In Wednesday night’s Student Senate meeting, student body president Alex Coccia addressed the new student government sexual assault prevention campaign, “One Is Too Many.”
“I’m very excited about it,” Coccia said. “[The program] will roll out next week, and training will begin soon. In total, we have 115 volunteers.”
Volunteers for the campaign will speak to the dorms about ways to prevent sexual assault, forms of sexual assault, and resources available to students. Student body vice president Nancy Joyce spoke with hall rectors on Tuesday about the project, as well.
During the meeting, dean of the College of Science Gregory Crawford gave updates on events in the college.
“I like [to] come once a year to give you a little perspective on what’s going on in the college,” he said. “I think it’s pretty impressive what our students and faculty do.”
Crawford spoke about enhancements to the research enterprise of the university, including raising more than $250 million in grants during the last three years, including a $23 million grant this year from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for research on malaria.
Money was also allocated toward the hiring of additional science professors. During the last three years, the College of Science hired 43 new professors, increasing the faculty by about 25 percent. Crawford said the college plans to make 12 new hires before this May.
Crawford said the college also plans to expand its horizons, building upon the current nuclear physics and stem cell research programs.
Crawford said he also hopes to involve more undergraduate students in academic research.
“In 2008, only 18 percent of undergraduates in the college of science were participating in research. By 2013, it was 58 percent,” Crawford said, adding that, 100 percent undergraduate participation is ultimately his goal.
The college also plans to make changes to the biology curriculum, to be put into effect in the next few years. Crawford said one change would be a move towards a “flipped classroom,” where lectures are condensed and put online before each class so that valuable class time with professors can be dedicated to examples and problem sets.
On Wednesday night, the senate also passed a resolution, on behalf of the student body, congratulating the men’s soccer team on their championship title.
Food Services additionally announced a coffee tasting on January 27-28 to help decide what brand of coffee will replace the current type served in dining halls and at all events catered by Food Services.
Contact Margaret Hynds at mhynds@nd.edu
