General Assembly
Minutes from February 1st, 2006
Download Word File: Minutes 02/01/06
General Assembly Meeting
February 1st, 2006
Johnson 200
Notes by Kenna Cottrill
Matt Kuzio welcomed everyone to the official student forum. The General Assembly is a place for students to bring up issues and policy change. The General Assembly recognizes that the student body is one of many forums that form the community. This is a forum for students to work with other students and administrators. Kara Abelson is not present due to her comps course. Additionally, GA Meetings will be moved to Thursday night for the duration of Kara’s class.
Matt started the meeting without an official quorum, since the first agenda item did not require any voting, only receiving information. The meeting was officially called to order at 5:45 PM.
1. Presidential Search Committee
Stephanie Mami and Brett Safford are the student representatives on the Presidential Search Committee. The committee has narrowed down the candidates to 8 and is going to begin more extensive interviewing in the coming weeks. They are here to ask the students their opinion on the next president.
Stephanie noted that the committee itself does not choose the candidate. They present the final top 3 list of candidates to the Board of Trustees, unranked, and the Trustees will make the final decision.
Brett noted that there are a lot of important issues to consider and that every student should have a voice, which is why they have prepared the questions.
1. What do you feel is a president’s responsibility to students? To the College?
Caroline Kim wanted clarification about whether there is any dialogue between Committee and Board of Trustees to define the qualities you are looking for?
Brett reminded them that the Committee would present the Trustees with the final three candidates. There are Board of Trustees members on committee. The Committee will also be able to debrief the Board on what they saw, so the Board will be very well informed. Stephanie noted that students, faculty, alumni, parents, and Board members are serving on the committee and are bringing views of their constituencies. The Committee has interactions with Board members and can speak with the Board on what is presented to them.
There were no other comments about this question.
2. What should the top priorities be for an incoming president?
Caroline Kim said the 18 point plan or Mission Initiatives should be a top priority. The President should briefed on progress that has done and what progress is still needed. She would also like to see the President committed to the work, and committed to putting in more time and energy to that end.
Rachel Johnson wants the President to have a plan of action that they are able to articulate clearly to the student body. Brett wondered if she wanted anything specific in that plan such as things she would want changed. Rachel noted that she is personally invested in Mission Initiatives. She also would want the business aspect of the college to be clear, especially regarding tuition issues.
Stephan van der Mersch noted that he senses that the college has lost focus. Oxy needs another vision to pursue. He wants the President to be very clear of what they want to accomplish in 10 years.
Karen Calderon noted that she really enjoys it when President Chan and Dean Avery sit in the quad. She would like the President to sit in quad when they have the opportunity. She would like to have the time to personally talk with that person and not have to go through so much to get to that individual. Brett clarified that she was looking for a personal touch. Karen thinks it’s efficient to have them in the quad. Students can have the personal contact and interactions that will further the process of building community, and build friendship/connection.
Caroline Kim noted that she is on the Campus Retention Committee and that there are some serious retention issues. She would want the President to have a plan or make a plan to increase the retention rate at Oxy. She noted that this is both in the best interests of students and of the college. In order to make Oxy more competitive, retention must be TOP priority.
3. How much of a concern do students have with the president’s academic record?
Eleni Polakoff noted that there is some concern. The President’s top priority should be students and the current college community. They should be able to work with all students and build a bridge between students/faculty/staff. If they are coming from a totally different field, they may not be able to do that.
Stephan van der Mersch believes that the upper administration is in chaos right now. The President should have a strong administrative background to help with the chaos. There is some “weird stuff going on up there.” Oxy has the challenge of maintaining tight knit community in large city, and the President should be able to foster community and should have experience with small college, because it is different than a large college.
Rachel Johnson would like the President to have experience working with diverse groups of people, both in classes and in administration because diversity is the face of the college.
Ali Raymond felt that it could be beneficial if the President had worked at comparison school since Oxy is constantly striving toward comparison schools standards. Experience in a small private liberal arts college could be beneficial.
Stephanie Mami asked if the students cared where this person went to school.
Eleni Polakoff did not think this was a huge concern. She thought that students would not mind someone coming from a less well known school, Oxy strives to ignore that kind of thing, and look beyond the labels. Students came to Oxy because they were not looking for an Ivy League school.
