The Student Government Association Senate at its Sept. 10 meeting rescheduled a discussion of alternatives to a drop fee and amended the SGA Emergency Book Loan eligibility requirements. The scheduled discussion of solutions to class “shopping” or “fishing,” the student practice of enrolling in more classes than he or she plans to take and then dropping them after the deadline for other students to add the classes, was tabled and has been rescheduled for the next meeting, Monday at 4 p.m.
Vice President Alex Barnes said the Senate was asked by the administration to give its input on the issue.
“They asked us for our opinion and input on this matter,” Barnes said. “If we do not respond in a timely manner, they will move on without us, which will most likely result in a drop fee.”
The practice of class “fishing” has been a problem for many universities. Last year the administration proposed a $20 drop fee to help curb students’ desire to schedule classes they do not intend to take. The drop fee was never implemented, but the University still wants to address the problem.
According to an October 19, 2006 article in The Nicholls Worth, the state gives universities money to teach a certain number of students in each class and when students drop those classes after enrollment is closed and other students are unable to fill the now-empty seats, resources are being wasted.
Texas public universities have instituted a limit on the number of classes students can drop after registration is closed. Students are allowed to drop six classes during their college careers.
In other business, the Senate amended its emergency book loan by striking a sentence which prohibits students who are denied financial aid for two or more times from receiving the loan.
President Olinda Ricard said at one time there was an abundance of applicants for the loan, so they added the stipulation to restrict the number of students who were eligible. Ricard said since now the SGA has the funds available it should open the loan to all students.
The loan is meant for students who are appealing a financial aid denial to have money to pay for books while waiting for the appeal process.
The Senate had originally wanted to clarify the wording of the line, but Senator at Large Amy Orgeron moved to amend the original motion and strike the sentence altogether. The motioned passed 7-1.
“I just think every student should have the right to get an education,” Orgeron said. “If for some reason a student is denied financial aid because of illness or grades or some other circumstances we may not know about, they should have the opportunity to get help.”
The Senate also appointed Briana Lee, biology sophomore from Thibodaux, as arts and sciences senator, and Tate Perque, nursing sophomore from Thibodaux as nursing and allied health senator.
