Due to the statewide lockdown and COVID-19 concerns, Student Government meetings have moved online through the BlueJeans app. Speaking through webcams, this week’s general assembly has been recorded and will be made available on YouTube within the coming days.

President Nickxit Bhardwaj started the meeting by discussing the announcement of the recently modified pass/fail option for students. All classes will now be able to be taken as a pass/fail grade, meaning if the student is able to pass the class, they will gain credit without their GPA being affected.

The move to the pass/fail format is in response to all classes now migrating into an online format, one many students are not used to or may not be able to get a handle of as easily as an in-person class. The hope for the new policy is that students will not end up having their grades negatively affected due to the COVID-19 precautions.

Bhardwaj continued by stating he had his final meeting with UM-Flint’s Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Christopher Giordano and Chancellor Deba Dutta. Bhardwaj updated the two on the accomplishments of Student Government this past semester and further efforts to protect campus from the coronavirus.

Bhardwaj concluded his report by saying all students who had applied to remain on campus despite the university urging them to move out of residence halls have been approved to stay. He estimates this amount is anywhere from 40 to 50 students.

Director of Foreign Outreach Samantha Uptmor reported that the Student Legal Services survey has been completed and is ready to send out but will hold off on doing so. She stated the decision to wait on sending out the survey was to not overwhelm students in the face of so many other updates on the continuing coronavirus concerns.

Following Uptmor, Director of Web and Technology Logan Jorrey said links to apply for executive board positions on Student Government for the remainder of the 2020 year and for 2021 are posted on the Student Government website.

Student Government Advisor Julie Snyder, PhD, wanted to remind everyone that due to the “stay home, stay safe” executive order issued by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, all UM-Flint staff have been forced to work remotely. Any student seeking help from an advisor will thus have to contact them either through email, phone or another form of remote communication. 

Terae King, the vice-chair of the senate, concluded the meeting by saying despite the coronavirus shutting down the university, Student Government is still working and is encouraging anyone with comments and concerns to contact them.