General Assembly

Minutes from April 5th, 2006

Download Word File: Minutes 04-05-06

General Assembly Meeting

April 5, 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. 

 

1. Alcohol Policy Reform—Devon Puglia

 

The meeting began with Devon Puglia and his recommendations about the alcohol policy.  (Please see the Alcohol Policy Reform at Occidental PowerPoint.)     

 

Last semester’s Alcohol Policy Review Committee didn’t go anywhere.  Alcohol is important to Devon and it’s important to other students.  He noted that there are a few main issues: the disciplinary process, no educational sanctions, and a lot of policy failures exist in residence halls. 

 

He noted that the main judicial philosophy is to punish students so they will change their behavior.  On paper, the policies make sense, but the policies are dangerous and counterintuitive in practice.

 

In the disciplinary process, there are 5 main issues: 1) students are denied access to information reports; 2) students are written up without knowing it; 3) students are not notified of their rights during the judicial meetings; 4) students are intimidated into telling on their peers during violations; and 5) the disciplinary process is punitive in nature. 

 

1) Information Reports.  Anyone can get an Information Report from Campus Safety, but access to Information Reports by RAs are denied.  The copies of reports provided are summaries of the reports.  The Student Handbook states that students should have access to the reports.  Devon believes that under any circumstance, students should have right to review Information Report by request.

 

2) Write up process.  Students have been cited for walking into residence halls with alcohol without being confronted by RAs.  If the philosophy of the disciplinary process is to punish people in order to change their behavior, then students should know what they are being punished for.  Devon noted that some Area Coordinators send letters after meetings regarding the violations, but some don’t.  Devon would like the policy from now on to be that if a student is documented for violating policy, the student is notified.

 

3) Students rights: Devon believes that students’ rights are systematically violated during hearings.  Ross Papish used to read students their rights and made sure that students understood those rights.  Now, students are told to review the 118 page handbook, which students won’t do.  He feels that administrators don’t share students’ rights with them.  He thinks students should be sent the relevant section of Handbook via email, rather than being told to review it. 

 

4) Intimidation.  If students are in room with alcohol, the administrator asks who else was in the room, and if a student doesn’t tell them, that student can be held completely responsible.  Students are threatened with probation.  Devon believes “students shouldn’t have to sacrifice their moral pillars for administration’s need to hold people accountable.”  He also stated that many students don’t subscribe to the “Mccarthy-istic policy” of the administration.  He understands that it’s the administrator’s job to fill in holes in the Information Report, but it’s also the RAs and HC’s job to document everything.

 

5) Punitive system.  Devon thinks that it is comical that administrators believe that punishing students will make them change their behavior.  He agrees there must be some system of accountability, but believes that the current system is ineffective. 

 

Devon believes that because of the stringent punishments, students are forced drink quickly in their room in small amount of time.  He has seen students hiding in closets and jumping out of windows because they are afraid of getting caught.  Students are binge drinking so they can get out of residence halls faster. 

 

Devon outlined the 6 major issues:

  1. Violations from previous years can be applied to punishments issued now.
  2. There are no guidelines regarding the number of violations a student can accumulate before being given a certain punishment.
  3. An intoxicated student who seeks medical attention for another can be punished.
  4. Liquor and Beer mean the same thing in the disciplinary process.
  5. Students who abstain from drinking cannot be in a room where alcohol is present.
  6. Students on Probation cannot hold positions of leadership.

 

1) Violations from previous years can be applied to punishments issued now.  Devon noted that it is hard to have a clean slate, especially if violations occur in first and second years.  He recommends a system in which a student’s record is clean from year to year.  He believes students shouldn’t be judged for what they have done in previous years. 

 

2) There are no guidelines regarding the number of violations a student can accumulate before being given a certain punishment.  Devon noted that there are no guidelines for what kind of punishments students will receive if they have 3 or 6 violations.  He believes there should be something very general in the handbook that’s dedicated to what can generally happen to a student if they have certain violations.  He does not recommend a point system like Bucknell, but he does believe that administrators have idea about what will happen with certain number of violations.

 

3) An intoxicated student who seeks medical attention for another can be punished.  Devon described this scenario: many students are drinking a room, and one of the people needs assistance.  Many students are hesitant to go get help because they are worried about getting in trouble.  Devon believes this is a result of the administration being fixated on holding people accountable.  At other schools, students are absolved of responsibility if they go for help.  This change would show that administration is concerned about safety, not only accountability. 

