'In the Loop' on commuter issues
Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 1/14/11 Section: News
"We're aware of this, and now there's a move to address this," Fry said.
Students also discussed problems gaining access to labs and classrooms.
In addition, a student asked about course evaluations and how seriously they are examined.
Fry said he thought course evaluations would be a key performance measure for tenure track faculty, but that not listening to evaluations closely enough could be a "more significant issue" with tenured professors.
Fry also said it is important that research not take away from a professor's teaching efforts.
"Scholarship and teaching should be done together. They should inform each other," he said.
Another academic question dealt with whether commuters could be allowed to register for classes before other students because of the added inconvenience class schedules could cause students who live farther away from campus.
According to Drexel's Student Resource Center website, groups including athletes, ROTC, performing arts scholarship recipients and honors college students are currently able to register before most other students.
When discussing this suggestion, Fry said he would support the creation of a commuter students' bill of rights to deal with this and other potential issues.
Tucker said after the town hall that one of the suggestions that stood out most to him was to add a bicycle shed that would protect bikes against theft and weather better than the University's current outdoor racks do.
In response to the question, Tucker said adding such a shelter to the University's parking garage could be feasible. Fry said Drexel could also look at what other colleges have done about the issue.
Ruth said after the forum that he particularly liked a student suggestion for an improved SEPTA Drexel student pass. The current SEPTA student pass offers students a 10 percent discount and must be ordered two months in advance.
Fry said Drexel could attempt to work with SEPTA to create a pass more appealing to students.
Students also discussed problems gaining access to labs and classrooms.
In addition, a student asked about course evaluations and how seriously they are examined.
Fry said he thought course evaluations would be a key performance measure for tenure track faculty, but that not listening to evaluations closely enough could be a "more significant issue" with tenured professors.
Fry also said it is important that research not take away from a professor's teaching efforts.
"Scholarship and teaching should be done together. They should inform each other," he said.
Another academic question dealt with whether commuters could be allowed to register for classes before other students because of the added inconvenience class schedules could cause students who live farther away from campus.
According to Drexel's Student Resource Center website, groups including athletes, ROTC, performing arts scholarship recipients and honors college students are currently able to register before most other students.
When discussing this suggestion, Fry said he would support the creation of a commuter students' bill of rights to deal with this and other potential issues.
Tucker said after the town hall that one of the suggestions that stood out most to him was to add a bicycle shed that would protect bikes against theft and weather better than the University's current outdoor racks do.
In response to the question, Tucker said adding such a shelter to the University's parking garage could be feasible. Fry said Drexel could also look at what other colleges have done about the issue.
Ruth said after the forum that he particularly liked a student suggestion for an improved SEPTA Drexel student pass. The current SEPTA student pass offers students a 10 percent discount and must be ordered two months in advance.
Fry said Drexel could attempt to work with SEPTA to create a pass more appealing to students.
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