Home >> Archives >> 03.27.06 Minutes
Attachments
I. Roll Call/Agenda
II. Old Business
A. MCC Honararium Change Vote (Amita Parashar, MAC)
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: I'm wearing this hat to celebrate the warm weather and to remind you to stay energized for the Spring. Moving on to Old Business, will Amita Parashar, MAC, please approach the podium to discuss the MCC Honorarium Change and answer any questions before we take a vote?
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I just want to preface a few things if you have any questions. We are going to vote on the amendment at hand. The procedure for amendments to the SOFC constitution has to go through SOFC. If everyone can pull out the slip from last week's presentation about how Amita brought forth this proposal. SOFC and myself are more than happy to suggest suggestions, ideas or concerns about this specific honorarium change and honorariums in general but tonight we are not here to discuss honorariums in general. SOFC is reviewing the SOFC constitution as it has been all year. We hope that this discussion has renewed an interest in the SOFC constitution and pinpointed areas that you think are a concern. I would put forth that these changes be practical and not be broad generalizations. If you have any specific things that you don't feel comfortable bringing up in this forum because you think they might be controversial please email me or any of the other SOFC members. This is a proposed amendment that had no suggestion to offset funding. This funding will come from the general set of funds and that would reduce the money available for spring budgeting. But this will not take into effect until the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
Amita Parashar, MAC: Before we vote on the proposal we want to open it up to discussion.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: This a recommendation to SOFC. I am in support of the proposal to increase the percentage to MCC. I do not feel comfortable to the overall increase in honorariums. I would suggest that the percentages be adjusted to the organizations with honorariums.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Just a clarification: this would only affect spring budgeting, not lectures funding or emergency funding. We love suggestions; this is the type of thing that other people will tell me. This is a type of forum where you can bring up these concerns.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: My question is for Amita. Several students put forward an overall review of honorariums. Rather than wait for an overall review can you speak for an immediate need?
Amita Parashar, MAC: We are going under the assumption that the SOFC constitution is the way that is. But if SOFC amends the entire honorarium process and they would have to change the amount again that would be fine.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I heard that there was some confusion in some of the house councils and I was hoping that the senators would address those concerns here in this open forum. If we don't hear the concerns there is no way for us to know any of those concerns.
[Ballots are handed out]
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I just want to preface a few things if you have any questions. We are going to vote on the amendment at hand. The procedure for amendments to the SOFC constitution has to go through SOFC. If everyone can pull out the slip from last week's presentation about how Amita brought forth this proposal. SOFC and myself are more than happy to suggest suggestions, ideas or concerns about this specific honorarium change and honorariums in general but tonight we are not here to discuss honorariums in general. SOFC is reviewing the SOFC constitution as it has been all year. We hope that this discussion has renewed an interest in the SOFC constitution and pinpointed areas that you think are a concern. I would put forth that these changes be practical and not be broad generalizations. If you have any specific things that you don't feel comfortable bringing up in this forum because you think they might be controversial please email me or any of the other SOFC members. This is a proposed amendment that had no suggestion to offset funding. This funding will come from the general set of funds and that would reduce the money available for spring budgeting. But this will not take into effect until the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
Amita Parashar, MAC: Before we vote on the proposal we want to open it up to discussion.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: This a recommendation to SOFC. I am in support of the proposal to increase the percentage to MCC. I do not feel comfortable to the overall increase in honorariums. I would suggest that the percentages be adjusted to the organizations with honorariums.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Just a clarification: this would only affect spring budgeting, not lectures funding or emergency funding. We love suggestions; this is the type of thing that other people will tell me. This is a type of forum where you can bring up these concerns.
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: My question is for Amita. Several students put forward an overall review of honorariums. Rather than wait for an overall review can you speak for an immediate need?
Amita Parashar, MAC: We are going under the assumption that the SOFC constitution is the way that is. But if SOFC amends the entire honorarium process and they would have to change the amount again that would be fine.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: I heard that there was some confusion in some of the house councils and I was hoping that the senators would address those concerns here in this open forum. If we don't hear the concerns there is no way for us to know any of those concerns.
[Ballots are handed out]
III. New Business
A. CG Elections (Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair)
Lindsey Boylan, CG President: Next will the CPLA Chair, Sophie Kim, please approach the podium to discuss CG Elections?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: As Lindsey and I came before you a couple weeks ago announcing to you the election news, I am back here today to announce that elections begin tomorrow night at 12:01 am. The first years are in for quite a treat. We also have a lot of candidates running for positions. You have an opportunity to read all of the statements of intent. I also wanted to highlight that Thursday March 30 an elections Q&A conference will pop up on each of the students' desktop to ask each of the candidates questions. So as voters you have a unique opportunity to speak with all of the candidates. It will remain on your desktop until Monday April 3rd. On Thursday March 30th we will have the Ethos Debate. Then on Saturday we have the college-wide campus debate. These are dates that were printed in the news. The last thing I want to mention is absentee ballots. If there are any constituents that will not be there on the day they must request their ballots by the end of this week. For commuter students or anyone who will be off campus, please ask them to request the ballot. Last year we had close to 70% in voter turnout.
