Home >> Archives >> 03.13.06 Minutes
I. Roll Call/Agenda
II. Old Business
A. Republicans and Democrats Senators Vote (Catherine Lee and Mariel Dela Cruz)
Lindsey Boylan, CG President: We have a really important Senate. We want to stay on topic tonight and keep everyone energized. Will Yamini Jha please approach the podium. Moving on to Old Business, will senators Catherine Lee and Mariel Dela Cruz please approach the podium also to discuss their addition as special interest senators and answer any questions before we take a vote. This vote will be conducted with ballots.
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: As we discussed last week, we will be taking an in senate vote for our non-voting college Democrats and college Republicans senators. While they came to us with a joint proposal letter, we will be running the vote separately as that is how the constitution explains it. As they explained last week, these two organizations are two independent organizations. They are representing the view of two separate constituencies. Based on parliamentary procedure, motions are only voting in block. We do believe this is a very important vote since it will be changing the constitution, so we will be voting on these individually. Because of this, should the vote pass tonight and they acquire the set number of signatures then the constitution will be changed. So I am going to explain what will happen if it passes tonight. The Democrats and Republicans are allowed to work together to get the signatures but it is 350 signatures each. Even if they are following the same timeline we will be looking at this as two separate votes.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Let's say both come to fruition, who is doing the final vote?
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: Once we go through the vote tonight, the entire student body can go through the petition. After the petition, the senators will present in senate and then it will be taken back to house councils
Ashira Greene, Claflin: Why do we need 350 signatures if we represent our constituencies?
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: We decided on this process based on the constitution. We go to senate first and it is an in house vote and then it will go forth to students at large.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: The constitution is the way it is so that all special interest senators go through the same process.
Daria Axelrod, Claflin: We are voting on this as individual senators not representing our constituencies?
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: Yes.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: This is in reference to Ashira's comment, are you asking about the logic behind this? I think the question she raised is why it will go to the larger student body, is because we are a college government not a senator's government so for transparency reasons.
Corina Morris, Fusion: I move to suspend parliamentary procedure for this conversation
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: I am going to block that motion. We suspend parliamentary procedure when we are doing a fun thing, I think to allow us to be more flexible for things but for this, parliamentary procedure will play a key role.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: We approve budgets and monetary assignments and so I think that would be just as important as people.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: You take those issues back to your constituencies as well.
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: In the vote that we are taking tonight as the in senate vote we have noticed them for the past semester. We have seen it as mutually beneficial to senate so it is more on our view of their role in senate this year.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: Now will the senators Catherine Lee and Mariel Dela Cruz please approach the podium. After their presentations, we will use parliamentary procedure's speakers list as a deliberation.
Mariel Dela Cruz, College Democrats Senator: Both positions are very important because they will encourage more political action on campus and for people to recognize political views other than their own. In addition, it will give influence and equal participation to both parties. You have to remember that it has to be equal. We believe that both organizations will promote healthy political debate on campus.
Catherine Lee, College Republicans Senator: I hope that you went over the minutes from last week. Remember that college Republicans on campus do not have a direct connection to the administration. It is only just that they have a connection. Students who are conservative on this campus have faced harassment and discrimination, and would feel better if they had a direct connection to the administration.
Cordelia Chansler, Shafer: I am strongly against this because I don't think college government should be politicized. I do not understand how this will not conflict?
Catherine Lee, Republicans: By having more opinions, we can neutralize the playing field outside the student body. In certain situations where students have been harassed or during a contentious time we need representation. A few years ago, there was a debate about the war in Iraq in senate and it ended horribly. If situations like that come up again we want a representation.
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: It's more about representation. I do not think that having our presence here would make CG ineffective. I think it would only make it more genial.
Lindsey Silver, Beebe: I know this is an in Senate vote but I talked to some people from my constituency after Senate last week. For the Republicans, whose one reason was to get legitimacy for the administration, why couldn't you just present at senate and for the Democrats, why do you focus on collaboration and why would you need to have a senator for that?
Catherine Lee, Republicans: We have tried to meet with the administration many times before, we had met with President Walsh and the deans and none of this has been successful for students who have received harassment and threats. We think that having a representative at all times rather than meeting in individual situations will facilitate that dialogue.
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: I have been able to contact other senators and gotten to know the student body better because of my role in senate.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: One of the reasons for having a trial senator is to see how the trial senators have benefited from being in senate. So how have both you benefited?
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: Again collaboration. An example was the Donna Brazille lecture, for which I collaborated with Ethos. This is a resource to bring more political activism to campus.
Catherine Lee, Republicans: I know that my constituents feel better that there is a conservative voice in senate. I don't think those voices would be heard without this position. It makes conservative students more comfortable to speak out.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: It's important to have as many special interest senators as possible.
Catherine Day, Chief Justice: One conversation I have had a lot is why these senators can't just present at senate. Many special interest senators are in senate because there are policies being voted on that affect their organizations. What policies do you think you need to have a vote for?
Cahterine Lee, Republicans: This is actually based on the senate a couple years ago that had a debate to vote on a letter that would officially oppose the war in Iraq. In those situations we need a more conservative voice.
