Minutes: October 29, 2006

WSA Officers

President: Zach Kolodin

Vice President: Brittany Mitchell

Coordinator: Estrella Lopez

Treasurer: Nicole Ippoliti

Meeting Agenda and Business

1. Approval of Minutes and New Members

2. Open Forum for non-WSA members

3. Presentation by Dean Danny Teraguchi and Dave Meyers regarding Project SAFE

4. Discussing regarding chalking (30 minutes)

5. Discussion on the possibility of having Financial Aid adjusted to reflect the

price of housing (15 minutes)

6. Discussion on Reslife's policy allowing room switches until December 15th, and

its affect on students returning from abroad (15 minutes)

7. Committee Reports (30 minutes)

8. New Business and Announcements

Attached Documents

 

Opening of Meeting:  7:12 pm

 

Open Forum

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Minutes approved unanimously, and the CC will adjust the minutes just to be summary, not all what people say.

 

• Approval of Minutes and New Members

 

Iwan approved new members.

 

• Presentation by Dean Danny Teraguchi and

      Dave Meyer regarding Project SAFE

 

Dave Meyer:

 

Dave Meyer explained about the public safety department to be more informal. Open the dialogue for students to discuss, how to make sure about things that no strangers will come to the party, and more aware what's going on in campus, put more information, Open to students to ask question, what happen on campus. Star campaign, meetings, etc. And telling about the safety in the area like Fountain, Fauver, Hi Rise, Low Rise etc.

 

Public Safety works very close with the Middletown Police. Also explain that the police will come to campus just to complain about the noise, resolve the problem, corporate that they do with people.

 

About the private property, we have the CT State Law that the police couldn't come in if we didn't allow them. Sate Law is making the property more responsible about the under age drinking.

 

Susie asked the question. And Dave answers about the K-9.

 

Stack:

 

Zack B. asked about the increasing the police numbers on campus. Dave answers that we hired the police, but explain that the parties outside were complained about the noise. He explained that the noise complained increased with no police.

 

We want the police because it's much more authority. And we don't have enough people to work on, so we have to have the police.

 

Mike asked about the hiring the police, why did we have to waste money on hiring them? Dave explained that we need to make sure that when there's a situation, there will be people in charge there.

 

Annie asked about calling Public Safety when we see the suspect. Dave explained we try to work not work not being to broad.

 

Ben wanted to know about the stabbing. Dave explained it was the visitor on campus, and was stabbed. There was a large group came. Also, the police was responsible for that area.

 

Dean Danny:

 

Dean Danny introduced himself as the Dean of the Diversity. He explained about his responsibility to facility the diversity across the campus, fashion, faculties, students, etc.

 

He explained about expressing his mind, himself, that when and how he feels free to do.

 

Stack:

 

Anda asked about the emails Dean Danny sent that should them be more specific to each group. Dean Danny explained that he didn't know who's on the list. He just did what students asked him to send. He explained what listserv he had. Dean Mike said we might be able to be more specific.

 

Nishita thinks that sending the emails to everyone is not bad, because that can let other students know what happen on campus.

 

Dean Danny talked about the history. He explained that this Project Safe actually came from students in RESLIFE. He distributed the handouts explaining what this project is. He explained he worked with the academic departments, students reslife staff, etc. How the campaign can be impacted.

 

Sam Ruth wondered about the chalking that is kind of pro from the Project Safe. What if it hurts someone. Dean Danny explained about the different structures, analyzing, terms of perspective, what really affects, etc.

 

He said when we engaged the diversity on campus, the satisfaction generally goes down, because the conversation is based on different perspectives.

 

Dean Danny explained Project Safe is about how we can do the learning in the environment, and how students can participate.

 

Colleen wanted to know what to prevent the confidential when things happen that sometimes public safety are offensive to students. Dean Danny said we should come to him, tell him, talk to him, share information to him, if things on campus are appropriate or not, and he would go to Public Safety, or other departments that can help. He can document them. Project Safety will do how the information is reported, because sometimes he just doesn't know about them. So, students should come to report.

 

Benedict concerned about the website and the information that might not exist. Dean Danny explained.

