Highlights from Senate Meeting on 10/18

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:25:37 -0400

Dr. Antonio R. Moreira, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, visited the Senate. He discussed the Retriever Learning Center, the 24/7 learning center which should be ready by August 2011. The Retriever Learning Center will be located inside the library. In order to maintain a safe and secure area, there will be video camera surveillance and a swipe key access in order to enter the room. In order to make the room interactive and fun, he is also considering the idea of walls you can write on. He aims to make the study room very cozy and comfortable, just like if one was to study at home. The idea of security for students walking from dorms or from parking lots at night to this learning center was also discussed. Construction of the place is planned to begin in December. Please state your idea(s) regarding the design of the room or what you hope the room to be like, in the comment box below. He is really trying to get student input and feedback in the design of this room, as this room is for students. His goal is to make a cozy, safe, secure, and active learning place where students will actually go in order to study.

Shortly after Dr. Moreira left, Dr. Kim Leisey, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs talked to the Senate about a violence prevention advocacy project. Made possible through a generous grant from Verizon, Dr. Leisey will host a UMBC Relationship Prevention Advocates Program. She aims to help “raise awareness and education to prevent relationship violence”, “help those who are in violent/abusive relationships seek help”, and to “continue to advance the ‘ethic of care’ within the UMBC community”. There will be red flags around campus signaling warning of relationship violence. There will be a few different violence prevention advocacy committees and a RED FLAG CAMPAIGN KICKOFF ON NOVEMBER 3 AT NOON IN THE SPORTS ZONE OF THE COMMONS. The project will be a campus-wide program, for both male and female faculty, staff, and students. Please see the attached document for more information regarding her project. Stay tuned for highlights of next week’s Senate meeting....

Have a good weekend!