: 📝 Meeting Minutes: Academic Affairs Committee – September 13 (Part 1) Meeting Duration: 1h 20 min Attendees Noted: Tarini, Tola, Jazzlyn (not AA), Andrew Gao, Hayden (absent), Ndeye (absent), Steven (absent), Emin (absent) Chair: [Speaker 1, unnamed] Main Topics Discussed:
- Attendance & Participation
Hayden has 3 unexcused absences and hasn’t communicated about a committee switch. Suggested to follow up with a reminder. Reminder: Impeachment can follow multiple unexcused absences per SGA bylaws. Low overall attendance noted; vice chair election postponed due to lack of quorum. Members must explicitly opt out if not running for vice chair.
- Academic Affairs Tabling Event
Reviving Academic Affairs tabling during National Pancake Day (Sept. 26, 2–4 PM). Goal: Increase visibility, collect student feedback. Event ideas: Prize wheel, discussion jar, small giveaways (e.g. stickers, plushies, LEGOs). Check SGA closet for supplies; otherwise, submit quick funding bill (~$100).
- Student Feedback & Communication
Preference for in-person feedback over QR-only strategies. Notes from conversations to guide future initiatives. Emails should have a more relaxed, inviting tone to encourage participation.
- Dean Meeting Coordination
Proposed for Thursday, October 2, 10:00–10:45 AM. Conflicts exist, but some attendees can manage. Chair may follow up with Wanda to find a better time.
- Survey on Credit Overloading
Finalizing survey with questions on: Transfer status, class year Overloading experience, research participation Branching logic added for clarity but kept simple. QR code to be distributed at tabling events. Aim to send to Jessica for approval; alternate contacts may help due to lack of response.
- Course Transparency Initiative
Proposal to create student-written course manuals, similar to Princeton’s “Princepedia.” Would supplement existing resources like syllabi, Discords, RateMyProfessor. Goal: Provide equitable insights into course structure, workload, and teaching style. Considering incentives for contributors (e.g. payment or recognition).
- Transfer Writing Requirement
Planning to challenge the mandatory "Re-Intro to Writing" course for transfer students. Strategy: Ask who sets the requirement and explore if changes are possible. Recommend gathering anecdotes and involving the transfer committee.
- Peabody Dual Degree Registration Issues
Students must use SEAM to register for Homewood classes, leading to delays and lack of Canvas access. Heavy course loads (~25 credits/semester) and inflexible scheduling systems worsen the issue. SIS lacks support for overlapping classes, unlike Peabody’s more flexible scheduling. Long-term fix may come with new unified system (ETA: 2029). Suggestion to escalate through CSAF for broader visibility.
- Vice Chair Elections
Rescheduled for next Saturday due to low attendance. Only one nominee so far; others cited schedule conflicts.