Wesleyan Student Assembly — Wesleyan University

Minutes: February 9, 2002, No. 13

WSA Officers

President: Joey Wender
Vice President: Yaw Agyenim-Boateng
Coordinator: Sara Mirsky
Treasurer: Adam Lachman

Meeting Agenda and Business

1. Meeting Opening
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Discussion with Frank Kuan
4. Discussion of the New University Center
5. Introduction of New Members
6. Committee Reports
7. Resolution on Community Environment
8. WestCo Cafe Upgrade Plan
9. New Business and Announcements
10. Adjournment

Opening of Meeting

The meeting was opened at 8:05 pm.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes were approved unanimously.

Discussion with Frank Kuan, Director of Community Relations

Mr. Kuan is working on improving the town-gown relationship at Wesleyan. The first step being taken is to strategically build a strong connection with the Middletown public school system. This connection could help to form an educational program at Wesleyan. University students could student teach in the public schools and will hopefully be halfway through the certification process before they graduate. Mr. Kuan is also trying to strengthen the University's tie with the Middletown government and Middletown businesses and charities. He hopes to act as a resource for the WSA in its projects. Mr. Kuan's office is in Butterfield A Room 217. He can be contacted at x2245 or fkuan@wesleyan.edu.

Stack

• Sara Mirsky asks if it would be possible for the whole WSA to work on a community service project.
• Mr. Kuan responds that he would like to assist in any way possible. He announces two food drives that are to take place this semester- one right before spring break and one right before the end of the semester.
• Mr. Kuan discusses a new project being instated called ÒMiddletown Cares.Ó The goal of this is to mitigate panhandling. All local businesses will have a decal on their windows that says ÒMiddletown Cares.Ó This would signify that they could give information on how to get free hot meals. The program will begin over the next few weeks.
• Colleen Galbraith asks if there is anything the WSA could do as an afternoon project.
• Mr. Kuan informs her that the WSA could work with the Community Service Office. The Office could probably set up a project if the WSA has an idea.

Discussion of the New University Center Ð Ali Gomer
(see attachment 13A)
Since late November, Ms. Gomer and Nathan Victoria have been sitting on a planning committee for the new University Center, discussing its main layout. Last Monday, some WSA members met with the architects and construction company to discuss WSA space in the Center. Ms. Gomer would like some feedback on the construction of the Center. What are the most important elements to students? What else is missing that would be key to a University Center? Would it be better to have it in a large setting or smaller buildings?

Stack

• Leilani Kupo points out the need for a space that has maximum capacity for performances.
• Joey Wender suggests having many smaller lounge areas that have different characteristics (study space, couch space, coffee bar, etc).
• Matt Lerner recommends installing an inviting performance space.
• Mr. Victoria informs him that there will be a dance rehearsal/performance space, and a theater class space.
• Alan Rubacha, Project Manager for PMG Construction Company, agrees that there needs to be a theater space, but that the Construction Company is under a budget.
• Yaw Agyenim-Boateng asks what the mailbox situation will be.
• Ms. Gomer responds that it will be three times as big as the current mailbox area.
• Colleen Galbraith thinks that the Center should be comprised of several smaller spaces to make it less overwhelming. A different atmosphere should be created for each space.
• Patrick Rheaume thinks that the difference of tastes and uses will be an issue since the range of activities at Wesleyan is very wide.
• Gabe Tabak asks if the football locker rooms will still be in Fayerweather.
• Ms. Gomer answers that they will not be, but that tents will be set up for half-time.
• Ms. Gomer asks the Assembly what the dining situation should be in the University Center.
• Gabe Tabak is in favor of keeping MoCon as a freshman dining hall since it breeds a sense of familiarity.
• Mr. Victoria asks for a poll on who wants to keep MoCon as all freshmen.
• Poll: 29 in favor, 3 against.
• Adam Lachman says that the Center should be open 24 hours, to allow for late night study spaces. He also believes that outside dining should be preserved.
• Colleen Galbraith points out that it is important to preserve Fayerweather since it is a symbol of Wesleyan for many. She agrees that the 24 hour space is very important. She is also of the opinion that the WSA should be kept separate from the Center, other than a potential small resource space.
• Patrick Rheaume asks for a poll on keeping Fayerweather's exterior.
• Poll: 22 for, 8 against.
• Ms. Gomer asks what the feeling of the building should be and what sort of presence it should have on campus.
• Adam Lachman points out that the problem with the current Campus Center is that it is too compartimentalized. He believes that there should be a more centralizing space.
• Joey Wender thinks it should be have an active atmosphere and create a hustle and bustle.
• Emily Polak is for having a lot of light and windows.
• Sara Mirsky agrees and suggests a skylight in the main atrium.
• Matt Lerner warns against having it feel like a mall; there should be diversity instead of uniformity.
• Karen Courtheoux is opposed to too many hallways and too much of a corporate feel. She likes the character and traditional feel of the building next to Fayerweather.
• Gabe Tabak recommends a space that invites people to sit down and stay for a while.
• Colleen Galbraith believes that each area should have its own character and feel.
• Adam Poswolsky proposes that the top of the University Center should be like a larger version of the fourth floor of the Campus Center. He also suggests having a bank in which people can deposit money.
• Brian Byusa points out that it should be conducive to a flow of people, such as having fast elevators.
• Ms. Gomer, in closing, informs the Assembly that some WSA members will be working with Dean Mike and the
• Consulting Committee on the University Center. That group will be working on forming smaller focus groups.
• If people have any more questions, they should email Ms. Gomer at agomer@wesleyan.edu or Mr. Victoria at nvictoria@wesleyan.edu.

