Thursday, June 25, 1998
4B
Value of UNC education extends beyond classroom experience
During my time at Carolina, I
have come to realize the value
of my education. However, the
most important realization that I have
had was that a good portion of my edu
cation was not limited to the classroom.
I also learned that there are several
instances when an “ in-the-classroom
experience” can be applied outside of
the classroom. Education involves shar
ing your knowledge with others and
working with others in order to achieve
common goals. Each component should
go hand in hand —and only when this
Speaker sets plan of action for Student Congress
While viewing my first Student
Congress meeting nearly two
years ago, I thought to myself,
“This is absolutely insane." I watched as
students sat in a room for more than five
hours debating what seemed to be irrel-
evant seman
tics. Though I
was cynical, I
found myself
right back in
BRAD MORRISON |
SKAKBOf
student congress
the same comer for the next meeting.
Before I realized it, I was hooked.
In my two years as a representative, I
have seen Congress transform from an
elitist institution into an effective leg
islative body. This change was accom
Graduate students integral part of undergraduate education
Welcome to Carolina. I hope
your transition to Chapel Hill
goes smoothly. We look for
ward to having you join us in August.
You might be wondering why there is
a column from the Graduate and
Professional Student Federation presi
dent in an issue of The Daily Tar Heel
that is being sent to incoming freshmen.
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has occurred
is it when one
has truly
been educat
ed.
So, why
do I ramble
on a philo
sophical view
in such a
manner?
Because the
value of an
education at
RIWnWiIIRS \
STUDENT MV
plished gradually with hard work and
dedication by many. As speaker of
Congress, let me give you an idea of
what I hope is accomplished in the
upcoming year.
1. Effectively communicate with die
students of UNC. It is only through
effective communication that we can be
held accountable. The current session is
working to make sure that our con
stituents are informed of every action.
2. Build strong relationships with
members of the University administra
tion. The 80th Session is ready to meet
this challenge. I will invite a member of
the University administration to address
Congress at least once a month through
It is because today undergraduates make
up less than two-thirds of the student
body at Carolina. Graduate and profes
sional students make up the remaining
one-third. We are 9,000 students strong
and our numbers grow every year.
Graduate students will be an integral
part of your undergraduate education
experience. We teach 30 percent of the
CAROLINA COMPASS
UNC goes farther than a 50-minute
class.
The real challenges come in making a
difference, sharing with others what you
have learned and in helping others who
cannot help themselves. However, do
not be misled into thinking that there is
one path to this kind of education.
The path that I chose was that of the
executive branch of student govern
ment. The executive branch, as well as
the other two branches of government,
takes pride in our strong and rich tradi
tion of student self-governance. The
out the academic year.
3. Become more user-friendly and
inclusive. One of the most disturbing
articles that I ever read in The Daily Tar
Heel dealt with the disorganization of
Congress. It was disturbing because it
was true. I will introduce legislation to
codify the unwritten laws that govern
Student Congress. Our meetings will be
shorter and more organized.
The 80th Session will be the most
inclusive Congress in school history.
This year marks the beginning of the
Student Congress Legislative Staff pro
gram. The staff program allows anyone
who is interested to get involved with the
legislative branch (provided they are
undergradu
ate classes.
You will see
us in English,
science labs
and a number
of other pro
grams. Part of
the graduate
experience
involves
teaching, in
addition to
taking classes
| BRYAN KENNEDY [
6PSF PRESIDENT
toward a master’s degree or a doctorate.
Get to know your teaching assistants
and you will find that, just like full pro-
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Tell your parents you’re pulling all the
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the cost of banking.
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executive branch deals with the policy
making end of things. I have often
described the branch as being the “prob
lem fixers.”
If there is a problem on campus, we
are usually the ones who hear about the
problem and take the appropriate mea
sures for fixing them (or finding those
who can).
We deal with things as small as
putting trash cans on campus or report
ing lights that are out to things that are
as big as voicing student concerns to the
chancellor, the Board of Trustees and
confirmed by Congress). The Legislative
Staff will work closely with committees
and will strengthen ties between repre
sentatives and constituents.