 

Mike wondered about the difference between the Project Safe and Disciplinary Action. Dean Danny explained that when people reported things to him, he just began to adjust them into different categories. He explained that the Campaign Safe trying to do is making campus life better.

 

Iwan wanted to know what can the irrelevant office can do, and how long does it take to actually do. Dean Danny answered.

 

Annie wondered about the students if they're can be divided into the categories into the privileged or under-privileged, the language was bothering her. Where did the language come up with. Dean Danny answered.

 

But Annie felt like the Project SAFE is not that fair about targeting to the underprivileged people only. She said it was still problematic if anyone still says the hurtful things, no matter the level s/he is. Dean Danny answered.

 

Susie wanted to know what constitutions should be responsible with Students of Color. Dean Danny answered that he contacted the Black Alumni, arranging the data, etc.

 

XioaXi was confused about the level of the privileged, the line of privileged and non-privileged group. Dean Danny answered he was trying to explain that he tried to look at things in different dynamic in different situations.

 

Jason wondered about the garbage can model. Dean Danny explained about his other role that the more he can show the difference, the more he can make the connection, and also about spreading the diversity along the campus.

 

Dean Danny said if anybody wanted to talk to him, just come to him.

 

Non-WSA Member: Adam Jacobs – Freshman:

He went to see the Dean about the Tunnels in Butterfields. He said about the repaint that the ResLife was kind of angry at the Physical Plant that they did without noticing the students. And about opening the tunnel as the museum or not.

 

• Discussing regarding chalking

 

Benedict talked about his brief outline of his future committee called "CCHASE" (attached), that is about the chalking, graffiti, violence, students' action, etc. He requested that SAC & COCo might work together to form this committee. We might invite non-WSA members, Alumni, Pre Frosh to come to speak to provide the information.

 

Stack:

 

Sam Ruth said the chalking issue was talked about for long time, and very important, how can we communicate better? Benedict explained.

 

Susie was concerned about this committee that will it be formed by the administrators? , how people are going to react if we form this committee? , Susie was concerned that we shouldn't let people misunderstand that WSA was attached to this issue.

 

Adam Jacobs talked about the inappropriate chalking that should be cleaned up.

 

Non-WSA Member: Ben (Junior) – He talked about the chalking was right, because it was free enough, that's why he came to Wesleyan.

 

Zack K. said the weakest point in this future committee is the point that nothing might not be changed while President Benedict is still here. He thought that this is not strong enough to form the committee.

 

Benz asked about the chalking if it's considered alright, or violent thing?

 

Nishita supported this chalking resolution, but about FIFac, COCo, SAC that are going to be in charge of this are not that free to make it about this resolution.

 

Nishita was concerned what can we do about the everywhere-chalking that can might make upcoming students and parents misunderstand the Wesleyan University, just because of the chalking that is everywhere. So, we should be committed to that.

 

Annie felt like there are still some people cannot express themselves in the safe way. Annie wanted this resolution to be more specific if this resolutions is for who to work for.

 

Benedict thought if it was really scary or really attracts the person, though. His personal idea was that to do this chalking to be agreeable was not right.

 

Non-WSA Member: Peter (freshman) – he and his friends felt like WSA was not doing enough. He said he agreed about the open the forum that let other non-WSA members come to, and make other people come to be on the committee.

 

Nishita agreed with the resolution. She concerned about what if people don't even want to come here to learn about what happening on campus.

 

Mark supported the chalking committee, but he preferred if it should be specific if the chalking was banned or not.

