Computers to aid discussion on reports

Administrators and student leaders are laying down the lines of communication this summer to begin discussion of four University task force reports.

In early May, the greek life task force, intellectual life task force, residential life task force and East Campus enhancement committee submitted reports to the Board of Trustees that recommended a number of ways to improve the quality of undergraduate life.

Administrators have stressed that no policy-making concerning the recommendations will take place until sometime next year so that students, faculty and administrators can thoroughly discuss the suggestions.

The Duke Student Government and the Office of Student Affairs have been brainstorming ways to get the information contained in the reports out to students and create discussion about the reports.

"We want to make sure that we hear from those students who don't normally speak out. We don't want student opinion on this to be formed by the same people who always talk," said Trinity junior Christian Grose, DSG vice president for academic affairs.

Administrators are transferring the reports onto a computer network. Most computer clusters on campus will carry the information and students with a modem or Ethernet connection and communications software could also access the reports in their rooms, said Caroline Nisbet, director of information systems.

Nisbet said the computer program is slated to be finished by the fall, and will require very little time and money. A computer bulletin board, where students could exchange comments regarding the reports, may also be set up, she said. The reports have already been placed on reserve in Perkins and Lilly libraries.

In preparation for the fall, DSG officials are meeting every week during the summer to digest the task force materials and discuss ways to spark student interest and gauge student opinion.