UA board endorses long-term project

The Undergraduate Assembly Steering Committee held a meeting last night to resolve the group's internal committee structure for the semester. The five-member committee endorsed Chairperson Dan Debicella's Project 2000, and agreed to involve all body members in the 13 committees involved. Prior to the meeting, Debicella's project was in question all together, after several members said they were uncomfortable setting aside a substantial portion of the group's time to work on the five-year plan. At a meeting Sunday night, members decided to hand over the structural decision to the Steering Committee. UA members will now be given the opportunity to join committees ranging from Academics to Greek Life, with each committee averaging approximately three to four members. College sophomore and UA member Laurie Moldawer said last night she plans to serve on the Academic committee. That committee will deal with the improvement of the University's academic quality -- both in terms of teaching and course material. "I looked in the 1994 Course Guide and saw a math teacher with the rating of .87 [out of 4.0], with an editor's note saying that this was an increase from last year's .5," said Moldawer. "How can the University rehire these professors?" Moldawer explained that the committee may sit down with department chairs, especially Math Department Chairperson Robert T. Powers, to ask them why certain seemingly unqualified professors are kept on despite overwhelmingly negative student reactions. Moldawer said she will also be a member of the Tuition and Finance committee, whose objective will be to focus on how tuition is being utilized by the University. The standing committee will also attempt to find a way to lower tuition by reducing unnecessary services. Students may be able to have a direct impact on the group's decisions regarding tuition budgeting and allocations, said UA Chairperson and committee member Dan Debicella. "We have to let students have a consistent way to participate," the Wharton junior said. One of the committee's goals " will be to try to find a plan to integrate students into the process," he added. The Tuition and Finance committee also hopes to keep the rate of tuition increase in subsequent years to one percent above the rate of inflation, Debicella said. As part of the Social Life/Student Activities committee, Debicella will also "work with SAC to find better ways to fund and create new student groups." "Also important would be to improve the social-party scene, and to find more options to do on Friday nights," he said. Closely tied with student life, UA member Josh Gottheimer will work "to insure that Greek life remain a significant part of campus." The College sophomore explained that his committee plans to "work with the Interfraternity Council and ease into [the new plan of] second semester rush." The Commission on Strengthening the Community recommended last spring that fraternity rush should be postponed to second semester freshman year. "I want to see Greek life kept alive on this campus," Gottheimer said. The Project 2000 committees will start group planning sessions after the full body meets this Sunday.