Academic Affairs Committee Meeting #5 — Minutes (03/11/26)

This document is from a previous session and is kept for the record. It may have been amended or replaced since.

Attendance Present: Kevin, Tola, Ella, Isaac, Kai, Tarini, Emin, Sean, Justin Excused: Gao, Veda, Kai Unexcused: N/A Key Updates ● Academic Affairs tabling event scheduled for March 9, 4:30–5:30 PM in the Student Center to distribute the credit overloading survey and collect additional responses. ● Due to delays in Senate scheduling, the original survey timeline has shifted. The committee agreed to present current survey results to the deans and send additional responses later by email if necessary. ● WSE will begin sending course registration updates via email and text notifications to improve communication with students. ● WSE is exploring a new Engineering Design minor focused on user-centered product design Discussion Summary Credit Overloading Survey ● Original plan was to collect responses for two weeks and present results to the deans. ● Due to Senate delays, the committee decided to present the current dataset (~300–400 responses) and supplement results afterward if necessary. Committee Opportunities ● Tarini announced openings for SGA members to participate in several university committees: ○ Cross-Institutional Student Advisory Committee (CSAC) – advisory body to the Provost’s Office. ○ Library Committee – focuses on library resources, programming, and services. ○ WSE Curriculum Committee – votes on engineering curriculum changes. ● Members interested in serving should contact Tarini. Course Transparency Initiative ● Sean presented the Course Transparency Act proposal again ahead of the next GBM. ● Key discussion points included: ○ Concerns about data accuracy and participation bias if submissions rely on voluntary transcript uploads. ○ Possible alternative approach: requesting grade distribution data directly from professors. ○ Plan to verify pilot data using limited advisor-provided course information to assess accuracy. ○ Discussion of mental health concerns related to grade comparison; supporters argued that similar information is already shared through exam statistics and peer comparison. ● The initiative will proceed as a pilot program, with data accuracy and participation evaluated before continuation. New Initiative Proposal ● Large lecture halls may receive additional electrical outlets and charging stations, with facilities surveying spaces and seeking student input. Next Steps ● Conduct Academic Affairs tabling event and continue collecting survey responses. ● Present preliminary credit overloading survey results at the upcoming dean meeting. ● Prepare the Course Transparency Act for the next GBM discussion and vote. ● Identify SGA members interested in serving on university committees.

Summary

These are minutes from the Academic Affairs Committee covering survey work, course transparency, committee opportunities, and student services.
An Academic Affairs tabling event was scheduled for March 9 from 4:30–5:30 PM in the Student Center to distribute the credit overloading survey and collect more responses. 1Academic Affairs tabling event scheduled for March 9, 4:30–5:30 PM in the Student Center to distribute the credit overloading survey and collect additional responses.
The committee agreed to present the current credit overloading survey results to the deans and send later responses by email if needed; the current dataset has about 300–400 responses. 2Due to delays in Senate scheduling, the original survey timeline has shifted. The committee agreed to present current survey results to the deans and send additional responses later by email if necessary.3Due to Senate delays, the committee decided to present the current dataset (~300–400 responses) and supplement results afterward if necessary.
WSE will send course registration updates by email and text, and is exploring an Engineering Design minor focused on user-centered product design. 4WSE will begin sending course registration updates via email and text notifications to improve communication with students.5WSE is exploring a new Engineering Design minor focused on user-centered product design
Tarini announced openings for SGA members on the Cross-Institutional Student Advisory Committee, Library Committee, and WSE Curriculum Committee; interested members should contact Tarini. 6Tarini announced openings for SGA members to participate in several university committees:7Members interested in serving should contact Tarini.
The Course Transparency Act will proceed as a pilot, with data accuracy and participation evaluated before continuation, and will be prepared for the next GBM discussion and vote. 8The initiative will proceed as a pilot program, with data accuracy and participation evaluated before continuation.9Prepare the Course Transparency Act for the next GBM discussion and vote.
Facilities may add electrical outlets and charging stations to large lecture halls after surveying spaces and seeking student input. 10Large lecture halls may receive additional electrical outlets and charging stations, with facilities surveying spaces and seeking student input.

People named

Tola Alaofin — Present
Tarini Basireddy — Present
Ella Chon — Present
Sean Durkis-Dervogne — Present
Andrew Gao — Excused
Veda Kommineni — Excused
Kai Martin — Present, Excused
Justin Pokrant — Present
Emin Soguktas — Present
Kevin Xu — Present, Drive owner, Last edited
Isaac Zhang — Present

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