Richt Names Tereshinski Starting QB

http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=560116

Making the Case for Extending Drop/Add

In April 2005, University Council voted to shorten drop/add from 5.5 instructional days to its current length of 4 days.  The reason for this change:  complaints by professors of low class attendance as a result of students not taking the first week of classes seriously. 

I personally used the drop/add period in Fall 2005 when it was still 5.5 days to drop Latin and Linguistics classes and add Calculus and Introduction to Public Speaking.  While I did not use drop/add during Spring Semester, having a full week to adjust my schedule during my first semester at UGA proved invaluable.  During that time I attended each of my classes twice, spoke to the professor of the Calculus class before I added the class, and exchanged my books at the bookstore.  I also realized I was out of my league in the Linguistics class, being a Science major with little linguistics background in a classroom with virtually all language majors. 

In the new four day drop/add, incoming Freshman are not going to have the same opportunity I had.  Having a short drop/add period limits a student’s opportunity to make informed choices on taking classes that will best fit their educational goals.  While grade distributions and some course syllabi are available online, there is no substitute for the experience of being in the classroom and talking to the actual professors a student might have that term.

After doing some thinking over the past few days, I felt extending drop/add was a worthwhile endeavor.  I began by doing some background research on the subject, the majority being newspaper articles available on the Red and Black website.

Yesterday, I decided to do some background research into drop/add periods at UGA’s peer and aspirational institutions.  I expected a range of drop/add periods with UGA’s four day drop/add being a general rule.  My expectations were proven wrong, as UGA’s drop/add period was easily the exception rather than the rule.

Out of twenty-nine peer and aspirational institutions, UGA was tied with the University of Texas-Austin for having the shortest drop/add period.  The average drop/add length among peer and aspirational institutions was 7.69 days to add classes and 13.52 days to drop classes without a financial penalty or record of the class being recorded on the student’s transcript.  The drop/add data found in my research can be accessed here.     

Clearly, UGA’s short drop/add period can’t be explained as a general attitude among similar schools.  In fact, the aspirational institutions had a higher average drop/add length than the peer institutions.

However, there are other issues to consider when lengthening the drop/add period.  I hope you can assist me in addressing these issues.  I would greatly appreciate if you could comment here or at ruddlereport@gmail.com with your thoughts, in an effort to generate a solid case for presentation to University Council to extend drop/add.

• Why isn’t four days enough time to adjust a class schedule?
• Does a longer drop/add period contribute to “class shopping”?  And is that a good or bad thing for the academic environment?
• Does having a longer drop/add period put more pressure on professors to help students catch up? Or is it wholly the student’s responsibility to make-up missed class material?
• Are students really serious about their classes during the first week of each term?  If so, will that be fixed by cutting drop/add?

Greek Housing Moratorium Update

While the outright moratorium on building fraternity and sorority houses has been lifted by the Athens-Clarke County Commission, building in areas zoned for multi-family residences and commerical buisinesses now requires special approval directly from the Commission.

At least housing at UGA is better than at Georgia Tech.

UPDATE:  In response to the new building restrictions, the University has offered several fraternities the opportunity to build new houses on campus.  Will this prove to be a deal that can’t be refused?  

Byrd Scholarship Update

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is still in danger of being eliminated. The U.S. Senate version of the Appropriations Bill also fails to provide funding for the scholarship program. Current Byrd Scholars, continue to contact your Congressional Representatives if you are interested in receiving money from the program in the future.

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program is the only federally funded merit based scholarship program for college undergraduates. The program’s purpose is to recognize exceptionally able high school seniors who show promise of continued excellence in postsecondary education. The federal government awards funds to state agencies that administer the state’s selection process. Byrd Scholars recieve a $1,500 yearly stipend, for a maximum of $6,000 over four years, to pay for college expenses.

 

Election Time…

There’s no doubt from the TV commercials and yard signs that it’s an election season. With a primary next week and the general election for many federal, state and local offices just months away, there are ample opportunities to influence the way our governments operate. College students are often one of the most overlooked voting blocs because many students don’t know or care about the political scene where they go to school. Here’s how UGA students can influence Athens-Clarke County and state officials to look after our interests.

