The student senate passed recommendations to add crosswalk signs in front of 650 Lincoln and to adopt school-specific advising surveys during its meeting on Wednesday.
Student senator Matt Harris, the sponsor of the crosswalk bill, said he lives at 650 Lincoln and has witnessed “some close calls” with students trying to cross the intersection of Devine Street and Lincoln Street.
“It's a pretty busy intersection with a lot of students. There's also the student parking lots right there. So, students pass through it a lot, and it just seems like there should be crosswalk signs so that drivers know that students have the right of way,” Harris said.
In an effort to solve the issue, Harris is in the process of contacting relevant authorities, including the 650 Lincoln resource officer, Columbia’s Office of Transportation and the university police department.
“I'll be reaching out ... and making sure that I have their support in taking the next steps with the administration,” Harris said.
The student senate also adopted a recommendation sponsored by student senator Claire Windsor that seeks to establish post-advising appointment surveys that are school specific, as opposed to the general survey students are currently sent.
"A more specific survey would provide more comprehensive feedback about each advisor and advising experience. Students would then be able to help shape the future of advising models and practices in their program. Advisors would also know about their strengths and areas to improve," the recommendation stated.
Windsor said she is already working with the University Advising Center on the idea.
“It's just a matter of, kind of, continuing to ... do outreach to other deans, student service coordinators and then obviously academic advisors to see how this can be implemented,” Windsor said.
A recommendation to increase student awareness that professors are "not allowed to switch instructional method without modality change request and approval" was also passed on Wednesday.
The purpose of the legislation is to educate students that professors must acquire approval if they want to switch class instructional methods, student senator Madelyn Moosbrugger, a sponsor of the bill, said.
"If they do switch and students aren't aware of this, that they aren’t following policy, then students know where they can go to voice their concerns," Moosbrugger said.
Students in this situation should bring their concerns to their department heads and then to the provost, Moosbrugger said.