SEMESTER SCHEDULING UPDATE

During the first Student Government meeting of 2012, a possible course layout was presented to the council. The proposed layout allows a period when classes aren’t held — called an activity period — on Friday afternoons between the hours of 2 and 3 p.m., as opposed to the current period on Friday afternoons between 1 and 2 p.m.

The frequency of courses per week was also discussed. With the upcoming extension to a term of 75 class days, classes will be redistributed to cover the 15 week span. However, the future term isn’t as yielding as the current system, which allows a fairly equal distribution of class frequency per week. The ideal layout allows students to maximize the potential amount of courses and credits available per semester without having to tack on an additional day of required teaching on Saturdays. Pending an upcoming vote, a layout has yet to be chosen.

RIT COMMUNITY UPDATE

SG President Greg Pollock opened discussion of the placement of door buzzers and lights in University Commons, to mirror those in the Resident Halls. The proposed installation would prevent possible cases of lockouts and should increase security for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. SG Cross-Registered Senator Jonathan MacDonald is currently looking deeper into the possibility of adding the two systems, as well as video phones allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing residents to communicate with incoming visitors. While funding for the new setup has yet to be determined, and the necessity for the installation is still unclear, the topic is currently open for discussion.