Wesleyan Student Assembly — Wesleyan University

  • Minutes

Minutes: March 28, 2004, No. 15

WSA Officers

President: Sohana Punithakumar
Vice President: Daniel Rodriguez
Coordinator: Sara Mirsky
Treasurer: Camille Zahniser

Meeting Agenda and Business

  1. Meeting Opening
  2. Approval of Minutes
  3. New Business - Chalking Resolution
  4. Committee Reports
  5. By-Laws Discussion
  6. Announcements
  7. Adjournment

Opening of Meeting

The meeting was opened at 7:04 PM.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes are approved.

New Business:

Chalking Resolution - Emily Polak and Chalking Subcommittee: A group of interested students have been working on strategizing and brainstorming a campaign with the ultimate goal of having President Bennet reverse the chalking ban imposed on this University last May. There exists a long history of WSA involvement in the battle of trying to maintain the right for community members to chalk. Last year, there was a proposal drafted by the chalking sub-committee of the SLC that had the support of the majority of the student body and was the result of a large culmination of work, including many community meetings, all-campus forums, email discussions, and meetings with the President. This resolution, should it pass, shall be presented to President Bennet again at his office hours this Tuesday afternoon.

Stack

  • Arijit Sen asks if "just as students were beginning final examinations in May 2003" must in the third clause.
  • Emily Polak replies yes, it is in reference to the President's poor timing.
  • Gabe Tabak suggests changing "it be resolved" to "be it resolved".
  • Josh Bryant asks if the school is prosecuting students for chalking.
  • Polak replies that there have been three SJB case to date, and the sanctions are first a warning and second ten hours of community service.
  • Jesse Watson asks to remove or replace "acting unilaterally, and irresponsibly" because, although he did not agree, President Bennet did listen to every student responding to the issue.
  • Polak says she likes the wording, but wants to gauge the Assembly's opinion.
  • Sohana Punithakumar supports this amendment to the resolution also because President Bennet has cooperated.
  • Allison Burson advises against attacking the President because the students will be negotiating the roll-back of the moratorium.
  • Justin Christopher concurs, stating the Assembly must be civil; Bennet has feelings.
  • Camille Zahniser says the Assembly cannot afford to alienate him.
  • Emily accepts the amendment.
  • Nora Connor asks changing "purported" in the fourth clause, because it effectively calls President Bennet a liar.
  • Arijit Sen points out that the Assembly is concern for the President's feelings, in order to elicit a favorable decision.
  • Polak refutes by explaining that the ban actually results from sexually explicit chalkings.
  • Gabe Tabak asks changing "although President Bennet purported the ban to be a content-neutral suppression of speech" to "although President Bennet instated the ban as a content neurtral suppression of speech."
  • Pacho Carreño asks if there are any new arguments that were not in the original resolution passed last year.
  • Polak replies that this resolution is to support a group, and is not a WSA project.
  • Zahniser suggests that "the suppresion of speach" go after.
  • Justin Christopher echoes the comment explaining that this would shift the weight away from blaming the President.
  • Polak accepts friendly amendment.
  • Karen Courtheoux proposes the addition of a clause, "Whereas the ban has stifled the expression of contentious dialogue".
  • Jeremy Abrams suggests adding that the resolution is a broad ban, yet the Assembly realizes some necessity for limitations due to liability.
  • Zahniser suggests that the goal be an augmented policy rather than a complete reversal.
  • Courtheoux suggests illustrating chalking's purpose. And that it is fundamentally, different from graffiti with its impermanence and message.
  • Robin this idea is partly touched on but not specifically adressed in the resolution
  • Justin Christopher suggests explicitly stating results of the moratorium.
  • Polak explains that would be great to include if there were concrete statistics or documentation, but there is none.
  • Punithakumar asks to insert "accordingly" after "his ban" in the final statement.
  • Courtheoux states language for her suggested amendment, "Whereas chalking lacks the destuctive element conoted by graffiti".

The resolution passes unanimously.

Committee Reports

  • Community Outreach Committee (COCo)

    Jeremy Abrams, COCo Chair, reports:
    COCo did not meet this week. Abrams attended the AWARE community meeting. There was a law passed allowing Middletown Police to go on private property, and issue 90 dollar ticket for underage-drinking. Next year, Home and Lawn Avenues will be "quiet" streets, and an adult ResLife staff person will live on Home. ResLife is also tracking juniors in order to keep them from living in wood frame houses. The lighting tour will be this Wednesday at 8 pm, beginning at North College. Jose Marantes is working with SCC to help the group connect with administrators.

  • Coordinating Committee (CC)

    Sara Mirsky, Coordinator, reports:
    The new WSA Member of the Week is Arijit Sen for his amazing taste for and knowledge of fashion, food and culture.