Brooke Maurer, Freeman: I just want to echo what Ashira said about having as many special interest senators as possible.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I'm just really confused about how SOFC will fit into all this. If something happens then that's the point where you present at Senate. Let's all keep in mind the idea about what a senator is. Rather than trying to put across certain ideals, we should look at other special interest senators like Shayla Adams, Ethos, who represent their constituency on a repeated basis.
Edlyn Yuen, Pomeroy: Are we worried about an unbalanced focus in senate by making students chose a party line?
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: I think it's a step in the right direction by allowing political voices to emerge. Soon we could get more specialized organizations.
Cordelia Chansler, Shafer: Wouldn't harassment be an issue under the honor code or something that would go to general judiciary?
Catherine Lee, Republicans: We took the harassment issue to the deans and didn't get a response.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: How have you as senators enhanced college government and senate?
Catherine Lee: I believe that I have represented the more conservative voice, especially representing students that are not comfortable voicing their opinions themselves. I think it's really benefited CG and the organization.
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: I think it has helped CG and the organization as a whole.
Catherine Day, Chief Justice: In general we do not discuss general judiciary cases because of confidentiality, but if harassment extends to a certain severity then it would be presented at general judiciary.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: We are going to state the motion one at a time to approve or oppose the college Democrats and then the college Republicans. After that you will hold on to the ballot. We will collect the ballots and then count them.
Brooke Maurer, Freeman: Are we voting to approve them or are we voting about whether or not we think they have contributed to senate?
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: This is an in senate approval.
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: Since the result will be seen on the conference, I will talk about what is going to happen afterwards. In the event that neither gets the majority constitutional vote, they are encouraged to petition with at least 500 signatures. The general student body will be made aware if we fail to support on this. The petitions will have to come for the fall of next year. Should you be senators next year in the fall then again you will have a say in this.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: Do the Speakers have any clarifications before we vote to approve the College Republicans and College Democrats as new senators? Is there a motion on the floor to approve the College Republicans and College Democrats as new Special Interest Senators?
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: The motion on the floor is approve the College Republicans and College Democrats as new Special Interest Senators. A ballot is being passed around. Please clearly indicate your vote on the ballot.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: Thank-you. We will count the votes after Senate and post the results to the Student Senate Conference.
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: As we discussed last week, we will be taking an in senate vote for our non-voting college Democrats and college Republicans senators. While they came to us with a joint proposal letter, we will be running the vote separately as that is how the constitution explains it. As they explained last week, these two organizations are two independent organizations. They are representing the view of two separate constituencies. Based on parliamentary procedure, motions are only voting in block. We do believe this is a very important vote since it will be changing the constitution, so we will be voting on these individually. Because of this, should the vote pass tonight and they acquire the set number of signatures then the constitution will be changed. So I am going to explain what will happen if it passes tonight. The Democrats and Republicans are allowed to work together to get the signatures but it is 350 signatures each. Even if they are following the same timeline we will be looking at this as two separate votes.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Let's say both come to fruition, who is doing the final vote?
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: Once we go through the vote tonight, the entire student body can go through the petition. After the petition, the senators will present in senate and then it will be taken back to house councils
Ashira Greene, Claflin: Why do we need 350 signatures if we represent our constituencies?
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: We decided on this process based on the constitution. We go to senate first and it is an in house vote and then it will go forth to students at large.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: The constitution is the way it is so that all special interest senators go through the same process.
Daria Axelrod, Claflin: We are voting on this as individual senators not representing our constituencies?
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: Yes.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: This is in reference to Ashira's comment, are you asking about the logic behind this? I think the question she raised is why it will go to the larger student body, is because we are a college government not a senator's government so for transparency reasons.
Corina Morris, Fusion: I move to suspend parliamentary procedure for this conversation
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: I am going to block that motion. We suspend parliamentary procedure when we are doing a fun thing, I think to allow us to be more flexible for things but for this, parliamentary procedure will play a key role.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: We approve budgets and monetary assignments and so I think that would be just as important as people.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: You take those issues back to your constituencies as well.
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: In the vote that we are taking tonight as the in senate vote we have noticed them for the past semester. We have seen it as mutually beneficial to senate so it is more on our view of their role in senate this year.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: Now will the senators Catherine Lee and Mariel Dela Cruz please approach the podium. After their presentations, we will use parliamentary procedure's speakers list as a deliberation.
Mariel Dela Cruz, College Democrats Senator: Both positions are very important because they will encourage more political action on campus and for people to recognize political views other than their own. In addition, it will give influence and equal participation to both parties. You have to remember that it has to be equal. We believe that both organizations will promote healthy political debate on campus.
Catherine Lee, College Republicans Senator: I hope that you went over the minutes from last week. Remember that college Republicans on campus do not have a direct connection to the administration. It is only just that they have a connection. Students who are conservative on this campus have faced harassment and discrimination, and would feel better if they had a direct connection to the administration.
Cordelia Chansler, Shafer: I am strongly against this because I don't think college government should be politicized. I do not understand how this will not conflict?
Catherine Lee, Republicans: By having more opinions, we can neutralize the playing field outside the student body. In certain situations where students have been harassed or during a contentious time we need representation. A few years ago, there was a debate about the war in Iraq in senate and it ended horribly. If situations like that come up again we want a representation.
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: It's more about representation. I do not think that having our presence here would make CG ineffective. I think it would only make it more genial.
