Student Government Assn. passes academic advising bill The Student Government Association (SGA) unanimously passed legislation last Thursday pressing for an “Academic Advising Bill of Rights,” a guide of expectations for students and academic advisors. “It’s going to be a reference for them now,” said Michael DeRamo, SGA vice president for academic affairs. The legislation calls for advisors to return phone calls and e-mails within 48 hours and honor requests for appointments within five days. It also calls for a central academic advising Web site to be created so students can easily find important phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The legislation will now go to President Richard Freeland. If approved, it will become university policy, and will be displayed in academic advising offices and printed in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

– Jennifer Nelson, News Staff

NUBiLAGA denied funds for 17 of 27 resource books After providing additional information about their desired resource books, the Northeastern University Bisexual Lesbian and Gay Alliance (NUBiLAGA) received only partial funding, $170, from the Budget Review Committee (BRC) on Feb. 2. NUBiLAGA was asked after the Jan. 26 meeting to return the following week with additional information about its requested list of books, but after reviewing Snell Library’s holdings, the BRC decided not to fund 17 of the 27 books because they were already available on campus. The BRC also approved $11,000 to afterHOURS for an April 4 concert featuring jam bands The Slip and The Benevenuto Duo, to coincide with Springfest week. In addition, $21,465 was allotted to Alpha Kappa Alpha for the 2006 New England Step-Fest, once a major attraction for both students and the community, which the sorority hopes to revive this year. It is scheduled for April 22 in Matthews Arena.

– Stephanie Peters, News Staff

BPD Commissioner discusses safety with local students Boston Police Commissioner Kathleen O’Toole held an informal meeting with student representatives from the city’s colleges and universities at police headquarters Monday afternoon as part of a continuing effort to maintain the relationship between students and police. Topics of conversation included the current decrease in the city’s property crime, police crackdown on unruly parties, the keg registration law and improving unfit living conditions students face in apartments throughout the city. O’Toole also asked for suggestions on how to increase student involvement with the city’s at-risk youth population, an effort the Boston Police Department hopes to join with Mayor Thomas M. Menino to promote. The department also recently started a weblog, www.bpdnews.com, which it hopes will generate dialogue throughout the community and act as a source for police news and happenings. Throughout the meeting O’Toole stressed the importance she and her staff place on hearing from the city’s students. “Last year after the Super Bowl it was a non-event and I attribute a lot of that success to the student leaders and student press,” O’Toole said. “I don’t want to always meet when it’s a crisis and we’re more than happy to be a conduit for you to other city resources.”

– Stephanie Peters, News Staff

Library presents international bestselling author today The Northeastern University Libraries, Women’s Studies Program and the NU Bookstore will host Siri Hustvedt today at noon in 90 Snell Library. Hustvedt is scheduled to discuss her latest work, “A Plea for Eros,” which is a collection of autobiographical and critical essays about writing, identity, sexuality and art. She is the author of three novels: “What I Loved,” “The Blindfold” and “The Enchantment of Lily Dahl.” “It’s no fluke that Siri Hustvedt’s three novels all begin with voyeurism,” wrote Janet Burroway in a New York Times book review of “What I Loved” in March 2003. “This is an author for whom seeing is a creative, invasive and defining act.” The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. For more information, students can contact Library Advancement and Communications Officer Maria Carpenter at 617-373-2821.

– Ricky Thompson, News Staff