In an effort to improve undergraduate learning, a forum held by the Student Learning Initiative will take place today.

“The forum is an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn about how they can participate in the development of a new Student Learning Initiative,” said Robert Mauricio, chair of the Student Learning Initiative Team and associate professor of genetics.

The addition of the Student Learning Initiative is essential to the reaccredidation of the University by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The initiative must come up with a Quality Enhancement Plan to enhance the learning provided by the University. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is requiring every university to come up with a similar plan.

Among those on the Student Learning Initiative team are University alumni, faculty, former Student Government President Katy Bowers and SGA president Connor McCarthy.

McCarthy and Bowers both have been working with Student Affairs specialist Leslie Atchely to gather student input.

The forum is only one way the Student Learning Initiative Team can communicate with the campus.

“We will be setting up tables with issues and ideas and have places in the dining halls,” McCarthy said. “We will also hold an opinion session on Nov. 13.”

On the Student Learning Initiative Web site, students can leave a comment or write a short proposal indicating ideas they have about the initiative, Mauricio said.

Dane Livelsberger, a junior from Lithia Springs, said the University could provide more funding for study abroad programs and globalization.

“With the economy getting universal and more global, business students should be aware of it,” said Livelsberger. “If the school placed more money and incentive in the program, it would give students more opportunity to go over seas and get experience.”

Michale Adams, a sophomore from Atlanta, says the University could use better advisers.

“They are good but, not sure of what students need,” Adams said. “I had an adviser tell me to take a class, only to find out I didn’t need it.”

Mayra Velez, a sophomore from Hapeville, said she prefers not to have teaching assistants instruct her.

“I get frustrated with the underqualifications of undergraduate teachers . I’ve had people teach me that are not too much older than me,” said Velez. “At times they lack the experience to teach.”

The forum will be today in the Masters Hall at the Georgia Center at 4 p.m.