Catherine Lee, Student at Large: I was wondering what the difference of the Ethos debate and general debate would be.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: They take a different character each year. They do not focus on one particular issue. Different issues come up each year. This year we actually have three debates. We will have an east-side debate. But none of them have set deadlines.
Catherine Day, Chief Justice: Just a question about study abroad students - will the absentee ballots target students that are abroad?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: Yes that was the intention of the absentee ballots.
Roopal Rushabh Mehta, Davis Scholar: Are these debates going to be publicized or even televised?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: That is a great idea but unfortunately this year we do not have that opportunity
Shelly C. Anand, CG Secretary: Can you talk about the Senators' responsibility?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: Yes. On Election Day the senators are required to sign up for a total of one hour to man the election table. We do encourage you to sign up for two consecutive two hour slots. This is really important and we depend on the senators to help out with this.
Mariel Dela Cruz, College Democrats: Can you repeat the procedure for how to get the absentee ballots?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: For sake of time I would like you to read the e-flyers that are going out.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: I was curious if in the past there had been online chats and more personal Q&A.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: That might be a good suggestion for next years' election committee because for the sake of time in the process I do not think we will be doing that.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: As Lindsey and I came before you a couple weeks ago announcing to you the election news, I am back here today to announce that elections begin tomorrow night at 12:01 am. The first years are in for quite a treat. We also have a lot of candidates running for positions. You have an opportunity to read all of the statements of intent. I also wanted to highlight that Thursday March 30 an elections Q&A conference will pop up on each of the students' desktop to ask each of the candidates questions. So as voters you have a unique opportunity to speak with all of the candidates. It will remain on your desktop until Monday April 3rd. On Thursday March 30th we will have the Ethos Debate. Then on Saturday we have the college-wide campus debate. These are dates that were printed in the news. The last thing I want to mention is absentee ballots. If there are any constituents that will not be there on the day they must request their ballots by the end of this week. For commuter students or anyone who will be off campus, please ask them to request the ballot. Last year we had close to 70% in voter turnout.
Catherine Lee, Student at Large: I was wondering what the difference of the Ethos debate and general debate would be.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: They take a different character each year. They do not focus on one particular issue. Different issues come up each year. This year we actually have three debates. We will have an east-side debate. But none of them have set deadlines.
Catherine Day, Chief Justice: Just a question about study abroad students - will the absentee ballots target students that are abroad?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: Yes that was the intention of the absentee ballots.
Roopal Rushabh Mehta, Davis Scholar: Are these debates going to be publicized or even televised?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: That is a great idea but unfortunately this year we do not have that opportunity
Shelly C. Anand, CG Secretary: Can you talk about the Senators' responsibility?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: Yes. On Election Day the senators are required to sign up for a total of one hour to man the election table. We do encourage you to sign up for two consecutive two hour slots. This is really important and we depend on the senators to help out with this.
Mariel Dela Cruz, College Democrats: Can you repeat the procedure for how to get the absentee ballots?
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: For sake of time I would like you to read the e-flyers that are going out.
Ashira Greene, Claflin: I was curious if in the past there had been online chats and more personal Q&A.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: That might be a good suggestion for next years' election committee because for the sake of time in the process I do not think we will be doing that.
B. SOAC Update (Michel Ballard, CG VP)
Lindsay Boylan, CGP: Will the CGVP, Michel Ballard, please approach the podium to give a SOAC Update.
Michel Ballard, CGVP: The week before spring break we talked about the students who interviewed for the peer search committee. Dean Shennan is in charge of the selection so I will let you know when those names are selected. The deadline for Pinanksi Prize has been extended until Wednesday. The positions are for three seniors: one science, one humanities and one social science. I don't have the names of the professors who are sitting on that committee. The conference is "PinanskiCommittee06;" please pass this to your constituency because it really is a great opportunity. The other thing I wanted to mention is that SOAC is doing a constitutional review and I wanted to make sure that anyone who has concerns to voice them to me. Please email me with more suggestions or stop by on Wednesday at the campus center. Also right after turnover there will be a lot of interviews.
Yang Qiu, Severance: The exciting spring reactivation has come! The electronic version has come out this year. If you see that please forward that to organizations so they can fill them out. The deadline is Tuesday April 18th. If they have any questions they contact any of the SOAC members.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: That is the end of the speakers' list. Does the speaker have any further clarifications?
Michel Ballard, CGVP: The week before spring break we talked about the students who interviewed for the peer search committee. Dean Shennan is in charge of the selection so I will let you know when those names are selected. The deadline for Pinanksi Prize has been extended until Wednesday. The positions are for three seniors: one science, one humanities and one social science. I don't have the names of the professors who are sitting on that committee. The conference is "PinanskiCommittee06;" please pass this to your constituency because it really is a great opportunity. The other thing I wanted to mention is that SOAC is doing a constitutional review and I wanted to make sure that anyone who has concerns to voice them to me. Please email me with more suggestions or stop by on Wednesday at the campus center. Also right after turnover there will be a lot of interviews.
Yang Qiu, Severance: The exciting spring reactivation has come! The electronic version has come out this year. If you see that please forward that to organizations so they can fill them out. The deadline is Tuesday April 18th. If they have any questions they contact any of the SOAC members.
