Wesleyan Student Assembly — Wesleyan University

Minutes: April 20, 2003, No. 20

WSA Officers

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

Opening of Meeting

The meeting was opened at 8:05 pm.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes were approved unanimously.

Meeting Agenda and Business

• Committee Reports
• EON Discussion
• ISAB Discussion
• ConnPIRG Discussion
• New Business and Announcements

Committee Reports

• Student Affairs Committee (SAC)
  • Emily Polak, SAC Chair, reports:
  • Dining: Tim Reiss is currently in the process of talking with the outside eateries that the WSA voted on, Giuseppe’s being the number one choice. Ms. Polak met with campus architects, and was informed that Weshop will not be changed for the 2003-2004 year.
  • Also, it seems like there are various dining working concerns and the Dining Committee will make sure to hear these concerns when considering decisions- and the representatives will make that there are union representatives at the next meeting.
  • URLC: The community standards meetings are going very well (for the seniors who will live in woodframes next year). The Beta and Psi U issue still remains unsolved so anyone with brilliant solutions should email Dean Mike Whaley. The external review team will be at next week’s meeting- again, please attend the student forum on Wednesday night at 7 in B2/B3.
  • SLC: The smoking in woodframe houses issue has been tabled until more “studies” and information are completed and gathered. The Community Meeting held last week was interesting. There will be another one this week on April 18 th at noon, where Dean Hill will present her decisions and ways of actively addressing these concerns about diversity that continuously arise. Similarly, the subcommittee on diversity is meeting for the final time on Monday to deliver reports, which will then be presented to the SLC, and then to President Bennet.
  • Misc.: Selina Ellis has joined the Kosher Food Advisory committee. This group will attend the next Dining Committee meeting to ensure equal benefits for kosher dining on campus. Kevin Lohela is now in contact with Dean Gates to work on orientation. This Friday night, at the Campus Center Café from 10-2, there will be a Fair Trade Coffee House with vegan desserts, coffee related music/poetry, raffles, and games.
• Stack
• Yaw Agyenim-Boateng asks if the URLC is working with Psi U on their housing issues.
• Selina Ellis responds that the adults on the URLC do not have any solutions to the Psi U problem.
• Ms. Polak adds that everyone is “stupefied” with the current situation.
• Independent Projects Committee (IPC)
• Yaw Agyenim-Boateng, WSA Vice President, reports:
• The CRC Advisory Committee is all set. Jared Make will be the EPC member on the committee. The two other WSA members serving will be Cecile Aro (SBC) and Monica Arduini (CC). All three nominations are subject to the Assembly’s approval.
• The results are in for Senior Class elections.
• Stack
• Sohana Punithakumar suggests that the CRC Advisory Committee works in conjunction with the Senior Class officers.
• Mr. Agyenim-Boateng congratulates Bryan Busy on being elected Vice President of the Senior Class.
• Bryan Byusa suggests that a senior be placed on the CRC Advisory Committee.
• Finances and Facilities (FiFac)
• Ali Gomer, FiFac Chair, reports:
• Some FiFac members met with Leilani Kupo and Frank Marselli to discuss the writings in the Campus Center bathroom stalls. There are two concerns: 1) homophobic and racist writings take place in the bathrooms; 2) how to prevent people from writing in stalls in the new Univeristy Center because of the cost of maintenance (currently, it’s over $2000 a year to paint over the writings).
• The consulting group for the University Center met and went over different plan options. Alan Rubacha will come to the WSA for the Assembly to vote on the preferred architectural plan so that the Trustees know how the students feel when they decide on a plan in May.
• Ms. Gomer took a tour of the ’92 Theater and the Chapel, which are being renovated.
• The bookstore committee met, and the faculty is still upset about not being let in on the decision-making process.
• Stack
• Sara Mirsky asks how far along the new housing plans are.
• Adam Lachman says that the financing has been approved and that they are looking at connecting the Church/Vine St. area with Freeman.
• Karen Courtheoux suggests that the new residences should not be like HiRise and should not be built on Fauver Field because it is a beautiful space. Also, students should be involved in summer bookstore committee meetings.
• Ali Gomer notes that the University wants to sell Intown. She agrees that nobody likes HiRise.
• Selina Ellis asks how so many living spaces can fit on Fauver.
• Adam Lachman explains that they are trying to get all the freshmen out of the Butterfields.
• Joey Wender agrees that alternative locations should be considered.
• Bryan Byusa points out that many people currently use Fauver Field, such as the Frisbee and rugby teams. The WSA should take a proactive stance.
• Ali Gomer explains that the administration is trying to include us in the process.
• Executive Committee (EC)
• Joey Wender, WSA President, reports:
• Mr. Wender shows the Assembly the new voting webpage.
• Stack
• Sohana Punithakumar says a contact email address should be on the page.
• Jeremy Abrams asks if all the bugs from the previous system have been worked out.
• Mr. Wender responds that they have and that the new system is much more sophisticated. He also notes that campaigning is not allowed within 15 feet of a computer.
• Bryan Byusa suggests the homepage in the labs be set to the voting page.
• Mr. Wender states that any violation of campaign rules should be reported to him.
• Bryan Byusa asks for a nice clean election with no slander. He also suggests that the debate should be longer and not on Easter.
• Student Budget Committee (SBC)
• Adam Lachman, WSA Treasurer, reports:
• The Social Committee has not booked a headlining band for Spring Fling yet.
• Mr. Lachman commends his committee members for their work in the campaign to raise the SAF.
• Stack
• Sam Franklin asks which bands have been considered.
• Mr. Lachman says the issue is whether to go for two decent bands or one really good band. There will probably be five total bands playing. He states that he isn’t going to give specific names at this time.
• Sohana Punithakumar inquires into the budget surplus.
• Mr. Lachman explains that now that the books are updated regularly, their data is accurate, and the surplus is just a small cushion for the budget.
• Matt Lerner asks when Spring Fling will be announced.
• Mr. Lachman explains that Chad of the Social Committee will be at the next WSA meeting.
• Brian Byusa suggests that alumni should be asked to donate money to specific groups.
• Mr. Lachman agrees that though this has not been considered, it is a good idea.
• Coordinating Committee (CC)
• Sara Mirsky, WSA Coordinator, reports:
• The WSA will perform community service at the Amazing Grace Food Pantry on May 3.
• The WSA Banquet will be held on May 1.
• The two skipped-over Members of the Week for the past two weeks are Colleen Galbraith and Adam Lachman.
• Stack
• Becca Solow asks if the Pantry is religiously affiliated.
• Ms. Mirsky responds that they are, but that they give food to everyone.
• Educational Policy Committee (EPC)
• Colleen Galbraith, EPC Voting Member, reports:
• Jane Edwards came to the EPC meeting Monday. She is wrapping up her tenure at Wesleyan. The EPC will host a forum about class access and drop/add.
• Stack
• Sohana Punithakumar says someone who has gone abroad should be on the search committee to replace Ms. Edwards.
• Community Outreach Committee ( COCo)
  • Jeremy Abrams, COCo Chair, reports:
• Roller Night will be held on May 3, $5, 8-11 pm.
• Mr. Abrams outlines a list of possible changes to the shuttle route. One is to include a stop at Vine St. Another change will be to eliminate the WestCo stop.
• Stack
• Matt Lerner encourages keeping the WestCo stop. He also asks if the bookstore will become a more integrated part of campus.
• Adam Poswolsky motions to end discussion and email suggestions to Mr. Abrams.

