Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Academic Assembly members said a successful semester has enabled them to put the finishing touches on several of the projects that have been tabled for years, despite USG President Galen Foulke's impeachment proceedings.

"It absolutely did not hinder us in any way," Assembly President Mark Levin said. "The time between when the impeachment legislation was improved and the actual trial were some of the most productive weeks in the assembly."

He added that after the impeachment legislation was passed Nov. 15, only two assembly members worked on the case, and they performed both assembly and trial duties.

"Not only have we progressed more projects this year than last year, but also a wider range," Levin said.

Vice President of Operations Brad Hoagland said he was impressed with the assembly's achievements this semester.

"I can affirm that this is the most productive assembly that I've been a member of," he said, adding that he has been a member for the past three years.

Levin said the assembly has made strides in forming recommendations to improve the first-year seminar (FYS) curriculum.

A report containing recommendations about how to improve FYS courses will be completed and issued to the University Faculty Senate in February.

"It's now more important than ever to have student feedback on first-year seminars," he said.

He added that a spring Faculty Senate committee report did not call for changes, despite the discontent experienced by many students.

Levin said that although the assembly has discussed student concerns with FYS courses in past years, the majority of the work in drafting the recommendations was accomplished this semester.

College of Engineering Sen. Josh Hauenstein said he is glad final recommendations have been drafted after years of discussion.

"It's gonna be great to finally get all recommendations made and sent out to the Faculty Senate," he said. "To finally get the stuff done is a tribute to past assembly members who have worked on it."

In November, the assembly's Academic Research and Action (ARA) committee created a survey to determine if students think the drop/add period should be extended.

The survey will be distributed in January to English 202 (Effective Writing) students at University Park and Commonwealth Campuses to obtain feedback.

Although legislation proposing possible changes to the drop/add period was drafted last year, it was sent back to the committee level because student feedback had not yet been compiled, Levin said.

Liberal Arts Rep. Nicole Belolan, the ARA chair, said the new surveys will allow the assembly to compile quantitative results.

The assembly also established a diversity roundtable this semester, which included open discussions with a range of university administrators at assembly meetings throughout the semester.

Vice President of Operations Tammy Rishel said the assembly also addressed concerns that some students had with international teaching assistants (TAs) because of perceived language barriers.

Rishel said the assembly is drafting recommendations, expected to be completed by March, to revise the test given to TAs before they are permitted to teach classes.

Hoagland said he attributes much of the assembly's success this semester to the dedication of the chairs of its committees.

"They've been able to keep committee members motivated," he said. "The committees are more productive, so projects are moving on along better."