Kelsey Contreras, Parliamentarian: That is the end of the speakers' list. Does the speaker have any further clarifications?
IV. Open Discussion
A. Dining Services Update (Phil Harty, Director of Dining Services)
Lindsay Boylan, CGP: And now, will Phil Harty, Director of Dining Services, please come forward to give a Dining Services Update and I think I see Linda Davey.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Sorry about coming in a little late. Thanks for having me. Lindsey asked us to come up and talk about dining services. This is as good a time as any. We wanted to be here for some questions and answers about dining services. I want to give you a little update about what we are working on. One of the reasons we are behind today is because we had a dining services advisory board meeting. We have a full agenda and are going through a lot of things. We have been talking more and more about the loss of china in the dining halls. There have been requests for different types of cereal in the dining halls. We also put in a new walk in Pomeroy and its up and running again by student vote. There has been a lot of conversation on community dinners and closing dining halls and how that works logistically. Some of the spring events and plans like Burger quest are coming along. Some of the heavier conversations we have been having is about meal plans and would it be appropriate to spend 11-12 years and are there different things that we could be addressing. We have also heard issues about health concerns. My job is basically to be the steward of the budget. I would propose another committee to talk about what is viable. Flex dollars has been another thing that we have been talking about. We have a real void with the theft. There was some 25000 plus dollars that was not at all part of the flex plan. It is really hard to pull all the data together. We are going to look at flex dollars and see how it comes out at the end of the year. At the end of his year is everyone going to try to empty their balances. We are also discussing making the flex point available during spring break. We are also looking at wintersession as well. We are discussing this as a group. Dining options, we are looking at three areas:
1. Stone Davis as late night dining option. If you remember a year or so ago, one of the main concerns that Stone d would not turn into another Schneider. We are having a lot of pushback in discussion. Students feel like they should be allowed to take food out of there.
2. Campus center, there has been a lot of discussion about having a deli option and we do have plans in the process. We have to consider how late it will be open. I would suggest that it should be open until 10pm. The advisory board will be going out to have a better discussion.
3. Sustainable dining hall procedure with the company I work for with Wellesley College. The advisory board will be going out to talk about that. Everyone talks about it- can we do that there at Wellesley College? How would that be structured and what would be the implications to see what that would do. Maybe start out with one dining hall. I am on a committee with the company I work with and we are looking at getting food from the local farmers. We have a busy agenda. So basically that is what is going on dining services right now.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Quick question about how earlier last semester we talked about the money lost by the sushi chefs by the theft. Is it any better this semester, are we helping it out?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: We actually paid that off. We knew that they would not provide sushi. We were losing 10-15 boxes a day. But this has dropped dramatically. They have liability now. If it gets above 10 per day they are out. It has been between 4-6.
Rebecca Kapler, OMHA: Several constituents are celiac and are therefore unable to eat a lot of the food in the dining hall but they are still paying for it. Who should they contact about that?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Definitely contact Jim Wice. This is something we continue to work on.
Megan Aebi, Freeman: A lot of the students on the eastside have trouble getting to the campus center from the eastside and therefore have a lot of money on their card. I understand the concern of over drawing but we don't want to waste our money.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: So far there has not been another plan so I would ask them what we can do differently to get them to the campus center. The campus center is not a meal plan options so they are hopefully still consuming all their meals. Tuesday we had a make your own pizza. We would hope that on the weekend when there are a lot activities they would go over there.
Sabina Khan, McAfee: There have been many posts on community about complaints about the quality of food. Also there have been students who have heard from chefs that they cannot believe that they are being forced to make this, they would not eat this themselves.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I haven't heard a lot of the complaints. We did analyze the posts on community. There were about 250 posts from the same 70 students- so there was obviously alot of repeat. Caz seemed to have the most concerns. This stands because the quad has the oldest of the facilities and the staff is challenged to use the equipment. I would relate a lot of this to training and changes that we have had over the last semester. We just relocated the executive chef over to Caz. Cindy is working on training the culinary staff on working to make the food appropriately. A lot of what has happened is that we have gone back to bulk preparations. We are going to relate it to training not to the quality of food. Random means size. This is a term that we actually use. We buy whole products, not processed food. If you buy a larger piece of beef and you are not cutting it the right way that hardens the process. It think it boils down to training and would be surprised it you did not see a large change.
Anita Yip, WEED: My constituents would like to know what are you doing to reduce waste and recycling.
Linda Davey, Dining Services: I am on the sustainability committee. We just started a recycle program in Pomeroy and see how that goes before we go across campus. The main problem is space.
Ashira Greene, Claflin I wanted to thank you for having a convenience store and ask about the change from fresh chicken to the old Schneider model. If we got the deli option- would it be possible to have chicken sandwiches.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Hot or cold chicken sandwiches? It would be difficult to have hot chicken sandwiches. Any student can order the kind of sandwich that they want and we would have preprepared sandwiches from the specials of the day. It would be wise to have some premade. Yes, we have looked at the menu and there is no reason why we can't have them.