EON Discussion – Dave Carhart, Kate Carone, Derek Garcia, Sarah Weigle, Sam Wojack

(see attachment 20A)

Stack

• Matt Lerner says that the environmental group came to the WSA last year with the same intentions, and that the WSA voted in favor of it. He also asks why wind energy is being chosen as opposed to other energy sources.
• Ms. Carone explains that wind energy is 100% green.
• Gabe Tabak inquires into the University’s current energy costs. He also asks if there are local providers of wind energy.
• Ms. Carone responds that the price is always fluctuating. The energy has to be bought from other states, because the wind is not good in Connecticut.
• Emily Polak states that the resolution is great. Since the University has already committed to using green energy, the WSA should support EON.
• Sara Mirsky agrees that the resolution is great. The University should be held accountable for its promises.
• Sam Franklin asks where the University’s current energy comes from.
• Ms. Carone responds that it is mainly from Connecticut coal and oil plants.
• Colleen Galbraith asks what it means to buy energy certificates from other states.
• Ms. Carone says that the Northeast is one big power grid, and energy can be taken from anywhere in that grid.
• Karen Courtheoux urges the WSA to pass the resolution.
• Joey Wender says that he is in favor of the resolution, but wishes it were briefer and that it cited more environmental issues. He doesn’t want to have to pass another resolution later.
• Ms. Carone says that they are trying to reconvene EMC and trying to focus.
• Mr. Garcia says that EON hopes to pass the resolution before the budget is passed.
• Selina Ellis thinks that the administration has to be accountable for its promises.

ISAB Discussion – Georgi Radev, Frank Lyon, Jasmine

• (see attachment 20B)
• The ISAB deals with issues important to international students at Wesleyan. The group can be a liaison to the administration for international student issues.

Stack

• Sara Mirsky says that it’s great that the ISAB is at the meeting. The WSA looks forward to working with it.
• Mr. Lyon explains that the group hopes to strengthen the link between the community and international students.
• Jesse Watson asks how the ISAB would feel about a direct WSA liaison.
• Mr. Lyon explains that the ISAB is electing new representatives. Only international students can vote, and there are two spots open to Americans on the Board. Meetings are open to anyone.
• Jeremy Abrams asks for a straw poll on who would favor recognizing the ISAB as a group.
• The Assembly votes in favor.
• Yaw Agyenim-Boateng asks why the ISAB wants to be a recognized group when Pangaea is already a group that does many of the same things.
• Ms. _____ says that the role of the ISAB would not be limited to programming.
• Mr. Radev announces that the ISAB@wesleyan.edu can be emailed with questions or concerns.

ConnPIRG Discussion – Joey Wender

Mr. Wender explains to the Assembly that ConnPIRG withdrew its request to have an item on the ballot. There were questions about the constitutionality of such a procedure since the money wouldn’t be coming directly from the SBC. The question has been removed from the election page.

New Business and Announcements
Joey Wender wishes all candidates good luck in the election.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:27 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Monica Arduini, WSA Secretary