November Update

Hello UMD Students!!

November was a busy month for the UMD Student Association!!

• Academic Affairs has made much progress with Textbook Affordability! The policy that they have worked on implementing recommends that faculty consider costs when selecting textbooks, faculty make sure that a significant part of the required text is used for the class, and that multiple editions of books be allowed for use throughout the class. This policy that was proposed has now been put into place and the committee is now making their rounds to every collegiate department to promote these simple guidelines. If you would like a copy of the Textbook Policy, please contact Ashley Brown at brow1713@d.umn.edu. Along with that, Academic Affairs is doing research on the distribution of Tech fees, working on finding areas in the classroom that need improvement, and is preparing for Late Night Library, which is a time during finals week when the library will be open and available to students until 2 AM. Coffee, hot cider and snacks will be served from 12-1 AM on Sun., Mon., and Tues. in the library during finals week.

• Student Affairs has been working with the administration on putting together a student medical amnesty survey and they have made much progress on UMD beautification! Currently, they are managing the Salvation Army bell ringing outside Kirby Plaza. Thank you to the other student organizations that have also helped out with that. In addition, Student Affairs has been working with the Kirby Program Board on hosting and co-sponsoring an event before finals week. Please look out for any additional information concerning the event. If you would like to know more about Student Affairs initiatives and events please contact Laura Lindberg at lindb236@d.umn.edu.

• This month Better Neighbors, Student Association, and the Duluth Association for Responsible Rentals (DARR) organized a Student Renter Forum.Issues we will discuss will address parking, trash, and noise violations, new city ordinances, and there will be an information session.Our goal is to gain student input and feedback on these neighborhood issues.There will be FREE PIZZA AND POP!! The forum will be held in Montague 80 @ 5 PM on Wed. December 5.

If you would like to know more about Student Association initiatives, events, and accomplishments, please contact me at demi0042@d.umn.edu. The next UMDSA update will be posted early January for updates of December. Until then, good luck on finals and HAPPY HOLIDAYS UMD!!

Thomas DeMinico
Student Body President
UMD Student Association

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