General Assembly
Minutes from April 13th, 2006
Download Word File: Minutes 04-13-06
General Assembly Meeting
April 13, 2006
Johnson 200
Notes by Jen Kyle
Kara Abelson, General Assembly Co-Chair, welcomed everyone to the official student forum of the ASOC. The General Assembly is a place for students to bring up issues and propose policy changes. The General Assembly recognizes that the student body is one of many forums that form the community, and is a tool to begin dialogue. This is a forum for students to work with other students and administrators.
1. International Programs Office Discussion
Susan Popko, Director of International Programs Office (IPO), was there to answer students’ questions. She studied in Mexico and Austria as an undergrad, and did graduate work in the UK. She’s been in Study Abroad programs for 13 years; she came to Oxy last year. It has been very exciting for her to work with a new program.
She also noted that IPO is hosting three info sessions – for anyone interested in Spain, Race and Study Abroad (by students for students), General Study Abroad 101 Meeting.
She wanted to talk with students about where Oxy is with study abroad, and where Oxy is going. As frustrating as it is, not everyone can participate in study abroad. 1/3 of junior class is going abroad, which is pretty good. Susan is proud of how far Oxy has come—11 years ago, there were 34 students going abroad. Now, 150 students a year go abroad. Another thing she’s proud of is that Oxy sends students to diverse places. The numbers of students sent to Latin America, Africa, and Asia, etc far exceed the national percentages. Kara has asked her to address the added budget, which will allow the same percentage of students to study abroad because class of 2008 is a larger class. Unfortunately, the funding isn’t enough to make any other significant leaps.
The issue of not every student being able to go abroad is a serious one. The conversation is being had at the highest levels of administration with both Interim President Chan and incoming President Prager. Students can be encouraged by that fact, though IPO can’t predict the outcome.
Moana Casanova asked the number of students going abroad. She thought it was 60 were accepted, and the same amount was projected for spring. Susan noted that 62 were accepted to go abroad, 16 at UN. Same projections for spring.
David Marsh wondered if this information included students in their senior year? Susan said it did, but because numbers have changed so erratically, IPO doesn’t have graduating class statistics. David clarified that students can apply again to study abroad for their senior year. Susan said they can apply during the fall and during their senior year.
Patrice Hall wondered about the change in due dates for Spring Study Abroad. Susan said the change was meant to keep up with national deadlines. The earlier deadline was very anomalous and very difficult. Applying early didn’t put students in the best standing to compete nationally. Applying early meant that sometimes students submitted applications and they got lost.
Ali Raymond noted that the later deadline seems problematic for Oxy. Students don’t know if they can take leadership roles, or get housing. She wondered what steps IPO takes to help these students. Susan noted that she had only heard positive feedback about the later deadline for Spring Study Abroad. Ali said she had only heard negative because students can’t commit to anything. She knows that the decision is well known, but it hasn’t trickled to the right places. Student Life doesn’t understand. Most people assume that it’s well known that everyone has Study Abroad results for next year. She wondered what steps IPO will take to make this a more advertised deadline. She noted that students can’t be an ICC PA, and can’t even apply until too late in the year. She thinks administrators aren’t aware of this change. The new deadline is problematic for year-long commitments. What if a student doesn’t take a position and don’t get in to Study Abroad—this is double rejection.
Susan noted that this is the first time she’s heard frustration. There are so many students on waitlist and a huge amount of ambiguity because of the double volume. Lots of students are moved off the waitlist at various points.
Caroline Kim noted that the later deadline is more difficult at a small school. There are a select number of people to recruit for leadership positions. She understands the logic behind having a large waitlist, but even then there is more uncertainty related to the deadline process. Caroline doesn’t know how much IPO thought about the different processes. With Senate students can’t run because of the huge uncertainty. For instance, when Senate was trying to figure out how to incorporate people who were going abroad, it was difficult because there was too much stuff Senate didn’t know.
Susan reminded people that the majority of students are accepted. She hopes that ambiguity for unaccepted students will decrease.
Kat, an RA, noted that students don’t even know if they will be approved if they’re applying for the spring. It’s difficult to work out classes, dorms, leadership.
Patrice noted that she is on the campus wide retention committee and they have discussed that the deadline is so late, so far into the committee. She believes there is too much ambiguity. Some people think that the deadline could be in the Spring, but later than the Fall Study Abroad deadline, and then IPO could hold on to the application. Then, students could know they’re going as long as the program accepts them. Patrice can buy into not knowing, but this is way more knowing.
