and although that differs from my opinion, I will reasearch as hard as I can to support the students views.
T.R. Could you please address the Support of the Academic Enhancement Plan?
E.J.W.: I will support and not support the plan and here is why. If services you receive as a student is a priority, then I will support this plan. If keeping costs to the university down is a priority then I will not support this plan. Students want the best of both worlds and the truth is it is extremely hard to get that. They want more services but they don't want to pay more. Students need to decide what is more important to them. I personally don't think charging the students more is a good idea. I know a lot of people come to UF not only for the education that they receive and the experience, but the cost compared to other colleges.
It is very easy for students to still get a quality education and come out of undergrad without a lot of debt. I also feel that is extremely important. Maybe we can look at utilizing student organizations (Student Honors Organization or BOCC) for presentations about study abroad and internships. Looking at student volunteers to help with advising (peer advising can really work well). But if students really want more services, this is one of the best ways to do it because they will have it set out where that money will be going. It will only be going to certain areas in terms of academics.
I want to thank Stephanie Garry and her University Editor Lyndsey Lewis for all their hard work and due diligence on this matter. These two ladies represent the cutting edge of twenty-first-century American journalism. One day, either but prolly both of these women will no doubt be hired to cover a yard-sale, a church, senior citizen bingo tournament, or a used-boat-show near you. Count on it!
19 comments:
Now I guess we know whose been giving up all of FBK's sensitive info...EJ!!
E.J. was asked many months ago to get involved with TR. He has not given me any information other than what you've read here today. My sources in FBK would never, ever, ever post on TR using their real names, that would be social-suicide...c'mon, whoever you are, you should know better.
I meant anonymous posters who appear to be in FBK. EJ is in FBK, he is not greek. He has no interest in protecting FBK's internal business from scruitny. Thus, I concluded he easily could be the or one of the anons who seem to give away the inside info in the comments.
meh, i doubt it
Thats it EJ. You're fucked and every IRHA kid with you. We tried to be nice we really tried. Evryones getting hit.
I love how none of the comments have anything to do with the minus grade issue or Machen's plan.
Don't you know that mundane stuff isn't important? Life at UF is all about FBK and only FBK! Loyalty to the system is more important than an education. A 4.0 student isn't going to get into the Swamp for free or have a cush job ligned up after law school, don't you know? FBK = control of the state of Florida, beyatch!
why would I want to control a state as fucked up as florida? The state of Katherine Harris and the Sarasota voting machines. Nah, i'd rather control the state of Nebraska with its unicameral non-partisan legislature.
Free tickets to the Annual Corn Festival or Disney? I'll stay in Florida.
Did anyone else feel sorry for J Clay last night? His own party threw him under a bus on the 2.5 bill... Can't be good for his spring election team.
So they rejected Sarah Badawi's bill?
The "used-boat" show comment is the best thing on this blog all week.
I vote for Fei Long (Peace Be With Him)
The 2.5 res was the Unite Party leader's bill with almost only indie support. It is funny how Badawi and Silva have taken such elitist, anti-student turns once in chambers.
for those of us not in senate... what was the 2.5 bill?
Senate recap:
Resolution supporting tuition increase passed with a huge margin. Lots of debate on the amendments, some of which got a majority vote but not 2/3. Justin Bell acted shady to get one formal amendment to get voted down then reneged on his promises of a friendly.
Anti-minus grade resolution passed by a huge margin too. Supporters said it would bring down GPAs, people against it said it would only allow for fair grades.
Bill to increase GPA req for SG up to 2.5 failed by a large margin. It had big names on both sides supporting it but most senators agreed it was being elitist.
How is the Argento interview looking Christian?
Unfortunately, yes, some people did see the 2.5 initiative as "elitist". however, several senators failed to acknowledge the true scope of the argument at hand. If anyone had asked us why we had pursued this Bill, it was a matter of principle. The fact that the student body has never been consulted on the matter was more important to me than the actual GPA. Regardless of how this bill faired on the Senate floor, I think it is interesting that very few senators commented on the fact that SG was neglecting to ask the student body a very relevant question: Would you raise the academic standard for YOUR student leaders?...How is that elitist if the student body , by majority vote, passes that or any other amendment?...All we wanted to do was give them (the students) a chance to voice their opinion in a way that could actually make a difference.
You could always get it on the spring ballot with a petition. Make sure it is an initiative (i.e. a bill) and not a referendum (resolution).
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