Cantor speaks with students

Tuition, living-learning programs and inter-program cohesion were among the topics covered during a discussion between members of the LSA Student Affairs Committee and University administrators held yesterday in the Michigan Union.

Speaking with Provost Nancy Cantor and Assistant Provost Paul Currant, committee members attempted to ask questions that reflected the concerns of the average student.

Committee chair Albert Garcia said the purpose of these regular meetings is to allow interaction between students and faculty. He said the committee tries to ask questions typical of the average student.

"You often hear the administration are very inaccessible," said Garcia, an LSA sophomore who is running for Michigan Student Assembly vice president as an independent. For most students, Garcia said, "it's an intimidating process" contacting University administrators but "a lot has changed" as far as accessibility.

An issue important to the committee was the subject of tuition increases.

Cantor said it is necessary to allocate adequate funds through tuition in order to maintain the strength of the University.

"You don't really want a University that did what it did last year," Cantor said.

Another focus of the discussion was the significance of living-learning programs and making the University a smaller place.

Cantor said University officials are interested in expanding living-learning programs. "We don't want to go down that path without a lot of students' voices involved," she said.

She said to encourage interaction between the University's many schools, colleges and departments, the University is looking to create new majors that cross over schools and colleges.

An example of this integration is the connection of the biochemistry major to Medical School programs, Cantor said. She also said that in the future, she would like to see similar expansions from the Law School, School of Public Policy and School of Public Health.

LSA first-year student Gerard Jenkins mentioned the positive experiences he has had in LSA's Residential College and other successful programs that cater to first-year students. He said he has noticed a lack of similar programs for upperclass students.

"I think as I progress at this University, I would like to see things that focus on the upperclassmen as much as the underclassmen," Jenkins said.

Committee vice chair Seema Pai said the University should consider having different distribution requirements, such as one that focused on community involvement.

"I think there are a lot of other things looked over," said Pai, an LSA sophomore. "What I would really like to see is something in community work."

Cantor said such a program would be an asset to the University although there currently are no plans for it. "I'm very much in favor of community service initiatives," Cantor said.

Students and the administrators also discussed upcoming changes in campus computing sites, textbook costs and voter registration for students.

Garcia said that a town hall-style meeting that he has been preparing with MSA Rep. and LSA junior Ryan Friedrichs will take place next month. As an expanded version of the committee's meetings, all students will have the opportunity to speak with top University officials, including Cantor and University President Lee Bollinger.

The meetings are scheduled to take place on Central Campus on April 6 and on North Campus on April 9.

03-13-98