Meeting 5/21 Summary

[Jannette Williams]

ESGA -

Thanks for coming out tonight! It was soooo good to see you! I missed you guys! 

To recap from the meeting tonight:

Agenda:

• Update on the EP Town Hall - Jannette
• Huge Success! 
• Dean Romanelli discussed the merger between FT/EP that happened about a year ago, she highlighted the reasons for the merger -- keeping continuity between programs, ensuring that what was done on one program was also being done in the other program, leveraging best practices, etc. 
• She highlighted a lot of the benefits to the EP - 1) We know have access to what the FT's have access to 2) The MBA curriculum is truly the same across both programs
• Dean Romanelli then discussed the reasons for the curriculum changes - working to ensure students were really getting an integrated experience and making sure the idea of a "global" mindset wasn't only introduced in the second half of the program, among other reasons. 
• The parking issue was also aided last night as she announced the new parking passes they will be selling (see email from her on 5/21 at 5ish)
• She then opened it up to the students reiterating the fact that while she has heard from ESGA some of the complaints/suggestions she really wants this to be an opportunity for the rest of the student population to provide their input
• Main Questions/Concerns/Suggestions (I am paraphrasing):
• Why when we bid on all electives (first instance in the fall the EP14s bid on all electives) does the system make it possible to get 3 classes in one mod and 1 in another?  
• Annie spoke to this question basically saying there is an issue where the system is looking at the entire semester instead of individual mods
• Lauren G said the program office has the action to look into this issue
•  "There seems to be an issue where at least every mod there is a teacher that isn't meeting the quality of teaching MSB advertises and we pay for.... for instance the IBE II professor we had this last mod" 
• Dean Romanelli started out by saying the behavior of this professor was unacceptable.
• Unfortunately the program office found out too late about it
• He is teaching one more MBA class this summer and there will be a conversation with him before that class
• She reiterated the fact that if this is ever an issue again please bring it to her attention immediately, she also did caveat it with the fact that she can't control the faculty as that isn't how the organization works; however, because she is from a faculty background she has no problems discussing with individual teaching style improvements
• She went as far to say that if students are interested in taking another class to contact her and she would work with dean thomas to see if it is possible to enroll students free of charge
• "Can you address the lack of feedback we get from professors? Particularly in these 6 week mods when many only have a final?"
• She reiterated that she can't control the faculty. 
• However, the faculty do take into account what is written on the course evaluations so she encouraged us to fill those out
• She also did mention that she would bring this up at the next faculty meeting, however didnt make any promises
• "Can you address the new overloading policy?"
• She spoke about the fact that they have data on students who overload and are not doing as well as student's who don't 
• These students are often flirting with the 3.0 GPA at graduation
• Faculty have noticed that students who are complaining about deadlines or asked about extensions are overloading
• [She also told me that this policy was not meant to be buried in a reminder, this deserved a separate email which the program office should have sent out separately. They made a mistake here]
• "Why do students in the FT program bid the same time as the EP students on evening electives? Shouldn't the EP's have priority?"
• The EP students have priority only on classes that are also offered during the day time
• The program office can't offer new classes (awesome, might I add) at night and not give the FT students a chance to bid on them as well
• If the program office did let EP's bid on classes first they would only be offering 3-5 electives vice the 12-15 we have now to chose from. We get more variety and more amazing classes because of the amount of students that are bidding on them.
• "How can we get the faculty to be more transparent with grading?"
• Again this is a faculty issue; however, they do take your course evaluations into account
• You should talk to the professor about it openly from the beginning
• You can always bring any issues to Dean Romanelli
• "Can the professors use more global cases? Can they use more current events?"
• Global Cases - honestly a lot of the best cases are American because we have the businesses like HBS
• Current Events - she can't control the faculty and doesn't want to force them to cover something that takes away from what they are really good at
• "Can you explain the grading curve?"
• She didn't really explain this one too well but it also wasn't framed well. But basically said there isn't a set amount of As, A-s, etc just an average that they try to keep to
• Calling Campaign/New Student Welcome Event Update - Scott
• Calling campaign for the first round admits is underway
• Second round admits happen soon, Scott will include all of ESGA in that calling campaign!
• Welcome Event 7/14 Connelly/Patio - Scott will be sending an email out to ESGA looking for volunteers!
• EP15 Baseball Game Invitation to EP14/FT - Cristina/Hank
• Due to low ticket sales and the fact that one of the EP15 cohorts has class on 6/7 the event is opent to all EP and FT that are in town.
• We need to sell all 75 tickets!
• Potential/Probable reimbursement for EP15s that can no longer attend (but only those who have class now)
• Cristina to follow-up with Jess and also to provide a list of those who are in the cohort with class for reimbursement
• Boat Cruise Update - VP Social
• Amanda sent out an email today! Spread the word it will be an awesome event.
• We already have representation from EP15, 14, & 13!
• Top Golf Alumni Event Update - Cedric
• The event will be 7/22; however, there is limited capacity at 35.
• Cedric working with Scott Howard to advertise to alums, look for an email to EPs sign-ups will go fast
• Will include mini-golf, appetizers, and non-alcoholic beverages

Questions? Concerns? Let me know!

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

ESGA Meeting -- June 3rd 5:40-6:30 (Dean Romanelli mentioned she would be there so the more the merrier!)

ESGA Meeting -- June 18th 5:40-6:30

 

We will break for the rest of the summer; however, once we have a budget for the fall Jess will be in touch so you can start planning your events!

Cheers!

Jannette

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Jannette Williams | McDonough School of Business | MBA Candidate 2014
Evening Student Government Association President 2013 | EP Ambassador 

215/208.4156 

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