 

 

• Discussion on the possibility of having Financial Aid

            adjusted to reflect the price of housing

 

PROSPONED

 

• Discussion on Reslife's policy allowing room switches

      until December 15th, and its affect on students returning from abroad

 

PROSPONED

 

Committee Reports:

 

FIFAC

-Usdan Committee is making dates to go visit other dining sites. Should be fun.
-EAC appointed two members, Sam Astor and Alana Miller, confirmation by the assembly pending.  Next steps are to meet and e-mail Tom Kannam with our goals for the year.
-Buisness continuity committee is chugging along.
-Major maintenance is chugging along.  Some maintenance projects are directed at keeping students out of the tunnels, and removing the limited access that currently exists. This is something we should be aware of.
-Work Advisory Committee is working on getting student input into changes.  The highest priority is improving work study job finder website and improving the "money matters" workshops during orientation.
-Chris is going to look into trying to find a way to get student review of/ input into the work order lists  for physical plant. Will bring it up in URLC

 

SAC  

We are continuing all of our efforts from last week:

1. Continuing to find a time for us to meet with the Patrol Commander of the MPD about the issues stemming from the September 16^th incidents

2. Mike Pernick is continuing to work on resolving the Speaker Policy

3. Nick Turner and Susie Morrison are working diligently on getting this student website up and running. Also, if anyone has any suggestions or ideas that they would like to see on this website, let Susie, Nick or Whitney know.

Something new: Jacob Milstein will be meeting with the Associate Director of CFA Facilities about having 24 hour music studios on Friday and has asked for someone from the SAC to be there.

 

URLC 

The URLC met on Friday and discussed:

1.          Damage Charges and Fines. Barbara Spalding came in and discussed some of the logic for the housing fines in regards to Fire Safety. Jeff Miller discussed the justification for Physical Plant room charges.

2.          Adjustments to rank for extreme housing situations. We are currently looking into a plan of action for this. One idea was that the people who got the bottom 20% of the housing lottery for their year would be guaranteed to be in the top 50% for the following year. Fran is going to meet with ITS to discuss the feasibility of this plan of action.

 

QTF 

The QTF met on Tuesday and discussed:  

The purpose of the QTF and who should be on the committee and why

·                                     How does timing and who gets the recruitment e-mails show our value of student voices?  Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity.  (Discussing meeting time)

Things to discuss

·                                     Queer Retreat- needing to find people who will work on this to make it happen

·                                     Finding someone to work on the Queer Website—perhaps both the QRCI and a student worker

·                                     Gender neutral housing and bathrooms

·                                     Raising awareness amongst professors with gender issues including the usage of gender pronouns

·                                     Reporting anti-queer, homophobic acts on campus, e.g. writings

·                                     Looking to the Queer faculty and staff group for support—plan an event between these folks and students—some sort of interactions for all folks within community who identify with Queer

·                                     Queer Pre-frosh Program—queer hosting

·                                     Large issue of how to get things done on campus—avoiding burnout out and groups not working together

·                                     Articulating the value of the QTF and queer issues to freshmen and other communities who perhaps view themselves as outsiders—recruiting allies—reaching out to straight folks

·                                     The queer community's voice in the presidential search committee process

·                                     Role that the QTF can play in reviewing university publications and documents

·                                     Certain possibility of Dean Danny Teraguchi's involvement with this committee

 

SHAC

 

1.          Sara Hoffman and Lisa discussed the idea of creating a Sexual Health Alliance for all groups on campus that have a mission to provide information on sexual health.  It is estimated that at least a dozen groups exist. 

 

2.          Joyce asked for clerical help during the flu clinics on October 30 from 12-4 and October 31 from 4-7 in meeting rooms 1 & 2 of the Campus Center.

 

3.          Joyce reported that the idea to email a random selection of students after visits to the Health Center asking them to complete the online patient satisfaction survey has been successful.  She will compile results monthly and share with SHAC.

 

EPC

 

1. Mark and Esther have been assembling some data on our current classes
and professors who might relate to either a Cognitive Science or Middle
Eastern Studies program.

2. We've brought forward the resolution on Academic Review to the full
EPC, and will continue to discuss it with faculty and administrators this
week.

3. We're brainstorming ways to help ameliorate the carrel shortage.

4. After meeting with some SARN peer advisors, we're compiling some
suggestions and comments for the program.

5. We brought up the subject of the New York Times Readership program with
the faculty EPC, and they're interested in making sure that the program
can continue.