Melanie Carter, McAfee: There has been some general dissatisfaction with the food in the Wang. There has also been some concern that there should be breakfast in the Wang because breakfast on weekends is not available until 10:30 am.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: A lot of this is education and understanding the process that we are going through. I have not heard any complaints about he quality of food in the campus center. Breakfast is not something that we have looked at. But we are serving breakfast this summer with the idea of opening this deli. There would be griddle to produce breakfast. Doing breakfast at the campus center would be a real challenge. I would suggest bringing that to the advisory board. I can only bring that to the next level.
Daria Axelrod, Claflin: Some of constituents have been talking about six dining halls for 2500 hundred students might be a bit too much. Has there been any discussion about closing down one of the dining halls and expanding one of the other dining halls.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I can see a strong reason for keeping these dining halls because it is a large part of the culture here and students here are really concerned with keeping these halls. It's a matter of convenience as well.
Corina Morris, Fusion: What sort of vendors is the college working with- can we work with Pizza Hut and other vendors - would they eat up the cost?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I do not know what the financial implications would be but I do know that the board did not want to have brands like that come here on campus. We would not have the same flexibility.
Yael Gafni, Pomeroy: Pomeroy is a kosher dining hall and students are concerned that there are not kosher products in the Convenience store or in the campus center.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: There are actually a lot of kosher products in the convenience store but it would be a problem in the deli. The products in the center might not be well labeled.
Colleen: Would the committee look at extending convenience store hours?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: No we are not looking into that. That would require staffing changes. That is inline with the coffee stop.
Colleen: Would you consider that?
Mona Minkara, Al-Muslimat: Many of constituents are concerned about having hallal meat.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Yes every Wednesday night in Caz is supposed to have hallal meat. It is a specialty product and there are some vendors in the Boston area that provide it but we have to make sure that they provide it. I see that as one of the options with looking at meal plans.
Kristen Jochems, Stone Davis Senator: Some the complaints I have heard from Stone-D is that students during lunch can take out the food but they can't during after hours because of an overcrowding issue.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Well technically they cannot take it out at either time. They should not leave if at all possible. In the evening we have a checker there. Is it a double standard, well it's a complicated issue. The problem with Stone-D is the round tables. We would not want to ruin the formal dining experience. It's kind of a Catch 22 situation.
Roopla Mehta, Davis Scholars: One of the biggest concerns is the recycling of food particularly with the salad bar. The salad bar at times has rotten tomatoes. At the same time you want to look at what is being served.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I am not aware of any rotten tomatoes. I have seen questionable product because of refrigeration. There is a dedicated salad bar person there. The job is to restock and to look at the product. To address any issues please use the dining services advisory board. I look to them for thoughts and ideas and how to address certain situations. They are trying to resolve some of the rumor mills that come up on Community.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Sorry about coming in a little late. Thanks for having me. Lindsey asked us to come up and talk about dining services. This is as good a time as any. We wanted to be here for some questions and answers about dining services. I want to give you a little update about what we are working on. One of the reasons we are behind today is because we had a dining services advisory board meeting. We have a full agenda and are going through a lot of things. We have been talking more and more about the loss of china in the dining halls. There have been requests for different types of cereal in the dining halls. We also put in a new walk in Pomeroy and its up and running again by student vote. There has been a lot of conversation on community dinners and closing dining halls and how that works logistically. Some of the spring events and plans like Burger quest are coming along. Some of the heavier conversations we have been having is about meal plans and would it be appropriate to spend 11-12 years and are there different things that we could be addressing. We have also heard issues about health concerns. My job is basically to be the steward of the budget. I would propose another committee to talk about what is viable. Flex dollars has been another thing that we have been talking about. We have a real void with the theft. There was some 25000 plus dollars that was not at all part of the flex plan. It is really hard to pull all the data together. We are going to look at flex dollars and see how it comes out at the end of the year. At the end of his year is everyone going to try to empty their balances. We are also discussing making the flex point available during spring break. We are also looking at wintersession as well. We are discussing this as a group. Dining options, we are looking at three areas:
1. Stone Davis as late night dining option. If you remember a year or so ago, one of the main concerns that Stone d would not turn into another Schneider. We are having a lot of pushback in discussion. Students feel like they should be allowed to take food out of there.
2. Campus center, there has been a lot of discussion about having a deli option and we do have plans in the process. We have to consider how late it will be open. I would suggest that it should be open until 10pm. The advisory board will be going out to have a better discussion.
3. Sustainable dining hall procedure with the company I work for with Wellesley College. The advisory board will be going out to talk about that. Everyone talks about it- can we do that there at Wellesley College? How would that be structured and what would be the implications to see what that would do. Maybe start out with one dining hall. I am on a committee with the company I work with and we are looking at getting food from the local farmers. We have a busy agenda. So basically that is what is going on dining services right now.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: Quick question about how earlier last semester we talked about the money lost by the sushi chefs by the theft. Is it any better this semester, are we helping it out?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: We actually paid that off. We knew that they would not provide sushi. We were losing 10-15 boxes a day. But this has dropped dramatically. They have liability now. If it gets above 10 per day they are out. It has been between 4-6.
Rebecca Kapler, OMHA: Several constituents are celiac and are therefore unable to eat a lot of the food in the dining hall but they are still paying for it. Who should they contact about that?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Definitely contact Jim Wice. This is something we continue to work on.