Rachel Johnson thinks that experience matters more than academic record. She wanted someone who could teach classes.
Midori Nikura noted that this person should be able to do a lot of fundraising because that is important to Oxy. This President should have past experience in successful fundraising.
4. Where do you see Oxy in 5-10 years and what role does the President play in getting the institution to that point?
Eleni Polakoff would want a President to be here for 5-10 years or more. She would not want a president who saw this as a stepping stone to be USC’s president. She would want the person here for the long term. She felt that it was important to get a good president and having that person stay for a long time.
Amy Laslett wanted someone who understood the Master plan and building changes. She wants someone who can keep the students connected with changes on campus and community around us. She felt it was important for the president to continue to build community relations.
Rozell Hodges returned to question 3, he would want to examine how long a candidate has worked at other places, to help determine how long they would stay here. What is the length of career so far at each institution and what could be reasonably expected here.
Stephan van der Mersch noted that DWA is biggest major on campus but has just a quarter of professors as Econmics. He feels that DWA is a major recruiting point for Oxy, and there is a real opportunity to turn it into an institute. Oxy could have a top 5 program, which would allow it to compete with Ivy League schools. This could be good for fundraising and good for students.
Maddie Knaup felt that Oxy has been steadily getting more competitive, which is a good direction for Oxy to go in. The College is prestigious and the President would have this on their shoulders—a growing college that is becoming more popular.
Rozell Hodges noted that what’s important is not necessarily what you know but who you know. He would want this person to have a strong political base, which would connect to making the DWA major a top program.
Eleni Polakoff focused on prestige. She wants the President to focus on retention, and valuing the prestige of those who graduate, rather than focusing solely on those who come in. The College should focus on who we turn out, not prestige based on SAT scores. She thinks that the College should look at other potentials of students.
Caroline Kim noted that there are other departments that need funding and attention. There have been no endowments of over $1 million in decades. If Oxy is going to be more competitive, it needs president committed to raising endowments. She thinks that the College needs a newer, fresher vision, one that will make Oxy one of most competitive colleges in nation. She felt that experience in business would be important, with a focus on elevating Oxy academically as a whole.
Stephan van der Mersch feels that it was important to maintain a commitment to multicultural mission. It’s not enough to have someone who can interface and interact, the College needs someone with leadership. Stephan thought that the multicultural mission started under President John Slaughter, who provided strong leadership. The new President needs clear vision. Stephan also noted that there was difficulty with budget balancing during Slaughter’s presidency. He thinks it will be important to get a president with a business side and a multicultural vision.
Ali Raymond wants a president who will combat compartmentalizing everything, the tendency of making everything the responsibility of that department or the other. She wants someone who can tie the school together, who is committed and dedicated, and can take responsibility whether it’s his or hers or not.
Matt Kuzio wondered if the candidates were balanced—more business or more college experience?
Stephanie Mami said that there was a very diverse group of candidates. The search company was able to weed out those who were strongly one way or the other. The candidates will specialize in something and during the interviews, the committee will find out about the other side of the candidates.
Brett Safford noted that the key is that everyone has their strengths, and the candidates who are left have been successful at everything they’ve done. The committee will look at the candidates’ strengths, their ability to be adaptable, and their ideas for fixing Oxy’s unique issues.
Karen Calderon wondered if students would be able to meet the final candidates.
Brett Safford noted that the dates are set. During the week of February 20-28, three finalists will be visiting campus. Some are in good positions, but haven’t told their institutions that they are looking into this position, which means their visits could be confidential. Some candidates want to meet the students. Matt Kuzio noted that he will be pushing to get candidates at the GA. Brett continued, noting that some students will have opportunity to speak with the candidates. A few students will be chosen to meet with confidential candidates. Stephanie noted that student interaction is part of the on campus schedule.
5. How do you feel about president living on campus?
Maddie Knaup thinks it is needed since this is a small campus that is big on being a close knit community. She liked that the last president lived on campus.
Amy Laslett likes seeing them around all the time, not just during business hours. She likes seeing them at different events, which might not happen if they live far away.
Finn Keough thinks it’s important to be connected to community, so it’s not just about living on campus.