Introduction of New Members

Brian Byusa of FiFac, Jared Make of the EPC, Sohana Punithakumar of COCo, and Danny Rodriguez of the IPC are all introduced and welcomed into the WSA.

Committee Reports

1. Independent Projects Committee (IPC)
   Yaw Agyenim-Boateng, WSA Vice President, reports:
   Mr. Agyenim-Boateng welcomes Danny Rodriguez to the IPC.
   John and Gina Driscoll have been informed of the WSA's stand on the United Way Issue. Melinda Coro and Mr. Agyenim-Boateng will be meeting with them soon.
   The Social Committee wants a website and an email address so as to facilitate student input in getting performers. The IPC might have to help them with setting up the system, but will not make the website a project.
   Thanks to Cari MacDermott, the Book Coop is online and running. Students can find it at http://www.wesleyan.edu/wsa/bookcoop.
   What remains to be done is Esquid. The problem is getting the Registrar and/or ITS to integrate all courses offered into our design so that there can be a drop-down menu listing all courses. The aim of this is enhancing user friendliness.
   Ms. Coro announces that the senior cocktails are this Thursday. Mr. Rodriguez and Ms. Coro are attending so that the senior class officers can relax. Also, a senior class email list has been established.
2. Educational Policy Committee (EPC)
   Colleen Galbraith, EPC Chair, reports:
   The EPC met last week for its first meeting of the semester. Doug Bennet attended as a guest, as did Billy Wietzer and Ana Vanderberg for the later part of the meeting. Major issues discussed included: priorities for the EPC this semester, which will be finalized at this week's meeting; Review of the EPC's work and recommendations generated by the past three semesters' EPCs; Appointments to the EPC's subcommittee- student representation on these committees will carry over from last semester while most faculty positions had to be reallocated; Oversight of the GLSP (Graduate Liberal Studies Program); Class access and the lingering problems that it presents to Wesleyan on a yearly basis; Wesleyan's five year calendar; Changes with Atticus and, more generally, book concerns.
3. Student Affairs Committee (SAC)
   Emily Polak, SAC Chair, reports:
   Gender blind first year housing has been created. The URLC will vote on where this option is to be located. Kevin Lohela is focusing on the one-party-per-block rule and is working on redefining what constitutes each block. This will hopefully eliminate the clash among Eclectic, Alpha Delt, and Beta.
   The URLC is looking at the general way in which freshmen are assigned to their first year housing in order to avoid the Clark problem from becoming standard.
   The Program Housing appeals still need to be heard by Dean Hill. The URLC also supports the more standardized cleaning of some of the Program Housing. Currently, they are only cleaned once a month.
   Late Night Dining was once again a success. The performers are enjoying it as well. If people know others who might like to perform there, please email Ms. Polak their names.
   Adam Poswolsky and Ms. Polak met with Tim Reiss for a brief update on dining changes for the immediate future. Dining Management has been working on creating some very exciting ideas, including expanding Weshop, working on having the current Café become a faculty dining where students could meet with faculty, etc. The Dining Committee would like ot hear ideas about whether or not dining should have any part in the WestCo café. There is a strategizing/value setting meeting with Mr. Manuel Cunard this Tuesday at 4, location to be determined. The Dining Advisory Committee, but we would like many more students to share their input. If people would like to take part in this, contact Ms. Polak at epolak@wesleyan.edu.

   Stack
   

   • Joey Wender points out the need to fix the one-party-per-block rule because it is a huge problem.
   • Matt Lerner says that he worked with the URLC, and the problem is resolved.
   • Nathan Victoria asks if there were renovations to Summerfield's over break.
   • Ms. Polak informs him that they were talking about it, but no.
   • Jeremy Abrams asks if the businesses that will work on flexpoints have to pay 15% of their profits to Aramark.
   • Adam Lachman encourages more independence from Aramark.
4. Finances and Facilities (FiFac)
   Ali Gomer, FiFac Chair, reports:
   Ms. Gomer will be working to get students involved with the task force working on bookstore issues.
   Sam Franklin will continue working on classroom and computer lab safety.
   FiFac is finalizing places for blue light phones.
   Ms. Gomer welcomes Brian Byusa to FiFac.

   Stack
   

   • Joey Wender thinks that the University should make their position on the bookstore issue known.
5. Community Outreach Committee (COCo)
   Jeremy Abrams, COCo Chair, reports:
   The Student of Color Forum will take place at 6 pm on February 23.
   At the PSAC meeting, it was decided that the video cameras will be installed. Key card access will probably not be established throughout campus. In response to lab safety, only one will be open for 24 hours, while the others will close at 2 am. A website will be put up for public safety alerts and updates.

