General Assembly
Minutes from April 19th, 2006
Download Word File: Minutes 04-19-06
General Assembly Meeting
April 19, 2006
Johnson 200
Notes by Kenna Cottrill
Matt Kuzio, 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. Patterson Field Lights Resolution
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.) ACCESIBILITY. 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.
Spencer Jelkema thinks this resolution speaks for itself. Students use the field and there have been near accidents
David Marsh noted that he recognizes the concerns. He wondered, if the resolution passes, what if it is turned down because of budget issues. Spencer noted that he would put it in again through the Senate and administration.
Matt noted that this is an official statement from student body. This resolution would go through Senate if passes, and then through Dixon Farmer, Barbara Avery, and Holly Nieto.
Kyna Schilling wondered if the basic cost had been calculated. Xochitl Garcia said she thought the energy was a block and that the college pays for a grid. She wondered if that is an issue. David noted he wasn’t away are that.
Ali Raymond wondered why this didn’t already happen, if it had something to do with bureaucracy. Spencer felt that bureaucracy was the main reason. David wondered if Spencer was sure.
With no other comments, the Co-Chairs called for a vote. The resolution passed 21-0-1.
2. ASOC Access Fund
Senators Patrice Hall, Finn Keough, and Sam Slesinger served on a committee to explore an access fund for ASOC.
Patrice noted that they want to address the rumors about trying to salary Senate positions. Senate agreed that money shouldn’t be used to pay salaries. She also noted that there is a need for Senate to recognize students’ who are not as financially advantaged as others, and who may not be able to have another job on the side and be on Senate. These students have to choose between not having money and be on Senate or not be in a leadership position because of hours they have to work somewhere else. Senate felt that a good compromise would be to provide a scholarship for those in great financial need as determined by financial aid and an administrator.
Reed Mettler asked what the amount would be. Patrice noted that the maximum would likely be $500/semester. At this time, this amount would not be given across the board, but rather the amount a student received would be based on need. Maureen McRae-Levy would be able to figure out what it means for the student’s specific financial aid package and need (i.e. high/low/medium). Maureen and an administrator would have written statement from candidates, then determine the amount a student would receive. Finn Keough noted that the exact amounts have not been determined, but $500/semester is the max. Reed wondered what is the maximum amount students can receive for work study. Patrice noted that it is $2800. Finn noted that this would not replace work study, but would supplement it.
Josh Liu asked who would arbitrate who’s eligible for this fund. Patrice noted that students would submit a detailed statement about need and why they should be eligible. This information goes to the administrator in charge, which could be Kenna Cottrill or Earic Peters and the Director of Financial Aid, Maureen McRae-Levy, who makes the financial aid packages and is the only person to make packages and look at them. Then there would be discussions with administrator, but no students would be involved. Josh clarified that Senate did not know exactly. Finn agreed, but assured students that this would remain confidential.
Xochitl Garcia noted that since this would be calculated at beginning of year, how would it affect financial aid? Would it would be outside of financial aid and how would it affect financial aid offer for the next year? Would it affect FAFSA? Patrice noted that under CA law, students are supposed to report extra funds. If a student gets more money, they talk to Maureen. Depending on a student’ situation, it might come out of work award or go towards their loan. Or it could reduce their Oxy need. But Financial Aid does not want students to lose their need-based scholarship. A student would talk to Maureen about how this could work for them, and would make a choice.
Reed Mettler wondered if this would be open to other students not in Senate. Patrice noted that it specifically for Senate, GA, and Honor Board. David Marsh noted that if a student is part of Student Service, they are getting paid. Reed noted that if someone could be just as involved with clubs as a Senator is with Senate, but this would not be open to them.
Josh Liu asked if this was coming from ASOC funds. Patrice said it was. Finn noted that Senate is looking at different places this money could come from. Could it come from savings? If any money is left over from the year, it goes into savings. Senate has been exploring what effect this would have on the budget. Josh noted that with the current plan, this money would come from student tuition, the part that does not go through administration. The money would be going to other students. Finn noted that Josh was correct, that it would be like the Student Services is currently set up.
Ali Raymond clarified that student fees currently pay salaries for Student Services, so other leadership positions get paid. Ali herself is involved in clubs, and she can’t have second job because Senate takes up 10-15 hours of her time. If a student is in a club, they are not penalized if they don’t show up, but with Senate, Senators have to be at the meetings.
Josh clarified that the purpose of this fund is to aid potential senators who would not be able to participate in Senate if not have incentive. Patrice noted that this is not for potential Senators and it’s not an incentive. Once a student get elected, they may realize that with their financial situation, the number of hours a student can put in to Senate is in trouble because they have to work outside of that. A student could write out their situation and talk with an administrator about it. Then the student would go to Financial aid and discuss their loan situation, scholarship, work study, etc. Patrice clarified that this is not an incentive to do more work and get paid.
