2008 Woodie Awards
Academic affairs commision chair candidate
By: Owen Truesdell
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Opinion
Of all the great aspects of Macalester, I would guess that all Macalester students were drawn here by the promise of excellent academics. I am running for the Chair of the Academic Affairs Commission because I believe that students need to have a strong voice in deciding academic policy on this campus. There are big issues that need to be addressed that affect not only students, but the faculty and the staff as well. Without an active student voice in the decision making process, policy will not reflect the true view of the students.
All across the country the cost of education is rising, and while I think there is very little we can do to change that trend, I think it is the responsibility of the administration to do everything in their power to minimize the cost to students wherever possible. The cost of textbooks is a perfect example of how policy does not reflect what is best for students. If the campus bookstore will not lower prices to affordable levels, then students need to have the option to buy their textbooks elsewhere in a timely fashion. As AAC chair I would pursue the creation of a database of syllabi for all departments that would allow students to see what books they need and order them from some other source. I would also like to see Mac Book Swap utilized more than it is now.
I would also like to see the policy of graduation requirements looked at more closely. While I have no problem with the number of requirements (we are at a liberal arts school, after all) I do object to the seemingly arbitrary way in which classes qualify for certain requirements. As AAC chair I would want to look into this policy and see if there is a way to simplify the process. Simplifying this would be beneficial both to students and faculty.
I want to chair the Academic Affairs Commission so that I can help to improve the academic situation at Macalester. I hope you all will consider voting for me and if you have further questions for me, please email me. I'd be happy to talk to you. Thanks very much and happy voting.
Owen Truesdell '11, candidate for Academic Affairs Commission, chair can be reached at otruesde@macalester.edu.
All across the country the cost of education is rising, and while I think there is very little we can do to change that trend, I think it is the responsibility of the administration to do everything in their power to minimize the cost to students wherever possible. The cost of textbooks is a perfect example of how policy does not reflect what is best for students. If the campus bookstore will not lower prices to affordable levels, then students need to have the option to buy their textbooks elsewhere in a timely fashion. As AAC chair I would pursue the creation of a database of syllabi for all departments that would allow students to see what books they need and order them from some other source. I would also like to see Mac Book Swap utilized more than it is now.
I would also like to see the policy of graduation requirements looked at more closely. While I have no problem with the number of requirements (we are at a liberal arts school, after all) I do object to the seemingly arbitrary way in which classes qualify for certain requirements. As AAC chair I would want to look into this policy and see if there is a way to simplify the process. Simplifying this would be beneficial both to students and faculty.
I want to chair the Academic Affairs Commission so that I can help to improve the academic situation at Macalester. I hope you all will consider voting for me and if you have further questions for me, please email me. I'd be happy to talk to you. Thanks very much and happy voting.
Owen Truesdell '11, candidate for Academic Affairs Commission, chair can be reached at otruesde@macalester.edu.
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