Lindsey Silver, Beebe: I know this is an in Senate vote but I talked to some people from my constituency after Senate last week. For the Republicans, whose one reason was to get legitimacy for the administration, why couldn't you just present at senate and for the Democrats, why do you focus on collaboration and why would you need to have a senator for that?
Catherine Lee, Republicans: We have tried to meet with the administration many times before, we had met with President Walsh and the deans and none of this has been successful for students who have received harassment and threats. We think that having a representative at all times rather than meeting in individual situations will facilitate that dialogue.
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: I have been able to contact other senators and gotten to know the student body better because of my role in senate.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: One of the reasons for having a trial senator is to see how the trial senators have benefited from being in senate. So how have both you benefited?
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: Again collaboration. An example was the Donna Brazille lecture, for which I collaborated with Ethos. This is a resource to bring more political activism to campus.
Catherine Lee, Republicans: I know that my constituents feel better that there is a conservative voice in senate. I don't think those voices would be heard without this position. It makes conservative students more comfortable to speak out.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: It's important to have as many special interest senators as possible.
Catherine Day, Chief Justice: One conversation I have had a lot is why these senators can't just present at senate. Many special interest senators are in senate because there are policies being voted on that affect their organizations. What policies do you think you need to have a vote for?
Cahterine Lee, Republicans: This is actually based on the senate a couple years ago that had a debate to vote on a letter that would officially oppose the war in Iraq. In those situations we need a more conservative voice.
Brooke Maurer, Freeman: I just want to echo what Ashira said about having as many special interest senators as possible.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I'm just really confused about how SOFC will fit into all this. If something happens then that's the point where you present at Senate. Let's all keep in mind the idea about what a senator is. Rather than trying to put across certain ideals, we should look at other special interest senators like Shayla Adams, Ethos, who represent their constituency on a repeated basis.
Edlyn Yuen, Pomeroy: Are we worried about an unbalanced focus in senate by making students chose a party line?
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: I think it's a step in the right direction by allowing political voices to emerge. Soon we could get more specialized organizations.
Cordelia Chansler, Shafer: Wouldn't harassment be an issue under the honor code or something that would go to general judiciary?
Catherine Lee, Republicans: We took the harassment issue to the deans and didn't get a response.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: How have you as senators enhanced college government and senate?
Catherine Lee: I believe that I have represented the more conservative voice, especially representing students that are not comfortable voicing their opinions themselves. I think it's really benefited CG and the organization.
Mariel Dela Cruz, Democrats: I think it has helped CG and the organization as a whole.
Catherine Day, Chief Justice: In general we do not discuss general judiciary cases because of confidentiality, but if harassment extends to a certain severity then it would be presented at general judiciary.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: We are going to state the motion one at a time to approve or oppose the college Democrats and then the college Republicans. After that you will hold on to the ballot. We will collect the ballots and then count them.
Brooke Maurer, Freeman: Are we voting to approve them or are we voting about whether or not we think they have contributed to senate?
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: This is an in senate approval.
Yamini Jha, SPEC Chair: Since the result will be seen on the conference, I will talk about what is going to happen afterwards. In the event that neither gets the majority constitutional vote, they are encouraged to petition with at least 500 signatures. The general student body will be made aware if we fail to support on this. The petitions will have to come for the fall of next year. Should you be senators next year in the fall then again you will have a say in this.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: Do the Speakers have any clarifications before we vote to approve the College Republicans and College Democrats as new senators? Is there a motion on the floor to approve the College Republicans and College Democrats as new Special Interest Senators?
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: The motion on the floor is approve the College Republicans and College Democrats as new Special Interest Senators. A ballot is being passed around. Please clearly indicate your vote on the ballot.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: Thank-you. We will count the votes after Senate and post the results to the Student Senate Conference.
III. New Business
A. "What is SOFC Funding?" (Cortni Jones, Student Bursar)
Lindsay Boylan, CG President: Will the Student Bursar, Cortni Jones, please approach the podium to give a presentation entitled: "What is SOFC Funding?"