Megan Aebi, Freeman: A lot of the students on the eastside have trouble getting to the campus center from the eastside and therefore have a lot of money on their card. I understand the concern of over drawing but we don't want to waste our money.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: So far there has not been another plan so I would ask them what we can do differently to get them to the campus center. The campus center is not a meal plan options so they are hopefully still consuming all their meals. Tuesday we had a make your own pizza. We would hope that on the weekend when there are a lot activities they would go over there.
Sabina Khan, McAfee: There have been many posts on community about complaints about the quality of food. Also there have been students who have heard from chefs that they cannot believe that they are being forced to make this, they would not eat this themselves.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I haven't heard a lot of the complaints. We did analyze the posts on community. There were about 250 posts from the same 70 students- so there was obviously alot of repeat. Caz seemed to have the most concerns. This stands because the quad has the oldest of the facilities and the staff is challenged to use the equipment. I would relate a lot of this to training and changes that we have had over the last semester. We just relocated the executive chef over to Caz. Cindy is working on training the culinary staff on working to make the food appropriately. A lot of what has happened is that we have gone back to bulk preparations. We are going to relate it to training not to the quality of food. Random means size. This is a term that we actually use. We buy whole products, not processed food. If you buy a larger piece of beef and you are not cutting it the right way that hardens the process. It think it boils down to training and would be surprised it you did not see a large change.
Anita Yip, WEED: My constituents would like to know what are you doing to reduce waste and recycling.
Linda Davey, Dining Services: I am on the sustainability committee. We just started a recycle program in Pomeroy and see how that goes before we go across campus. The main problem is space.
Ashira Greene, Claflin I wanted to thank you for having a convenience store and ask about the change from fresh chicken to the old Schneider model. If we got the deli option- would it be possible to have chicken sandwiches.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Hot or cold chicken sandwiches? It would be difficult to have hot chicken sandwiches. Any student can order the kind of sandwich that they want and we would have preprepared sandwiches from the specials of the day. It would be wise to have some premade. Yes, we have looked at the menu and there is no reason why we can't have them.
Melanie Carter, McAfee: There has been some general dissatisfaction with the food in the Wang. There has also been some concern that there should be breakfast in the Wang because breakfast on weekends is not available until 10:30 am.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: A lot of this is education and understanding the process that we are going through. I have not heard any complaints about he quality of food in the campus center. Breakfast is not something that we have looked at. But we are serving breakfast this summer with the idea of opening this deli. There would be griddle to produce breakfast. Doing breakfast at the campus center would be a real challenge. I would suggest bringing that to the advisory board. I can only bring that to the next level.
Daria Axelrod, Claflin: Some of constituents have been talking about six dining halls for 2500 hundred students might be a bit too much. Has there been any discussion about closing down one of the dining halls and expanding one of the other dining halls.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I can see a strong reason for keeping these dining halls because it is a large part of the culture here and students here are really concerned with keeping these halls. It's a matter of convenience as well.
Corina Morris, Fusion: What sort of vendors is the college working with- can we work with Pizza Hut and other vendors - would they eat up the cost?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I do not know what the financial implications would be but I do know that the board did not want to have brands like that come here on campus. We would not have the same flexibility.
Yael Gafni, Pomeroy: Pomeroy is a kosher dining hall and students are concerned that there are not kosher products in the Convenience store or in the campus center.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: There are actually a lot of kosher products in the convenience store but it would be a problem in the deli. The products in the center might not be well labeled.
Colleen: Would the committee look at extending convenience store hours?
Phil Harty, Dining Services: No we are not looking into that. That would require staffing changes. That is inline with the coffee stop.
Colleen: Would you consider that?
Mona Minkara, Al-Muslimat: Many of constituents are concerned about having hallal meat.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Yes every Wednesday night in Caz is supposed to have hallal meat. It is a specialty product and there are some vendors in the Boston area that provide it but we have to make sure that they provide it. I see that as one of the options with looking at meal plans.
Kristen Jochems, Stone Davis Senator: Some the complaints I have heard from Stone-D is that students during lunch can take out the food but they can't during after hours because of an overcrowding issue.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: Well technically they cannot take it out at either time. They should not leave if at all possible. In the evening we have a checker there. Is it a double standard, well it's a complicated issue. The problem with Stone-D is the round tables. We would not want to ruin the formal dining experience. It's kind of a Catch 22 situation.
Roopla Mehta, Davis Scholars: One of the biggest concerns is the recycling of food particularly with the salad bar. The salad bar at times has rotten tomatoes. At the same time you want to look at what is being served.
Phil Harty, Dining Services: I am not aware of any rotten tomatoes. I have seen questionable product because of refrigeration. There is a dedicated salad bar person there. The job is to restock and to look at the product. To address any issues please use the dining services advisory board. I look to them for thoughts and ideas and how to address certain situations. They are trying to resolve some of the rumor mills that come up on Community.
B. Disbanding of the Adhoc (Sophia Nicholas and Sophie Kim)
Lindsay Boylan, CG President: Will Sophia Nicholas and Sophie Kim please approach the podium to discuss the disbanding of their adhoc.
