For Members Only

The ASG Academics Committee, has put together their recommendations for academic changes in the future. Their goals include, and are not limited to lowering credit requirements, and incentives for professors. As Senator, I have some questions about why there was not a push for a social inequalities requirement, specifically with a U.S. focus. I share this information to get any feedback, criticism, and suggestions from members of FMO.

Contact Gwendolyn Gissendanner with any comments:

[email protected]


Faculty Task Force on the Undergraduate Academic Experience
White Paper

Introduction

The Faculty Task Force on the Undergraduate Academic Experience was convened by
the University Provost Daniel Linzer in order to create a report of recommendations and action
items for the upcoming years. The group composed of 13 faculty members, 6 administrators, 1
graduate student, and 3 undergraduates from ASG. The Task Force analyzed the academic
experience as impacted by a wide range of topics such as diversity and social inequalities,
academic stress, financial aid, CAPs, and more. The final report of recommendations was more
than 100 pages filled with detailed explanations and data.
As students of our university, we are directly affected by our administration’s decisions.
It is crucial to stay informed so our voices are heard and progress can be made. ASG, serving as
the bridge between the administration and the student body, is writing this white paper in order
to spread awareness of the suggested recommendations by the Task Force, as well as to facilitate
conversations for turning said recommendations into reality. In this white paper, we aim to hit at
recommendations that we, ASG, feel most pressing for students. Due to the limitation of its
length, the white paper is by no means a comprehensive list of recommendations made in the
original report. Our paper is a mix of prioritization of issues and analysis. We highly encourage
students to take a look at the original report, linked at the bottom, to gain a more complete
understanding of any recommendation.

Themes

The Task Force wrote its report with four central themes: Time, Efficacy of
Communication and Ease of Navigability, Consistency of Priorities and Values, and
Interpersonal Connections. After numerous meetings and open forums with faculty and
students, the level of stress put on students by over commitment and lack of time became
abundantly clear to the Task Force. Another aspect that quickly became clear was that due to the
existence of six different schools and separate administration under each school, information and
resources are extremely decentralized. Additionally, due to the decentralization of information
and challenges in effective communication, the Task Force recognized that there has been a lack
of consistency and understanding of what our communal priorities and values are as a university.
Finally, through the investigation it became evident that the university needs tremendous work in
encouraging interpersonal connections across campus. Meaningful interpersonal connections,
crucial for a community of growth and support, are only possible in an environment where all
individuals equally feel valued and supported by the university.

Recommendations

1. Diversity and Social Inequalities Requirement
The Task Force report did not explicitly make a Diversity and Social Inequalities
Requirement in our curriculum as one of its recommendations. However, it dedicates sections to
discuss the importance of an ongoing conversation and immediate action. As evidenced by the
ongoing campus demonstrations and frustrations, the university has thus far failed to adequately
provide an inclusive environment for students of all backgrounds and identities. We strongly
urge the university to take proactive action in educating all its undergraduate students on the
ongoing histories of marginalized communities. We must ensure our graduates leave campus
with understanding and empathy to stand in solidarity rather than in the way of societal progress.

2. Workload
The Task Force urges the university to make a serious effort at reestablishing the norm
for the amount of academic work asked of a student. The Task Force recommends two methods
to achieve the new norm. First is to decrease the Weinberg graduation requirement credit from
45 to 42. The second is to redefine one course credit as maximum of 10 committed hours of
work per week including class time. Courses that traditionally require more than 10 committed
hours of work per week should be allotted proportional amount of credit (e.g. 20 hours/week as a
2 credit course) or should be revised to reduce the amount of required work. Implementation
concerns such as how the recommendation would alter depending on the school, allocation of AP
credits, what type of courses should remain, etc. are addressed in detail in the original report.