  • Educational Policy Committee (EPC)

    Karen Courtheoux, EPC Chair, reports:
    Nora Connor has drafted a proposal for Billy Weitzer regarding advisor evaluations. She will polish it this week and submit it. Jesse Watson is preparing a proposal to adjust the pace of the Arabic language classes, as well as, expand them to five days per week, and use more online and other media (potentially with the aid of a TA). Zach Kolodin is also preparing a document that would define the role of the TA, given that there is significant variation in the quality and expectations of TA's. Courtheox will be meeting with Anna Vanderburg, of the Registrar's Office, this week to discuss wesmaps, departmental websites, transcripts, and grade posting. Contact Karen with any other discussion points. The Student Library Advisory Committee met Thursday, and heard an update on the progress of the architectural planning for the library and repairs that we had noted at a previous meeting. EPC also prioritized its larger goals. Current priorities are increasing/improving journal access, expanding hours, and better use of reserve to mitigate textbook costs. Other library issues will be taken care of by the architects, such as, increasing honors, carrel space, lighting, group study spaces, conservation issues, and copy machines/change machines.

  • Executive Committee (EC)

    Sohana Punithakumar, President, reports:
    The President had a meeting to discuss themes for this fall's Homecoming/Family weekend. We talked about celebrating the campaign and ways to incorporate that into the events. Bennet has reaffirmed that diversity is a bold bullet point of strategicplanning.

  • Finances and Facilities Committee (FiFac)

    Nathan Victoria, FiFac Chair, reports:
    Pi Café, has a new doorway installed. With a new shuttle route, there is a possibility of walking student escorts instead of the van service. In the Bookstore students may submit apparel designs for their consideration. The financial aid office is putting a calculator on-line for families to estimate their contribution, and they are looking into summer earnings waivers for students next year. Discussed in CAFSAC, Long Lane has been allotted to gardening and sustainable building clubs. A new policy might have public safety ticket or remove bikes obstructing entrances for students with disabilities.

  • Independent Projects Committee (IPC)

    Danny Rodriguez, IPC Chair, reports:
    From the meetings with the administration and public safety: there will be wristbands given out to those people who are 21 and over during spring fling, and only those with wristbands will be permitted to drink alcohol at Spring Fling. Mountainview security staff has been hired by the Deans office to work 3 to 4 stations, which will disseminate the wristbands. There will be no mass containers allowed (i.e. kegs, beer balls, mini-kegs). Grills will only be permitted in a special area, and no sofas will be allowed on the hill.
    The senior class officers are finalizing plans for senior week. The current senior class officers will be working closely with the newly elected senior class officers in order to ensure a fluid transition from this year to next. The new senior class officers will start planning the first cocktails of next year in the upcoming weeks. Calvin Cato, Josh Bryant and Pacho Carreño will be creating the "tree of power" to out-line administration hierarchy, and Josh and Danny will be contacting Makaela Steinberg this week to plan a pilot issue of the WSA newsletter for the alumni newsletter.

  • Student Affairs Committee (SAC)

    Rebecca Solow, SAC Chair, reports:
    SLC discussed completed revisions to the Code of Non-Academic Conduct, of which include the board for egregious violations (the board includes two SJB members and two administrators, Dean of the College breaks a tie), a section that makes Wesleyan students reasonably responsible for guest's behavior on campus, and process for changing the Code that requires consultation of the SLC.
    SLC and CAFSAC are addressing some student facilities/programmatic projects that have fallen through the cracks. They fall broadly under "student space" such as lounges, Westco Cafe and Eclectic kitchen, and "laundry". Lastly, Solow is working to put together some strategic planning initiatives regarding diversity issues. Anyone who wants to contribute should contact Becca.

  • Student Budget Committee (SBC)

    Camille Zahniser, SBC member, reports:
    The SBC is reviewing initial allocations and other request that have not been spent. Groups collectively have $20,000 in left over budgests.

    Stack:

    • Nora Connor reports tha the bookstore is doing really well. She asks students to remind everyone that Wesleyan is part of the humanrights consortium, which refuses to buy clothing made in sweatshops.
    • Karen Courtheoux asks what could students do to keep the escort as is.
    • Alisson Burson says that report or study might help.
    • Ben Evar asks if bikes will be removed only near entrances or anywhere they are not on a bikerack.
    • Nathan Victoria replies, yes, only near entrances, and more bikeracks will be installed.
    • Sara Mirsky asks why first semester seniors not been invited to senior week events.
    • Danny Rodriguez says the should have been, but he will remind the people in charge.

    Genderblind Housing - Rebecca Solow
    There was only one application to the genderblind hall this year, and it was a third choice. For next year's general room selection application, there will be a checkbox for students to select genderblind roommate assignments. ResLife made this change because only one genderblind hall has stigmatized the initiative. Instead, this is a more progressive step. Furthermore, ResLife is also considering this option for entering freshmen.

