Student Government passes SSN legislation The Student Government Association (SGA) passed legislation Jan. 20 in an attempt to phase out the university’s use of Social Security Numbers (SSN) as student identification numbers. The legislation suggested the university assign random ID numbers starting with the Class of 2010. Due to an incident at George Mason University last month where a hacker stole 30,000 student and faculty SSNs out of the university database, SGA overwhelmingly passed the legislation to ensure a similar theft does not occur at Northeastern. Nicole Martino, SGA vice president for student services, spearheaded the effort to eliminate the use of SSNs for security reasons. “I can’t stress enough how important this is; computer hackers are just going to get better and better so it’s really important we take care of this now,” Martino said. Current students whose SSNs function as their student ID numbers can change to a randomized number by filling out a form in the Registrar’s Office or the SGA office in 332 Curry Student Center, SGA President Bill Durkin said. Students may also choose to keep their current ID number if they wish.
RSA gears up for ‘Sex Week’ The Resident Student Association (RSA) will hold its annual “Sex Week” next month. Sex Week will run from Feb. 7 – 11, and will include events with the theme of “Doin’ It Doggy Style.” The week will begin with “Bugs in the Bedroom.” Other events include “Condom Casino,” “The Art of Kissing,” “Battle of the Sexes” and “Dating Game.” The events will begin between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. each night. The cost for Sex Week is estimated to be $12,000, 50 percent of RSA’s on-campus programming budget, said Adriana Campos, RSA’s assistant vice president for programming.
BRC allocates funds for student programming The Budget Review Committee (BRC) discussed three proposals from student groups Tuesday night. The Northeastern Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered and Straight Alliance (NUBiLAGA) requested money for speakers from the educational group Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to come and speak with students about difficulties associated with being gay. The speakers are usually parents of gays and lesbians. The group also hands out guidebooks to help students with the task of coming out to their parents, members said. The group is requesting $230 for the speakers. The sorority group Delta Phi Epsilon requested funds to send delegates to their annual District Leadership Conference during the second half of spring break. The group requested $450 to cover registration fees, which include lodging and food. “I’m torn on this one,” said BRC Chair Ali Barlow. “We don’t usually cover lodging and food.” The committee proposed setting a cap on registration fees, which include hotels and meals. The Islamic Society also requested funding from the committee. They asked for $4,197 to cover fees during their Islam Awareness Week. The week would feature two speakers and one program a night for five days. The goal of the program will be to educate people about Islam in language that is easy to understand, members said. The BRC discussed the requests and will inform the groups of their decisions by Friday.
Administration extends tsunami fund deadline University officials are hoping a second announcement of Northeastern’s Tsunami Relief Fund will help boost donations to the fund. “We’re going to give a second push to remind people [the fundraising] is going on,” said Shelli Jankowski-Smith, director of Spiritual Life and an administrator helping the fund. The fundraising will continue until Northeastern’s Spring Break begins Feb. 25, she said. The total donations collected will be matched up to $25,000 by the Office of the President. Donations can be dropped off at the International Student and Scholar Institute in 206 Ell Hall, the Spiritual Life Center in 311 Ell Hall, the Government Relations/Community Service Office in 304 Columbus Place and the Student Activities Business Office in 226 Curry Student Center.
Fac. Sen. approves ‘distinguished teachers’ fund Last week the Faculty Senate voted to encourage the Provost’s Office to establish a Distinguished Teaching Fellows Program. Although details of the program have not yet been established, the Faculty Development Committee, which created the proposal, has suggested 15 faculty members be selected for the program each year, each to be given a stipend of $10,000. Fellows would be responsible for developing projects to enrich learning and teaching at Northeastern, organizing workshops and seeking extramural funding to support their scholarship. “The intention is to recognize teaching with not just an award but a tangible reward,” said Carol Glod, who represented the development committee. At the same meeting, the senate also voted down a resolution to create a system for evaluating teachers. Stuart Peterfreund, a professor of English, called the resolution “loony” and “toxic,” saying it too narrowly defined quality teaching. Peterfreund gave several examples of flaws in the resolution, such as its consideration of a teacher’s growth over time. “What if they were good when we hired them and they’re still good now?” Peterfreund said.
— Compiled by staff writers Elizabeth Dudek, Hailey Heinz, Sarah Metcalf and Jennifer Nelson.