Susan appreciated feedback, and will think about it. She noted that this proposal is not feasible right now. The new deadline is keeping with what other US colleges do; it’s unusual that there’s a desire for a single deadline
Eli Isaacs said that IPO makes it difficult to find an acceptable program, and that the application process is difficult. Other universities have a much similar application process from his research for approved and non-approved courses. He wondered if there was any way to simplify it and make it more user friendly. Susan noted that any college that has a stellar Study Abroad program has an internal application. IPO tries to make it as simple as possible with the form, a graduation plan, essay, academic approval, letters of recommendation; these components are typical components of other applications. Other applications may have additional components. Eli noted that the process could be much easier. Susan noted that she has worked at 5 institutions, and this process as been similar at all 5. The components are standard. They are considering ways to streamline it, but it’s not meant to be complicated
Lauren Moffett returned to the issue of leadership roles on campus, stating that she may have a proposal that could help. She suggested that Oxy reconsider how leadership roles are run; why are all the positions a year long? There are so many other things to take into consideration when a student has 4 semesters under their belt. If a student is intent on studying abroad, that’s a sacrifice students have to make. She did not think the new deadlines are negative.
David Marsh asked how much it costs to send someone abroad, is that taking money away from the college, if it’s pulling money away, when is the point that the burden is too much on other students? Susan said that the issue is not tuition money, but because of financial aid, which makes it an equal access issue. Lots of colleges don’t transfer financial aid. When financial aid is offered on campus, it’s soft money. When it’s for an outside program, the college has to write a check, and the financial aid has to leave campus. Anything that costs more than the average amount of financial aid is where the college loses money. A healthy endowment helps, some colleges over-enroll students. There are different methods that colleges use, but it’s also true that Oxy has high financial aid, and that’s why were are in this unique situation, plus it’s young program. She didn’t know if it increased tuition
Laura Tomasko noted that the application process for spring study abroad allows consideration if students didn’t get into the program for the fall. She feels that students were pretty much assured that they would get in through national programs. She felt that students were guaranteed that they would get in to national program. Susan noted that typically, students are accepted with the expectation that they will get into national program, but it’s not a guarantee. With popular programs that IPO works closely with, they can gauge better, but can never guarantee it.
Carmela Zakon was confused about whether students can reapply the following year. Susan said, yes but not the subsequent semester. If a student misses out their junior year, they can apply senior year. Students who go abroad senior year know what they want, have more maturity, and have more fun.
Moana Casanova noted that there are 16 people on the waitlist. If IPO usually take ¾ off of waitlist, why is the list so big? Susan noted that this was a good question. She clarified that 15 people are on the waitlist right now. The reason the list is big is because IPO cant predict who will leave IPO program. IPO wants there to be a reflection that students on the waiting list are qualified and could go abroad. IPO could waitlist two students and reject the rest, but they don’t want to jerk people around.
Jake Stevens noted that he still feels like the college hasn’t figured out how to address the structural deficit. It terrifies him to hear that students who are here on financial aid might be excluded from the program. Susan clarified that the policy of the college is to allow all students on financial aid to go abroad. The college will allow financial aid students equal access. This is a big deal for college, so students on financial aid won’t be denied simply because they are on financial aid.
Matt Kuzio clarified that this is a blind process. Susan agreed that it is. She reminded students that IPO is young. Most programs are 10-15 years older. This struggle has to take place now.
Patrice Hall had a question about non-approved programs and how people get left behind because they want to study somewhere that Oxy has not approved. They can’t study abroad and she knows people who had issues about not being able to go on certain programs. Patrice knows that IPO researches the programs. The issue that came up is that the programs aren’t hand-holding; they aren’t as US-centered and don’t have as many US students. A lot of the approved programs allow students to mess around for a semester, but the unapproved programs make students work extra hard because they need to learn the language and can’t surround themselves with American students. She believes students are more focused in non-approved programs than the approved ones. But it’s hard for students to go abroad on those other programs because Oxy discourages students.
Susan noted that this a complicated issue. IPO has an array of approved programs (over 70). IPO has been reviewing them and making changes. When IPO approves a program, there is a faculty member who goes and visit, sit in on classes, talk to director, send students and get feedback, get syllabi, get credit translations worked out. IPO can impose curricular shape to the program that is in keeping with Oxy. They can maintain this relationship. IPO can articulate a financial agreement, which usually involves financial aid. Susan loves unapproved programs, because that’s how IPO can experience new programs. At the same time, IPO wants there to be a balance; it can’t have all the students off on new programs because IPO doesn’t have the staff for that. Typically “island programs” have an American group with local nationals teaching. IPO has programs that students study at local universities, live with host families. There are a diverse range of programs.
