Wesleyan Student Assembly — Wesleyan University

Minutes: April 25, 2004, No. 19

WSA Officers

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

Meeting Agenda and Business:

1. Meeting Opening
2. New Business
3. Teaching Museum
4. Strategic Plan, President Bennet
5. Committee Reports
6. Announcements
7. Adjournment

Opening of Meeting

The meeting was opened at 7:08 PM.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes are approved.

New Business

Nathan Victoria asks that the minutes be updated on the website.

Teaching Museum--Alan Rubacha, Elizabeth Milroy, Clarke Maines and Douglas Charles

The Teaching Museum's proposed home will be the current squash court building on the end of College Row. The university art, archeological and ethnographic collections now stored in the Science Tower would move to the facility, which could open after the completion of the New University Center.

Stack:

• Jeremy Abrams asks where the is money for the project might coming from.
• Professor Milroy replies that the concept drawings, which determine feasibility, will be presented to benefactors for donations. It will be an environmentally friendly project because the museum will reuse the building, which was design in the 1930s.
• Camille Zahniser asks if a person donates one of Wesleyan's collections will that work go into the museum.
• Milroy replies yes.
• Nathan Victoria asks what the time frame of construction of the teaching museum is.
• Alan Rubacha says that the design phase is underway, after which construction would take 20 to 30 months, and will run just behind the constructions of the New University Center project.
• Karen Courtheoux asks if the space will be open to area school groups.
• Milroy says yes, it will be an open, transparent and welcoming space.
• Justin Christopher ask who the primary audience will be.
• Milroy replies that the museum will be available to all students, and will be used by many art and history classes. Loan exhibitions will come to the museum and Wesleyan students will be able to do collaborative work with other universities.
• Abrams asks if the museum will it be big enough for everything Wesleyan needs to house.
• Milroy says that that is an important question, but museums always out grow their facilities.
• Abrams suggests look at other spaces that might grant the Middletown-Wesleyan experience and offer enough space.
• Milroy says, in 1997 when concept drawings for a new building were originally created nothing was feasible. The proposed space offers 45 times the gallery space that the Davidson Art Center has and 10 times the storage space.
• Victoria asks what the current plan for DAC is.
• Milroy replies that they will work on house renovations to start.
• Ben Evar asks what a the cost is.
• Rubacha says 17 million dollars covers everything, and adds that there is more information on the master plan website on the Teaching Museum Daniel Rubin asks if the facade will be the same.
• Milroy replies yes, the entrance might be changed, but the goal is to reaffirm the building and have people to come in an use the facilities.
• Professor Charles says that there were natural history exhibits in Judd Hall that went underground--under the Butterfield dormitories, and into the Science Center. The pieces total between 10 and 20 thousand.

President Bennet Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan is now open for suggestions as it will go to the Board for approval in October. The plan includes curriculum review, and institutionalized reinforcement of key capabilities in the core curriculum; this will be a model for other liberal arts colleges. Wesleyan needs to develop how it relates to a global society. Academically, course access issues are also in the plan for review, as well as, Library and IT collaboration, and the creation of an "Information commons" hall. The Board is focusing on science, Wesleyan's strongest area, which must be taken advantage of and advertised. And financially, Wesleyan is operating with a menial endowment in comparison to peer schools. Its creation will eliminate problems down the road.

Stack:

• Karen Courtheoux says that course access is limited by low staffed departments. Each of the romance language departments could use one more adjunct faculty member.
• Zach Kolokin says that more students will jump into sciences if there were more low level course offered than such difficult introductory courses.
• Justin Christopher asks how the school will communicate with itself.
• Bennet says that the campus must re-learn communication, and practice those skills.
• Daniel Rubin suggests creating a new university website.
• Bennet says that investment in technology is on going; we must always play catch-up.
• Abrams tell the president that the Religion Department has four professors, of which two will be on sabbatical next semester. He asks that the university review the process through which professors take leaves.
• Bennet says it is difficult when professors leave having just received a grant. This is a problem at a small school, and sometimes leaves cannot be predicted.
• Arijit Sen complains about the financial aid package not being clear.
• Selina Ellis says that even though science is strong, there are other major like Women Studies without professors.
• Connor recomends that there be a publicity person that work with Lelani to put all registered events on a calendar.
• Punithakumar asks how the "Information Commons" will work.
• Bennet it will be look like the first floor of a library with resource staff to assist students.
• Gabe Tabak says that the preferred sites are Olin or the Science Library. It will be computer oriented; a person will be able to get help using software and scanners.

Diversity Strategy -- Rebecca Solow

This Strategy came from student expression on Trustee-Student interaction, which is simply the concern that student of color initiatives are not the priority that Wesleyan once made them. The goals include adding "multicultural competency" to first year key capabilities, the incorporation of diversity preordaining in orientation week, and the creation a dialogue program for community members and mandatory advisor attendance of sensitivity workshops. As well as, creating incentives for upperclassmen to mentor first year students of color, creating a resource space in the 200 Church Street residence, and improving the faculty and staff of color retention.