Sophia Nicholas, presenter: Sophie and I came to you in October to talk to you about the High School teacher award ad-hoc. We have not been able to get it done this year so we are going to disband it. First we talked to President Walsh about it and she wasn't really interested in this idea in particular. She wanted to do a program going towards an overall training of high school teachers which was not what we were looking at.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: At times you realize that what you set out to do is greater than what is institutionally available. But we are confident that this initiative will happen in the future because the dialogue has begun. For this year, though, this is not possible.
Sophia Nicholas, presenter: Also, on a side note, I plan on writing to my high school teachers to thank them. You don't need an institutional backing for that.
Sophia Nicholas, presenter: Sophie and I came to you in October to talk to you about the High School teacher award ad-hoc. We have not been able to get it done this year so we are going to disband it. First we talked to President Walsh about it and she wasn't really interested in this idea in particular. She wanted to do a program going towards an overall training of high school teachers which was not what we were looking at.
Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair: At times you realize that what you set out to do is greater than what is institutionally available. But we are confident that this initiative will happen in the future because the dialogue has begun. For this year, though, this is not possible.
Sophia Nicholas, presenter: Also, on a side note, I plan on writing to my high school teachers to thank them. You don't need an institutional backing for that.
C. Community Bike Initiative (Anita Yip, WEED Senator)
Lindsay Boylan, CG President: Will WEED Senator, Anita Yip, please approach the podium to discuss the Community Bike Initiative.
Anita Yip, WEED Senator: We are dedicated to promoting the use of bikes on campus. We are hoping to have something like a fun ride on campus. Campus police will be leading the ride around campus. The second event is on April 22nd. We are planning to have four mechanics to come to campus to do bike tune-ups. The only caveat is that if bikes need extra work you will have to pay for that separately. I want to give you an update and recap. We are also trying to launch this community bike program in the fall of next year. Bikes will be painted in bright colors to show that it is a community bike. It will be free to borrow bikes. The rider will be required to wear a helmet. CBI has recently met with reps from the Keohane sports center. At present, we do not have information on logistics yet. We are thinking about various accessories such as bike pumps to be available to the Wellesley College community. If anyone has suggestions please send them to community bikes conference.
Shelly Anand, CG Secretary/Treasurer: I have a suggestion. Could we have bells or horns too?
Anita Yip, WEED Senator: Sure.
Anita Yip, WEED Senator: We are dedicated to promoting the use of bikes on campus. We are hoping to have something like a fun ride on campus. Campus police will be leading the ride around campus. The second event is on April 22nd. We are planning to have four mechanics to come to campus to do bike tune-ups. The only caveat is that if bikes need extra work you will have to pay for that separately. I want to give you an update and recap. We are also trying to launch this community bike program in the fall of next year. Bikes will be painted in bright colors to show that it is a community bike. It will be free to borrow bikes. The rider will be required to wear a helmet. CBI has recently met with reps from the Keohane sports center. At present, we do not have information on logistics yet. We are thinking about various accessories such as bike pumps to be available to the Wellesley College community. If anyone has suggestions please send them to community bikes conference.
Shelly Anand, CG Secretary/Treasurer: I have a suggestion. Could we have bells or horns too?
Anita Yip, WEED Senator: Sure.
D. Academic Council Representatives (Rakeen Mabud, Victoria Voight, Carly Fair, Yang Qiu)
Lindsey Boylan, CG President: Will representatives to the Academic Council, Rakeen Mabud, Victoria Voight, Carly Fair, and Yang Qiu, please approach the podium to give an Academic Council update.
Rakeen Mabud: I'll talk about what President Walsh talked about. The speaker for graduation is Ophelia Dahl, a Wellesley Davis scholar alum. Diana also talked about Shelby Davis of the Davis Family who is paying full tuition to students form the United World College Program. We are one of the first colleges to be implemented in this program.
Victoria Voight: Implementation of the new merit system will occur at the end of the 3 year cycle, of which we are currently in the second year. Also, the search for new PERA director is still happening.
Yang Qiu: Tom Burke did an update for election results. There was 60% voting return.
Carly Fair: Adele Wolfson talked about the curriculum for the 2006-2007 school year. There are 86 new courses and 50 are for real new courses and the rest are just new topics for courses. There were 23 courses withdrawn and 54 temporarily removed. There will continue to be changes that will continue to be added to the addendums.
Rakeen Mabud: I'll talk about what President Walsh talked about. The speaker for graduation is Ophelia Dahl, a Wellesley Davis scholar alum. Diana also talked about Shelby Davis of the Davis Family who is paying full tuition to students form the United World College Program. We are one of the first colleges to be implemented in this program.
Victoria Voight: Implementation of the new merit system will occur at the end of the 3 year cycle, of which we are currently in the second year. Also, the search for new PERA director is still happening.
Yang Qiu: Tom Burke did an update for election results. There was 60% voting return.
Carly Fair: Adele Wolfson talked about the curriculum for the 2006-2007 school year. There are 86 new courses and 50 are for real new courses and the rest are just new topics for courses. There were 23 courses withdrawn and 54 temporarily removed. There will continue to be changes that will continue to be added to the addendums.