• For those of you already registered to vote, advance voting ends Friday and can only be done at designated advance voting locations.  If you haven’t made to the polls by the end of this week, Primary Election Day is next Tuesday, July 18th from 7:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M.  The Secretary of State’s Poll locator can be found here.  Don’t forget proper identification!
• If you are voting for the first time and registered to vote by mail, you also need to bring a current utility bill, bank statement, or government document that shows your name and address to prove your residency.
• If you are not registered to vote, then register!  The deadline to vote in the November General Election is October 10th.
• And while you are at it, if you are not registered to vote in Athens, then register to vote in Athens.  Yes, you can register using a dormitory/fraternity/sorority address.  You live in Athens at least 75% of the year, don’t complain about the fraternity housing moratorium, parking meters downtown, or the cruising ban if you do not feel connected enough to the community to help select its lawmakers.  Remember, Live in Athens,  Vote in Athens.
• Also, the Athens Banner-Herald has released a voter’s guide with candidate information for local and state offices.

Last Day to Register for Parking!!!

Registration for parking permits ends today at 5:00.  You can register for parking here

Are you a Robert C. Byrd Scholar? Maybe not for long…

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is currently slated for removal by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.  This move stems from a recommendation by the Department of Education to cut the program because it “duplicates existing Federal student financial assistance programs, as well as State, local and private efforts that provide merit-based resources for postsecondary education.” 

Fortunately, last year’s appropriation covers the program for the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters; therefore, current scholars are guaranteed payment through Spring 2007.  While the program has survived past efforts to eliminate it, it would still be a good idea for current Byrd Scholars to contact their Representative and Senators to let them know how the scholarship has benefited their efforts to gain a college education.  Contact information for your Congressional Representatives can be found here.

Clarification on New Tuition Plan and More

Excerpts From the Board of Regents June Agenda

In short, tuition for all new in-state students at UGA will be $1,946 a semester and tuition for all new out-of-state students will be $9,619 a semester, which they will be guaranteed for four years.  All current in-state students will be paying $1,910 for Fall 2006, an increase from the previous $1,819, however, this rate is subject to increase yearly.  All current out-of-state students will be paying $8,325 for Fall 2006, an increase from $7,929.   

Also, student fees are increasing from $495 per semester to $536, an increase not covered by the HOPE scholarship.  Housing and the meal plan will also be more expensive this Fall.  On the bright side, the price of a parking permit will remain the same.

Congratulations Current UGA Students…

Although tuition will be fixed for all new incoming freshman, tuition will continue to increase for students currently at the University.  This means the currently enrolled students will face yearly tuition hikes, possibly higher than those in the past, while newer students will be paying a lower rate.  It will be interesting to see if and how this plan will stand up in court, as it involves a certain group of people paying more for the same service than another group of people.     

News Round-Up

To summarize events that have taken place in the past month:

1. The Diamond Dogs defeated South Carolina to advance to the College World Series in Omaha.  After dropping their first game to Rice, UGA will face the Oregon State Beavers in an elimination game Monday.  The game will be televised live at 1:00 PM on ESPN.
2. The Class of 2010 is projected be the largest class in UGA history, however they will not be the most qualified class, being surpassed by the highly qualified Class of 2009.
3. Work continues by University officials to house a proposed national bio-defense research laboratory.
4. The Board of Regents is currently considering changes to the Regents’ Test.

With the renovation of Rutherford and Mary Lyndon Halls, the conversion of Payne Hall to non-housing space, and the construction of a new dormitory on the Reed Quad, it will be interesting to see how the on-campus housing situation is in a few years.  The renovation of Mary Lyndon will result in less housing as the rooms are enlarged; the replacement of Payne by a new, smaller, dorm will also result in less housing.  The rooms in Rutherford will be enlarged but more rooms will also be constructed.  Coupled with other proposed changes in housing, such as the revamping of the Hill Community and possible renovations in the high-rises, housing on campus could be drastically changing over the next few years.  With Maymester complete, it will be interesting to see how the grade distributions fall with the new Plus/Minus System in effect.  Also pending is when the Spring 2006 Key will be available on the SGA website.