 

COCO

*CoCo is doing really well communicating with groups and we are going to
begin visiting groups this week to offer them further support and make
sure that they are aware of the resources available to them.
*The Lighting Tour is scheduled for this Wed, Nov. 1st (weather
permitting). We will start the tour in front of PSAFE at 6:30 pm. Please
join us! We welcome your suggestions for locations to check out on the
tour.
*Dave & Kora will be meeting with Nicole Chabot and Tim Shiner this week
to begin revisions of the leadership packet.
*We are in the process of setting up a meeting with the MPD Patrol
Commander to talk about Wes-MPD relations; we are waiting to hear back
from people who have been involved in the Ujaama-sponsored and
PSAC-sponsored talks.

 

IPC

The first CRC advisory committee meeting will be this Wednesday, e-mail Anda if you suddenly have become inspired to participate.
Brittany and Colleen will be going to the SBC on monday to seek funding for the Student Leadership Scholarship
Brittany will be meeting with Maria and Barbara and Ravi from ITS this week regarding the Tree of Power, UR, as well as ITS advisory and the specialization of computer labs (please get on stack to talk about this)
Eric is continuing to work on the Athletic Center Advisory committee, he is currently waiting to hear back from the Student Athlete Committee
CHAIRS: you should have already sent Eric your committees questions for the WSA survey, you probably haven't though. DO IT
Colleen will be contacting/ has contacted the Dean of the Divisions regarding potential empty office space for thesis writers, I will also talk to ITS about put lockers in a designated quiet computer lab (maybe even cubicles like PAC lab used to have)

That's all I can think of right now, committee members, please add in anything i forgot

 

EC

-EC met and discussed several issues, including the Student Activities Fee, the management of the WSA Office, and the Academic Review resolution. We also set the agenda for Sunday's meeting
-Faculty/Student Leadership Cooperation: Bill Stowe, the chair of the faculty set out 3 upcoming steps: 1. The WSA President and VP are invited to upcoming faculty meetings; 2. We will be incorporating Dean Maria Cruz-Saco on this issue; 3. Brittany and I will meet with him this coming Friday to discuss further action
-Friday's Argus column was postponed until today
-Questions about other initiatives are welcomed

 

SBC

 

This week the SBC had yet another crazed and busy week. We met with over 25 student groups, most notably, the identity groups that were planning to receive funding for the annual International Foods Fair. Due to the SBC's two-week policy, we were forced to reject funding to those identity groups who came in for funding on Monday when the international food fair was on that Friday.  It appeared that some student groups were under the impression that due to the fact that the SBC did not meet over fall break, the SBC would discount that lost time and accept all late requests. This obviously was not the case. Needless to say, the International Food Fair did take place, and turned out to be a huge success. That is all.

 

CC

 

What we're up to:

-Investigating ideas as to how to improve the WSA's visibility on campus.

-Working on the website.

-Planning our PARTY.

-Anyone who has ideas about any of these subjects is encouraged to contact Estrella.

 

Stack:

 

Sam concerned about choosing the House Mates.

Annie wondered about the COCo updating.

Benedict asked the SBC.

David said about the COCo, students package that will be online too.

Zach K. talked about the EC Report whether WSA office can be run like we have now, or should we add more staff, changing things, etc.

WSA website is on process now. Working with ITS.

 

New Business and Announcements:

 

Dave talked about the particular situation about verbally harassment.

 

Chris Goy apologized about his conversation last week. Actually, he was really serious about it. He actually sent email to Dean.

 

Colleen thought we should talk about Dean Danny that answered question wrongly.

 

Nishita wanted the conversation to include everyone.

 

Jason thought we should not include the race or define the minority group or what group should be privileged or non-privileged in the conversation.

 

Benedict was not agree about what Dean Danny said that people might say anything they want to hurt people just because they are non-privileged.

 

Chris and Esther doesn't  like and concern about discrimination, and Dean doesn't concern about it that much. So, we should do something more.

 

Dave talked about Dean Maria.

 

Zach K. agreed with Chris. And He wanted to talked to Non-WSA members, Esther, and  Gianna after the meeting.

 

Estrella announced about the potluck dinner next week, and she wan sending email.

 

Adjournment: 10:05 pm

 

       Respectfully submitted,

Sawitree Fon Kongmuang (Fon),

            WSA Secretary