Midori Nikura noted that sometimes students feel they are trapped within Oxy bubble. She thinks it is important to have an outsider perspective. While a long commute would be hard, the President could still have good access to campus events if they lived somewhere close by.
Rozell Hodges noted that if the goal is to make Oxy a tighter community, then this question has no weight. He feels that Oxy needs the President here 24/7.
Amy Laslett noted that when she was a prospective student, seeing the President at mixers was something she saw nowhere else. It is a unique aspect of Oxy.
6) What are the critical challenges and opportunities that will face an incoming president?
Stephanie Mami noted that this question has been hit on this before with regards to the critical priorities.
Patrice hall noted that the College is losing a lot of great people, which is both a challenge and opportunity. The President will need to be able to network with new employees, and figure out what those people plan to do to make their positions stronger. People are still going to have questions and will need stability, so even if the President does not know the answers or wasn’t here when it all happened, they need to be able to show us that a better time is coming. They need to get in and get caught up quickly, have a plan to work with everyone on campus.
Stephanie Mami mentioned that many students will not be here once this person is in place. She wondered how can students who will leave still support the new President.
Stephan van der Mersch wondered if ,within the committee, any discussion was happening regarding the on-going administrative paralysis while waiting for the new president? About what was going on or what should be done about holding off on making decisions? He thought that this should be a discussion point for the committee.
7. What strengths and qualities do you want to see in a president?
Brett Safford clarified that they meant personal qualities. Would the students like someone like Ted Mitchell? How they would run their administration?
Karen Calderon wants someone who is engaging, has charisma, has the ability to motivate the people, can charm our students, faculty, and staff, and someone who feels welcome and warm. She does not want someone who is a puppet. She wants someone who can foster loving environment. She wants someone who students feel they can talk to without feeling intimidated. She also would want someone who is creative and confident. She noted that sometimes Oxy focuses on the old ways, and the College needs to think out of the box.
Rozell Hodges wondered what qualities the students would want that Ted Mitchell didn’t have? He thinks it’s important to look at past and see what to do with our future. He didn’t have an answer to his own question, but wanted to put it out there.
Matt Kuzio clarified that students could think about what they liked and didn’t like about Ted.
Caroline Kim appreciated seeing him walk around campus, especially with his kids. She appreciated being able to call him Ted, rather than President Mitchell.
Maddie Knaup is looking for someone who can compromise when appropriate, not take no for an answer when appropriate, and know when they are getting ahead of themselves.
Finn Keough wants a president who is frank, and can tell you things you don’t want to hear.
Andrea Cova would like a President who participates in events on campus as a way to interact with students. This person could go to multicultural events, meetings, and sports games.
Stephan van der Mersch recognized that it was important for Ted to walk the usual path to get Oxy on right path. Oxy offers something original. Now, Oxy needs an original vision
Ali Raymond thinks the problem with Ted’s presidency was that he ran the College too much like a business. He had his “press smile” and she felt he was disconnected from students at large. She thinks walking on campus is fine, but if the president doesn’t talk to the students, then Ali doesn’t care about that President as much.
Laura Tomasko really liked that Ted taught a class. This made him personable and approachable, and students got that sense more in small seminar. She’d like a president who is willing to teach a class. This could help bridge the gap.
Eleni Polakoff would want a President who would have something more set up, so things didn’t feel that they fell apart when they left. She wouldn’t want the college to feel threaded with a thin string. In the aftermath of Ted leaving, things felt fake because things fell apart so quickly, She would want a President to make stronger support systems so when they are disrupted, not everyone has to leave all of a sudden.
Stephan van der Mersch feels that Oxy has 2 ways of running the college: 1) to never make decisions and 2) to make decisions constantly, but if not now, come back in 6 months, and people feel strung along, and feel that nothing is getting done.
Matt Kuzio noted that he thinks matriculation is really like that.
8) How would you like to see the president foster gender, racial, economic, and cultural diversity on a campus that highlights its focus on multiculturalism and equity?
Andrea Cova would want a president who is open minded and easy to talk to, and can reach out to greater community to enhance vision.