David Marsh wondered if IPO has any future plans of increasing the inflow of students. Susan noted that they don’t know how many students are studying here from other countries. We have about 8 a year right now. Susan was just in China so Oxy can have a Chinese language assistant come. David wondered if the schools we study abroad at are sending students here. Susan said they were not because study abroad is an American concept that began after WWII. It began as a way for students to go to Europe and learn a language. Many countries don’t have fees for education for students, so they can’t afford to send students here.
Kate Herring noted that she was planning on studying abroad in the spring, but then had such a negative experience with staff members in IPO office. She was looking at a non-Oxy program. Two of the programs were with Americans, the other was art-based. IPO staff was not supportive. She felt that applying to college wasn’t this difficult of an experience to go through. She felt that if a student was going to research something this carefully, that should be enough for IPO. She was told that she had to explain why all Oxy programs wouldn’t fit her. She spoke with a friend at another college about this, and her friend didn’t have the same experience. She thinks IPO made the process more competitive and difficult than it needed to be. She feels that the essay is basically a research paper. Sometimes students don’t know a lot about a country and that’s why they do want to go. It almost makes students not want to go anymore, because they have to go through so much to prove themselves to IPO. A solution to this issue could be a double application to unapproved and an approved as a back up. She also wanted to know why the application has to be so research based. Susan noted that there is a line on the non-approved application for a second choice. Students can be redirected to the Oxy approved program. IPO wants students to know something about the country and the program, and why you want to go and how it will fit in with your education. IPO is trying to build up their resources for work, travel, volunteer opportunities abroad. Kate asked why students have to research on the country itself when they don’t have that much of an academic opportunity to learn about the country. A lot of people just “BS” to get accepted, which is not representative of the student. Susan was not sure what exactly Kate was concerned about. She thought Kate was asking why IPO requires students to research the country and stuff. Kate noted that the essay makes it seem like the student needs to know why they want to go and have to have an educational background. Most schools don’t require an educational background, but rather it’s more of a personal resume. Susan said that the student can follow a major or liberal arts approach. Kate said she knew of a chemistry major who went to Greece to study archaeology. Susan noted that IPO doesn’t want this to be a whim. She had a student at another institution who didn’t know she needed a coat in the Czech Republic. IPO doesn’t expect students to be a scholar, or anything, but they need to have knowledge and interest.
Renee Rick noted that the college makes it difficult not to go through an Oxy approved. The alternatives are taking a semester off and thus not getting credit and having to pay, or going over the summer and then students can’t get a job. Susan noted that this policy is in place for two reasons: 1) the College relies on the balance of students on and not on financial aid, and 2) Oxy wants to know that students are studying at an approved institution.
Ali Raymond noted that a lot of the problems she sees involve the othering effect. Students see this is a wonderful adventure to go get an insight on a fabulous exotic culture. There is a lack of acknowledgement that you’re actually the same. Look at the poor African children, hospice in the Dominican Republican—there are rich white kids being charitable. How is IPO being cognizant of that? What steps is IPO taking to reach out to students of color and at a disadvantage. Susan also noted that women are an important group to recruit. She believes that there is a strong social conscience in most programs. She was really heartened when she received the evaluations and a student wrote that value was learning that the people weren’t exotic or different, but regular. That’s what she wants to see. This student got it. Susan said she would be happy to put together a panel of students based on any issue. Last week, we did gender. Next week it’s race. Standing offer and we’re always available. Hope we have more than that. Students in the office are facilitating these discussions.
Moana Casanova noted that when she spoke with the IPO staff about a non-Oxy programs, she was told she wasn’t a candidate, but she still applied. The suggested that IPO staff be a little more optimistic and supportive. Her second question was about money and how we can get more money for this program. Moana used to work for Telefund; she would call and ask for money for the library. Susan clarified that she loves non-Oxy programs and value them. And, she doesn’t want everyone to go and have IPO approve whatever they want to do. It’s up to IPO to make sure the programs coincide with curriculum. Susan meets with departments, asks what they want from students. A student asked earlier why Panama, not Nicaragua and this is related specifically to departments. It is the case that students need to be very meticulous about non-Oxy programs. It’s important that students look at an option that meets their needs. As to Moana’s second question, IPO would need another $250,000 for the semester. The issue is bigger than raising money through students. It’s being discussed. IPO has established exchanges and donors for particular programs. Moana asked how that was how is it looking. She is not expecting to go abroad at this point, but this isn’t how it should be for the future, so what should she do to make a difference. Susan was not sure that she had a recommendation. She assured students that the conversation is happening and she is hopeful that the changes will be made. It’s important that IPO be aware and have meetings like this.