 

4) Liquor and Beer mean the same thing in the disciplinary process.  Devon noted that liquor is involved in alcohol poisonings more than beer.  He believes beer is seen as a safer alternative.  He believes that the administration must tacitly accept that underage drinking is happening.  If the administration demonizes liquor and halves the consequences for beer, this would create a safer environment and yield fewer alcohol poisonings.

 

5) Students who abstain from drinking cannot be in a room where alcohol is present.

If a student is not drinking but is punished for being in a room with alcohol, this has social ramifications.  It basically says that students who don’t use alcohol can’t be friends with those who drink.  The College should punish those consuming alcohol, not those around it.

 

6) Students on Probation cannot hold positions of leadership.  This had directly affected Devon.  He believes this takes structure out of students’ lives and could actually promote more drinking.  He believes people on probation should be encouraged to participate.

 

Devon then turned his attention to sanctions.  The Handbook states that students who are found responsible for a policy violation may be required to attend a Life Compass Program.  Ross Papish created this and now he’s gone.  Students now are told to go to Facts on Tap and write a paper.  Devon believes there should be a harm reduction approach—administrators should aim to educate not punish.  He believes the current approach is acting like an abstinence program, when administration should be giving the message that students should consume alcohol responsibly.  Devon described Facts on Tap, noting that it gives information about what a BAC is and what alcohol poisoning looks like.  Devon spoke to a student who went to Facts on Tap, and it labeled that student, who maybe has 5 drinks per year, as a problem drinker.  The website inundates students with facts and figures, but Devon thinks that the idea that a student can go to website and learn to change behavior is ridiculous.  He believes students need to be slightly scared to change their behavior; it won’t happen by taking a quiz.  A number of students say they have consumed alcohol while they have browsed the site.

 

Devon’s recommendations are as follows:

1) Instead of punishing students, the College should aim to educate

2) Administration should create a course that mirrors Life Compass (a ropes course) 

3) Resources at Emmons should be used more, although it’s unclear what role they should play in disciplinary process.

 

Devon then moved on to the residence hall atmosphere.  RAs are responsible for being leaders and enforcing policy.  Students who get written up express antagonism toward their RA, which prevents RAs from maintaining good relationships with students.  So, RAs are placed in a situation in which they can either do their job, and jeopardize their relationships with students or ignore their job, and build relationships with students.  In Pauley, based on feedback and information he’s received from students, RAs decide not to write up directly, but choose to call Campus Safety.  A lot of RAs opt for this so they don’t strain their relationships.  Devon acknowledged that RAs have the most difficult job on campus. 

 

Devon suggests that instead of having RAs write up their residents, they should call Campus Safety with a noise complaint.  If RAs are not responsible for getting their residents in trouble, they can maintain better relationships with residents.  4 years ago, Campus Safety initiated rounds in the residence halls, and this has had inversely proportional effect.  Now students face two lines of accountability and enforcement.  Devon believes antagonism should be directed towards professionals, not student staff.  If an RA is not responsible for writing up their residents, there is not a social divide between RAs and residents.

 

Devon wants to hear what students think.  He believes the administration wants to punish students without educating them.  He thinks administrators cannot be fixated on accountability because in doing so, administrators have sacrificed responsible policy making.

 

Rozell Hodges noted that he did not think the RAs not writing up their residents is a good way for them to be better hall mentors.  He would like to know what other changes Devon would implement that would improve relationship between RA and students, how can they get respect in order to make relationships better?

 

Devon thinks that the alcohol policy creates the divide between RAs and residents, which is one of the main problems.  If RAs didn’t have this responsibility, there would be much better atmosphere in halls.  For a lot of students, when RA writes them up, students say they hate RA or curse at their RA.  This antagonism stems from the alcohol policy.

 

Rozell wondered if this suggestion would encourage students to drink more.  Devon didn’t think so.  He believes that the policy as it is now encourages students to binge drink.  Since punishments are stringent, they drink more in shorter amount of time.  Rozell clarified that this suggestion would encourage students to drink more at a slower pace.  Devon said that students would be drinking anyway. 

 

Caroline Kim asked if Devon had any proof that students drink in hiding or that they drink more or faster, because they are worried about being written up.  She is an RA and has never had a situation when students felt personally intimidated.  Devon noted that he polled students, and he can break it down by demographics.  He recalled that for a number of students (67% of those involved in the survey—he thought), when asked if they have been stopped or confronted by RA, of those that said yes, they said they did not have a good relationship with that RA from then on.  Devon is not trying to make generalizations, but he acknowledges that he has experienced it and heard it from others.  He’s not trying to vilify RAs.  The conclusions he draws are very logical.

