Senate looks at First Year Experience

ASOSU Senate looked at a new resolution calling for a creation of a forum and delay of the implementation of the First Year Experience program last night.

“JR-04.01: Resolution for Student Involvement in First Year Experience” was submitted for consideration by Senators Terra Setzler, Kevin Coffey and Dylan Hinrichs, as well as undergraduate representatives Tom Sanderson and Brayden Johnson, in response to the recent town hall meeting addressing the First Year Experience.

The resolution as read on the floor calls into question the program’s impacts, as well as the inclusion of student opinion during the First Year Experience’s conception. Setzler made brief comments addressing concerns that portions of the resolution contained factual errors and warranted a revision, suggesting co-op, fraternity and sorority exemption may alleviate impacts the First Year Experience might have on those communities.

Senators Madison Parker and Tyler Hogan raised questions regarding the legislation’s proposed ends. JR-04.01 proposes that first, ASOSU create a “forum for collaboration and communication between administrators and students.” Second, the implementation of the First Year Experience be delayed until the 2014-15 school year. And third, that administration and committees working on the First Year Experience make information regarding their workings readily available to interested parties.

Parker and Hogan both questioned the ambiguity and definition of the term “forum,” calling to question the duration and form of this proposed forum.

“When we are able to amend the resolution next week, I’m hoping that the nature of the forum will be more clearly defined,” Parker said after the meeting. “I understand having room to work with, but I don’t want to see the request for dialogue fall flat.”

Setzler defined the forum as “any way for students and the administration to come together and talk.” She made clear her desire to keep the term vague so the individuals or organizations tasked with the creation of the forum might create the best possible outlet for student feedback.

JR-04.01 will be debated next week during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate. Dr. Larry Roper, vice provost of student affairs, is expected to give testimony.

Other business included the confirmation of ASOSU’s task force officers, ASOSU directors of veterans affairs, queer affairs, disability affairs and non-traditional affairs. The directors detailed their work during the fall term as well as their expected programming. Issues discussed included Veteran’s week, Trans Awareness Week, ASOSU and the Able Students Alliance’s joint lobbying, as well as the creation of a comprehensive handbook to address the university’s childcare subsidy.

Legislation supporting tuition equity in Oregon was quickly withdrawn after its first reading for reinstatement at a later date, giving other parties the opportunity to join in support of this issue.

The Senate adjourned just before 7:45 p.m. Copies of the discussed legislation and meeting minutes can be found at asosu.oregonstate.edu/records.

Ryan Ludlow, news reporter
news@dailybarometer.com