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Page 1 of 2 The Academic Affairs Committee of the Undergraduate Student Government is working to make changes and improvements in academic programmes here at Jacobs University.
Have you ever felt frustrated with what you are learning here in Jacobs University? Even thinking of changing your major because the curriculum is unbearably dissatisfying? Or maybe you wish there were more courses offered by Jacobs University? All these feelings should come to an end and the Academic Affairs Committee is here to help! The Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) is one of the seven subordinated committees of the Undergraduate Student Government, which represent ideas and opinions of the student body on issues here in Jacobs University. The AAC particularly deals with a variety of issues related to academics and, fundamentally, aims at further developing the academic policies in this young and flexible institution. The AAC consists of seven undergraduate students and meets on a weekly basis. This year, the committee is chaired by Jan Eichhorn ('09) and the other six members are Ian Beacock ('09), Sarah Brockmeier ('09), Anca Dragan ('09), Madeleine LaRue ('09), Carmen Kong ('10) and Tory Sigmond ('10). "This year, the Academic Affairs Committee, I think, is very well-composed. The members are approachable and motivated," Eichhorn told Pulseoftheworld.com. Indeed, in the coming academic year, the AAC will continue to be directly involved in the shaping of the academic curricula at Jacobs and aims at increasing its input in this field. Regularly, the AAC concentrates on making suggestions on policies, such as the retake rules and withdrawal option. Moreover, it also comments on suggestions made by faculty or the administration and cooperates with respective committees of these bodies, especially the Undergraduate Education Committee, in order to come up with proposals, which will then be presented to the Academic Council. In addition to shaping and refining the general academic structure, the AAC also works on constructing blueprints of specific courses and time frames. Since the establishment of the committee, a handful of suggestions initiated by the AAC have been fulfilled. A few prominent examples would be the success of introducing Chinese into the language curriculum, a regular intersession course and the establishing an additional Economics Course for intersession. Another important function of the AAC is the mediation in conflicts between students and specific faculty or admin, especially when different interpretations of the university rules governing academic studies occur. "Last year, we received complaints from students regarding the Advanced EE Lab course. After failing to achieve any positive outcomes from the discussion between the students and the teaching staff, the AAC decided to intervene," Eichhorn said, recalling one of the actions of the AAC last year. "In the end, we not only managed to reach a compromise between the two parties about the grading system, but also the workload of that unreasonably demanding course. The quality of the course has, since then, improved a lot." Although the function of the AAC seems to be quite outstanding and effective, not many students actually know about the committee. "The transparency of the committee has been a problem in the past year. Some students did not, and still do not, know about the existence of the AAC," Eichhorn confessed. "That is why we are now trying to establish better channels to attract more suggestions from students, which include a regular update on the committee forum, emails and posters." Although the AAC is a structural and efficient committee composed of enthusiastic members, it would not be representative without input from the student body. Therefore, if you have any suggestions or thoughts regarding academic programmes, generally or specifically, do not hesitate to contact the AAC. For more details of the AAC or if you have any brilliant ideas or proposals, please visit the website, or keep an eye on the upcoming posters in all the three colleges. You are also welcomed to talk to any of the members of the AAC. Tired of accepting what you cannot change? It is time to change what you cannot accept!
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