The blog’s theme seems to be down right now.

But hopefully our new Executive Slate will be redesigning the site anyway so for the time being, pardon our dust.

-Scott

Two interesting changes to campus will be coming over the summer and for Spring 2010.

The Cabinet met with Secretary David Fithian last week to discuss changes to convocation. Spring 2010 will unveil a new convocation ceremony, with all academic divisions coming together for one ceremony, followed by ceremonies for each of the individual academic units.

I attended the faculty committee on campus planning yesterday, where I found our that this summer, the main quadrangles will undergo substantial renovations, with many pathways being replaced and (hopefully) the road at 58th street becoming much more pedestrian friendly and car-hostile. Hutch courtyard will be renovated as well, which would be great on a day like today where such a beautiful space is so drastically under-utilized.

As the Maroon noted yesterday, the Univeristy is “screening for potential cases among its community, preparing to treat the disease and considering additional precautions as needed.”

Please visit the University’s webpage on swine flu for more information.

So, I thought we had a pretty turnout in general this year. Grads had understandably lower participation due to no official candidates, although two ran “spirited” write-in campaigns. I would love to break down the results now, but it will have to wait, as I have a Chemistry exam on Saturday that will determine my future, and a BA that’s due a week from tomorrow. Maybe for a study break later?!

Anyways, use the comments to analyze to your heart’s desire. Here are the results:

Total # of Undergrad students who voted: 1731

Total # of Firstyear students who voted: 637
Total # of Secondyear students who voted: 461
Total # of Thirdyear students who voted: 402
Total # of Fourthyear students who voted: 231

Total # of Grad students who voted: 408

Grad students by School or Division

Total number of BSD students who voted: 17
Total number of COL students who voted: 1733
Total number of DIV students who voted: 7
Total number of GSB students who voted: 20
Total number of GSGS students who voted: 4
Total number of HUM students who voted: 85
Total number of LAW students who voted: 87
Total number of MED students who voted: 2
Total number of PSD students who voted: 47
Total number of PUBPOL students who voted: 12
Total number of SSA students who voted: 5
Total number of SSD students who voted: 120

Executive Slate
YouChicago - 989
UP: United Progress - 575
Moose Party - 404

Undergraduate Liaison
Greg Nance - 729
Kara Elliott-Ortega - 460
David Akinin - 404

Graduate Liaison
Joe Bonni (Bognanni) - 152
Timothy Zimmerman - 79

College Council

Class of 2010
Prerna Nadathur - 254
Jarrod Wolf - 235
Jay Kim - 210
Chris Williams - 206

Class of 2011
Mark Redmond - 284
Marie Joh - 278
Arthur Baptist - 242
Jason Cigan - 205

Class of 2012
David Chen - 253
Sohrab Kohli - 249
Tara Levens - 219
CK - 214

Student Government Elections are going on now.

I have to say that I am glad that I don’t have to campaign this year. It is fun, but can be pretty stressful. Almost as bad as my BA!

Anyways, be sure to support your favorite candidates. Candidate Statements are here. Vote by clicking here.

Also, SG will be hosting a forum this coming Monday with President Zimmer. 5:30 in the McTrib.

Please use this post as an open thread to comment on SG elections or anything else that is going on.

I am pleased to announce that the Student Government Assembly tonight passed a package of By-Law and Guideline changes necessary to begin implementing the Commission on Improving RSO Funding’s final recommendations. You can read the full list of CIRSOF’s recommendations here.

The new By-Laws and Guidelines have already been posted on the SG website, and the rest of the recommendations are in the process of being implemented as well. Please do not hesitate to contact the Vice President for Administration, Julian Quintanilla, at jquintanilla@uchicago.edu

I wanted to post an email that Kim Goff-Crews sent a few days ago with the plans for changes in the sexual assault policy.

In follow up to our conversations last quarter, I want to update you and your peers about where we are in the process of exploring the questions you raised about disciplinary processes for sexual assault complaints and considering changes to the disciplinary procedures.  With respect to your request for training of committees hearing complaints of sexual assault, I remind you that such training is already happening based on a change to the general disciplinary procedures which allows for this training to occur. We are working with University counsel to strengthen that language for next year because we fully expect to routinely provide such training for committees handling complaints of sexual assault.  This and possible other changes to the disciplinary procedures become official next year when policies have been updated and are disseminated.

As you know we will need to convene a committee to examine your other requests — creating a central committee to hear sexual assault cases and providing the accuser and the accused with similar access to the disciplinary process.  Martina has worked with me to develop a proposed review process and committee structure that I will discuss with the Provost.   I appreciate your recommendations for the general committee structure as well as specific committee members and have incorporated many of your ideas.

It will be a few weeks before we have a good sense of the best process for reviewing this issue but once we have made that determination and identified the committee membership we will share it with you.   Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks,

Kim

Kimberly Goff-Crews

Vice President for Campus Life

and Dean of Students in the University

On Thursday, the SG Assembly will be debating and voting on the changes that were proposed to the SG by-laws to change the way SGFC is structured. Julian wrote a great post on this a few days back, which you should check out.

The Maroon ran an article on it today, which was pretty descriptive of all the changes.

Use this space to leave your comments about the changes, or come and voice your thoughts in person at the SG Assembly meeting this Thursday at 6PM in GSB 010. Assembly meetings are always open to all students.

Student Government Elections Debate Tonight!

Come hear the 2009-2010 candidates for Executive Slate and Student Liaison to
the Board of Trustees debate over the future of your University of Chicago!

The debate will be centered around questions from the audience. Please come
early as seating will be limited.

Where: McCormick Tribune Lounge
When: 8:00PM Tonight (Tuesday, 04/14)

Candidate statements for Executive Slate have been posted. Candidates for other positions will have their statements posted soon.

http://sg.uchicago.edu/elections/exec