Jewett Addresses U.C.

Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57 said he welcomed a close relationship with the Undergraduate Council in a short address to the council last night.

Jewett spoke with council members for about 30 minutes about the relationship between students and the administration.

Jewett said he would like to begin working with the council earlier in the academic year. The council is usually inactive until mid-October due to its late elections, leaving a long lapse before the administration and council can work together, according to Jewett.

Jewett also said he would like the opportunity for administrators to add their input to upcoming council proposals.

"I would like to see more back and forth on issues before they come to the council," Jewett said. "Try to identify the issues you think will be important."

Regarding student input to the administration, Jewett said the best way to influence the Faculty Council is to go in person to Dean of Undergraduate Education Lawrence Buell's office to present arguments for or against a proposal.

When asked whether the Faculty Council would consider giving students voting power on the Faculty Council, Jewett said that little of the Faculty Council's work deals directly with student issues. He said that historically, the Faculty Council doesn't "shoot down what the students are interested in."

Jewett said he personally supports having a student representative on the Administrative Board, but that the subject has long been controversial because of issues of confidentiality and the difficulty of maintaining student continuity on the board.

Jewett also answered questions about the likelihood of changing the academic calendar in response to student demand. He said the issue hinges on faculty support for the idea, adding that the probability of reform depends on the specific changes requested by students. For example, some faculty members may not want to start working earlier in the summer, Jewett said.

The council is currently surveying students on calendar reform in the Houses and the Union.

In other business, the council unanimously approved $1850 to fund this year's Joseph Levenson Memorial teaching awards dinner on May 3 in North House.

The Levenson awards comprise three annual teaching prizes given by the Academics committee to the most outstanding member in the junior faculty, senior faculty and teaching fellows.

The council also voted to spend $900 on 1,100 pink and orange mugs to be given out on Earth Day, April 23

When asked whether the Faculty Council would consider giving students voting power on the Faculty Council, Jewett said that little of the Faculty Council's work deals directly with student issues. He said that historically, the Faculty Council doesn't "shoot down what the students are interested in."

Jewett said he personally supports having a student representative on the Administrative Board, but that the subject has long been controversial because of issues of confidentiality and the difficulty of maintaining student continuity on the board.

Jewett also answered questions about the likelihood of changing the academic calendar in response to student demand. He said the issue hinges on faculty support for the idea, adding that the probability of reform depends on the specific changes requested by students. For example, some faculty members may not want to start working earlier in the summer, Jewett said.

The council is currently surveying students on calendar reform in the Houses and the Union.

In other business, the council unanimously approved $1850 to fund this year's Joseph Levenson Memorial teaching awards dinner on May 3 in North House.

The Levenson awards comprise three annual teaching prizes given by the Academics committee to the most outstanding member in the junior faculty, senior faculty and teaching fellows.

The council also voted to spend $900 on 1,100 pink and orange mugs to be given out on Earth Day, April 23