Wesleyan Student Assembly — Wesleyan University

Minutes: November 17, 2002, No. 8

WSA Officers

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

Meeting Agenda and Business

1. Meeting Opening
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Social Committee Report
4. Committee Reports
5. Public Safety Discussion
6. Chalking Policy Discussion
7. New Business and Announcements
8. Adjournment

Opening of Meeting

The meeting was opened at 8:06 pm.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes were approved by a majority.

Social Committee Report — Chad Gordon

Mr. Gordon reports the current status of the Social Committee. An act is scheduled for the spring, but the Committee is still trying to get ideas for bands for the summer. They are looking for a rock/alternative group. If anyone has ideas or suggestions, they should contact a member of the IPC or the Social Committee at socialcommittee02@hotmail.com.

Stacks

• Joey Wender asks what genre of music is scheduled for the Winter Ball.
• There is one hip hop and one rock band scheduled; neither are huge because they are saving up for spring.
• Joey Wender follows by asking if they are putting all of their resources into one act for the spring.
• The Committee is trying to get two comparable, up-and-coming acts.
• Colleen Galbraith asks about how they will fix last year's space issue.
• The Fire Marshall will be working with the Committee to ensure that the right number of people is let in.

Committee Reports

1. Student Budget Committee (SBC)
   Adam Lachman, WSA Treasurer, reports:
   The SBC met and allocated funds. They are also trying to advertise alternative funding, such as the Red and Black Society.

2. Educational Policy Committee (EPC)
   Colleen Galbraith, EPC Chair, reports:
   The EPC will meet tomorrow to discuss German Studies and Film Studies.

3. Student Affairs Committee (SAC)
   Emily Polak, SAC Chair, reports:
   The Dining Advisory Committee met and discussed the introduction of a new type of coffee, which is good for free trade, but is not part of the Aramark contract.
   The Chalking Subcommittee had a lunch forum on Thursday. It was not as well attended as the previous forum, but more dialogue was created.
   SAC Member Dan Matzkin reports that the Freshman Forum will be held on December 4 between 6 and 8 pm.

4. Community Outreach Committee (COCo)
   Jeremy Abrams, COCo Chair, reports:
   COCo met and restructured their strategy.

5. Finances and Facilities (FiFac)
   Ali Gomer, FiFac Chair, reports:
   Matt Lerner is working on a student space survey.
   FiFac met and discussed the placement of new blue light phones.

6. Independent Projects Committee (IPC)
   Yaw Agyenim-Boateng, WSA Vice President, reports:
   The IPC's recycling plan is going well. It has been successfully implemented in I-House and 202 Washington. Last Thursday, Mr. Agyenim-Boateng and IPC Member Melinda Coro met with a group of students to discuss United Way and ways to raise money for the group. Someone will come in next week to discuss this with the Assembly. The IPC has taken over the responsibility of finding a tech person; a permanent web/tech person is needed.

7. Executive Committee (EC)
   Joey Wender, WSA President, reports:
   President Wender informs the Assembly that Coordinator George Briggs has resigned. Sara Mirsky will serve as the Interim Coordinator. There will be internal elections for the position of Coordinator next week. The Assembly has been having some issues with attendance. Attendance is mandatory, and lack of it is an impeachable offense.
   The Assembly needs to improve upon outreach to the community so that our constituents know of our achievements.

8. Coordinating Committee (CC)
   Sara Mirsky, Acting WSA Coordinator, reports:
   The Member of the Week is ex-Coordinator George Briggs, member of the WSA for over three years.
   WSA Reports were successfully printed in the Argus last week.

Public Safety Discussion — Jeremy Abrams

PSaC met for the first time with Maryann Wiggin two weeks ago to advise Public Safety. Accomplishments so far have been the improvement of communication between Public Safety and the students on campus and the creation of safety workshops (e.g.. self-defense). They discussed the problem with safety shuttles; they need suggestions on new times and the actual problems with the shuttles. In the near future, they will discuss the safety of late night computer labs, the times of the escort service, the selection of shuttle drivers, and RA's knowledge on the role of Public Safety in drinking issues.

Stacks

• Joey Wender points out that the same operator picks up emergency and non-emergency calls at the Public Safety Office.
• Selina Ellis asks what the issue with shuttles and escort services is.
• Mr. Abrams answers that one problem is that people use the escort service as a taxi, and Public Safety does not know how to fix that problem. People who legitimately need it don't get it.
• President Wender suggests that they do an evaluation of shuttle's stops.
• Maris Yanow recommends that they advertise shuttle stops better to make sure that they actually stop where they're supposed to.
• Jade Mills tells Mr. Abrams that shuttles actually run ahead of schedule and that people steal shuttle stop signs.
• Tina Huang recommends setting up a hotline that informs people of delays.
• Adam Poswolksy suggests converting vans to escort services in the long run.

Chalking Policy Discussion — Emily Polak

(see Appendix 8A)
Emily Polak informs the Assembly that the EC will be seeking legal advise for the definition of sexual harassment. She also points out that input is needed for the clause about targeting an individual.

Stacks

• Karen Courtheoux states that the Affirmative Action clause is similar to the original "reasonable person" clause in that it can be abused. Perhaps an appeal option can be included.
• Adam Poswolsky asks if groups are protected or only individuals. He also asks why student activist leaders get to represent the whole student body if they already met with the trustees last week.
• Colleen Galbraith points out that they are the people who expressed interest in chalking.
• Ms. Polak informs him that they are sending out an email to the student body calling for public comments.
• Nathan Victoria asks who is going to manage the webboard.
• Ms. Polak responds that they are not sure yet.
• Sam Franklin states that the webboard is a good idea, but chalking should not have too many things attached to it.

New Business and Announcements

No new business and announcements are made.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Monica Arduini, WSA Secretary