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I want to tell you how great SOFC funding is because it defines the role of bursar as well as SOFC. The bursar is held to a level of accountability and holds organizations to a level of accountability. Just to let everyone know that SOFC does not count receipts.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I'm going to touch on what MCC is going to be presenting. On the first page of the handout is just the breakdown of the SOFC constitution that MCC has moved to change. So this is to change 0.15% and insert 0.33% for the Multicultural Council Honorarium percentage of the Student Activity Fee. Honorariums are set amounts that certain groups according to the SOFC constitution get each year. This change will decrease the amount of money students can apply for student budgeting. This money going to MCC will decrease the amount of money going to non-honorarium. This change will come into effect in fiscal year 2007-2008. The procedure is that on March 7, two representatives of MCC presented to SOFC. Since this is from the SOFC constitution, SOFC took a vote and it passed with a quorum. Senators will take this to their constituency as this is a Constitutional change. However, because the money for spring budgeting has already been allocated, this will be for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I want to tell you how great SOFC funding is because it defines the role of bursar as well as SOFC. The bursar is held to a level of accountability and holds organizations to a level of accountability. Just to let everyone know that SOFC does not count receipts.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I'm going to touch on what MCC is going to be presenting. On the first page of the handout is just the breakdown of the SOFC constitution that MCC has moved to change. So this is to change 0.15% and insert 0.33% for the Multicultural Council Honorarium percentage of the Student Activity Fee. Honorariums are set amounts that certain groups according to the SOFC constitution get each year. This change will decrease the amount of money students can apply for student budgeting. This money going to MCC will decrease the amount of money going to non-honorarium. This change will come into effect in fiscal year 2007-2008. The procedure is that on March 7, two representatives of MCC presented to SOFC. Since this is from the SOFC constitution, SOFC took a vote and it passed with a quorum. Senators will take this to their constituency as this is a Constitutional change. However, because the money for spring budgeting has already been allocated, this will be for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
B. MCC Honorarium Change (Amita Parashar, MAC)
Amita Parashar, MAC: CWDI is the campus wide diversity initiative, which is our programming committee. So we are here to request a change in honorarium as per the SOFC constitution. Essentially, we are proposing to change it to .33% for the year 2007-2008. So this year, we have.15% which came out to 600 dollars. When this was first made, the purpose was very different, before CWDI was formed as a more proactively programming committee. The reason it was formed was because of the trends and issues on campus. We do programs for the entire campus ranging on topics of race, ethnicity, and sexuality. CWDI can also take up initiatives acting as an advocacy group for certain issues. So the way the honorarium is right now, we only receive 1/10th of what other honorariums receive. The reason it is so small is because when it was created, we didn't have programming. Now it is a severe hindrance because we have to think a lot smaller. A lot of what we have spent our time on this year has been filling out applications for money. We are grateful for the generosity but it would be more efficient and productive to fund our own programs.
Adelia James, MCC Treasurer: I'm just going to talk about numbers. You can see that our operating budget has amounted to already more than twice the amount of our honorarium. This will continue to go up this year because of the other programs we are planning. We have been putting a lot of money into fundraising. We were denied funding because we are a tier three organization. When it came to applying for funding for the Ally convention we got money from the following. Over the years our SOFC account has totaled..But keep in mind a couple of things; we are still keeping money for the ally convention. Second it has been really difficult for us to achieve funds this year. Getting funding has been really competitive. Finally, it has been extremely difficult to plan large-scale campus wide programming. In comparison to other College Government organization, we have a very small amount. That is s a very modest estimate. Again you must keep in mind that we are planning a very large event for April but we think that $1400 is a good amount. We are not raising our honorarium for the sake of raising the honorarium. The purpose is to raise it to serve the entire Wellesley Community.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: This is a question for the bursar. Have you considered reevaluating orgs which currently have the honorariums and how they have been using them instead of taking this from the spring budgeting?
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: First to clarify this is a MCC proposal not a SOFC proposal. There is always too little money always and too many programs. Since this is not coming into effect until the 2007-2008 fiscal year, there will be time for those kinds of considerations.
Amita Parashar, MAC: We drafted this proposal with the assumption that the constitution is the way it is but it can change according to constitutional changes.
Catherine Lee, Republicans: There seems there is a lot of overlap with other organizations programs. Have you considered eliminating some these programs that overlap?
Amita Parashar, MAC: can you tell us which ones?
Catherine Lee: Crash could have been brought by the film society. Ally convention could be something lead by Spectrum. The Donna Brazile lecture by the Dems and Ethos seems similar to the hurricane Katrina program.
Dominique Parris, MCC: The ally convention is something new; it is something that will be more formal kind of like Tanner. We also collaborate with a lot of those organizations so that is why you might see some overlap.
Shayla Adams, Ethos: I was just wondering why the change wouldn't go into effect until 2007?
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: The reason is the timeline. It was brought to SOFC attention too late to effect next year. Usually it takes place two weeks after but since we have already done the budgeting it won't take into effect until 2007-2008. As far as the honorariums, in order to become an honorarium you have to submit an application. In my time in SOFC, I have not yet seen a proposal. As far as the history behind them, it's a bit clouded. They hold some special privileges in the SOFC constitution. In general, SOFC is really looking at the constitution as a whole.
Ashira Green, Claflin: as I am looking at the sheet, I see that you were relatively unsuccessful in getting other groups to sponsor you. Can you speak to why this is occurring?
Amita Parashar, MAC: For fall emergency funding, our application was not considered because we are tier three. For house councils, they don't always give the full amount that we request because of their own limited funds.
Samira Vachani, Pomoroy: Voting for or against the honorarium, it is more should this org be on par with the other organizations.
Amita, Parashar, MAC: I just want to make a closing comment. In proposing this, we are asking the student body to legitimize and recognize the importance of these committees. As the student body becomes more diverse these kind of programs will become more and more important.
Adelia James, MCC Treasurer: I'm just going to talk about numbers. You can see that our operating budget has amounted to already more than twice the amount of our honorarium. This will continue to go up this year because of the other programs we are planning. We have been putting a lot of money into fundraising. We were denied funding because we are a tier three organization. When it came to applying for funding for the Ally convention we got money from the following. Over the years our SOFC account has totaled..But keep in mind a couple of things; we are still keeping money for the ally convention. Second it has been really difficult for us to achieve funds this year. Getting funding has been really competitive. Finally, it has been extremely difficult to plan large-scale campus wide programming. In comparison to other College Government organization, we have a very small amount. That is s a very modest estimate. Again you must keep in mind that we are planning a very large event for April but we think that $1400 is a good amount. We are not raising our honorarium for the sake of raising the honorarium. The purpose is to raise it to serve the entire Wellesley Community.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: This is a question for the bursar. Have you considered reevaluating orgs which currently have the honorariums and how they have been using them instead of taking this from the spring budgeting?
