Issue 12

Page 1

September 26, 2012

Vol. XLV, No. 12 December 11, 2012

University investigates as students speak out against early registration Ghida Ismail Staff Writer The frenetic race to register for spring classes was supposed to begin at 8 a.m. sharp on Dec. 3, but around 7:30 a.m. some students noticed that some course slots were already registered. “I can’t believe that something as unethical as this happened in AUB which is considered to be one of the top universities in the Middle East,” said business student Carine Arif. Registration ahead of time may have passed unseen in previous years but this semester students made sure to make it public. Mechanical engineering student Stephanie Saadeh was one of them. Using Facebook, Saadeh asked her peers to send her information about the situation, such as which courses were registered, and took up the issue directly with the dean. Some students posted snapshots of the AUBsis website showing registered classes before 8 a.m. as evidence. “People being able to register ahead of time is not something new,” she said. “This year, however, I decided not to be passive anymore, and even if I don’t get a result I want to at least know why some students

are a priority in University services that are supposedly open to all, equally and without any preference.” The source of the early registration was no mystery for most students. “It is obvious that the children of staff and faculty at AUB were given the chance

to register earlier to ensure their places in the classes,” said civil engineering student Lamis Houssami. Houssami also said that this illicit registration had taken place in previous semesters as well. She described the act as “shameless.” Dean of Students Affairs

Talal Nizameddin confirmed that it was people working in the University who took advantage of their positions and tried to give their children a “head start.” He denied the claims that the disabled and students with special needs were prioritized Continued on page 2

Photo credit: Mada Subaiti

As USFC cabinet elected, VP expresses hope for new year Thurayya Zreik Staff Writer Almost a month has passed since the student elections took place on Nov. 13, but their impact was felt again last week when the final University Student Faculty Committee cabinet was elected. The USFC is the central body of student representation at AUB and is comprised of delegates from different

Student Representative Committees that represent the interests of their respective faculties. The new 2012-13 USFC cabinet will be presided over by President Peter Dorman, and will consist of student members Vice President Mohamed Homayed, Secretary Hadi Hamade and Treasurer Ramzi Taybah. This USFC cabinet is the first to be elected after the implementation of the new

electoral policy, according to which USFC members are directly elected by student voters rather than by SRC members. According to Taybah, the new law made a difference. “It feels like the competition this year was stronger,” he said. Homayed is confident that this year will be a good one. “It’s my third year in the USFC and I have some great experience managing issues,

dealing with student affairs and with the administration,” he said. “I hope it will be a great year.” Homayed, a medical lab senior, said that the elections this year went smoothly. As for upcoming changes, the USFC cabinet has already set its tasks and is planning their work. “We all have to work together as a unified body and distribute responsibilities Continued on page 4

Privacy or security? Hashem Osseiran Staff Writer Much controversy has spurred as a result of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces’ request for all mobile phone SMS information two months prior to the assassination of security official Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan. The request has surfaced the debate over whether security supersedes privacy or vice versa. The former emphasizes the collective in terms of general public good while the latter is an advent of the individual rights of privacy. Carmen Geha , instructor in the Political Studies and Public Administration department at AUB, highlighted the need for an intermediary solution that balances the two social virtues of security and privacy. The speculation into such telecommunication information on a national level, according to Geha, is ineffective and illogical. In order to reach a viable constructive end, the investigative operation should be restricted to relevant areas and suspected people potentially involved in the assassination. In terms of the ideals, Geha viewed both security and privacy as equally imperative social values that should not override each other. Dr. Shafic Masri , expert in International Law and lecturer in the PSPA department, remarked on the legality and constitutionality of the ISF’s request. “Because the constitution does not give these rights [acquiring SMS information] freely, the decision should be made according to its observance of the public good,” he said. According to Masri, the constitution observes all political rights within the scope of law. However, Continued on page 3


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