Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 23, 1994                   TAG: 9408250025
SECTION: WELCOME STUDENTS                    PAGE: 14   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

TECH'S PRESIDENT HITS THE GROUND AT A VERY FAST RUN

Seth Ginther will kick off a petition drive the first week of school to protest a mandatory attendance policy passed by the University Council last year. The Commission on Student Affairs will submit a resolution asking the council to rescind the policy.

"We feel that, as college students, we're responsible enough to make our own decisions ... to attend class on our own," Ginther said. "This seems like a high school policy."

The policy allows professors to factor class attendance into a student's grade.

The SGA also hopes to host, in conjunction with the Student Media Board, a debate among the candidates for the U.S. Senate.

Ginther is already involved in a campus debate between students and professors about student access to faculty evaluations, which the SGA says students have a right to see. Some professors are opposed to that idea.

The SGA asks students to turn in evaluations to be compiled in a guide by spring semester that will rate a professor and describe the course's work load.

"It's not meant to crucify professors," he said.

Ginther, a junior in political science, probably will maintain a heavy work load as he tries to implement his administration's ideas and programs.

A major project is the overhaul of the constitution. The process started last year but was overshadowed by the Senate's investigation and attempted impeachment of last year's president.

Ginther hopes the student body will be able to vote on the new constitution by the end of fall semester or the beginning of spring semester.

Ginther also wants to see greater involvement in the SGA. "Our philosophy is that anyone who wants to help out can," he said.

He invites all students to get involved. Student organizations won't elect representatives to the House until this fall.

To encourage student participation, the SGA likely will sponsor open houses and socials to acquaint students with their representatives.