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: First to clarify this is a MCC proposal not a SOFC proposal. There is always too little money always and too many programs. Since this is not coming into effect until the 2007-2008 fiscal year, there will be time for those kinds of considerations.
Amita Parashar, MAC: We drafted this proposal with the assumption that the constitution is the way it is but it can change according to constitutional changes.
Catherine Lee, Republicans: There seems there is a lot of overlap with other organizations programs. Have you considered eliminating some these programs that overlap?
Amita Parashar, MAC: can you tell us which ones?
Catherine Lee: Crash could have been brought by the film society. Ally convention could be something lead by Spectrum. The Donna Brazile lecture by the Dems and Ethos seems similar to the hurricane Katrina program.
Dominique Parris, MCC: The ally convention is something new; it is something that will be more formal kind of like Tanner. We also collaborate with a lot of those organizations so that is why you might see some overlap.
Shayla Adams, Ethos: I was just wondering why the change wouldn't go into effect until 2007?
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: The reason is the timeline. It was brought to SOFC attention too late to effect next year. Usually it takes place two weeks after but since we have already done the budgeting it won't take into effect until 2007-2008. As far as the honorariums, in order to become an honorarium you have to submit an application. In my time in SOFC, I have not yet seen a proposal. As far as the history behind them, it's a bit clouded. They hold some special privileges in the SOFC constitution. In general, SOFC is really looking at the constitution as a whole.
Ashira Green, Claflin: as I am looking at the sheet, I see that you were relatively unsuccessful in getting other groups to sponsor you. Can you speak to why this is occurring?
Amita Parashar, MAC: For fall emergency funding, our application was not considered because we are tier three. For house councils, they don't always give the full amount that we request because of their own limited funds.
Samira Vachani, Pomoroy: Voting for or against the honorarium, it is more should this org be on par with the other organizations.
Amita, Parashar, MAC: I just want to make a closing comment. In proposing this, we are asking the student body to legitimize and recognize the importance of these committees. As the student body becomes more diverse these kind of programs will become more and more important.
IV. Open Discussion
A. Role of Director of Residential and Campus Life (Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life)
Lindsey Boylan, College Government President: Will Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life, please approach the podium to discuss her role as Director of Residential and Campus Life.
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: For those of you who don't know, there are 70 RAs. There are also 15 house presidents. In addition to that we have 12 official residential directors. I work very closely with Kate and Meri in Student Activities. I sit on more committees then I probably need to due to the breadth of campus life. I also work a lot on athletics because it is a passion of mine.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I was wondering why RA's don't get paid. Do comparable institutions to Wellesley pay their RAs?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Wellesley is the 6th institution that I have worked at, and it is the only institution that does not compensate its RAs. The reason is that the RA's do not want to change their duties. Many institutions will give some portion of the room and board. Other places will just have a stipend. So, it's a very unique setup here. The fact is that you, as an RA have a leadership position where you get an experience to take with you. We have an RA council right now and one of the issues we have looked at is compensation. The amount that they give for programming for RA's has not changed in the past 15 years so we do need to change that.
Sabina Khan, McAfee: A lot of my constituents want more recreational activities on campus. I was wondering if you handle those issues?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: I have had many conversations with athletics staff. I do think that there are opportunities, like Rebound the other night. If that many students are interested, then we can definitely have more activities like that. We need to know what you are interested in. Obviously I have worked with Kate to plan these activities on campus since she is working on campus life. The needs continue to change as the population changes.
Sabina Khan, McAfee: In order to inform you can I tell my constituents to email you?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Yes, email is the best way.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: It would be helpful to highlight issues that have arisen in the past years. Can you talk about a couple of the issues that you have been working on this year?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: A lot of my work is behind the scenes. A lot of it is acting as an advocate for the students. You can probably guess what the biggest issue is- ALCOHOL. We have worked on that one so much. I also spend a lot of time with leaders like Penny on issues like Dyke Ball. Over the years, I have been part of the movements. This year I have taken on advising the pub and the hoop. This is definitely a different kind of leadership. I am also taking on el Table as well.
Brooke Maurer, Freeman: Earlier in the year we had an athletics survey. I have heard on the east side that they would like having more equipment. What is the status of that? I also want to know about your involvement in stress caused by housing concerns?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Athletic equipment in general is a part of a gift we received. The stress and roommates issues- the RAs are trained for that. But if there are some really difficult situations, then I get involved in the intervention.
Clara Peterson, Bates: I know there is an issue for having orgs house people for an event and RDs are really opposed to this because of noise and what not. There used to be guest rooms in Bates and now there aren't any, why is that?
Kris Niendorf, Director or Residential and Campus Life: The one in Claflin and Bates were really poor. I know it can be awkward to ask your roommate to leave the room. The Bates guest room was being over used. It ended up being mostly Bates residents. We felt it could probably be used for different purposes. If there is interest in doing that again then we would be open to that. Just know that it is not adequate. We do have restrictions to off campus groups- but those are made by individual residence halls.