Lauren Moffett noted that some schools allow study abroad during the sophomore year. She wondered if study abroad is reserved for junior year because students are supposed to concentrate on your major. She felt it would also help with the sophomore slump. Lauren suggested it as something to consider, though it might not be feasible monetarily. Susan noted that she is not opposed second semester of Sophomore year. She is trying to accommodate junior and seniors. Lauren wondered if that has happened. Susan hasn’t seen it in her one year. Lauren wondered if there was a policy about the year students can go. Susan said that the policy is that juniors and seniors have precedence. She also noted that a lot of examples students have brought up are large research institutions. They have lots of money and huge institutions abroad. They tend to be more lax because students are still at the institution.
Jake Stevens didn’t think it’s fair to continue to call these issues growing pains. When he sat down with Susan Prager, she said study abroad was a special issue that she would focus on in her capital campaign. He felt that the issues being addressed now are a stopgap way to address the issue. What has IPO done to institutionally assure that these issues won’t come up again, particularly with students of color or disadvantaged students. Susan noted that she is not trying to diminish the issues as growing pains, but rather to clarify that these are battles every program has to go through. IPO are trying to address the institutional issues, but that’s above Susan. IPO receives a budget and works it out as best they can. The Trustees determine the budget. If she was in a position to fix it, she would. In terms of equitable access, the current policy is already in place. There is no discrepancy in terms of working with students of color and underrepresented students. Oxy is higher than national percentage of Latino and Asian Americans studying abroad, and higher percentage to go to underrepresented students. Oxy still has work with African Americans, and IPO is trying to make that work.
Joi Bartholomew noted that she worked with IPO for 3 years. She was waitlisted, but declined for a program. She has a dual perception—she knows Susan, Liz, and Marisa, work hard to try and get students to go abroad. That’s what they work on all day. Students can sometimes scapegoat, and maybe their applications aren’t up to par. Joi is saying that as a waitlisted student. She is fully on financial aid, and can’t study abroad without financial support from Oxy. She’s grateful that financial aid transfers. As far as research, people should know about a country when they go because if they do not, it contributes to “ignorant American” perception. This disregards IPO’s mission statement and Oxy’s mission statement. Joi doesn’t think it’s unreasonable to research. She also said that students could come by Monday, Wednesday, or Friday if they don’t like what she said.
Kether Hayden did not think that students want to scapegoat IPO, but she believes that constructive feedback from students is important for IPO to hear. This feedback is needed to help have things happen on a higher level; the Trustees have to hear this. She knows there is an upper administrative conversation, but students should meet with administrators, and say that this should be the top priority. Students should let administrators what they feel about how their money should be allocated. In terms of the schools policy on year-long study abroad, she’s been told different things from different people. She wants to know what Oxy’s policy is, and why there are yearlong programs. Susan noted that in IPO’s efforts to send as many people abroad as possible, year-long study abroad is for students who are exceptional and have a very good reason to go for the whole year. If she could have her way, study abroad would only be a year. But, in order to send as many people as possible, it is typically only for one semester. Students need exceptional and compelling reasons, such as a dual language major. The semester study abroad policy is in place in order to allow greatest access to largest number of students. Kether noted that she was told by Eric Frank that Oxy has a pedagogical policy, and he separated it completely from budgetary reasons. Susan could not comment on that without hearing it. She imagines that the panel looks closely at these issues and that pedagogy, curriculum plan for graduation become incredibly important. Kether also noted that Eric Frank mentioned national studies saying it’s not an individual issue based on your courses, but an institutional decision. She clarified that from IPO’s standpoint, they are not fundamentally opposed to sending students abroad for a year.
Patrice Hall noted that Susan has commented about what other schools do. She noted that large research institutions send lots of students. Patrice wondered about the 18 schools we compare to. Compared to other schools, they have smaller endowments and send more students. IPO pays money to send people to inspect these programs. She wondered if there can be a consortium or use national conventions as a research tools. Other schools send more students and have more programs, so Oxy really has to be competitive. She also noted that students have to do so much more extra work when they’re already students. She feels that maybe the sentiment is that it’s not so much that students know IPO want them to know about the place, but maybe it feels like more than what other people are doing. Liz Powell understood what Patrice was saying. She graduated from Oxy in 2002. She said it’s something students have to do. IPO doesn’t believe they can drop a person in a country with no knowledge. Students’ knowledge about the country is also a qualification with which to select students as well.