3. Rethinking Perceptions of Undergraduate Experience
Currently, Northwestern fosters a stressful and extremely competitive environment.
While stress and competition are not inherently negative, we believe that the level of stress and
competition at Northwestern is at a level where individual growth is stunted and discouraged. As
a possible solution, the Task Force recommends the university to re­evaluate the metric system
used for our admissions process. Additionally, the university must make an institution wide
effort to clarify their definition of well­rounded students. With options such as the dual­degree
program and the recent launch of the “At Northwestern AND is in Our DNA” campaign, our
campus currently sets up students to take on overwhelming amount of responsibilities. While a
wide range of passions and interests are wonderful, in our current campus culture this message
has been translated to students feeling the need to have multiple majors, certificates, student
group involvements, leadership positions, and more in order to feel adequate. We urge
Northwestern administration as well as the student body to turn and push towards a campus
culture where a deeper involvement in fewer organizations and academic subjects are valued
over creating a long resume. A new campus culture where one feels incompetent to list only one
major or organization as their specialty needs to be discarded in order to decrease moments of
hyperstress and unhealthy competition.

4. Incentives for Effective Teaching
As one of the top universities in the country, we have the pleasure of having some of the
best professors in their respective fields. We have some professors who go above and beyond our
expectations. These professors are the ones who become our role models, are there for support,
and are willing to give more than their required time if it means helping their students learn.
These professors help create a place of community and care, and they should be rewarded for
their work. Therefore, the Task Force recommends that the university look into tangible
incentives to reward hard working professors and to encourage less passionate professors to
improve. Pedagogy must be updated regularly in order to reflect the changing campus climate
and the new discoveries of information. Tangible incentives, such as grants or credits, would
help encourage faculty to stay invested in their teaching.

5. Financial Accessibility
Students from low SES backgrounds currently lack academic mobility and opportunities.
The unequal access to resources and experiences due to a student’s financial background does
not align with our university’s mission and values. Additionally, it is unacceptable for our school
to claim placing value in diversity while failing to effectively accommodate for all students. To
move in the right direction, the Task Force recommends covering over­the­cap course material
costs, extending financial aid to 5 year programs, and increasing grants for summer courses for
students from low­SES backgrounds. These efforts help alleviate academic financial stress, allow
for lighter course loads during challenging quarters, and create higher flexibility for
opportunities such as study abroad. We believe all Northwestern students, not just those who can
afford the costs, should have the above academic options available. Students at our university
should not have to sacrifice academic opportunities and success due to financial concerns.

Future Thought

The Task Force report is only the beginning of our progress. The report, while written in
extreme detail and backed with evidence, will only remain in recommendation form unless the
university decides to act and students choose to be involved. The concerns and solutions brought
forth by the report is in no way comprehensive or final. However, one thing is certain­­our
university must change now and for the better. As students we must stay informed and engaged
in the conversation and work together with faculty and administration to push towards a better
campus for all.

Read the original report at this link:
http://www.northwestern.edu/provost/docs/TaskForceReport_Jan2016.pdf
For any additional concerns or comments on the report, contact the ASG members below

ASG Members on the 2015 Faculty Task Force on the Undergraduate Academic
Experience:
Noah Star, ASG President
Christina Kim, ASG Executive Vice President
Riko Ohashi, ASG Academics Vice President

www.northwestern.edu

Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson
(Born 1919, Died 1972) Jackie Robinson not only became the first black player in the major leagues, but also was the first black player to play in any professional sports team. Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Robinson in 1947. Throughout his decade-long career with the Dodgers, Robinson made advancements in the cause of civil rights for black athletes. In 1955, he helped the Dodgers win the World Series. He retired in 1957 with a career batting average of .311. Today, his number is the only number retired by all of major league baseball and once a year, the MLB commemorates the legacy of Jackie Robinson by having every player in the league wear his number.

“I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.

Assata Olugbala Shakur

(Born 1947) Activist and Former Black Panther Party Member, Shakur fought in numerous struggles for black liberation throughout the United States. Her main causes included, and were not limited to, the black liberation movement, the students right movement, and the movement to end the war in Vietnam. Her revolutionary activism gained government recognition through thee FBI’s Counterintelligence Program, which aimed to “ disrupt, discredit,destroy, and otherwise neutralize” Black Panther leaders, and members. In May of 1973, Shakur was pulled over on the New Jersey Turnpike, shot twice,and then convicted of murder of a police officer, regardless of forensics evidence that proved she has no weapon. She spent six brutal years in maximum security prison, until she escaped in 1979. She now lives in Cuba, where she has received asylum. She describes herself as “a 20th century escaped slave”, with no other choice but to flee from political repression.
today she reminds us:

"It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains."

