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BINGE DRINKING

Binge drinking has been a problem at many universities and colleges nationwide for many years. It is receiving a great deal of attention now, however, due to the recent publicizing of numerous alcohol-related deaths of and criminal activity (e.g., sexual assaults) by college students that have resulted from excessive alcohol abuse. In response to the national efforts to curb this activity on college campuses, Vice Chancellor Charles Middleton suggested that the Council begin working on this topic.

We began by investigating the problem of binge drinking at all schools by preliminary, basic research, such as conducting informal surveys of students. Next, all delegates received their school's most recently submitted report on binge drinking, and further research was conducted. Questions of particular importance examined the existence or nonexistence of binge drinking on each campus, reported effects of binge drinking, and described actions taken to address overuse and abuse of alcohol by students.

Results, in general, reflected national data findings. We found that binge drinking was a problem for certain campuses (e.g., FSU, SSU), but not for others (e.g., all HBCUs). Further, delegates who cited binge drinking on their campuses identified freshman students, members of the Greek fraternity/sorority system, and athletes as primary groups at risk. All USM campuses have in place alcohol awareness programs and/or events, and some schools use a method of heavily fining students for alcohol-related infractions.

In summary, we conclude that binge drinking is a problem on selected USM campuses and that, because this problem has received significant national attention, Council members should stay abreast of any notable occurrences related to binge drinking. In addition, should future delegates wish to revisit this topic, we suggest both utilizing available resources, such as information provided by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), and considering participation in national publication and research efforts.

HATE CRIME ON USM CAMPUSES

In response to a number of hate crimes that occurred at University of Maryland, College Park, the USMSC expressed interest in showing support for the students affected by the crimes and in investigating the current policy in place on such crimes. After reviewing the policy "VI - 1.10 - Policy on Acts of Violence and Extremism" from the USM Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents, Council representatives decided they were in agreement with this policy and chose to express their support through written documentation. A position letter was drafted, reviewed, and sent to Chancellor Langenberg, extending the Council's appreciation of the USM position on hate crime, monetary donations by leaders within the USM to rectify the problem, and the current policies in place addressing such issues.

FINANCIAL AID ON USM CAMPUSES

Several USMSC representatives voiced strong concern about financial aid situations at their campuses. In order to address this issue, Council members began by retrieving information about the financial aid processes at their respective schools. After comparing each school's procedure for handling financial aid packages, we concluded that selected institutions experience significant problems with (1) information dissemination (notifying students of financial aid matters), and/or (2) actual reimbursement or financial award distribution (e.g., delivering money to students). While these problems are usually addressed at each school, we found that they are not always addressed in a timely and efficient manner. Further, students feel as though their opinions about the process are often neglected.

A recommendation was submitted to Chancellor Langenberg in order to resolve some of these concerns. The letter requested that all inquiries and concerns be directed to the attention of financial aid directors during meetings of the Inter-institutional Committee (ICC). Next year's Council may continue working on this topic by submitting a follow-up request to the Chancellor when appropriate, and monitoring the status of financial aid procedures on each campus.

SHARED GOVERNANCE

Shared governance has been discussed at the USM level for a number of years. This year, Chair Kelly Newsome sat on the committee established to review current and proposed shared governance policies. Other USMSC members participated through discussion about potential changes to existing policies on shared governance. While initial response to the shared governance document proposed by the Council of University Faculty was unfavorable, students were supportive of additions to the document, should it be implemented. Such changes were made, and include mention of student input in matters such as faculty evaluation, hiring, and promotion. Another notable change included a clause stating that student input shall be included in discussion of issues that affect students' ability to complete their education, for example, grading policy and financial aid matters.

ANNAPOLIS 101

Each January, at the beginning of the legislative session, the USMSC holds a daytime meeting and hosts an evening reception in Annapolis, Maryland. The day is devoted to learning about and understanding state affairs and legislative events in Maryland. Immediately following the business meeting, the Council spoke with Frank Komenda about opportunities for student involvement in state government. The evening reception, generously sponsored again this year by Senator Arthur Dorman, was a success. The Council welcomed a number of Maryland government officials, including Governor Parris N. Glendening and a host of state senators and delegates.

USMSC AND OTHER SYSTEM STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

This year, the Council became involved with other system student associations similar to the USMSC. We participated in a national survey effort initiated by the Oregon Student Association, and maintained regular contact with the Center for Campus Free Speech, an organization that supports students across the country with legal and political matters (e.g., University of Wisconsin fee case). While interaction has been minimal thus far, we have completed the first step to increasing communication between the USMSC and similar working groups nationwide.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Last year's USMSC participated in the creation of the academic advising report entitled "Enhancing Academic Advising: An Action Plan." This year, we featured academic advising on our agenda, beginning with an introductory briefing for new members. After reviewing and discussing the report, members were provided with the contact information of academic advising representatives for their respective campuses in order to facilitate discussion about the report. At the System level, two Student Council representatives will serve on the newly formed Academic Advising Oversight Committee (AAOC), established to provide direction to the work of the Inter-institutional Committee (ICC) Academic Policy Working Group (ACPWG).

STUDENT EVALUATIONS OF FACULTY

The Council began working on this issue in November. It has issue has received much attention for years, however, on campuses around the country. After researching evaluations at each school, we found that each campus has an evaluation system in place for students to give feedback on their instructors and courses; however, students are often unclear as to how these evaluations are used. Further, we learned that many student groups have expressed interest in creating a published version of student ratings for student use.

Similar to other schools in other states, Maryland public institutions of higher education are beginning to explore this issue on the campus level. Overall, the USMSC would like to have evaluations used in review of tenure for professors (if not done so already), and we hope to see student evaluations published so that students can have access to faculty and/or course evaluations. A working committee made of faculty and students is being formed, and will include USMSC members Tony Savia and Saleem Rasheed. The committee was established to research student evaluations of faculty on campuses across the country, as well as establish a general format (possibly uniform evaluations) for schools, explore methods of publication, and discuss implementation of this plan on USM campuses. While work on this issue is very new and not yet fully developed, one major topic for future consideration will be the possibility of on-line publication of ratings.

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