Student Government President Eric Brock recently signed a bill to center student voices in planning for the spring semester in an effort to avoid issues that arose over the summer.
In July, the University’s fall plan changes left many students feeling frustrated and ignored.
Bill 20-21-11: Spring 2021 Collaborative Planning Initiative, co-sponsored by Senators Max Rubin and Connor Miller, intends to provide multiple avenues for students to voice their thoughts in the planning for the spring 2021 semester.
“We don't want students to feel as though they're powerless in terms of advocating for what they think is the best plan,” Brock said.
Recognizing the variety of impacts that changes to the AU Forward plan caused for many students, including being stuck in leases and unexpected transportation expenses, the bill intends to prevent similar issues that may arise again in the spring by creating the Special Committee on Spring 2021 Planning.
“I hope that that committee covers a wide variety of topics, from class registration, to housing accommodations, to PPE [personal protective equipment] access,” Rubin said.
The committee, composed of SG executive board members and senators, plans to draw from the results of a survey, regarding spring plans, that was sent out in a recent email to students. Additionally, feedback from a town hall that will be hosted by the committee will be considered.
“Hopefully it’s the beginning of an ongoing effort to unify students, senate, executive board and administration,” Rubin said.
In an email to The Eagle, AU spokesperson Stacie Burgess said that Vice President of Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence Fanta Aw and the University Planning committee are enthusiastic to engage with student leaders, adding that the University did outreach during the fall planning process as well.
Beyond the spring plan, Brock said that SG is building a public awareness campaign regarding the response to COVID-19. The campaign will promote testing, mask wearing and the following of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
“If we want any sense of normalcy in the spring semester, we need to ensure that we’re doing our part,” Brock said.
