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UCS passes resolutions for renewable energy, end to ban on postseason Ivy football

The Undergraduate Council of Students passed a resolution seeking to end the ban on postseason competition for Ivy League football programs at its general body meeting last night. The council also passed a resolution endorsing a renewable energy fee of $25 to be imposed on each student.

The resolution to terminate the ban on postseason football was debated during the meeting of the Ivy Council, which brings together student government leaders from Ivy League schools, over spring break. Currently, all Ivy League football teams are forbidden from participating in postseason bowls and playoffs. Other Ivy League schools will vote on similar resolutions in the future, according to Brian Becker '09, a UCS class representative.

The aim of the UCS resolution is to promote a discourse with members of the Council of Ivy Group Presidents about lifting the ban.

The council also unanimously passed "A Resolution to Institute a Renewable Energy Fee" that calls for the University to "commit to purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates as an immediate source of renewable energy." The proposal endorses a $25 student fee to be paid each semester. The resolution cites a concern about global climate change and notes that renewable energy was not addressed in the University's Plan for Strategic Growth.

After the proposals were voted upon, Tristan Freeman '07, chair of the Academic and Administrative Affairs Committee, announced that "the plus/minus debate is dead," a declaration that was met with applause from many UCS members. There were no motions to pass a resolution in favor of the addition of pluses and minuses to the University's grading system at the most recent meeting of the College Curriculum Council or at Tuesday's faculty meeting, Freeman said.

"The faculty really listened to the opinions of Brown students on this issue," Freeman said.

Freeman updated the council on plans to develop a winter session, referred to by some as a "J-Term." Freeman met with President Ruth Simmons regarding this subject in the past week and said Simmons "endorses the idea."

In the current plans, the winter session will be comprised of courses that last for three weeks. They will be seminars and will meet three days a week for two-hour blocks, Freeman said. Hopefully, faculty members, graduate students and other community members will teach the courses, he said.

"The idea is to offer classes that aren't typically offered in the Brown curriculum," said UCS Vice President Zachary Townsend '08.

Freeman said the University would likely provide financial assistance for students enrolling in such a program.

An official proposal will appear before the council in two weeks, Freeman said.

The dates for upcoming elections for UCS and the Undergraduate Finance Board were announced. The elections will be held from April 17 through April 20.

After the meeting, Saxton-Frump told The Herald that candidates will be finalized after a meeting on April 10, and a debate will be held April 11 at a location that has yet to be determined.


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