UIC Today : September 24, 2001

USG sets agenda for school year
Extending two-week drop one of its goals

By John Isberg

On Wednesday evening, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) assembly approved an agenda proposed by President Brian Crowe. The list of goals is topped by procuring an Asian American Cultural Center, and extending the two week drop policy, among others.

"By setting our agenda now, we'll be able to measure our progress as the year goes by," said Crowe. "This is a declaration of what we feel we can reasonably accomplish while in office."

The list is categorized by long term goals, medium term goals, and short term goals. The "Big Four" long term goals are extending the two week drop policy, establishing an Asian American Cultural Center, abolishing catering and rental fees in the campus unions, and finding a solution to the issues raised by the recent restrictions of red car policies.

None of the four long term goals are new to student governance; each issue has a history that extends back for at least one year.

The list also includes thirteen medium term goals, and twenty three short term goals. Some of the medium and short term goals have already been accomplished or are nearing completion, such as restructuring the USG committees to reflect the organizational structure of the campus administration.

While USG has yet to develop a concrete plan of action for each goal listed, work has already gone forward on many issues, most notably a petition drive that seeks student support for three issues. The issues are extension of the two week drop policy, creation of a Reading Day during which students could study for finals, and blockage of a proposed switch to a plus/minus grading system.

All three of these issues would be handled by the Academic Senate, which consists of 200 faculty and 50 students.

Other medium term goals include extending the inter-campus shuttle to service students west of Ogden, beginning the Taylor street shuttle bus before nine am, and encouraging the democratization of campus-wide committees.

Short term goals include improving the USG website, beginning a Student Advocate Program, encouraging attendance at UIC sporting events, and providing free advertising to student organizations.