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: For those of you who don't know, there are 70 RAs. There are also 15 house presidents. In addition to that we have 12 official residential directors. I work very closely with Kate and Meri in Student Activities. I sit on more committees then I probably need to due to the breadth of campus life. I also work a lot on athletics because it is a passion of mine.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I was wondering why RA's don't get paid. Do comparable institutions to Wellesley pay their RAs?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Wellesley is the 6th institution that I have worked at, and it is the only institution that does not compensate its RAs. The reason is that the RA's do not want to change their duties. Many institutions will give some portion of the room and board. Other places will just have a stipend. So, it's a very unique setup here. The fact is that you, as an RA have a leadership position where you get an experience to take with you. We have an RA council right now and one of the issues we have looked at is compensation. The amount that they give for programming for RA's has not changed in the past 15 years so we do need to change that.
Sabina Khan, McAfee: A lot of my constituents want more recreational activities on campus. I was wondering if you handle those issues?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: I have had many conversations with athletics staff. I do think that there are opportunities, like Rebound the other night. If that many students are interested, then we can definitely have more activities like that. We need to know what you are interested in. Obviously I have worked with Kate to plan these activities on campus since she is working on campus life. The needs continue to change as the population changes.
Sabina Khan, McAfee: In order to inform you can I tell my constituents to email you?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Yes, email is the best way.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: It would be helpful to highlight issues that have arisen in the past years. Can you talk about a couple of the issues that you have been working on this year?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: A lot of my work is behind the scenes. A lot of it is acting as an advocate for the students. You can probably guess what the biggest issue is- ALCOHOL. We have worked on that one so much. I also spend a lot of time with leaders like Penny on issues like Dyke Ball. Over the years, I have been part of the movements. This year I have taken on advising the pub and the hoop. This is definitely a different kind of leadership. I am also taking on el Table as well.
Brooke Maurer, Freeman: Earlier in the year we had an athletics survey. I have heard on the east side that they would like having more equipment. What is the status of that? I also want to know about your involvement in stress caused by housing concerns?
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Athletic equipment in general is a part of a gift we received. The stress and roommates issues- the RAs are trained for that. But if there are some really difficult situations, then I get involved in the intervention.
Clara Peterson, Bates: I know there is an issue for having orgs house people for an event and RDs are really opposed to this because of noise and what not. There used to be guest rooms in Bates and now there aren't any, why is that?
Kris Niendorf, Director or Residential and Campus Life: The one in Claflin and Bates were really poor. I know it can be awkward to ask your roommate to leave the room. The Bates guest room was being over used. It ended up being mostly Bates residents. We felt it could probably be used for different purposes. If there is interest in doing that again then we would be open to that. Just know that it is not adequate. We do have restrictions to off campus groups- but those are made by individual residence halls.
B.Reunion Weekend (Katie O'Hara, Alumnae Association Representative)
Lindsey Boylan, CG President: Will Katie O'Hara, Alumnae Association Representative, please approach the podium to discuss Reunion Weekend.
Katie O'Hara, Alumnae Association Representative: I just wanted to talk about Alumnae Reunion weekend. Just a few facts, it will be June 9 to Sunday June 11. We will have about 3000 guests, classes including from 1926-2001. Jobs include drivers if alums need to get around form place to place, central check in; it's a great way to meet alums when they first come, general helper is a really fun job. Residence assistant, Pendleton assistant, luggage assistant, social assistant, and also residence hostess are other open positions. The residence hostesses live in the dorms with alums and are there to help them with whatever they need. We guarantee housing for the weekend. And all the housing details are posted on the conference. If you would like to work, there are three information sessions: Wednesday March 15, Tuesday March 28, and Monday April 3. It is a paid position. The pay varies depending on your position and experience. I left some flyers on the able please share THOSE IN YOUR RES HALLS. IT'S A REALLY FUN WEEKEND!!
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I have been a res hostess for two years. I met this one lady that was 70 years old. She was taking the stairs two at a time. The compensation is great so I would strongly encourage it!
Katie O'Hara, Alumnae Association Representative: I just wanted to talk about Alumnae Reunion weekend. Just a few facts, it will be June 9 to Sunday June 11. We will have about 3000 guests, classes including from 1926-2001. Jobs include drivers if alums need to get around form place to place, central check in; it's a great way to meet alums when they first come, general helper is a really fun job. Residence assistant, Pendleton assistant, luggage assistant, social assistant, and also residence hostess are other open positions. The residence hostesses live in the dorms with alums and are there to help them with whatever they need. We guarantee housing for the weekend. And all the housing details are posted on the conference. If you would like to work, there are three information sessions: Wednesday March 15, Tuesday March 28, and Monday April 3. It is a paid position. The pay varies depending on your position and experience. I left some flyers on the able please share THOSE IN YOUR RES HALLS. IT'S A REALLY FUN WEEKEND!!
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I have been a res hostess for two years. I met this one lady that was 70 years old. She was taking the stairs two at a time. The compensation is great so I would strongly encourage it!
