General Assembly

• GA Home
• Constitution
• GA By-laws
• Calendar
• Minutes
• Resolutions
• Proposals
• Committees
• Hot Topics
• Previous GA Members

Minutes from October 5, 2006

Download Word File: Minutes-10-5-06

 

Associated Students of Occidental College

General Assembly Minutes

October 5th, 2006

12:00-1:30, J200

Minutes by Chelsey Brack

 

Senate Members Present: Andrew DeBlock, Amy Laslett, Matt Kuzio, John Wilson, Patrick McCredie, Mike Myers, Jimmy Gillan, Rozell Hodges, Konstantin Chaykovskiy, Teddy Zou, Alison Dempsey

 

 

Katie Orme and Patrice Hall called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM.  Katie and Patrice 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. Patrice Hall read an overview of the Student Service Bylaws.

 

1. Erika Johnson, manager of Student Activities Center and Vince Karlen, Co-Manager of Programming Board: Student Services ByLaws

Changes: Mission Statement of Occidental Agency (Erika  read the mission statement), Terms of Membership (clarification of "Spring" was made), Article IV. Meetings: Section 4. Quorum - "2/3", Section II Article V - Clarified Honor Code/Student Code of Conduct, Clarification of Suspension of Student Service, Section III - Creation of New Student Service, Section IV

Clarification, general re-wording and cleaning up of Bylaws. (see document)

 

Matt Kuzio commented that it's so hard to create a new Student Service, and asked what the reasoning is behind it. Erika  explained why it was necessary and how it is possible with an emphasis on the fact that it is what the students want, and Vince commented similarly.

Meagan Colvin commented that it seems like there are too many restrictions and it is too hard to create a new student service as well, bringing up the Student Lounge as an example. Patrice clarified that the Student Lounge is not part of the formal structure of the student government.

 

John Wilson asked the presenters to explain how to get started with data and details if they wanted to create a new Student Service, and Erika  answered that it was possible. Matt Kuzio asked if this system would polarize students into categories. Erika  answered yes it does happen but it is still a better representation than any other way. Vince said that indeed it was not an ideal situation. Allison asked in what way will the presenters get a representative sample? A random sample could be inaccurate. Vince said you cant force people to be interested in this process. We will pay close attention to the way the demographics are laid out, not just go up to a "random average Joe."

 

Meagan Colvin said that once these changes are voted on, how hard will it be to change them? Is it hard to change them again? Erika  talked about the amendment that explains 10 days (see document for amendment)

 

Presenters finished.

Vote: 20-7-12, passed

2. Sekou Jones, Director of Emmons Health Center.

Sekou opened a discussion on Emmons Health Center, explaining that he too went to Occidental, and that it was his first time to a General Assembly meeting. He talked about the changes that have been made to improve the Health Center. (see PowerPoint)

He talked about what is specific and important to Emmons Health Center, explaining the medical and psychological counseling they offer, (free consultations about other students, ways to deal with stress, etc.) and also that they have the new Gardasil (HPV) vaccine, as well. He said that the Health Center is very tightly connected with Student Affairs, and handles their Privacy Statements with the utmost confidentiality. Emmons also offers no charge for Pregnancy Tests because it may show up on the bill that students' parents see, which is not what Emmons supports in terms of confidentiality. Emmons wants to partner with other programs and organizations as well.

Mr. Jones talked about the idea of forming a Student Advisory Panel that would meet once a month, for an hour to an hour and a half. The purpose of this panel would be so Emmons can continue to get input from students; Emmons wants to learn more about students' concern, trends, as well as feedback on health education programs and outreach, and the formulation of creative solutions to needs that students have. For example, there is no surgical suite in Emmons Health Center, but if the need arises, brought to Mr. Jones' attention by the Student Advisory Panel, then they would work to get one. Mr. Jones also dispelled myths about Emmons, and explained the mission of Emmons Health Center.

Patrice and Katie opened up the presentation for questions, and sent around sign-up sheet for Student Advisory Panel. Patrice and Katie read the questions Sekou Jones had on the last slide of his PowerPoint presentation, and called on people.

First Question: What services would you like to see expanded or added?

Alison Eisel started the discussion asking about Student Health Insurance, asking about how it works and for details about our student accounts. Mr. Jones explained about receipts and student account applications and the process of Direct Billing, two pieces: 1) MetaLife relationship with Oxy, 2) Logistical billing process (no billing department)

Matt asked what STD's are tested for and asked if Emmons has thought about doing a monthly screening test. Students are not aware that Emmons tests for that. Mr. Jones said Emmons can do screening tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomonas (only in women, and a symptomatic illness), clinical examinations for Herpes, HPV, genital warts, etc. diagnosed by visualization. He said that he appreciated the monthly screening question, but explained that cost has to be reasonable and has to be quick and easy procedure. He said there is the possibility of having a non-profit organization coming in to conduct the screening tests, and that he will look into it.

Riley Steiner asked about co-programming. She said would like to see more of Emmons in our residence halls, maybe working with the RA's in providing information on sexual health. Emmons can supplement contraception provided by RA's? Mr. Jones answered that maybe Emmons can do more programming in the residence halls, possibly appoint student leaders to pass out brochures, condoms.