Ali Raymond would like a President who can help everyone talk to each other in a way that is not abrasive. This person could help people give their opinions in a constructive way. The President could set an example for others to follow. She would also like the President to increase funding for cultural events. She would like a President who can increase awareness about economic disparity. A lot of students find the transition to private school difficult because Oxy is not the utopia some students think it is. In fact, college is not a utopia. But when Oxy puts out that it is cutting edge and then isn’t, that’s a rough transition. It’s important that the President be aware that matriculation is an excellent idea, it’s important to have lots of hope, and it’s not going to be fun (all the time).
Rachel Johnson would like a President who is not afraid to make some of these trainings and meetings required. Although some programs are available, turnout is not “as it should be”—there are always minimal numbers. People argue they have a lot to do, but the President could make it required, and could cancel classes. Rachel believes eople should be aware or these issues.
Eleni Polakoff would like to see someone who has shown more commitment and training than a few weekends. She wants someone who is committed to doing more than just the required training. She mentioned the on-line sexual harassment training for professionals and felt that it was disappointing. There should be more commitment to these issues, not just over a weekend, but as an every day process. She would like to see it worked into the Core program. Perhaps it could also be worked in more if this person has some really unique ideas and training in facilitation.
Caroline Kim feels that it is not enough to say that multiculturalism is important, this person needs to be committed and passionate. She feels that a lot of the time, all issues of diversity are thrown at ICC or multicultural clubs. The campus needs to have discussions in administration and with other people who make the decisions. She wants a President who is not just putting diversity at the top of the list because it’s important to Oxy, but also because it’s important to them.
Stephan van der Mersch feels that Oxy is only reactive to negative stimulus, which was evident in the chaos regarding the Mission that came up last year. While it was reassuring that Ted’s response was “This is not business as usual”, it is a pity is that it took such a negative event to bring awareness to it. Stephan wants a President who believes that multiculturalism is never “business as usual.” He wondered why the College waited until there was a negative event on campus. Why couldn’t the leadership have brought up the issue to the campus?
Ali Raymond noted that what President Slaughter did was ask for assessment. He brought in outside help. Ali would like a President who would like to know everything. They need an action plan coming in about what they will do regarding multiculturalism and diversity.
9) Given that Ted was the signer on the current 18-Point Initiative document, what commitment should a president have towards its implementation and sustainability?
Patrice Hall would like to see a 100% commitment, particularly because that’s what Oxy wants as community. The President needs their own plan, and they need to marry that plan with what Oxy requires. Patrice believes it shouldn’t matter that Ted is the signer or that Kenyon Chan is helping, the Mission Initiatives needs to be stepped up to a new level. The President definitely should read it before they get here.
Amy Laslett noted that it’s important for the President to keep in mind that students made it. The wrong person to hire as President is someone who sees it just as a document that Ted signed. It needs new ideas also; creative impulse is good.
Brett Safford wondered if it is vital that the new President already has a plan, like “I have this plan and I want to work on the Mission Initiatives too” or is it better to have them sign on the current plan, like “I’ve read the 18 Point Plan/Mission Initiative and I want to work on it”?
Patrice Hall noted that the fact that the students work on it is the important thing. The students who worked on it are still here. It’s great if the President has ideas, because the Mission Initiatives makes it easier to accomplish certain things. It is vital that things are accomplished, and it’s also about how it is accomplished. It’s also about what’s behind the points on the paper.
10) Students are obviously invested in this search for a president. If you could ask or tell a potential candidate anything, what would that be?
Patrice Hall said she would tell the candidates to be ready for a lot of work. Oxy never sugarcoats problems. Oxy students make a lot of noise when they don’t get what they want. Stuff happens here. Something about what the candidate is made of has to make them ready to deal with certain things.
Eleni Polakoff would to make sure that the person is fully committed to being a president. It’s related to living on campus. It’s not that they aren’t an individual, but Oxy expects so much of them, it’s important to be fulfilled by our commitment to them. She does not want them to feel it is a struggle, or feel it’s “work” but rather something they want to do. She wants them to see Oxy something they could make into their own.
Amy Laslett would want to find out their life plan. Is this the first time being president? Is this the end of their career? Where will they be in 5 years?
Matt Kuzio complimented Stephanie and Brett on their initiative to get student feedback and noted that they seemed like the right students for the job of helping to select the new president.
