:📝 Meeting Minutes: Academic Affairs Committee – September 13 (Part 1)Meeting Duration: 1h 20 minAttendees 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 yearOverloading experience, research participationBranching 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.