    Stack:

    • Emily Polak points out that might be a few more room changes, but ResLife is ready to handle that.
    • Becca Solow adds that there will be more staff training on transgender issues.
    • Arijit Sen asks if this will begin next year.
    • Solow replies yes.
    • Polak asks members not to hype the project up, because ResLife does not want the press they got last year.
    • Danielle Krudy asks how will this work.
    • Solow says that this will be in the first-year dormitory areas only.
    • Nathan Victoria suggests that there not be a two week holding on roomchange requests.
    • Gabe Tabak asks if these rooms will be grouped together
    • Solow says that has not been mentioned, but might be an option.
    • Jose Marantes asks if this option will be open to single room request applicants.
    • Solow says yes students can check box even if they request a single.

    By-Laws Discussion

    Stack:

    • Coordinating Committee 5)B)1)
    • Gabe Tabak asks to change majority to purality vote in case of three candidates.
    • Assembly vote decides that the President will break a tie vote.
    • Becca Solow says that SAC wants another member, which could come from COCo.
    • Arijit Sen says that COCo agrees to give away Jeremy Abrams.
    • Abrams says okay.

    • Article 2: Social Committee Composition
    • Camille Zahniser says that the WSA has no oversight currently, and this is frustration from the SBC's perspective. They should be accountable, but the WSA should not have to select their members.
    • Zach Kolodin says that this committee should not slip out of the WSA's by-laws.
    • Danny Rodriguez points out that the committee chooses people based on who has connections with musicians. They should feel more part of the WSA, and in the by-laws we should add that they must attend the General Assembly meetings.
    • Becca Solow says that they are technically a committee of the WSA and their poor performance reflects poorly on us.
    • Justin Christopher says it is okay to hold their hands because they are allocate so much money.
    • Juan Moreno says that this year there will be a lot of turn over, so we should be afraid of a reactionary reflex to new policy.
    • Zahniser suggests that there be a method of recourse for unaccountablility.
    • Rodriguez suggests a that WSA be able to impeach Social Committee members.
    • Annie Heindel says she is uncompfotable making changes this without thier presence. Their proceedures should be codified.
    • Discusion tabled.

    • Page 9, Section H: Campaigning
    • Emily Polak says that for an election to be official, the election must be redone in the case of a violation, because so much can depend on whether or not a student is running or disqualified.
    • Arijit Sen thinks option B is the most efficient, because new election rounds drop voter participation
    • Zahniser points out that the Assembly must decide whether or not new petitions will be accepted when an election is redone.
    • Jose Marantes supports option B, because law-abiding candidates should not be penalized, and for economy of time.
    • Sohana Punithakumar advocates for option C because all students must be granted the right to vote for a candidate should their vote be disqualified.
    • Karen Courtheoux echoes that any option other than C is undemocratic.
    • Danny Rodriguez says that there should be the possibility for a new election with the same candidates.
    • A straw poll shows majority assembly support of option C.
    • Tabak points out that the wording of C must be changed, because an election only has to be redone when there are more candidates than positions.
    • Abrams is uncompfortable with letting an Election Committee decide consequences.
    • Dante Furioso says that the recourse to violation must be specific and not subjective.
    • Sara Mirsky thinks there should be wiggle room to respond on infractions; the Election Committee will hopefully take this seriously.
    • Sen says that cheating is not black and white, and we need to trust that the committee will make an unbiased desicion.
    • Zach Kolodin asks if there are other ways to cancel an election rather than cheating.
    • Monica Arduini agrees with Abrams, because any action can effect an election.
    • Rodriguez asks if specifics on candidate rerunning be added to the section, and remove "candidate in question" and "if a candidate is found in egregious violation a candidate will not be permitted to run in the election".
    • Sara Mirsky poses the question, what is a constituent?
    • Karen Courthouex says that as a Class of 2005 Representative her constituency is the Class of 2005. The students eligible to vote for the elected representative are that person's constituency.
    • Emily Polak asks who are appointees constituencies?
    • Sohana Punithakumar replies that vacancies are filled with the previous member's class year.
    • Discussion tabled.

    Announcements

    Jeremy Abrams distributes the new student group resource packet, and asks for emailed corrections.
    Congratulations to Georgi Radev on receiving the Gilbert Clee Scholarship.
    Emily Polak announces the March for Women's' Lives--bus tickets are 40$ and will rise to 60 as the event approaches.
    Arijit Sen says that students may also sign-up to fundraise for the trip.

    Adjournment
    The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.

    Respectfully Submitted,
    Juan Sebasti—n Moreno, WSA Secretary

    • WSA — Wesleyan Student Assembly

    WSA Administrative Office:
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    Room 104
    Middletown, CT 06459
    phone: (860) 685-2410
    fax: (860)685-2411
    wsa@wesleyan.edu
    hours: 9am-6pm M-F
    Wesleyan Student Group Building
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    building hours: 12n - 12am
     

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