2. Open Forum
Stephan van der Mersch wondered if he wanted to find people to work on something, did he have to give a proposal to the GA in advance? Matt Kuzio clarified that he did not.
New Proposal:
We, the students of Occidental College call for a review of policies for student programming regarding Space Reservation, Campus Dining Policies and charges, and Facilities Charges. This is an opportunity for students to provide feedback regarding campus policies and procedures in the above mentioned areas. A committee should be formed to recommend changes in policy which impacts programming. The committee will be comprised of at least five, but no more than ten, students who will work with various departments and administrators on campus and publish their recommendations of change at least two weeks before the end of the semester. Students should submit their names to the General Assembly Co-Chairs for selection.
Karen Calderon explained that Ali Raymond, Andrea Cova, and others want a revision on how our money is being spent, re: Programming Board, and what are the policies of food in terms of Campus Dining and the Greek Bowl. They would like to revise these issues because they are trying to have a concert with Ozomatli. Latino Grad is looking for money, and doesn’t get funding from the College in the beginning of the year. The Ozomatli event was proposed, but turned down. They want to know what policies are, how they can change it, who they go to for questions. She noted that they have felt like ping pong balls—sent one place then another. Latino Grad needs a little over $3000, they know they are getting some money from various campus departments, but nothing written. They do not want any surprises—they thought the concert would happen, but not everyone was informed. There is a lack of communication. They want to be sure that these two (Black and Latino) graduations will receive money.
Andrea Cova noted that the event denied because of policies, but they haven’t seen those polices written. They do not want this to happen to other groups.
Karen Calderon noted that they were told one thing, but the College is doing another thing.
Matt Kuzio clarified that the group would like to look at overlying policies, look at disconnects in communication, and why are forms not easily accessible.
Karen Calderon noted that this is an example of how we weren’t informed. She wants to make sure all the policies are in one document.
Stephan van der Mersch said he was empathetic to their situation, and needed a more concise description of what happened.
Karen Calderon explained that they understood that there are 2 events allowed in the Greek Bowl per semester: Dance 3oxy and Club Oxy. Latino Grad officers met with Earic Peters, who thought easiest way to get Ozomatli in the Greek Bowl as well would be to contact Dance 3oxy and move event. It’s difficult to ask the planners of Dance 3Oxy because they are their friends (MeCHA*ALAS) and because they had worked so hard. They had wanted to talk to PB about moving Club Oxy, but they were told that that would be harder. They still don’t know who the PB chair is. Then, at Earic’s suggestion, they wrote a proposal. This idea has been in process for a year.
Andrea Cova clarified that the event would be a benefit concert with Sequoia School, which is located in Pasadena.
Stephan van der Mersch clarified that the largest problem was that they couldn’t get the Greek Bowl for the event.
Karen Calderon noted that they thought they could write a proposal and work around the policy.
Matt Kuzio clarified the resolution, noting that its important to identify why these policies are not clear. This resolution would look at policies to make them more student friendly, and make them very clear on-line so that students are not surprised at every turn. Karen agreed, they want to help get everyone on the same page.
Matt Kuzio explained that for now, further discussion would be held off for next week. This resolution needs a quorum of five students to make it official. More than 5 students support this, thus the resolution is official and will be discussed next week.
Stephan van der Mersch noted that one of his personal pet peeve is about stoves in kitchens in residence halls. They need to be phased out. Stephan cooks for himself as part of mental health. Each hall gets $500 for improvement, which is not enough for all the improvements in the hall. Stephan knows that RHA is one venue, and would like support from Senate and from outside Senate.
Matt suggested that Stephan could either form a committee to tackle this issue by a certain date or he could go to Senate and ask them to work on it.
Stephan will get the resolution to the General Assembly in writing.
Matt Kuzio also introduced the new website.
He ended the meeting by introducing Barbara Avery and Jonathan O’Brien. Jonathan is the new Senior Associate Dean of Students and is responsible for Housing, CDC, Emmons, Crisis, retention, assessment, program and policy. His office is Rameen’s old office. Please come by to visit or to share any concerns about the above areas.
Meeting closed at 6:47 PM.