In seeking a second term, Prajwal Ciryam has met his match: anactive member of the committee he has led for a year as AssociatedStudent Government’s academic vice president.
Jenna Carls, a first-year senator who worked heavily on a billto save the School of Music’s organ program, faces the incumbentCiryam, who has worked towards summer financial aid and TargetPass/No Credit programs.
CARLS: ‘VERY CALMING FORCE’
Carls, a Peace Project senator who joined ASG during FallQuarter, served on the Academic Committee working on the organprogram bill and summer financial aid.
Increasing summer financial aid and lobbying for more 300-levelclasses to count as Weinberg distribution requirements are studentissues Carls said still need to be addressed. Carls said she alsowants to create an online academic forum for students to postacademic questions and answer other students’ concerns. In additionCarls promises in her platform to implement a policy where studentswill have a partial grade by the drop deadline in order to betterdecide whether to remain enrolled.
“I was enrolled in several classes this year where I didn’t getany grade in the class until finals week,” Carls said.
In addition to trying to improve classes, Carls also has workedto save them. In her work on the organ program bill, she lobbiedthe School of Music dean to reconsider the program’s elimination,worked to make organ classes available to majors and non-majors andtried to ensure current organ majors still could receive theirdegree.
Music sophomore Anne Carper, who is unaffiliated with ASG butworked with Carls on the organ program bill, said Carls organized astudent group to tackle the issue. Carper said Carls took time tomeet with the group and understand their concerns.
“She astutely took notes the whole time,” Carper said. “She wasa very calming force because we were very passionate.”
Carls said the same energy and devotion she’s extended to thisyear’s projects make her ready for the vice president position nextyear.
“I feel like I’m in a place right now where I can help studentsand student academic issues,” she said. “I have the time; I’m goingto make the commitment.”
CIRYAM: ‘FORCEFUL SPOKESPERSON’
Under Ciryam’s leadership, the academic committee addressedsummer financial aid, Target Pass/No Credit and MLK Day — studentconcerns Ciryam said he still wants to work on next year.
In his platform, titled “Many hands, many minds, one voice,”Ciryam said if he wins re-election, he would work on financial aidfor international students. Ciryam said he also wants to ensuremandatory participation Course and Teacher Evaluation Councildisplays, a change from this year when professors could opt towithhold their CTECs from student viewing.
Associate provost for undergraduate education and Weinberg Prof.Stephen Fisher, said he meets almost weekly with the academic vicepresident to discuss issues that fall under the AcademicCommittee’s guidance.
Fisher said Ciryam talked to a variety of NU administratorsabout summer financial aid. Ciryam pursued the issue vigorously andhe fits the role of academic vice president, according toFisher.
“He’s a good, forceful spokesperson for the issues he dealswith,” Fisher said.
Ciryam said next year is critical for the academic committeebecause progress in summer financial aid, Target P/N and the AsianAmerican studies program will create a “monumental” year.
“If we want to make sure all goals are met, we need someone whoknows the ropes of this position,” Ciryam said. “I’m not going toget tired of this job — I’m coming back for more.
