Wesleyan Student Assembly — Wesleyan University

Minutes: November 2, 2003, No. 4

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. Peter Patton
4. New Business
5. Committee Reports
6. WSA Website
7. Café Naming
8. Adjournment

Opening of Meeting

The meeting was opened at 8:04 PM.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes approved.

Peter Patton – Introduction to the WSA

Interim dean of the college, Peter Patton, introduces himself to the Assembly as a professor turned administrator in 1995, when he also held an interim position. In 1997 and 1998, he was the Vice President. Scince 1998, he has been the Secretary. He currently teaches an introduction to Earth Science. He, Catherine Freidman, Billy Wietzer and Mike Whaley are reviewing all organizations in the Deans' Office to improve efficiency. They are also searching for Dean Hill's permanent replacement, which they plan on taking nine months. The Honor Code and SJB taskforce as well as International Student Advisor are being reviewed. And, with the close end of the Capital Campaign, Patton asks for feedback to move the student life component forward in the next round.

Stack

• Camille Zahniser asks who will take over the Honor Board and SJB?
• Patton replies that Dean Mike will oversee the SJB and he will oversee the Honor Board.
• Pacho Carreno asks how long it will take to find an International Student Advisor?
• Patton replies that there will be a new interim advisor this week, imigration data entry will move to a trained registrar employee, after which he will redefine job description position as one that is solely programmatic.
• Karen Courtheoux asks if Patton has you considered changing Dean Hill's old position?
• Patton replies that he is looking at it, because she oversaw so many departments.
• Jesse Watson asks if Patton will be leading the search committee to find Hill's replacement?
• Patton replies that the last time there was a search committee the decision was President Bennet's. And in this case, the committee will give Bennet three or four candidates for selection
• Georgi Radev asks if the International Student Advisor's Committee will continue to use three students this year.
• Patton replies that it will be basically the same mixture of students and faculty.

New Business

No new business.

Committee Reports

1. Educational Policy Committee (EPC)

   Karen Courtheoux, EPC chair, reports:
   Barbara Jones sent the all school e-mail about the creation of the Library Committee, and the deadline is Wednesday. Everyone interested should e-mail bjones01@wesleyan.edu. EPC is investigating how Dean Rick's office deals will help for people with learning disabilities.

2. Community Outreach Committee (COCo)

   Dante Furioso, COCo member, reports:
   That PSAC is meeting on Wednesday November 5th at noon. Rafael Medrano, Danielle Krudy, Anay Shah, Justin. Christopher from SAC, and Allison Burson from FIFAC will be meeting with Maryanne Wiggin and Dean Mike. Student groups have been contacted by members of COCo. The Student Packet is finished. The name contest for the Café Kiosk was a success; COCo received 77 suggestions. COCo has picked six names for the WSA to vote on. And, the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Broad Street Books.

3. Student Budget Committee (SBC)

   Camille Zahniser, Treasurer, reports:
   The SBC met and gave out money. Relevant allocations are $1250 to Underdog Music Consortium for a show, and $1550 to the Wesleyan Investment Club for a conference.

4. Finances and Facilities Committee (FiFac)

   Nathan Victoria, FiFac Chair, reports:
   Trash cans named "Villages of Receptacles" will include three cans (for trash, cans, and paper). 18 of these will be placed around DAC and campus center. Fauver Field or Warren St. will be the new location for prototype, upper-classmen housing. Major Maintenance is in the voting phase. And, hopefully the One Card System will be ready next year.

5. Executive Committee (EC)

   Sohana Punithakumar, President, reports:
   The EC reviewed the errors in the Argus report; corrections were sent. After next year In-town will not be in lottery. There is a workstudy job shortage, and a new ITS subcommittee was proposed.

6. Student Affairs Committee (SAC)

   Rebecca Solow, SAC committee member, reports:
   Check report: There will be the external review of reslife copies distributed, because Jeff Ederer is coming next week for feedback on them. And, President Bennet has approved the process for reviewing Honor Code and SJB.

7. Coordinating Committee (CC)

   Sara Mirsky, Coordinator, reports:
   Member of the week is Nathan Victoria for always sends committee reports first. The WSA's Community Service Project is this Sunday, November beginning at noon for trail blazing. E-mail smirsky@wesleyan.edu and let the CC know that you're down. The CC handed out beautifully handcrafted placards at the beginning of tonight's meeting.

   Stack

   • Georgi Radev asks Nathan Victoria the location of the addition to Freeman.
   • Victoria, gestures with his hands the location.
   • Sohana Punithakumar asks if the One-card includes vending machine charge
   • Nathan says yes.
   • Ali Gomer says that a Wespeak in the Friday Argus reported that a worker lost hours due to increased spending at the Red and Black Café.
   • Becca Solow replies that is the first time she had heard of that, but will she check with Tim Reise even though the Dining Committee is not responsible for cuts.
   • Danielle Krudy asks what is happening to intown?
   • Nathan Victoria says the University plans on selling it after 2005, when the prototype housing is supposed to be completed.
   • Danielle Krudy asks for an explanation of the soft opening of Summerfields
   • Solow replies the restaurant will cycle customers to work out kinks before the grand opening.

WSA Website – Danny Rodriguez, Greg Heller and Dan Stillman

www.wesleyan.edu/wsa/

Stack

• Sohana Punithakumar says the website is wonderful, she asks that there be a link to Social Committee, Honor Board and SJB case history web pages added to the sit, and subject to approval of Argus, post headline highlights as well.
• Ali Gomer asks if the web postings on the Forum page will be anonymous?
• Danny Rodriguez replies that the creators want the forum motivate discussion and interaction, not a space just to post random comments.
• Sara Mirsky says that she is glad the WSA is promoting dialogue through the sites
• Daniel Rubin suggests that the site include Middletown weather in one corner and have committee contacts as well.
• Pacho Carreno asks if there is anything on the old site that is not on the site now?
• Greg Heller replies, no, but he will be adding forms and directions for student groups and the Resource Packet.
• Becca Solow suggests that the WSA post committee pictures on the site.
• Daniel Rubin suggests that the daily dining hall menu be posted as well.

Café Naming

COCo advertised and tabled for the naming contest, then pared down the submissions from 77 to 6 for the WSA to select. The final round picks are Quick Byte Café, Wesperesso and Pi. The voting results:

• Quick Byte Cafe: 4
• Wespresso: 10
• Pi: 17

Pi wins the vote.

Jesse Watson requests a point of clarification, how many digits of pi will be listed?
Pi, the new café named after the Greek letter, will seat 24 as well as patio seating in warm weather. Plus, it will employ union labor, opening November 15, 2003.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Juan Sebasti—n Moreno, WSA Secretary