Susan noted that the college has joined some consortia such as the Associated Kyoto Program in Japan. Now IPO can send Oxy students to this prestigious program. Bates also has a prefreshman program in which students can be admitted and go abroad before coming to campus. Susan hopes that Oxy can be unique and structure programs so they are enmeshed with the curriculum and entwined with what we are aimed at.
Patrice Hall asked about an endowment and why that factors into how many we send. Susan noted that the endowment affects everything. With a small endowment, we can’t improve on anything. Liz noted that a college cannot do anything if they don’t have an endowment for study abroad. Matt Kuzio noted that the College can’t touch a lump sum of money. The more endowment, more interest, so it’s different from annual budget. Patrice wondered where gifts go. Someone noted that gifts can be given to the endowment specifically, or so something else if the donor wants.
Joi Bartholomew noted that 70% of students are on financial aid. Patrice said she understands that Oxy does well with financial aid and still sending students abroad.
Megan wondered about a yearly program. She didn’t know why all eligible students go, and then let students go on a yearly program. Susan noted that students who have exceptional reasons have the opportunity to propose a year-long program. A student with a compelling application can benefit from the extra time. If the student has a stellar application, they can go for a year. Megan worried that students who are going for a year are using the money another student could use for one semester. Susan noted that there are only 2 year-long study abroad students. They are very very exceptional.
Kara Abelson noted that the whole purpose of GA is for students to meet and discuss things they care about. Students can also write resolution and take personal steps to make change. In order for it to be considered for the next week, five students have to agree that the debate should happen.
2. Patterson Field Lights Resolution
Matt Kuzio changed the subject to a resolution submitted by Spencer Jemelka.
PATTERSON FIELD LIGHTS RESOLUTION
We the Student of Occidental College request that the field lights of Patterson Field be turned on from 6:30pm-9:00pm Monday-Friday for the remainder of this year and for the years to come while Occidental is in session.
As of right now the field lights for Patterson Field can only be turned on by a.) Campus Safety and b) by the request of a club that has Patterson Field reserved. The current “flood” lights that are automatically turned on are not sufficient to cast enough light for the track/field to be well lit. Therefore, we request that Campus Safety turn on the field lights during the school week at 6:30pm and turn them off when the gym and other athletic facilities close at 9pm.
The reasons for this request are as follows:
1.) SAFETY. Patterson Field is open for as long as the gym is open. We have many students who are only able to use the track/field for their workouts when it is dark. Because Campus Safety refuses to turn on the lights without a reservation, students are running on our track in the dark. This is an intimidating and unsafe environment for students. The situation is rife for injury by accident, assault, sexual assault and a host of liabilities associated with the use of the track while it is dark.
2.) ACCESSIBILITY. It seems ridiculous that Oxy has just installed a new multi-million dollar field and it is unusable by students who would otherwise be willing to use the field and the track. We need the lights turned on to get our money’s worth out of this new investment.
3.) CONVENIENCE. Many teams use Patterson Field from varsity to club sports. To get the lights turned on a team member must call campus safety and wait for the officer to arrive. This is inconvenient for both the officer and the students. This waiting time often cuts into valuable practice time, and pulls an officer away from other duties. If this duty was prescheduled, officers can plan to turn on the lights in a manner that coordinated with their schedule.
4.) STUDENT FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. The rules currently state that to use the field one must have it reserved for that time period. A student that calls campus safety will be denied usage if they don’t have a reservation and will be forced to either risk injury and train in the dark or simply not train at all. Having the lights turned on every night will allow more students to use the track, a right they all pay to have.
5.) NO SCHEDULING DIFFICULTIES. In no way would this affect Master Calendar or scheduling. The team/club that requested the field or track would still have a right to the time allotted to them. By turning on the lights the field would be open to all students when not in use by others who have reserved it.
For the reasons stated above we as the students of Occidental College request these lights be turned on from 6:30pm-9pm Monday-Friday. For too long our teams have practiced in the dark, our students run on a track without sufficient lighting and our athletic needs been disregarded.
The GA approved discussion of the resolution next week.
Meeting ended 7:53 PM