Jesse Freedman '03 suggested to the Senate that the College move to entirely self-scheduled exams.
"It's something I'm in favor of at this level of academics," said Freedman. "We shouldn't have two exams in one day."
"Faculty members say that [self-scheduled exams] make it easier for those who want to cheat to cheat," said Vladeck. "We'd need more accountability within the system."
At the meeting, the Student Government Organization (SGO) also went over a written list of guidelines intended to "help improve the ease, efficiency, and productivity of advisor-student relations." The guidelines suggested that advisors make their availability better known to their advisees, have broad knowledge of major requirements from all departments and be assigned advisees who are not enrolled in their classes. The guidelines also suggested that an advisor take on an equal number of thesis students as first-year students.
SGO President Steve Ruckman '01 announced the allocation of seven new spaces to student organizations in the basement of Pratt Dormitory, including spaces for the Financial Aid and Class Equality group, the Rainbow Room, the Student Finance Committee, the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, Natural on the Edge, the area coordinators and a music studio.
Jun Matsui '03, the sophomore class president, told the Senate that, despite efforts to get microwaves in dorms, the health hazard posed by students not cleaning up after themselves, as well as electrical limits, will prevent that possibility. However, Matsui said that "having microwaves would reduce the number of microwaves confiscated."
Matsui also told the Senate that Steve's Snacks will not install more vending machines since a freshman was "cut up" by one a few years ago after running into it when drunk.
Steve Vladeck '01 suggested that the College look into different vending machine companies. However, the College currently has a contract with Steve's Snacks that does not allow them to get additional machines from a new vendor.
Matsui told the senate that the Steve's Snacks representative guarenteed that soda prices will not go up this year.
Matsui also reported to the Senate that Physical Plant will be installing cubbies in bathrooms as renovations begin.
She said she will be talking to area coordinators about assigning dorm damage more specifically soon, too, and suggested initiating a big siblings program open to upperclassmen.