E. Student reps to the Finance Committee (Daria Axelrod, Nadine Abraham)
Nadine Abraham: The finance committee meets three times annually and we look at the long term financial stability for Wellesley College. There are several areas and duties that we look at:
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: Nadine you mentioned unrestricted bequests, can you explain that to some people here?
Nadine Abraham: Unrestricted bequests are for the endowment and are bequests of money given by deceased alumnae and thus it is hard to know when they will give their donations.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: The increasing cost of attending a higher institution is something that is discussed in the media. Is this something discussed at the meeting?
Daria Axelrod: Yes it was discussed at the winter meeting, but neither of us were there because we were at the same internship.
1. Endowment spending policy
2. Setting the tuition
3. Annual budget
4. Debt policy at Wellesley College
5. Use of unrestricted bequests
6. Impact of financial aid
7. Compensation for staff
8. Strategic plans
9. Charter
Daria Axelrod: Our role is unique because we are actually full voting members. But we don't typically make the decision on our own. An interesting tidbit about the trustees committee is that votes are taken at a yay or nay. The other thing is that the trustees are really nervous and are really talking about sustainability issues. This is just a reminder to keep those lights off.
2. Setting the tuition
3. Annual budget
4. Debt policy at Wellesley College
5. Use of unrestricted bequests
6. Impact of financial aid
7. Compensation for staff
8. Strategic plans
9. Charter
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: Nadine you mentioned unrestricted bequests, can you explain that to some people here?
Nadine Abraham: Unrestricted bequests are for the endowment and are bequests of money given by deceased alumnae and thus it is hard to know when they will give their donations.
Cortni Jones, Student Bursar: The increasing cost of attending a higher institution is something that is discussed in the media. Is this something discussed at the meeting?
Daria Axelrod: Yes it was discussed at the winter meeting, but neither of us were there because we were at the same internship.
F. Dyke Ball (Sara Farber, Judah Dorrington)
Lindsey Boylan, CGP: Next we have Sara Farber and Judah Dorrington to talk about Dyke Ball.
Sara Farber: So far we have a 100% approval from our deans for the new Dyke Ball. It was Spectrum that wanted to change the event. Dyke Ball was started as a queer prom. The growth of the party showed that it was moving away from this. The event was preticketed and the tickets will be given in email receipt form. The event will be in Tishman Commons and Alumnae Ballroom. There will be dj's and sound systems in both locations. The main goal behind this event is that we want this to be a safe space and a queer-oriented space. Due to the limited size we want to make it as queer-oriented as possible. We have a drag show and VIP preparty. We want to have alcohol programming in the pub before the event. House Councils and Catherine Collins will be making provisions to make this a successful safe event. Dean Kim has also organized a band to rent tuxedos and go to the Garment District.
Judah Dorrington: We really want to try to get people over to the event. Instead of just partying in your room, we think you can have a better time at the party. We are going to have a magnificent drag show and an 8-piece woman's band. Also the dress code is important. We really want creative black tie. We are trying to change this back to the event that it was. You don't have to wear lingerie. We want to have a swanky kind of event. When you talk to people in your House Councils, let them know that. With the atmosphere and the theme of Moulin Rouge, we are really trying to give it some spirit.
Melanie Carter, McAfee: My constituents really applaud your efforts to bring it back, but there have been rumors that it is full.
Sara Farber: That is correct, we have 1000 slots and we got 994 RSVPs.
Judah Dorrington: There have been several policy changes to the event. If you know people that want to give up their spot, that is possible too.
Colleen Hammard: Are there any safe spaces between Tishman and Alumnae?
Sara Farber: There will be campus police in between and we will have a path underneath so no one can really see us. Also this has not been advertised off campus.
Dean Kim Goff-Crews: Do you still need volunteers?
Sara Farber: Yes!
Ashira Greene, Claflin: Can you discuss what you mean by "safe space"?
Sara Farber: Yes, there is no photography, no gawking or staring. We want to make the event to be as comfortable as possible.
Kellye Steindel, Shafer: Can you explain the policy towards guests?
Sara Farber: There will be no off-campus guests.
Judah Dorrington: We started out having this event for maybe 500 people. We decided that Wellesley should come first so it ended up being all Wellesley.
Dean Michelle Lepore: If there are reporters on campus, you never have to answer their questions. Mary Ann Hill is a resource on campus. You can talk to someone in the office on that.
Rebecca Kapler, OMHA: If you have suggestions especially after the event about what worked and what didn't work, let us know.
Judah Dorrington: Also the DJ will be taking playlists.
Dean Kim Goff-Crews: I am really happy that Spectrum is doing this and I'm excited about going shopping! We are having our first softball game this weekend. Tomorrow I will be in Punch's Alley to talk about the moratorium on parties. I will be there at 8pm. You should know that as a result of the other talkbacks we are working a lot of the suggestions. We came up with a recent report and gave it to the Wellesley News and they will be doing an article on that. Wednesday we are going to Garment District to go shopping.