Meagan Colvin went off of what Riley talked about, asking about Hall Spreads and the possibility of having them sexual education themed. She said that it had been done before in Erdman last year. RA's could be trained to lead a hall spread in this manner. Mr. Jones said that he was interested in getting feedback on when would be good times for these Hall Spreads, and if he can impart to his staff that it really will be effective, that people really would come, and that it would be a beneficial cost. He will look into it.

Second Question: What are the "Critical Hours" of Emmons?

Laura Smith-Heimer said Emmons needs to be open on the weekends. People have questions and problems that happen on the weekends and they don’t know who to call, maybe an advise nurse/person available on the weekends? Maybe a phone number not necessarily associated with the school but where people can call with questions. Mike Kuhn said the most critical day for Emmons is Sunday because people play sports a lot on Sunday's and they get injuries. He also commented that Sunday's are a sort of "reorganization day" for most students, and would like to see Emmons open for a few hours on Sunday, from around 12 PM to 3 PM. Riley Steiner said would like to see a way students can get the "morning after pill" (emergency contraception) on the weekends. Brittany Sanders agreed that there should be weekend hours for Emmons. Matt Kuzio asked if Campus Safety currently offers a service to drive students off campus to get help. If so, shouldn't it be publicized? Is it on website? Students should know. Mr. Jones said that currently no service was offered to drive students off-campus to get help, and that he would look into having weekend hours for Emmons.

Third Question: What do you do when Emmons is closed?

Riley Steiner said she had to go to the Emergency Room one time because Emmons was closed, and more specifically because the ER was cheaper. Alison Eisel said she would like to see more information about other resources, free testing clinics, etc., and that a website would be good to publicize that information. Laura Smith-Heimer proposed the idea of counseling groups as a support system. Riley Steiner talked again about Campus Safety, referring to the comment made by Matt Kuzio, saying that first years don’t have transportation, could there be a place to get help within walking distance? Transportation is an issue for most students, especially first years.

Fourth Question: What resources are important for helping you be "healthy" in a (broad sense)?

Sekou elaborated on how all programs work together, and how Emmons wants to work with students.

Maggie Hays said that she doesn't feel that there is a list of resources available. For example, if she were to need a chiropractor, how to get that information. A contact email, online, etc. Laura Smith Heimer said something should always be available; the students need people to talk to, and there aren't always people available at Emmons.

Kether Hayden talked about athletics and Emmons - if a student is not currently in on a team playing an oxy sport, he or she doesn't have access, but there are many students on campus who are active, doing physical activities, that need to be treated. She said it is an issue with athletics and physical therapy offices, and a concern for students on campus.

Alison Eisel said that she would like to see more information about diet and how it affects general health. She would like people to know more about counseling services, specifically financial aspects of counseling services, how to plan our "crises." Mr. Jones said that it has been the policy, it's not a financial thing (if we need to see people more, see them) now the issue is purely about what is appropriate for the student. If the student has something major going on, Emmons doesn’t have the right resources, however its not that over the course of the year you shouldn't get support (there is no tally and then the student run out of visits).

Patrick Green asked about structure and support: If a student has a personal health provider that’s not affiliated with Make-A-Life, is the service provided by Emmons charged to his/her academic account? Mr. Jones explained how a receipt is given, then the student's insurance company processes it. He said Emmons tries to make it workable for students to get reimbursed. Health insurance is so complicated, and we need to find a happy medium.

John Wilson asked about the possibility of having a chiropractor or masseuse on staff at Emmons as part of general support structure, including what makes us relaxed: music, etc. More specifically sticking to basics: confidence, services, lowering costs of STI testing. Mr. Jones said that he is willing to look into it. Different centers get their money in different ways, and he doesn't know if we are eligible for funding from other places. Family Path funds a lot of care (provides birth control and testing at no cost to person), he is not sure.

Jessica Lobl asked what form provides our parents access to our Emmons records? Mr. Jones answered that it was the FERPA form, and that it is tricky. It allows us to designate who we want to have access to our school records. He said that medical records probably are part of it, counseling records probably are not. He said that Emmons is really trying to air on the side of not disclosing anything. He wants to get a good sense of what they want disclosed, and added that the staff at Emmons is bound by ethical and professional standards.

Matt Kuzio asked about the training RA's go through, and said this should be mandatory so that they understand Emmons Health Center as well as health issues that face students - it's not comprehensive enough, and it is a tool that could really be utilized. Mr. Jones said that they are going to give as much information as a resource to support them and provide for them without adding more responsibility. People are worried about putting too much on residential life and RA's.

Daniel Landesman asked how much are our parents allowed to see for their kids who are minors, and Mr. Jones said that the staff at Emmons acts like most people are over 18, and that they care about age in a crisis (urgent situation), not total emergency. They try to stick to things that are relevant. Age doesn’t come up that often because Emmons tries to recognize what the students want, all the time. Emmons strives to keep dialogue private.

Kether Hayden asked who is eligible for The State of California Health Access Program Funds, and if there is any way of making that an option for payment at Emmons - If a recipient, then can go to pharmacy, etc. Mr. Jones said that it was something Emmons has not looked into, but could definitely look into.

Alison Eisel asked if Emmons can fill prescriptions, and Mr. Jones answered that Emmons is not currently enrolled in Family Path, and is not sure of the policy. He doesn't think Family Path does it, and Emmons does not currently do it.

Patrice and Katie closed the question and answer session and thanked Sekou for his presentation and discussion. Sekou thanked the students. Patrice and Katie then opened up the floor for resolutions, but there were none.

Meeting adjourned at 1:16 pm.