Challenging Questions at the Undergraduate Student Assembly

The sun was shining resplendently. The mild spring air and slight breeze were beckoning everyone to venture outside of their rooms. But instead of the campus green or Knoops Park, their final destination would be the West Wing of the Information Resource Center, where students and faculty assembled for the Spring Semester Undergraduate Student Assembly 2010. Even when the weather may seem to forbid staying indoors, there was serious university business to address at the assembly. Following an introduction by Undergraduate Student Government President Taylor Hartrick, students challenged the administration with questions spanning three categories: structure and leadership, academic issues, and non-academic issues.
President Treusch addressed several potential structural changes, including the renovation of the sports halls. One advancement that really captivated the student body, however, was the discussion regarding the development of a science park. When questioned about why the science park was to be constructed near Jacobs University, Treusch replied that the company seemed attracted by the vast international student body for bosses to use when recruiting.
When academic issues were brought up, Treusch enthusiastically revealed that the new major at Jacobs in Global Economic Management was destined to be popular based on applicants from the first two application rounds. Switching from a current major to those implemented in the coming year would be difficult since they are “rather condensed,” but there would be more course variety for students in the area of economics. Treusch additionally emphasized the necessity of University Studies Courses as a distinguishing feature of the university. Transdisciplinarity is a selling point for the university, and President Treusch also announced the intention to have one dean for both schools, reducing the separation between the SES and the SHSS.
While most present agreed about maintaining transdisciplinarity at the university, another issue regarding the diversity of the faculty was brought up and certainly received attention. Max Lohmann asserted that more diversity in faculty would enhance the internationality of the school as opposed to limiting the international diversity to students. In response, Treusch emphasized the need for quality in professors, stating that “taking in a random professor to increase diversity would be nonsense.” Dr. Hendrik Birus, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, also noted that some professors, such as those from the United States, are too specialized in their fields to be considered for Jacobs´ transdisciplinary majors.
Following responses to academic issues, a plethora of non-academic issues surged from students. There was a heated discussion regarding the acceptance of excuses for the exam period from Dr. Holiday, with Treusch noting that 270 excuses were submitted with his signature. Jasmin Schädler then proposed a deduction of a week of summer break for a brief period of reading days since many students do not have sufficient time to study between the end of classes and start of exams. Vice President Ziegler-Jöns replied that it is too difficult to build reading days into the calendar, but extending the academic year was an idea to consider.
Aenne Schoop subsequently brought up problems with security on campus in regards to unwelcome visitors. She suggested that tag inspections on vehicles should occur to prove that there is an association with living on campus. Marie Vivas, director of undergraduate admissions, expressed the need for balance between an “open institution and secure campus” since many visitors to Jacobs are present for campus events. Some end up as future students based on their visit. Vivas additionally brought up the Community Standard and attributed the name change from Honor Code to Community Standard to the opinions of students in order to reduce a name that sounded too rule oriented.
Financial issues such as the proposed sports fee have not been approved by all students, but other fees caught positive attention from the students. Larissa Kühler, director of campus activities and intercultural affairs proposed that paying €3 extra for the semester ticket would enable students to have free admission to theatres in Bremen. With the mention of this reasonable financial adjustment, many students left the assembly with looks on their faces that it was worth assembling to receive answers to their concerns. Taylor Hartrick concluded that, in essence, there were some “good questions raised and a good turnout.” He also suggested that if any questions remain, he would be available to answer them before the next assembly this fall.

Special thanks to Jotautas Baronas for contributing notes and ideas to this article.