Sara Farber: So far we have a 100% approval from our deans for the new Dyke Ball. It was Spectrum that wanted to change the event. Dyke Ball was started as a queer prom. The growth of the party showed that it was moving away from this. The event was preticketed and the tickets will be given in email receipt form. The event will be in Tishman Commons and Alumnae Ballroom. There will be dj's and sound systems in both locations. The main goal behind this event is that we want this to be a safe space and a queer-oriented space. Due to the limited size we want to make it as queer-oriented as possible. We have a drag show and VIP preparty. We want to have alcohol programming in the pub before the event. House Councils and Catherine Collins will be making provisions to make this a successful safe event. Dean Kim has also organized a band to rent tuxedos and go to the Garment District.
Judah Dorrington: We really want to try to get people over to the event. Instead of just partying in your room, we think you can have a better time at the party. We are going to have a magnificent drag show and an 8-piece woman's band. Also the dress code is important. We really want creative black tie. We are trying to change this back to the event that it was. You don't have to wear lingerie. We want to have a swanky kind of event. When you talk to people in your House Councils, let them know that. With the atmosphere and the theme of Moulin Rouge, we are really trying to give it some spirit.
Melanie Carter, McAfee: My constituents really applaud your efforts to bring it back, but there have been rumors that it is full.
Sara Farber: That is correct, we have 1000 slots and we got 994 RSVPs.
Judah Dorrington: There have been several policy changes to the event. If you know people that want to give up their spot, that is possible too.
Colleen Hammard: Are there any safe spaces between Tishman and Alumnae?
Sara Farber: There will be campus police in between and we will have a path underneath so no one can really see us. Also this has not been advertised off campus.
Dean Kim Goff-Crews: Do you still need volunteers?
Sara Farber: Yes!
Ashira Greene, Claflin: Can you discuss what you mean by "safe space"?
Sara Farber: Yes, there is no photography, no gawking or staring. We want to make the event to be as comfortable as possible.
Kellye Steindel, Shafer: Can you explain the policy towards guests?
Sara Farber: There will be no off-campus guests.
Judah Dorrington: We started out having this event for maybe 500 people. We decided that Wellesley should come first so it ended up being all Wellesley.
Dean Michelle Lepore: If there are reporters on campus, you never have to answer their questions. Mary Ann Hill is a resource on campus. You can talk to someone in the office on that.
Rebecca Kapler, OMHA: If you have suggestions especially after the event about what worked and what didn't work, let us know.
Judah Dorrington: Also the DJ will be taking playlists.
Dean Kim Goff-Crews: I am really happy that Spectrum is doing this and I'm excited about going shopping! We are having our first softball game this weekend. Tomorrow I will be in Punch's Alley to talk about the moratorium on parties. I will be there at 8pm. You should know that as a result of the other talkbacks we are working a lot of the suggestions. We came up with a recent report and gave it to the Wellesley News and they will be doing an article on that. Wednesday we are going to Garment District to go shopping.
F. Killer Coke Campaign (Felice Espiritu, Anita Yip)
[See attachment]
V. Dean of Students' Corner
A. Deans Kim Goff-Crews and Michelle Lepore
VI. Beyond the Bubble (Sophie Kim, CPLA Chair)
A. No Legal Rights for Enemy Combatants, Scalia Says. 'War Is War,' Justice Tells Audience
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia reportedly told an overseas audience this month that the Constitution does not protect foreigners held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The comments came just weeks before the justices are to take up an appeal from a detainee at Guantanamo Bay. The court will hear arguments tomorrow on Salim Ahmed Hamdan's assertion that President Bush overstepped his constitutional authority in ordering a military trial for the former driver of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Hamdan has been held at the prison for nearly four years.
The comments came just weeks before the justices are to take up an appeal from a detainee at Guantanamo Bay. The court will hear arguments tomorrow on Salim Ahmed Hamdan's assertion that President Bush overstepped his constitutional authority in ordering a military trial for the former driver of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Hamdan has been held at the prison for nearly four years.
B. Moussaoui Testifies Over Attorneys' Objections
Zacarias Moussaoui testified in an Alexandria courtroom this morning that he was tapped by Osama bin Laden to hijack a plane and fly it into the White House as part of the terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
Moussaoui was arrested a few weeks before the attacks for immigration violations, and eventually charged as an al-Qaeda co-conspirator. He pleaded guilty last April, and is on trial to determine whether he should be executed for his role.
Moussaoui was arrested a few weeks before the attacks for immigration violations, and eventually charged as an al-Qaeda co-conspirator. He pleaded guilty last April, and is on trial to determine whether he should be executed for his role.
C. Scores Die as Iraq Suffers Another Bloody Day
A bombing, a raid and the discovery of at least a dozen more bodies near Baghdad all mark a particularly bloody day in Iraq. More than 80 people have been reported killed in sectarian violence over the past 24 hours. That includes at least 16 Iraqis killed in a U.S.-backed raid in a Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad.
D. Graceland Designated a National Landmark
The home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll joined the homes of presidents past and present in becoming a National Historic Landmark Monday.
Graceland, where Elvis Presley died in 1977, joins the White House, Mount Vernon and Monticello in receiving the country's highest designation for historic properties.
Graceland, where Elvis Presley died in 1977, joins the White House, Mount Vernon and Monticello in receiving the country's highest designation for historic properties.
E. On this day: March 27
1958: Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet premier in addition to First Secretary of the Communist Party.
VII. Cabinet Announcements
VIII. Adjourn