Carter Godwin Woodson
(December 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950)

He was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson was one of the first scholars to study African-American history. A founder of The Journal of Negro History in 1915, Woodson has been cited as the father of black history. In February 1926 he announced the celebration of "Negro History Week", considered the precursor of Black History Month.

Born: December 19, 1875, New Canton, VA

Died: April 3, 1950, Washington, D.C.

Education: Harvard University, University of Chicago, Berea College

Occupation: Historian

Known for: Founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called Association for the Study of African American Life and History). Established Negro History Week.

Quotes: "The mere imparting of information is not education.When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions.I am ready to act, if I can find brave men to help me."

THIS WEDNESDAY!!!

FMO LEGISLATION: This unanimously passed in Associated Student Government.

Northwestern Stands in Solidarity with the University of Missouri

Whereas, the Northwestern student body bears responsibility for the institutional and direct racism that pervades our campus;

Whereas, bringing together students of different backgrounds and different perspectives improves the intellectual environment of higher education;

Whereas, institutions of higher learning should be held accountable for the environment that their students, faculty and staff create;

Whereas, no student, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or economic status, should feel unsafe on their own campus;

Whereas, at the University of Missouri, undergraduate students in pursuit of justice and safety on their campus have been met with threats of violence and terror;

Whereas, the fight of undergraduate African-American students at the University of Missouri reflects a pattern of systematic injustice at universities, which perpetuates a racial climate that permits oppression and violence against minority bodies around the United States,

Be it resolved by the Associated Student Government here assembled, the Northwestern undergraduate community stands in solidarity with the undergraduate students at the University of Missouri who are fighting for racial justice on their campus;

Be it further resolved, the Northwestern student body stands with our fellow students at Northwestern who have pursued and continue to pursue justice and safety on our campus;

Be it further resolved, the Northwestern student body reaffirms its commitment to ensure that Northwestern is an environment where all students can pursue their dreams, void of racism and intolerance;

Be it further resolved, the Northwestern student body must continue to bring powerful, collective efforts to campus and act to end the marginalization that plagues students of color daily.

For Members Only, Northwestern’s Black Student Union, sends its support and solidarity to the students at the University of Missouri whose peaceful protest against racial injustice on their campus has been met with threats of violence and terror.

Their struggles against racial injustices affects their mental, psychological, and in many cases physical health, and cannot be ignored or silenced. These institutions of higher learning should be held accountable to the environment that their students, faculty, and staff create, so that no student regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or economic status, feels unsafe on their own campus.

The fight of African American students at Missouri is not isolated. These occurrences reflect a pattern of systematic injustices at universities around the United States that parallel a racial climate that permits oppression and violence against minority bodies.
We reflect on Missouri’s struggles, and realize that we must bring action to our own campus. Northwestern must take this time to understand its own hand in the marginalization that plagues students of color on a daily basis. Until we can address our own issues, we continue to be part of systems that perpetuate oppression. We must work to ensure that Northwestern can be an environment where all students can pursue their dreams void of racism and intolerance.

Check the page: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanblockclub

Check the statement: http://sheridan-block-club.tumblr.com/

Check them:

Respect Your Neighbors.

Sheridan Block Club SBC was founded when the powers that be came into our home, built upon resistance with a foundation of tradition, and gutted our safe space.

Congratulations to the 2015-2016 Executive Board of FMO!

Coordinator: Yjaden Wood
Vice-Coordinator of Programming: Cari Chambers
Vice-Coordinator of External Relations: Dami Arowolaju
Treasurer: Dante Robinson
Director of Communications and Archives: Dwight White
ASG Senator: Gwen Gisssendanner
Secretary: Marnee Irby

The current executive board is very excited to welcome you and hand over the reigns next quarter!

REMINDER:
Elections will be held TONIGHT in Annenberg G21 at 6pm.

Please be sure to come by and exercise your right to vote as a member of FMO!

REMINDER: FMO election petitions are due TONIGHT at 11:59pm!

Debates will take place tomorrow, Monday, March 2nd at 8pm and elections will be the following Monday, March 9th from 7-9pm.

**To vote and run for a position you must be a registered member of FMO. If you haven't filled out the membership form yet, the link is in every listserv weekly update**

Please join us, , and - Northwestern as we co-host this conversation on how we, within the Black community identify ourselves and others.