Josh asked if the Access Fund would be in place to replace a job that a senator could have if they had time to have job, if they were not in Senate. Kara Abelson noted that since Senate is not paid, some students have to choose between Senate and having another job. Since time commitment is high there is an equity issue about who can participate. .
Josh noted that athletics get 1 credit. Can Senate get credit? Patrice noted that the reason for the Access Fund is about students actually having money in their hand. If a student’s family doesn’t/can’t support them, the credit won’t help the student in same way. Students have to pay bills. Senate did discuss the idea of getting credit—but the process wouldn’t happen for next year. Senate knows that money could be the most important. With offering credit, it would be opening a can of worms that Senate isn’t sure they can control. Finn clarified that Senate has discussed many options. Credit could happen in long term, but in the coming 2-3 years, it’s something that takes a long time. There’s no academic dept. associated with it and no faculty. Patrice noted that in the meantime, students still may not be able to participate.
Josh asked what the process was for getting credit. Kara noted that athletics is different. There is faculty associated with it and a department. Senate doesn’t have that because they work with administration, not faculty.
Caroline Kim thinks the committee has done an awesome job. She also clarified that no student within ASOC would determining who gets the money. Financial Aid will look at a student’s record. It’s not an incentive, Senate is not trying to lure people into positions. Senate recognizes that Oxy is diverse and not everyone has 15 hours to devote to Senate and not get paid. Even Caroline had to forgo 2 income opportunities this year. There are students who don’t get support from their parents. Senate will arbitrarily pick and choose who it thinks needs money. The decision will be made by Financial Aid. .
Finn clarified that this fund is not a self-serving thing for Senate. Senate looked at numbers for this year, and a huge majority would not qualify for aid this year. Matt Kuzio noted that this is part of the issue. 70% of the campus is on financial aid of some sort. That means 30% does not need it. When 5 of 12 members of Senate need some extra support, what does it say about student representation and equity? Part of the Mission Statement is about equity and equal opportunity and as students, how do we take charge of that?
Amanda Gonzalez noted that people had mentioned students whose parents who aren’t helping and they can apply for this fund. What if a student’s if parents can afford to send them here, but student still needs an income, would they be eligible? Patrice noted that Senate would not dictate what need is. The statement from the student should be clear about situation and why they need money. The student needs to be as honest as possible. The person to verify a student’s situation would be Maureen. She would look at a student’s financial aid package and the negotiate with the student. Finn clarified that Senate hasn’t established criteria. There may be some minimal level of need, so that if a student’s need is X, they are not eligible. It may also be possible that there will be more weight placed on the personal statement. Ali noted that this is why there could be a varying degree of money a student could get. If a student’s parents help, that’s great. That’s why students can explain. What scares Ali is that students who don’t have the time or energy to put in to this project may not get the money.
Josh clarified that the entire responsibility to choose students for this fund rests with administrators and not with Senate or the GA. He also noted that the funds are coming from student fees, but the decision is coming from the administration. Finn noted that Senate could have made this decision, but decided to respect students’ confidentiality. Senate does not want the responsibility of looking at students’ need. Josh thought this was a good decision. He also wondered if Senate had thought about working with administrators by asking them to set aside money for this fund. Patrice had asked Maureen about left over money, but it doesn’t work that way. Oxy does a good job at giving money out and giving out work study. She reminded students that ASOC employees get paid through student body fees. In the old structure, the Executive Board got paid. She also reminded students that this fund is not about people getting paid for fun of money, but rather if a student needs it, it might be there for them. It’s not just about paying everyone; Senate wants to make sure Senate is equitable and open.
Rozell Hodges noted that ASOC is not a college department, so administration doesn’t give funds to things that are not department. As it is, it would be inequitable if ASOC got money from the administration because other departments need money and aren’t getting it.
Patrice noted that it is Senate’s responsibility to work with all this money—to release funds, distribute money to as many people as possible. Senate has almost a half million dollars to manage. Senate reviews budgets, and makes sure departments get what they need.
David Marsh also noted that it’s important to realize how attached ASOC is to the administration—technically ASOC should be independent. Student body fees first go through administration, then are allocated to ASOC. If ASOC constantly goes to the administration, ASOC could lose students’ faith in ASOC to be voice of students. Students want representation, they want to be independent. Credit or financial support could make ASOC connected to the administration; this way ASOC is taking responsibility. He compared $500 a semester to what student services employees receive, and it’s not as much. Being on Senate should be enough incentive to be on Senate itself, but it is a much bigger issue than that.