 

Ken Smutny liked what he saw in Devon’s presentation.  He has one concern regarding the language that RAs who write students up lose respect.  As an RA, he has had to deal with it, and he doesn’t think that it’s a matter of losing respect, but rather that the door is closed, and relationships is not as open.  Residents can still respect the RA, but communication is not as open.  Ken suggested that when Devon presents to the administration, he should be careful with this language.  Devon thought Ken’s interpretation was more correct, but an RA who is writing up residents and then trying to be their friend will lose respect.  A resident might think, “Wait, I thought he or she is cool.” 

 

Ken said that he had sat in a meeting with a  judicial officer, in which pictures were sent to the judicial officer of Ken drinking and Ken was asked to respond.  Ken wondered what Devon thought about that.  Devon thought that unless someone put in official form, like an Incident Report, he didn’t think a student should be punished for something like that.  That situation could happen to everyone in this room.  Students should have to be stopped by an appropriate enforcement figure.

 

Kayi Small asked what Devon proposed for helping students taking responsibility for themselves.  Students are putting themselves in danger and being excessive.  She wondered if Devon really believes that only reason students drink excessively is because of policy.  Devon said he did not.  He felt it was largely the school’s responsibility to educate students regarding alcohol.  Devon hasn’t put everything down on paper, but he would be happy to send ideas to students.  He believes there should be a program for First Year students during orientation.  Education should be more hands on—not Facts on Tap.  He noted that there is not that much administration can do except educate students.  As far as personal responsibility, he knows that there are a number of students who overdrink—there is vomit on the floor in the residence halls and students are upset about that.  He wondered what he could do to accommodate what Kayi was saying.  He didn’t  think drinking was a direct result of policy, but he does think there is a need to make the policy safer.

 

Matt and Kara then closed this part of the meeting so they could move on to the budget. 

 

2. ASOC budget—Caroline Kim, Patrice Hall, and Maddie Knaup

 

Caroline Kim reminded the students that this budget has not been finalized.  Senate is still in process of reviewing the budget, and reviewing its own operating budgets.  This budget is not complete; income is not accounted for at this stage.  A lot of Student Services generate income, and we won’t know the final number of income.  These numbers are operating strictly from student body fees, which is $248 x 1800 which equals $446,400.  Caroline also noted that this budget does not include The Occidental Weekly or KOXY because they are independent.  It also does not include professional salaries because they haven’t been discussed.

 

Beginning with La Encina, the yearbook.  They are projected to spend $50, 085 this year and $50,850.  This is increased because we have a contract through the end of next year, so nothing can be changed at this point.  The contract goes up 3% per year.  The only thing that has changed is printing and advertising for next year. 

 

Ken Smutny noted that since the contract expires next year, when do we have to notify them.  Kenna Cottrill didn’t know, but will bring contract on Monday. 

 

Kether Hayden thought this is an excessive amount of money for yearbook.  She was unsatisfied with the yearbook last year, and it’s shocking to see $50,000 going to it.  For the upcoming years, she recommends that less money is spent.  Patrice Hall reminded students to speak to the editor for next year, and share that people were not happy.  Amanda Gonzalez has talked to Senate about times when people were happy with the yearbook.  It’s important to let people know how students feel. 

 

Rhonesha Buford asked about salaries.  Caroline noted that this for an editing staff of students.  Creating the yearbook is a year-long process.  When the yearbook signed on to this publishing company, they did research and this is one of cheaper companies.  Once the contract is terminated, ASOC will look at other ways to publish yearbook or make it more efficient. 

 

Caroline moved on to the Lookbook, which has been eliminated the Lookbook.  This year, it was $7550.  The Lookbook has first year students’ pictures printed in it.  Senate decided to terminate it, because the contract ended this year and it’s not a campus wide publication, just for First Years.  Senate believes they could make more efficient use of money, and they have a different proposal.  Patrice noted that Senate decided to call it Resource Book, it wouldn’t have pictures of first years in it.  It would have any information you need about Oxy or area, like good take-out restaurants, things on campus you need to know about, where things are located.  Students could keep it for all four years.  It would be more efficient than picture book. 

 

Rhonesha Buford wondered about the estimated cost.  Matt Kuzio said it would cost about $5000.  Mike Gawley asked about the name.  Matt said it might be called the ORGY book.  Mike said he would look at that. 

 

Devon Puglia noted that with the limited amount money, why should ASOC spend $7550 on something that the same information could be put on new website for free.  Patrice noted that $7550 was spent before the Senate was in place.  Patrice noted that Senate realizes that it needs to use different media to get people’s attention.  Senate wants to be sure to hit all areas of the campus.  Also, if web goes down, then students will have the book.  Senate recognizes that people won’t necessarily come talk to them on quad.  This is one way to spread information that’s not intrusive.  It will also be $5,000. 

