Miami Issues

Fraternities

The implementation of the sophomore residency requirement will have a major impact on fraternal life.  We are dedicated to working with Miami’s Greek Community to ensure that those who accept the exemption to allow sophomores to live in their houses will receive tangible benefits from the University for complying, such as free Internet service.

Off Campus Guidebook and Housing Fair

At the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year we will provide an off campus guidebook and housing fair for all sophomores to ensure that their transition to off campus living is smooth.

Career Driven Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

The sophomore residency requirement offers us a chance to take a new look at programming in sophomore residence halls.  We will work with Residence Life to craft LLCs that give students a jump start on internship searches and their career goals.

Dead Week

At most universities, students have a “dead week” before finals where no assignments, quizzes, or tests may be conducted in order to provide them extra time for finals preparations.  We will work with the Provost and University Senate to change the policy to benefit students.

Electronic Force-Add

Many students spend countless hours tracking down professors and walking to the Registrar’s offices seeking to force-add classes.  We will work with the Registrar to make this time-saving solution a reality.

Class Sizes

As it is likely that Miami will employ fewer professors in the coming years due to budget deficits, it is important that class sizes do not drastically increase.  We will work with the University and the Provost to promote each professor teaching an additional class to maintain class sizes.

Lobbying

As state funding becomes more of an issue with ever-increasing tuition costs, student government must be dedicated to working with other student governments across Ohio through the Ohio Student Government Association (OSGA) to ensure that our voices are magnified in the Statehouse in Columbus.

Parking

Students pay $200,000 a year in student fees towards parking on campus only to have to pay increasing prices for parking permits and be locked out of the new North Campus Parking Garage until after hours.  We will work with Parking Services to ensure that this garage is opened to students during the day and that permit prices do not increase.

Admissions

Miami students are disadvantaged by the perception that our University lacks diversity.  Miami needs to tailor its admissions process to appeal to more diverse candidates.  At the same time, Miami’s high academic standards must be maintained to educate a workforce for a global century.

Programming Themes

While Miami works to increase diversity in the student body, there must be a focus on exposing all students to the variety of their peers’ cultures and experiences.  To that end, we will encourage coordinated programming, periodically focusing the University community on the numerous individual traditions represented by Miami students.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Cultural competence is extremely important in today’s interconnected world.   Miami must divert scholarship money to study abroad programs to ensure that students are afforded the opportunity to enhance their educational experiences in the immersive programs.

International Students Resources

International students’ enrollment has significantly increased over the past few years. It is important that Miami make resources available to help during their transitional periods. We intend to work with the university to ensure that this is a priority.