The idea of eliminating the College's speech pathology program, a track within the School of Education, was introduced at the Feb. 28 meeting of the Student Government Association (SGA). According to Steven Link, vice president of Academic Affairs, the decision to abandon the program has been contemplated by College administrators.
Link indicated that in an academic programs meeting, Jasper Phelps, professor of special education, language and literacy, argued against the closure of the program. Phelps said that College administrators have left professors and students out of the decision-making process and that the program has largely been neglected by the College, making retention of professors difficult.
"This seems like a big administrative decision that left both professors and students out of the loop," Link said. "There is a huge need in the state for this kind of work."
Link indicated he would follow the development of the College's decision and wished to call the senators' attention to the issue.
SGA approved Barkada, the Filipino student organization. In a memorandum issued to SGA senators, Barkada described its purpose as "to promote greater recognition of the Filipino culture, history and heritage at the College community."
Barkada will not restrict itself to engaging with the College community. The new organization has already affiliated itself with a larger intercollegiate network of student-based Filipino organizations. Barkada has been interacting with similar organizations at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Seton Hall University and Cornell University to better address larger national issues faced by the Filipino community.
Barkada encountered some difficulties earlier in the week while appearing before the Legal and Governmental Affairs committee. Committee members questioned the originality of the organization, citing the Asian American Association (AAA) as a larger umbrella organization.
"They do seem to have some distinct differences from AAA," Dan Beckelman, vice president of Administration and Finance, said. "I think we should reward them by passing them today."
Barkada was given a unanimous vote of approval.
SGA also approved the recently formed Golf Club. The Golf Club was formed after the elimination of the College's varsity golf team, which was disbanded in 2005 after state budget cuts left the team without funds. Of the club's 10 members, six were originally part of the varsity team.
The Golf Club intends on participating in local golf tournaments. Funding will be obtained through the collection of dues and through various fundraising activities.
Beckelman discussed the recent budget proposal issued by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. The proposal allocated an increase in funding for the College of $1.6 million.
Beckelman said the proposed increase was "not a bad start." Beckelman also said his lobbying efforts and those of Mike Strom, vice president of Legal and Governmental Affairs, would continue as revisions to the budget proposal were made.
Beckelman also addressed what he referred to as "the scourge of vandalism in Lot 6." Recently, a car in the student parking lot was broken into. Beckelman said the installation of security cameras in the parking lot would prove to be a difficult and costly endeavor. Beckelman indicated that a more likely, as well as more cost-effective, solution to the problem would be frequent Campus Police patrols of Lot 6.
Gabe Alonso, Senior Class Council treasurer, voiced discontent with coverage of Senior Week by The Signal. Alonso also said The Signal has been unprofessional in its dealings with the Senior Class Council.
"The Signal has lacked journalistic integrity," Alonso said. "The only thing The Signal has done is give us more of a headache."
Alonso asserted that headlines selected by the Signal editorial staff appearing in the Feb. 28 edition were misleading. He affirmed that the Senior Class Council has worked to create an affordable and enjoyable Senior Week.