 

Matt reminded students that a book is an active medium, you glance through everything right away.  With a website, students have to click on different things.  Matt believes first year students will look through it.  Kara reminded students that first year students just get bags that have tons of stuff, which can be overwhelming.  This would try to put all information together.  Devon thought it was a terrific idea, but considering the limited amount of money, $5000 could be better spent on, say a  women’s rugby trip.  With limited resources, he believes Senate needs to be fiscally responsible.  Caroline let people know that the Senate budget is not short on funds.  Rhonesha Buford reminded students that the book would be a good resource, especially for students who might not have a computer in room.  The book is accessible to everyone.

 

Caroline then turned to Programming Board.  This past year, the expense is at $84,500;  next year, they have chosen to keep same amount.  The key changes include $1,000 from salaries, and an increase in advertising.  Also the “Social Activities” to “Activities.”  Kayi Small asked if there was actually going to be a change in Programming Board next year.  Caroline noted that the structure will be different.  Kenna Cottrill hired 2 PB managers.  Senate talked on Monday about how that money would be spent, how they would encourage PB to diversify activities, and this discussion will probably continue into next Monday.  She also noted that between two managers, Senate is hopeful of getting more diverse line up of programming. 

 

Kara noted that the two managers have talked to Kenna about diversifying events.  If that’s something they are promising, this year could be a trial run.  Ken Smutny noted that his understanding is that one manager hired to serve as experience in PB, and the other was hired to address concerns.  He would also like to say that there have been management issues in the last few years.  He also noted that since 2003-2004, the PB budget has been cut by $20,000.  He does not know if cutting budget further, or splitting it up in any way, is the appropriate approach if the problems have stemmed from management issues. 

 

Patrice noted that at that time, Senate did not have old budget numbers.  She also reminded people that since many people were not at Senate meeting on Monday, it is important to stay focused on this discussion.  Caroline also reminded the GA that all budgets need to be reviewed and approved by next year’s Senate and Student Services.   

 

Jake Stevens wondered with the $1000 decrease in salary, what the relative staff breakdown would be.  Are they creating a management staff, and a tech equipment staff?  John Marshall noted that the staff salary budget was decreased due to an expectation of a smaller staff size.  He knows that the tech equipment is not accessible, which is a legitimate concern that’s being dealt with.  He feels that many issues this year were due to late start.  He also noted that the budget was created by Allison Kanny.

 

Christine Spector asked what the retreat money was for.  Kenna Cottrill noted that all Student Services Managers attend the Diversity Institute with other campus leaders.  She also noted that it is for training of the PB staff—things like binders, supplies, etc.  She told students they could expect to see training in every budget. 

 

Rozell Hodges noted that PB is not meeting the needs of a diverse community, and so he proposes that students push PB to create a mission statement.  He also did not think that budget should be changed this year, but that PB should be given a chance.  If they create a mission statement that mentions the pillars of Oxy’s mission statement, that would help students hold PB accountable.

 

Devon Puglia noted that although this is what Allison requested, he thought the budget was too low.  He noted that students express concerns with advertising of events, and he didn’t think that cutting the staff budget would help.

 

Kayi Small agreed with Rozell that there should be some consequences.  In her 3 years, she has seen events that are nothing short of offensive and ostentatious.  She does not think that PB serves that much of community, or the diversity of the community.  She noted that some parts of the Oxy community have been discussing their concerns about PB perpetuating alcohol use and creating environment that is offensive to certain students.  She believes  $55,000 is too much to be spent on social programming.  There should be consequences for next year, and if they do not do something different, then the budget should be affected.   

 

Caroline noted that Senate has taken students’ feedback.  The discussion about this has not ended.  She suggested that use the blog, or contact their representative to tell them about how they feel.

 

Emme Haiken noted that she would like to hear their advertising ideas in relation to raising the budget.  Patrice suggested that those questions be directed to Allison or the managers for next year.  John Marshall noted that although some students think $55,000 might be excessive, if PB is spending that much money, they need to have more advertising.  If PB doesn’t let people know what’s going on, then people won’t come.  This will also leave money for more creative advertising since students walk by posters now because there are so many.

 

Fallon Christian wanted to know how the dual manager system would work.  Caroline Kim noted that there will be 2 for the entire year.  They will be the management team.  Fallon wondered if they would get two votes in the Student Services Council.  Kenna Cottrill noted that that’s something that has to be worked out.  Currently, they don’t vote in the Council. 