V. Dean of Students' Corner
A. Deans Kim Goff-Crews and Michelle Lepore
Lindsey Boylan, CG President: Now moving on to Dean's Corner. We have two mystery guests.
John O'Keefe, Director of Advising and Academic Services: I am class of 2008 dean. Dean Kim is in D.C right now for an administrative conference. There are a couple things that I wanted to mention and that Dean Kim wanted me to mention. First a shout out to everyone who was at REBOUND. I think I definitely got rid of the stereotype that men are good at sports. In March, Wellesley will be hosting a New England Dean's Conference that includes a lot of our peer institutions. Institutions like Dartmouth, the 7 siblings, Brown and sometimes Harvard usually come. We really want to bring the issue of experimental learning to the floor. We are going to do some programming that is going on with the Religious and Spiritual Life Services. After dinner, we are having highlights of cultural shows that have happened throughout the year. We are going to also talk about wellness issues on campus such as alcohol and Facebook, which is an interesting phenomenon.
We are also doing a review of the PLTC this year. The review also includes an external group. We want to have an open meeting for students and talk to the committee members about what needs to be improved.
Finally another issue we have been looking at is the first year experience. They are really getting going with their work. Right now they are working on connecting with students. Carlos Ramos is working with the students on the committee to find out more from students at large. They also hope to come to Senate before the end of the year and this issues that they are facing. They are researching issues such as advising and programming. In advance of that I wanted to mention two more specific things. One issue involves a new student orientation program in the fall. Lori Tenser and I are working with some people around campus. Parts of it I think are fabulous. The "Let Me Speak" event this year was great. There are a couple of things that we are hoping to do to get faculty involved. We are going to continue to rely on FYMs but we want to carry a faculty link. We are also hoping to have an advising day; we want to focus a day of events for faculty members to get in front of students which will give them more variety. We are also working with Catherine to work on the Honor Code Presentation.
A portal is a webpage that you can personalize with blocks of information that is relevant to you- this is something we are going to pilot to the Class of 2010. We might have information to showcase- such as residential life issue. Students will have the ability to enter chat rooms. We want to have some Wellesley-sponsored space for that activity. This is a project that is pretty complicated in terms of how we are going to connect with folks.
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Attending the Conference today besides Dean Kim are Victor Kazanjian and Meri Smith. The res hall committee has a charge - they are a cross-constituency group that makes up this committee. There are five students and 2 RDs on it. There are 14 of us in that. We are charged to look at overall if we should build a new res hall. There are many more questions to go into that. We are going to look at renovations for buildings. Part of it to goes back to the athletic equipment issue: What should be in the res halls? So we meet every couple of weeks so we can get a report to Dean Kim by the end of the semester.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Do we know who is going to be in the res life HP positions for next year?
Kris Neindorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: I know, but we are waiting to make it official. The RA's have until Wednesday at midnight to respond. They know who they are, but I can't go public until they accept those positions.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: I think this portal thing is an amazing idea. If some students are interested in being helpful with this, are there any ways students can help?
John O'Keefe, Director of Advising and Academic Services: The departments feel that it is helpful to have students help represent the department. In addition, the FYM applications process has shut down. Also, there are two leadership coordinator positions that Dean Kim mentioned last week that are still open. They are going to help monitor the portal page as well as working on nailing down the positions. This is a paid position that comes with summer housing.
Paola Reyes, Munger: In your discussion about new res halls, have you considered which rooms you have made doubles and singles?
Kris Neindorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: We have looked at Caz, Pom, and McAfee as far as spacing for rooms. We also looked at areas like common space and if we want some recreational equipment. That puts us at a 200 room facility.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: When are you going to announce FYMs?
John O'Keefe, Director of Advising and Academic Services: After spring break.
John O'Keefe, Director of Advising and Academic Services: I am class of 2008 dean. Dean Kim is in D.C right now for an administrative conference. There are a couple things that I wanted to mention and that Dean Kim wanted me to mention. First a shout out to everyone who was at REBOUND. I think I definitely got rid of the stereotype that men are good at sports. In March, Wellesley will be hosting a New England Dean's Conference that includes a lot of our peer institutions. Institutions like Dartmouth, the 7 siblings, Brown and sometimes Harvard usually come. We really want to bring the issue of experimental learning to the floor. We are going to do some programming that is going on with the Religious and Spiritual Life Services. After dinner, we are having highlights of cultural shows that have happened throughout the year. We are going to also talk about wellness issues on campus such as alcohol and Facebook, which is an interesting phenomenon.
We are also doing a review of the PLTC this year. The review also includes an external group. We want to have an open meeting for students and talk to the committee members about what needs to be improved.
Finally another issue we have been looking at is the first year experience. They are really getting going with their work. Right now they are working on connecting with students. Carlos Ramos is working with the students on the committee to find out more from students at large. They also hope to come to Senate before the end of the year and this issues that they are facing. They are researching issues such as advising and programming. In advance of that I wanted to mention two more specific things. One issue involves a new student orientation program in the fall. Lori Tenser and I are working with some people around campus. Parts of it I think are fabulous. The "Let Me Speak" event this year was great. There are a couple of things that we are hoping to do to get faculty involved. We are going to continue to rely on FYMs but we want to carry a faculty link. We are also hoping to have an advising day; we want to focus a day of events for faculty members to get in front of students which will give them more variety. We are also working with Catherine to work on the Honor Code Presentation.