Ali also noted that important to note that as students talk about student services, those are meant to serve students. Senate serves students through representation. Ali knows she can’t be on Senate unless she knows she doesn’t have to give up job. The $500 a semester that is being discussed is still tentative. Senate has allocated certain pot of money, theoretically, everyone could have access and everyone would get less. This is a pilot year. The decision of where the money comes from only comes from Senate
Caroline noted that overall, when Senate discussed this issue, she thought it was an amazing statement to student body. Senate is making statement that students are concerned about equity issues. They are making statement to administration and student body that Senate wants to have as diverse group as it can. Senate doesn’t want to bar anyone from being involved because economics is an issue. It’s clear to her that this is not about being self-serving. It’s being filtered through other people, so if a student makes up a bunch of stuff, they will get shot down. This fund will exist to create a more equitable situation.
Finn noted that there are some concerns about what affect this will have on the budget. The committee has taken look at it. In the draft budget, every student service is at the same level if not more funding as this year. Plus funds for clubs will be larger than last year. This budget also factors in setting aside money for this so the fund won’t be taking away from other things.
3. Study Abroad Committee Resolution
Kether Hayden noted that because of a large number of student concerns about study aboard, she’s presenting this resolution to form a committee and discuss study abroad issues and makre recommendations.
Introduction:
Study abroad is a campus-wide concern. Current study abroad opportunities, policies, and practices are not only issues that affect the current Sophomore class but have impacted the experiences of Juniors and Seniors and will impact the experiences of First-Years and all future Occidental Students. Because of large student concern about study abroad at Occidental, I am representing a group of students who would like to see change. We are proposing a resolution to form a committee that will discuss and develop changes and improvements to the study abroad process, policies, and funding. This committee will present their findings and proposals to the Administration and the Board of Trustees. The committee, operating as a representative of Oxy students’ concerns and needs, will work with the Administration and Board of Trustees to ensure that much needed development and expansion is made to study abroad at Occidental.
The following are goals developed by concerned students that could be initial goals of the committee.
Goals:
1. SECURE permanent funding for all eligible students. This will require allocating funding to accommodate increasing class sizes as well as overall interest in studying abroad. The Board of Trustees will either find funds within our budget and/or secure outside funding sources to accommodate the students’ needs.
2. Make the Board of Trustees and the Administration realize the high importance students place on study abroad experiences. Studying abroad enables extensive academic, linguistic, and personal growth as well as cross cultural awareness and understanding.
3. Reform the study abroad process. Specifically we feel it is necessary to create an atmosphere of encouragement. The values of multiculturalism and independent academic pursuits in the Occidental Mission Statement should be reflected throughout the pre-application, application, and post-acceptance processes.
Methodology:
The committee will consist of no less than 3-5 dedicated core members who will meet and continue communication on consistent basis for the remaining weeks of the semester, throughout the summer, and into the following semester. Other interested students are welcome to participate and express their opinions and concerns to this committee.
The committee will compile information from students. This could be in the form of surveys, meetings, and a blog. Hopefully this wide variety of approaches will reach as many interested students as possible and will develop student interest and encourage and provide an outlet for student voices.
The committee will present the findings to the Administration, Board of Trustees and keep the student body updated on any progress that is made.
Conclusion:
We hope this proposal will be favorably considered. If passed we hope the committee will serve the student body and ensure that Occidental lives up to its Mission Statement.
This Resolution has support and will be discussed at the next meeting.
4. Capital Improvements
Kara noted that Capital Improvements are part of the savings account ASOC has. .
Amanda Gonzalez is the current editor for La Encina yearbook and is requesting just over $3200, mainly for software. Most people on staff have Photoshop on personal computers. The have been saving pictures on flashdrives, then moving them to her computer. TOA hasn’t had software to make posters, they are doing the design on their own computers. With the software, employees can use school computers. This is the same thing with Microsoft Office and operating system, which is the latest for Macs. The operating system is OSX Tiger Office is for La Encina, TOA, Oxy Weekly. Also these departments need a printer in Bengal room—TOA and La Encina staff members print to their own personal printers.
Matt noted that there is now an opportunity to discuss and ask questions, but there will be no voting.
David noted that when this request came to the Senate, the printer was the only thing going to be shared. He wondered if this was the same. Amanda noted that the operating system will be shared between La Encina and TOA.
The second request is from Kyna Shilling, the Photo Editor of the Oxy Weekly, who is requesting cameras and equipments. Kyna noted that there is a basic equity issue at play because, since the Oxy Weekly has switched from darkroom to digital, they require their photographers to have their own equipment. Better cameras take better pictures and students who don’t have good cameras can’t be on staff. There are not a lot of opportunities to take pictures on campus. Oxy Weekly wants to purchase a Nikon D-70S, the body has a metal interior, and would last longer and have less damage. Their request includes two cameras, lense, warranties bag, and filter for a total of just over $3,000.
No questions or comments.
Meeting closed at 7:00 PM.