   Stack
   

   • Karen Courtheoux asks why key card access can't be installed.
   • Mr. Abrams responds that it would be too costly. Each one of the swipers is $6000, and there are many other costs besides that, such as the cost of new doors. When the University gets the money, they will do the dorms.
   • Colleen Galbraith thinks that keeping only one lab open 24 hours is a bad idea. There needs to be full access to 24 hour labs because huge numbers of people use them. She also suggests a log-in process for computers so that no one but a Wesleyan student can use them.
   • Matt Lerner agrees that since many students don't own computers, 24 hour labs are necessary.
   • Mr. Abrams informs the Assembly that they are not closing the labs at 2 am. Rather, they are going to lock it if no one is in there after 2:30, 3, or 4. This plan will be used for regular nights, not heavy study times like reading week. Also, there will be a log-in installed in the computers.
   • Adam Poswolsky believes that the solution to the PAC lab is unacceptable. If the University is paying people to be on duty then, they should just go on rounds. There are a number of solutions that can be used as alternatives.
6. Student Budget Committee (SBC)
   Adam Lachman, WSA Treasurer, reports:
   The SBC met and allocated funds.
   The SBC is working on the College Body Tax and will also be coordinating with Gil Thornfeldt and Marcia Bromberg to get student accounts accessible online. In addition, the SBC chair will be meeting with Pamela Tatge next week, so if people have any issues with the CFA, please email them to Mr. Lachman at alachman@wesleyan.edu.
   The SBC will be working with the Argus to construct revenue expectations for each semester.
7. Coordinating Committee (CC)
   Sara Mirsky, WSA Coordinator, reports:
   The member of the week is Matt Lerner.
   There was a large turnout for appointments.
   The CC is planning a WSA community activity for an afternoon.
   The CC has been deemed the best committee ever by Monica Arduini.
8. Executive Committee (EC)
   Joey Wender, WSA President, reports:
   President Wender first points to an Argus article which reports the WSA as being able to Òput words into action.Ó
   The EC is engaged in preparation for the Board of Trustees meeting, which will take place on March 7. It is submitting a short description in which each committee's goals and accomplishments are highlighted. The CRC Subcommittee is meeting with Barbara Jan Wilson and Mike Sciola on Monday.

Resolution on Community Environment- Colleen Galbraith and Adam Lachman
(see attachment 13B)
As a result of the increase in vandalism occurring on campus, the administration has become hesitant to invest in any more renovations. There is also an increase in pollution created by students. This resolution deals with residential and academic spaces, as well as the outside environment. It is the first of a two part resolution. It will be sent to the administration and the Argus.

Stack

• Matt Lerner likes the spirit of the resolution. He feels, though, that ÒdemandsÓ in the final paragraph is a little too forceful.
• Sohana Punithakumar asks why the authors are combining safety issues, littering, and stealing.
• Ms. Galbraith responds that safety and stealing have become the same issue in academic and residential space. The authors just extended that to the outside as well.
• Jeremy Abrams also thinks that the last paragraph is much too strong. He insists that the part about locking computer labs at 2 am be changed because it is not true. Further, he thinks that the resolution comes across as two different issues.
• Joey Wender thinks that it is good that the WSA is encouraging student action, since its members are supposed to lead the student body.
• Gabe Tabak proposes splitting the resolution into two parts.

Voting

The resolution passes.

WestCo Café Upgrade Plan — Matt Lerner

(see attachment 13C)

The issue of the WestCo Café has come up in meetings of the Space Committee and the URLC. They are realizing that not everything on campus can be centralized. The Café is a very underutilized resource. The concern is that they are looking to renovate the space, but they want to make sure that the changes are long-term and that the space will be managed properly. This is a strong and proactive move that we can take and where students can manage their own space.
Two schemes are going to be put in place: the management plan and the renovation plan. The management plan needs to be addressed first. Jeff Ederer supports renovation, but when the space is trashed at events, he doesn't feel that students can be culpable of it. Mr. Lerner is meeting with the governing body of WestCo tomorrow night to discuss this plan with them. If people have further suggestions, email them to Mr. Lerner at mlerner@wesleyan.edu before 10 pm on Monday.

Stack

• Joey Wender commends Mr. Lerner on a great job. He asks if the furniture will be movable and able to be stored.
• Mr. Lerner responds that the furniture will be movable, but there are not many places to store it. This will not be a problem, however, since the corners could be used as storage.
• Joey Wender also suggests that the bathrooms are fixed.
• Nathan Victoria points out that the furniture will be stolen if it is that flexible.
• Mr. Lerner informs him that the area will be locked when not in use.
• Leilani Kupo insists that the alarm be disconnected.
• Karen Courtheoux asks if Mr. Lerner has considered converting the kitchen into a bar.
• Mr. Lerner answers that one of the selling points for this plan is that it is a space for nonalcoholic events.

New Business and Announcements

Jesse Watson announces that the Freshman Forum will be held on Monday, February 17 from 8-9 pm in PAC 001.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Monica Arduini, WSA Secretary