A portal is a webpage that you can personalize with blocks of information that is relevant to you- this is something we are going to pilot to the Class of 2010. We might have information to showcase- such as residential life issue. Students will have the ability to enter chat rooms. We want to have some Wellesley-sponsored space for that activity. This is a project that is pretty complicated in terms of how we are going to connect with folks.
Kris Niendorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: Attending the Conference today besides Dean Kim are Victor Kazanjian and Meri Smith. The res hall committee has a charge - they are a cross-constituency group that makes up this committee. There are five students and 2 RDs on it. There are 14 of us in that. We are charged to look at overall if we should build a new res hall. There are many more questions to go into that. We are going to look at renovations for buildings. Part of it to goes back to the athletic equipment issue: What should be in the res halls? So we meet every couple of weeks so we can get a report to Dean Kim by the end of the semester.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Do we know who is going to be in the res life HP positions for next year?
Kris Neindorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: I know, but we are waiting to make it official. The RA's have until Wednesday at midnight to respond. They know who they are, but I can't go public until they accept those positions.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: I think this portal thing is an amazing idea. If some students are interested in being helpful with this, are there any ways students can help?
John O'Keefe, Director of Advising and Academic Services: The departments feel that it is helpful to have students help represent the department. In addition, the FYM applications process has shut down. Also, there are two leadership coordinator positions that Dean Kim mentioned last week that are still open. They are going to help monitor the portal page as well as working on nailing down the positions. This is a paid position that comes with summer housing.
Paola Reyes, Munger: In your discussion about new res halls, have you considered which rooms you have made doubles and singles?
Kris Neindorf, Director of Residential and Campus Life: We have looked at Caz, Pom, and McAfee as far as spacing for rooms. We also looked at areas like common space and if we want some recreational equipment. That puts us at a 200 room facility.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: When are you going to announce FYMs?
John O'Keefe, Director of Advising and Academic Services: After spring break.
VI. Beyond the Bubble (Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair)
A. Senator proposing censure of president
Saying that President Bush misled Americans about the legality of his domestic-eavesdropping program, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said Sunday he would introduce a resolution to censure him.
A censure resolution, which simply would scold the president, has been used just once in U.S. history, against Andrew Jackson in 1834.
The five-page resolution, to be introduced today, contends that Bush violated the law when he set up the eavesdropping program within the National Security Agency after the Sept. 11 attacks.
A censure resolution, which simply would scold the president, has been used just once in U.S. history, against Andrew Jackson in 1834.
The five-page resolution, to be introduced today, contends that Bush violated the law when he set up the eavesdropping program within the National Security Agency after the Sept. 11 attacks.
B. Slobodan Milosevic, 64, Former Yugoslav Leader Accused of War Crimes, Dies
Slobodan Milosevic, the Communist leader whose embrace of Serbian nationalism set off almost a decade of Balkan warfare, was found dead early Saturday, March 11, 2006 in his cell at the United Nations detention center in The Hague, where he had been since 2001. He was 64.
Death came as Mr. Milosevic's four-year trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide was drawing to a close. A verdict had been expected later this year.
An initial set of autopsy reports showed that Milosevic died of a heart attack.
He was the first former head of state to answer charges of such crimes and his was the longest war-crimes trial of modern times, delayed by Mr. Milosevic's frequent bouts of illness related to high blood pressure and a bad heart.
The complex indictment covered the events of three wars - in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo - and almost a decade of bloodshed and vengeance that killed more than 200,000 people and earned Mr. Milosevic the sobriquet "Butcher of the Balkans."
Death came as Mr. Milosevic's four-year trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide was drawing to a close. A verdict had been expected later this year.
An initial set of autopsy reports showed that Milosevic died of a heart attack.
He was the first former head of state to answer charges of such crimes and his was the longest war-crimes trial of modern times, delayed by Mr. Milosevic's frequent bouts of illness related to high blood pressure and a bad heart.
The complex indictment covered the events of three wars - in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo - and almost a decade of bloodshed and vengeance that killed more than 200,000 people and earned Mr. Milosevic the sobriquet "Butcher of the Balkans."
C. Editorial by Condoleeza Rice
The Washington Post included an editorial today authored by Secretary Condoleeza Rice titled "Our Opportunity with India." [Link]
D. On this day: March 13
1868: Impeachment Trial of Andrew Johnson Begins
For the first time in U.S. history, the impeachment trial of an American president gets underway in the U.S. Senate. President Andrew Johnson, reviled by the Republican-dominated Congress for his views on Reconstruction, stood accused of having violated the controversial Tenure of Office Act, passed by Congress over his veto in 1867.
1906: Suffragist Susan B. Anthony died at age 86.
2006: Actor William H. Macy turns 56 years old today.
For the first time in U.S. history, the impeachment trial of an American president gets underway in the U.S. Senate. President Andrew Johnson, reviled by the Republican-dominated Congress for his views on Reconstruction, stood accused of having violated the controversial Tenure of Office Act, passed by Congress over his veto in 1867.
1906: Suffragist Susan B. Anthony died at age 86.
2006: Actor William H. Macy turns 56 years old today.
VII. Cabinet Announcements
VIII. Adjourn