 

Jake Stevens noted that considering lack of clearly defined Honor Board, he is weary of punitive system against clubs.  While he believes it is not bad to evaluate clubs at all because it encourages responsibility and accountability, he is concerned about evaluation process.  Caroline Kim noted that the Honor Board will be up and running next year and that the students who are involved will have to decide the evaluation process.  It’s too early to say what their purview will be.

 

Kether Hayden agreed with what Kayi Small said earlier.  She will be speaking to her Senate representatives because she feels the PB budget is extreme.  She agrees that there have been ostentatious expenses that slap people in the face.  She noted that its sometimes fun to be luxurious and to do nice stuff, but that it also turns her off as a student who had not grown up spending this kind of money, to see this kind of money spent on things she considered “extra”. 

 

Tahanee Fischer noted that PB could be more free for clubs.  She noted that if they want more advertising and want students to see them in a different light, she suggest they help other clubs.  They could use their money around the school at different events. 

 

Caroline Kim closed up the discussion on Programming Board asking people to comment on blog or talk to senator.  Caroline then noted that for the Bengal Bus, the differences in their budget included an increase in salary, but not a lot of other differences.  There were no questions or comments. 

 

She then explained that the SAC budget has a significant increase request because they want to move into Samuelson pavilion.  With move, there will be greater operating expenses.  The main increases are in salary and in basic services that SAC provides.

 

Jake Stevens wondered if the move to Samuelson is piecemeal, if not all happening at one time, will the allotment also be allotted piecemeal.  Caroline noted that the increase in budget is contingent upon the move.  One safeguard with this budget is that next year’s Senate will have to pass this budget.  If by that time, SAC has not moved, then Senate can reallocate money.  Jake wondered if Senate has solicited a alternative budget and not waiting on budget approval process.  Amy Laslett said that she understood the budget differently.  She understood that the budget would remain this way regardless of moving.  Ruben Sanchez noted that he wanted to expand hours.  Regardless of moving or not, the budget will increase because they want to have more advertising and longer hours.  Ali Raymond also noted that all these budgets have to go through the new Student Services Managers, so the budgets could be changed by those new managers.   

 

Caroline explained that TOA is keeping their overall budget the same.  The only thing they changed was decreasing salaries and increasing the line for printing and copying.  TOA would like  to make printing a free service—TOA will print and copy it for students without any expense to club.  Rhonesha Buford thought this was a great idea.   

 

Ken Smunty noted that if copying is free to student clubs, TOA will have to figure out how much printing is free.  He’s concerned that students will think, “If it’s free, I will want to wallpaper the whole school.”  Caroline noted that he should bring this concern up with the manager.  Jake Stevens clarified that TOA had not discussed how much printing would be free to students.  Patrice noted that this is something for the manager to discuss.    

 

They then moved on to fund allocations.  Maddie Knaup joined Patrice and Caroline to discuss sport clubs.  Caroline noted that Senate will be able to meet the Constitutional guideline for club allocation at 30-35% of the budget.  She also distinguished between  the Senate Discretionary fund which funds events that are open to all students and the Club Allocation which funds events which are open only to members of clubs and organizations.   

 

Maddie Knaup told the GA that the Club Sports Fund is the only fund that has run out of money.  Senate believes there is a lot of work that needs to be done in this area to alleviate this problem, such as collaborating with administration and other groups.  Senators and Administration have discussed a need for hiring a trainer for club sports and varsity.  At present, club sports players can’t even ice their knees.  Students pay mandatory fees for participating in club sports and having more money in this fund would help.  There has been no confirmation about if and when a new trainer will be hired.  Maddie noted that Senate is looking into increase Sports Club budget and suggests that next year’s Senate changes the funding guidelines.  Senate strongly believes that Club Sports should have increased funding. 

 

Jake Stevens wondered where the Club Commissioner falls regarding these funds.  Caroline noted that Senate will have someone to serve in this role, they just have to determine that person’s responsibilities.  This will affect how they are paid and who they are paid by.  Right now, the Club Commissioner is paid by ASOC, but works in OSL.  Senate is working with Earic to figure that out.  Jake clarified that the Club Commissioner budget will be readdressed.  Caroline reminded students that the entire budget goes through the GA.    

 

Ken Smutny clarified that 30% of the budget is about $86,000.  Caroline noted that this would increase all funding from $69,500 to about $86,000.  This will help to ensure that Senate does not run into the same issues this year with funding. 

 

Kara Abelson then closed the meeting.  She thanked students for coming because their Senators need to hear their opinions and will keep their opinions in mind throughout their upcoming discussions.