Mittal gives new board advice

The final Student Council (StuCo) meeting of the year was held Tuesday and focused on reviewing nominees for next year's Ethics Board, Spring Fair and Curriculum Committee.

President Anuj Mittal started off the meeting by outlining the issues that he would like to see StuCo address next year. He emphasized career-planning development, evaluation of the advising system, security concerns, improvement of undergraduate life through changes in housing and facility use and the question of student input in tenure and the potential for better teachers.

Executive Treasurer Noel de Santos announced the remaining StuCo funds - from the speakers' fund- to be $421.19. The Student Activities Commission (SAC) has $30,783.17, with more money to be returned through the process of recalling unused student group funding. These funds will carry over for use next year. Some funds will likely be used for groups who resubmit in the fall budgets that were rejected this spring.

Senior President Stephen Goutman expects seniors to participate in upcoming class-specific events. There will soon be a senior-faculty barbecue that aims to become a tradition at Hopkins.

A two-day, one-night trip to Atlantic City will take place from May 15-16. Goutman also vocalized his support for reviving the institution that was Disorientation, which "went to hell in a hand basket" within seniors' recent memory.

Sophomore Vice President Lindsay Allen encouraged sophomores to buy the class tee shirt. Sales are going well, and more shirts may need to be ordered. If there are any of the first batch of shirts remaining, they will be sold at the sophomore class study break on the Beach on Tuesday, May 7, where free cotton candy will be distributed.

StuCo approved the one remaining nominee for next year's Ethics Board, Eddy Morales, following a statement where he expressed his concern over the issue of cheating among Hopkins students.

Executive Vice President for Administration Priya Sarin presented the Committee on Leadership Appointments's (COLA) nominees for next year's Spring Fair chairs. She cited both Dan Coleman and Megan McCann as students with a "dedication to Spring Fair," work ethic and heart. Their ideas for next year's fair include exploring the possibility of expanding the festivities to other big areas not affected by the Master Plan. Members eventually approved both nominees.

After lengthy debate, five of COLA's six nominees for the Curriculum Committee were approved. Ideas proposed by the nominees included improving the relationship between Peabody and Hopkins students, creating sections for large classes, ensuring that writing-intensive courses provide necessary writing skills and increasing the emphasis on hands-on as opposed to theoretical modes of learning. Both the East Asian Studies and Business degree programs were cited as being weak and needing improvement.

One Curriculum Committee nominee was questioned for his use of the phrase "Bill Six Sucks Ass," on a recent campaign poster. While the nominee and StuCo members confirmed that this sign was in fact Bill Six's idea, possibly as part of an attempt to improve voter turnout, StuCo members chose not to approve this member for a position on the Committee. The nominee was also questioned about his opinion of a core curriculum, which he strongly supported. StuCo members voiced concern, with several members saying they felt the lack of a core curriculum was a great benefit to Hopkins students.

After a few final words from Mittal where he indicated that he may be around next year after all if Wednesday's C++ exam did not give him at least a C-, the final StuCo meeting of the year officially adjourned.