4. Address student affairs-related
issues. When the administration neglect
ed student concerns with the Carolina
Computing Initiative, we passed a reso
lution demanding student involvement,
and our voice was heard. I have no
doubt this session will continue to fight
on your behalf. This plan of action is by
no means comprehensive. The details
will change but the focus will not. If you
have any concerns please contact your
representative or come by the office in
Suite C of the Student Union.
fessors, we know a lot about our subject
areas. We are also younger and more
approachable than a lot of professors.
Most of us are in our late 20s only a
few years out of bachelor’s degree pro
grams. We still remember vividly the
undergraduate experience.
Take advantage of TA office hours.
We are required to be in our offices to
help you. Also, respect the energy your
TAs have for teaching. Your TAs will be
more likely to try innovative teaching
methods and incorporate technology
into the curriculum.
We look forward to meeting you in
the fall. Have a great summer and take
care of yourself
even members of the state. The execu
tive branch currently operates with five
main committees. We also have standing
committees.
The executive branch is one of the
many ways that you can get involved
and make a difference in not only your
own life but those of fellow students.
All of this is to get to my main point:
how to get the true value of your
Carolina experience and hopefully with
in a few years, your diploma.
1. Get involved.
2. Stand up for what you believe in.
Honor Code upholds custom
of integrity among students
As you begin your first year as a
Tar Heel, please help this stu
dent community uphold our
proud tradition of student self-gover
nance and of the ideals set forth in the
Honor Code and the Campus Code.
With the inception of student gov
ernment at UNC, the Dialectic and
Philanthropic
Societies
began a sys
tem of stu
dents holding
SABRINA PRESNEU. |
STUDENT ATTORNEY
SfHIRAI,
students accountable for honesty,
integrity, and acting as “gentlemen.”
This system has changed significantly
over the past 203 years, but the tradition
of students setting values for the student
community continues.
The current system is based on the
Instrument of Student Judicial
Governance. This document lists the
Campus Code and the Honor Code.
The Honor Code and Campus Code rest
on the idea that the University must act
as its own community, and within that
community members are expected to act
in accordance with the community’s
standards. Therefore, the student attor
ney general’s staff and the
Undergraduate Honor Court work to
ensure the University remains a com
munity with respected ideals.
I encourage all students to become
familiar with the Instrument and with
their rights and responsibilities as a stu
dent at this university. When a student
Baiig ®ar Hrri
3. Share your knowledge with others.
4. Speak for those who can’t speak for
themselves.
5. Do not limit yourself to the con
fines of a classroom.
Whether you chose the executive
branch, Carolina Athletic Association,
the Campus Y, a fraternity or sorority or
any other campus or civic organization,
you must remember that you only get
out of your education what you put into
it. The opportunities for education are
endless however, it is up to you to
take the fust step.
decides to attend the University, he or
she agrees to live within its student com
munity and the rules it has determined.
The student takes responsibility for
knowing and understanding these rules
and the consequences if these rules are
broken. If the matter is of an academic
nature, always ask the teacher of the
course what he or she considers a viola
tion of honor. If die matter is nonacad
emic, please consult with the student
attorney general, the Undergraduate
Honor Court chairman, or the Office of
the Dean of Students.
When a student is accused of violat
ing the Honor or Campus codes, the stu
dent attorney general investigates the
allegations to determine if charges
should be brought. If she decides they
should, the accused student is assigned
a student defense counsel, and an inves
tigative counsel prepares the evidence
against the student. Then both counsels
and the defendant appear before the
Honor Court. The Honor Court consists
of undergraduate students who have
applied, been selected and been trained
to serve as members. A five-person, ran
domly selected panel hears each case
and makes a decision.
If the student is found guilty, both
counsels and the defendant can present
information regarding sanctions. The
Honor Court panel then decides on an
appropriate sanction. If the convicted
student wishes, he or she may appeal
within certain guidelines.