Public relations

Before changing code of conduct policy, Adams plans to seek student opinions

University President Michael Adams released a statement about the proposed Code of Conduct revisions, which left many student leaders equally confused and outraged. Although he commends the policy’s “beneficial” intentions, he says his will delay its approval until student voices are heard loud and clear.

The new revisions require students to report all arrests to the University within 72 hours, regardless of location, and, more importantly, conviction. The proposals were announced with no input or suggestion from students – those in positions of leadership or otherwise.

Adams said he strives for the encouragement of “lawful, responsible and moderate behavior from the students who are a part of the University of Georgia community.”

Although we respect and commend the importance of said goal, we think a full-disclosure policy is unreasonable. How can students agree to full disclosure when so little disclosure was involved in the actual policy?

A compromise and open forum of communication between the students and administration is needed, and we’re glad Adams has realized this need for a new plan of action.

Student Government Association officials are strongly opposed to the new policy, citing the policy as a violation of Fifth Amendment freedoms. We encourage students to express their opinions to these leaders by contacting them at ugasga@uga.edu. Remember, it’s their job is to reflect your voice, with hopes that the administration listens.

- Jennifer Paxton for the editorial board

The whole shebang

The University should consider the SAT writing score for incoming freshmen

If a new proposal gets University President Michael Adams’ stamp of approval, high schoolers will no longer take the SAT writing section in vain. Beginning with the class of 2006, high school juniors and seniors were subjected to an additional hour of the dreaded college admissions exam.

But for the past three years, the University hasn’t taken the writing score into consideration for incoming freshmen.

Although the section’s scoring is more subjective than its math and verbal counterparts, The Red & Black editorial board supports the proposal. The writing test is often a clear indicator of how well a student will perform in classes such as basic introductory English.

Many students enter the University with limited knowledge of how to write. By taking the writing score into consideration, the University will be using all the resources available to get a clearer understanding of each applicant.

High schoolers already have to take the writing portion of the exam – it’s not optional. The University does not plan to give the writing score any more weight than the rest of the SAT, so there’s no reason the score should be disregarded.

Though the proposal directly affects none of us who already are enrolled at the University, we believe the University should make every effort to have the most comprehensive knowledge of each applicant. If the University wants to continue to promote its mantra of “academic rigor,” the most qualified, well-rounded students should be granted enrollment.

- Shannon Otto for the editorial board