The Government of the Student Body is formulating a plan that would revolutionize “Dead Week.” Or, as ISU faculty refer to it, “that last week before finals.” Because, let’s face it, Dead Week is a creation of GSB, not a university-sanctioned holiday week for the student body.

But GSB wants this to change. They want to put the “dead” in “Dead Week” once and for all. They are proposing several rules, new rules to govern Dead Week:

Instructors could not schedule general or final examinations.

Instructors could not have major course assignments due.

Instructors could not introduce new course material on the final day of classes that would be covered on the final examination.

Sounds pretty good. And maybe, if this goes well, GSB’s other legislative move – to cancel classes Thursday and Friday of Dead Week – will gain momentum and become a reality as well. Sounds pretty good indeed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really matter what GSB says. GSB leaders say the “implied contract” between faculty and students has eroded. Some faculty say there is no “implied contract.”

The University Bulletin is clear – Dead Week is nothing but a GSB term. It has no bearing on the faculty; they aren’t required to adhere to any rules created by GSB. In fact, all the Dead Week rules say is that GSB Senate does not meet, and that student organizations are asked to do the same.

This is college, not grade school. GSB is stepping well beyond its very limited reach on this campus. Dead Week is not a week to have off so that half the student body can do some extra studying -which they would have done anyway – and half can spend more time at the bars – which they would have done anyway.

Could you hold our hands any more, President Tofilon? No exams during Dead Week. Which means no early finals given by professors who want to give students a break on finals week. No course assignments due, including those dreaded final papers. Which means students will have all their finals and papers and projects due during finals week, instead of some being due the week before. Maybe Tofilon can force those naughty professors to get rid of that unfair “grading” system. A’s for everyone! Hurrah for GSB!

GSB claims to be looking out for students on this one, which is admirable. But GSB, once again, has stepped far beyond any power it may have on this campus. Do members even know “Dead Week” is solely a GSB policy? Having to ask that question shows just how ludicrous this proposal is. Maybe, if this bill goes nowhere, GSB can pass a resolution saying how angry they are that their bill went nowhere. Another example of a self-satisfied GSB poking around where it doesn’t belong.

The week before finals week is just that. A week of classes. There is no “spirit” of Dead Week professors are ignoring or forgetting. Professors are here to help us as students. Their goal isn’t to make our lives miserable. And this bill is an insult to the work they do to prepare us for finals.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Charlie Weaver, Omar Tesdell