Frechette let go
Senator Joe Frechette was removed from the 33rd Student Senate, pending appeal, on Friday, October 8, after accumulating four unexcused absences.
He is not expected to appeal. Three days before the meeting he mailed his resignation to Senate Vice-Chair Andrew Bossie, which was not received until after the meeting.
New proposal from Ferriter
Senator Sarah Ferriter introduced a proposal to the 33rd Student Senate that will require all professors teaching an ITV course to meet a set of minimum requirements and to mail all graded tests and quizzes back to offsite students unless students choose to waive their rights to receive these grades.
As USM expands the range of ITV courses that are offered, the Senate, according to the proposal, “resolves that there should be some minimum standards for all ITV courses.”
The proposal includes a reminder to professors teaching ITV courses that students pay a $5 per credit hour fee to cover mailing cost of quizzes and test.
Ferriter, who is taking her second ITV course, said that the course “fell far below my expectation for any class at USM.”
Rocks for docs
Dr. David Buesch, a U.S. geological survey geologist working on the Yucca Mountain Project, will speak at USM on Wednesday, October 13, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. in Bailey Hall, room 215.
Yucca Mountain is the controversial site of a proposed nuclear waste repository. Such waste includes spent fuel rods and high-level radioactive waste.
Buesch’s talk will focus on his work involving the evaluation of the site and the integrated understanding of the size scales involved.
Religious forum in Portland
Temple Beth El is hosting a public forum “Islam and the Challenge of America.” The forum will examine issues facing Muslim immigrants to the United States. It features Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who is imam of Masjid al-Farah, New York; president of the American Sufi Muslim Association; and author of “What’s Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West.”
The program is sponsored by the University of Southern Maine’s Academic Center for Post-Holocaust Christian, Jewish and Islamic Studies and USM’s Muskie School of Public Service in cooperation with the City of Portland, the Islamic Society of Portland, the Jewish Community Alliance, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine, the Temple Beth El and the World Affairs Council of Maine.
For more information about the program, contact Abraham J. Peck, director of USM’s Academic Council at 780-5331.
French ambassador comes to Maine
Jean-David Levitte, ambassador of France to the United States, comes to Maine on October 28 and will be speaking at the Portland Country Club as part of the World Affairs Council Distinguished Speaker Program.
Following a 5:30 p.m. hors d’oeuvres reception Levitte will deliver an addressed titled “France and the United States in a World Transformed.” After, there will be a question and answer session.
Program Fee: $7.50 members-$10 guests-$3 students. For more information call?780-5383 or email: [email protected]
Homecoming retreat
In response to a concern raised by Student Senator Adam Mirmelli about the quality of homecoming, a two-hour planning retreat has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 20. The retreat will be held at the Alumni Reception Center at the Ice Arena in Gorham, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
All students are invited to attend, but must R.S.V.P. to Chris O’Connor at 780-4942 or email: [email protected]