Although the school year has just started, the holidays already seem to be on everybody’s minds — especially the Undergraduate Assembly’s.
On Monday night, the UA voted in favor of sending professors emails at the start of every school year to remind them of religious holidays. The project, a collaboration between the UA and Programs in Religion, Interfaith and Spirituality Matters, will be up for approval by the Council of University Deans in October.
College and Wharton sophomore Abraham Sutton, the UA director of academic affairs, who worked on the resolution said it is “unfair for students to have to choose between class and religious holidays.”
However, professors can sometimes hold class or assign tests on religious holidays or observances and hold class or assign tests on these days. At times, the absence policy is also unforgiving. If implemented, the Holiday Reminder Project will serve as a written reminder for professors.
College senior and PRISM Vice President Mo Shahin, who is a UA associate member, expressed concern that professors may be making make-up exams harder to “discourage students” from missing exams. Shahin wanted a clause in the letter to prevent this.
Following a suggestion made by Engineering and Wharton sophomore and UA member Andrew Staniforth, an amendment clause was added to the Holiday Reminder letter, stipulating that make-up exams should not be made more difficult. The majority of the UA voted in favor of presenting the letter to the Council of University Deans.
“This is the first step in a larger portfolio in this regard,” UA President and Engineering and Wharton senior Tyler Ernst said. . The possible existence of unfair testing policies “would be researched” and acted upon if necessary, he added.
During the meeting, members also voted unanimously to modify the UA bylaws on attendance. Members who exceed the absence limit will no longer be immediately removed from the UA. Instead, they may request a hearing.
The previous policy was “somewhat draconian,” College senior and UA Housing, Sustainability and Facilities Committee Director Sam Bieler said.
On other fronts, the UA’s first alcohol policy review session is scheduled for Sept. 28. New ideas also emerged from Penn Apps Lab’s open house last Monday, where students shared their ideas on new technology with the Penn community.
The Nomination and Elections Committee also attended Monday’s meeting with current board members and new recruits.
The upcoming UA and Class Board elections will bring fresh faces to student government. Online voting will begin on Monday, Sept. 26, and conclude on Friday, Sept. 30.
