TL20041007_001 "Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Thursday, 10/7/04 Provost addresses growth agenda 5 Fireworks display to follow football 7 'Kindred' named Book of Year Football flick comes up short Departments Opinion News Police Blotter.. Arts 15 Entertainment Briefs 16 Scheer Cinema 17 Now Showing. 17 Sports 24 In this corner. 24 Punt, Pass, & Pick 22 Classifieds 19 Senate supports relations ban Kristi Funderburk The Towerlight The University Senate gave its blessing Monday to Provost James Brennan's proposal to prohibit dating or sexual relationships between faculty members and the students they work with. Brennan sought input from the Senate, but stressed he was not ask ing for approval. """"A faculty/student relationship can be defined many ways, but is most of all a professional relationship,"""" Brennan said. """"I am not bringing [the policy] to a vote. This is a policy we have to have."""" The Senate unanimously approved a motion in support of the policy. The proposed policy states, """"It is deemed unprofessional and a viola tion of University policy for a faculty member or academic administrator to engage in an amorous, dating or sexual relationship with a student whom he/she instructs, evaluates, supervises, or advises, or over whom he/she is in a position to exercise authority in any way."""" A violation of the policy could result in disciplinary action against faculty, including dismissal for Homecoming festivities in full swing Lisa Johnson/The Towerlight Tarsha Vice, a freshman biology major, takes an orange from Black Student Union teammate Bunmi Akinnuoye, a junior exercise science major, during a relay race at the Wacky Olympics Wednesday night. Voter registration deadline approaches Mike Fila The Towerlight With the deadline less than a week away, students are being reminded that there are still options available for last minute voter registration. The Office of Student Activities, along with the College Democrats and Republicans, has sponsored many voter education and registration events as the Oct. 12 deadline to register draws near. """"[I believe] that the efforts of our office as well as that of on-cam- pus student groups and MaryPIRG's New Voters Project all were instru mental in getting students to register,"""" Trista Sikes, assistant director for campus life, said. """"If you choose not to take the time to cast your vote that is your choice, but if you don't register than you have no choice."""" Trista Sikes asst. director, campus life Student Government Association representatives held a registration drive Wednesday afternoon in the University Union. On Aug. 20, the OSA commenced its Campus Voter Registration Project by launching a voter information Web site, http://wwwnew. towson.edu/studentactivities/ Programs/vote.htm, which allows students to look up candidate information and registration forms. Active political participation was also encouraged by including information with University employee pay stubs, tabling at the Involvement Fair & Welcome Back BBQ, and live demonstrations featuring the new Diebold electronic voting machines. See ELECTION, page 10 unprofessional conduct. Brennan said faculty/student relations have caused """"situations filled with land mines."""" He added that most universities already have a similar policy in place. Associate Provost Deborah Leather said an incident over the summer involving a faculty member and prospective student confirmed the need for the policy. Brennan created the proposal to """"make it perfectly clear [faculty/student relations are] not acceptable."""" The proposed policy would apply to """"all persons who teach at the University,"""" including graduate students who have teaching responsibilities. """"It is essential that those in a position of authority not abuse, nor appear to abuse, the power with which they are entrusted,"""" the draft policy said. Bethany Schectel, a junior EMF and political science major, attended the meeting and listened to the discussion. She said she strongly disagrees with the proposed policy. """"[The proposal] includes grad students, which means students cannot have relationships with grad students if they're teaching,"""" she said. """"And there are already a lot of relationships between teachers and students. What happens then?"""" Brennan called the graduate students issue """"explosive,"""" since the student and teacher could be similar ages. While the proposed policy was not up for a vote, Senate members offered suggestions to tweak the draft. """"A couple issues [they] brought up were good, like incorporating due process and [including] staff as well,"""" Brennan said after the meeting. """"We will have to talk to the attorney to determine specificity."""" Communications professor Richard Vatz recommended the word 'amorous' be removed from the proposal. """"I think the word 'amorous' is too vague and it could make the Towson community so paranoid that it would be afraid to associate with one another,"""" he said. The Senate expressed interest in ensuring the policy is understandable. SGA vice president Darcy Accardi suggested the language could be improved. See POLICY, page 8 Today High 75 Low 52 Friday High 75 Low 53 Saturday High 76 Low 53 Sunday High 69 Low 47 Monday High 68 Low 48"