Stack:

• Sara Mirsky asks where this document is going.
• Rebecca Solow says wants the WSA to approve it, after which she will present it to President Bennet for incorporated in the Strategic Plan.
• President Bennet says that it will be used as a premise for Board discussions on the topic.
• Karen asks if a multicultural dean has been considered as an addition.
• Solow says that the committee considered it and decided there was not enough information to create a strong proposal, which can be done over the summer in time for addition to the Plan.
• Punithakumar adds that the committee could not agree what that job description of the dean would be.
• Ben Evar asks if the plan is to change curriculum or to focus on diversity.
• Solow replies that it is up to faculty how they decide to implement the suggestion.
• Connor asks about ethnic studies.
• Solow replies that too is a faculty decision.
• The Diversity Strategy is approved by the Assembly.

Committee Reports:

Community Outreach Committee (COCo)

Jeremy Abrams, COCo Chair, reports:
There are official complaint forms for MPD harassment at the WSA office. The group accountability proposal will be presented next week.

Coordinating Committee (CC)

Sara Mirsky, Coordinator, reports:
The WSA banquet will be Thursday, May 6 at 6 pm at Amici's. Email smirky for a ride or nconnor for Nora's walking team. The constitution passed with 26 yeas and 3 abstentions. The members of the week are Juan Moreno and Monica Arduini. Next week is last meeting; everyone should come to elect interim chairs. The elections begin tonight at 12:01 am.

Educational Policy Committee (EPC)

Karen Courtheoux, EPC Chair, reports:
The survey is under compilation for publication. Courtheoux and Jesse Watson met with Jeff Rider, Chair of the Romance Language Department, to discuss the constraints on the curriculum, in terms of next year's offerings and long-term solutions. Nora Connor and Zach Kolodin will attend the May 3 meeting of the Faculty EPC. The architectural firm working on our library spaces will be in town this Friday; the Library Committee is invited to share ideas and alternative design plans.

Executive Committee (EC)

Sohana Punithakumar, President, reports:
WesDOT (Dept of Transportation) details are still being worked out, but the shuttle will cover most of campus and there will be an additional special services van to cover outlying areas and students with particular needs. This week a more detailed route will be created and shared with the assembly. As the WSA think about liability issues, it must look into using waivers for student groups trips.

Finances and Facilities Committee (FiFac)

Nathan Victoria, FiFac Chair, reports:
With the one-card, Aramark is upset about losing money. Victoria met with the Sustainable Building club, which has raised $1200 for construction on Long Lane.

Independent Projects Committee (IPC)

Danny Rodriguez, IPC Chair, reports:
The Social Committee is planning Spring Fling, and deciding who will d-j between acts. Green Peace has donated a solar power van, and the ice-cream man is coming. And, the first WSA alumni newsletter will be sent to a test group. And Senior Class Officers are dealing with damage caused by a student that tried to jump out a bus window after a cocktail event. They also received $5000 in winning the Presidential Challenge for beating last year's senior class gift fundraising.

Student Affairs Committee (SAC)

Rebecca Solow, SAC Chair, reports:
WestCo will be renovated over the summer. A comprehensive renovation plan should be worked on with Student Life Facilities and the Director of ResLife over the summer and next fall. The Code of Non-Academic Conduct will finally be recommended to President Bennet for approval. The Honor Code will wait until the fall when there can be a campus referendum on the more substantial changes, which might take place during our December elections. Resident Assistants who received Student Judicial Board referrals for chalking will not be asked to resign their position.

Student Budget Committee (SBC)

Camille Zahniser, Treasurer, reports:
The Social Committee is coming next week to request money for Spring Fling.

Stack:

• Arijit says that the Financial Aid Office's bank of points idea is bad because students on financial aid should be allowed to have largest meal plan.
• Becca Solow asks all assembly members to email their comments to rsolow@wesleyan.edu.
• Camille Zahniser asks why Aramark's profit is a concern of the Assembly.
• Victoria says they lose near one million dollars. It is time to get a new food service provider. He asks how long points will be taken at Thai Gardens.
• Solow replies, until the end of final's week.
• Courtheoux thinks that financial aid receiving students should get what they want and have it subsidized.
• President Bennet announces the invitation of the WSA president to Board meetings.

Announcements

Camille Zahniser thanks the Dining Committee for bringing pudding back to the Campus Center.
Daniel Rubin adds that rice pudding might be retuning next.
Justin Christopher announces that EON got 532 postcard to get green energy.
Sara Mirsky asks all members to rsvp to the WSA banquet invitations.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Juan Sebasti—n Moreno, WSA Secretary