General Assembly

Minutes from November 9, 2006

Associated Students of Occidental College

General Assembly Minutes

November 9th, 2006

3:00-4:00 PM, J204

Minutes by Chelsey Brack

Senate Members Present: Andrew DeBlock, Rozell Hodges, Max Thoman-Tedford, Patrick McCredie, John Wilson, Jimmy Gillan, Matt Kuzio, Konstantin Chaykovskiy

Guests Present: Abe Cohen, Andrew Kinder, Chris Loomis, Will Carlson, Mike Kuhn, Jessica Cornick, Ashley Morganstern, Kenjus Watson, Sadia Afolabi, Katie Healey, Nathalie Morrison, Eric Roddie, Vince Karlen, Chelsey Brack (14)

Katie Orme and Patrice Hall opened the official student forum at 3:07 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.

Earic Peters, Associate Dean of Student Life, introduced himself as being at the General Assembly meeting today to discuss Club Sports, Greek Life, and general Student Life. He Introduced himself, said he would like to talk about the status of Student Life, where we're at, the changes in Student Life, ideas of/plans for Student Life that could affect the students as early as next semester. He acknowledged that there are frustrations with the way club sports are being run. He also said he wanted to discuss Fraternity and Sorority Life on campus, and that he wanted to hear what's going well as well as what's not going well.

He addressed the issue of Student Life, saying that there are new faces, and that some students he sees on a daily basis, some he does not. He talked about how Student Life just had a SWOT analysis, which allows Student Life to go through their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Also, a day-long discussion that was had in which Student Life came up with many things to work on. They talked about the clarity of policy and procedures, including alcohol policy, party vs. social policies, neighborhood relations, rebuilding Greek life including support financially and its general structure, time distribution for planning for clubs and organizations, trying to figure out a system for next semester and next year so that all clubs and organizations have support.

Earic said that one of the main strengths of Student Life is that they are approachable, and they are okay with getting feedback because they want it, both positive and negative. They see themselves as the advocate group, the advocate department, for all of students. Earic said that the opportunities that they have are great, their staff is new, the president is new, and that it is overall a new organization. Earic said the biggest complaint he has heard is that there is no legitimate service volunteer office, but the students who have come from volunteer services in their high schools know where it is. He said that if anyone wants to, let him know, so he can give you an opportunity. Earic talked about the policy of club sports, fraternity and sorority life, saying that recommendations and updates for them are coming up, that funding is a threat and that they are trying to figure out how Student Life will come up with enough money to fund all of these student programs. A potential threat is of how Student Life communicates to the students, how students communicate to other students, how students communicate to administrators, etc. He has a vision for fraternity and sorority life, and wants to make it fit with the mission and values of the college. He believes that academic excellence, community, equity, and service are all important aspects of student life. Earic introduced Dan Predoehl.

Dan Predoehl, Student Life Coordinator, introduced himself, saying that he spends about 75% of his time with Greek life, and 25% with student activities. He said that when he joined, Student Life was at the point where changes needed to occur, and they have been constantly re-evaluating all of what has happened over really the past one hundred years. He said that he and the Greek Council and have been going over what Greek Life really looks like. He said that the policy manual covers many things that have usually just been word of mouth, and that one of goals has been to put everything into one comprehensive document, which has been one of the largest ongoing goals for Fraternity and Sorority Life. He acknowledged how here, at Oxy, it has not been encouraged really, that it has sort of been put down, and that no one really cares about it. He is striving to build community that people want to be a part of, and he wants to create a structure where people know what the rules are, but feel the freedom to say that they are part of a Fraternity or Sorority, and that’s a good thing here at Oxy.

He talked about how new things that have been affected, how a new hazing law went through California Congress, and that consequences for hazing have dramatically risen. He said that there is going to be more talk about hazing and refining of tradition now more than ever, and that during initiation weeks that are happening right now: the way they do their traditions, to follow under correct guidelines, keeping students safe and keeping people out of situations where they could be held viable for something happening. He talked about how the Phi Si neighborhood partnership program, which is organizing people into one body for neighbor relations. He summarized about Greek Life at larger institutions, how they utilize online Fraternity and Sorority services online, which will now will be a viable tool to be used for Oxy. Finally, he said that one of the cool things that they are doing, which tradition they have always had, but hopefully will be bigger, is Greek Week. It will be an opportunity to show the whole college that there IS a Greek system here, and that people like to be members. Any new pledge will have to have a 2.7 GPA, will have to maintain 2.5 GPA, which is one of the highest requirements on campus. He also said that the Greek Council has become an entity that is doing good things. It has been working with programming, issues are being discussed, committees are being formed, input is being taken from the Fraternity and Sorority members, decisions are being made, and actions are being taken.

Earic said that the other piece is that Student Life has been in discussions about what should be outcomes for our different programming’s, which will come out next semester, students can be able to see hopes/plans/goals, before they graduate. Introduced Kenna Cottrill to talk about present things in student life, including Senate, etc.

Kenna Cottrill, Assistant Director of Student Life, talked about what is important is that students get to ask questions at the GA. She explained how she works with event registration for clubs and organizations, and that one of the coolest parts of her job is that she gets to work with the Senate and the GA, Student Services, and helps the Senate figure out things on their own. She said that she advises them, and helps them make processes run/work better. Kenna talked about the different student services, including the Bengal Bus, SAAC, etc. and how student services are in charge of the yearbook, which they spend $50,000 on a year, Kenna said to come talk to Student Life if students want to make something happen and given time and communication, what students want to make happen, can potentially happen.

Earic said that he needs someone to work on the Tiger Cooler hours because they are going to extend the hours for the cooler starting next week, 8 PM-12AM every single day and opened on Friday night through 2 AM. He said applications will be in the office next week, and to let him know if someone needs a job. He then proceeded to open up the floor for questions.

Jimmy Gillan asked about the 2.75 GPA requirement, the policy in place, and asked what is the incentive for people to improve their grades, if a 2.5 GPA is required to get in, then eventually have a 2.75 to remain. He asked why a high standard is set, then people are allowed to "sink." Dan answered that traditionally the GPA for fraternities usually goes down their first semester, then can start going up again. He said that they want people who are doing well academically to get into these organizations. Jimmy said that he is on the Scholarship Board at Phi Psi, which has been talking about people bringing up their grades. He said that it doesn't make sense, and asked if there is any way other Greek organizations would be in favor of changing the policy and raise the GPA per semester. He said they could have a minimum, but not allow people to fall back. He said he thinks that more obligations would foster the right message being sponsored by the Greek organizations, after all the mission of the college is about academic excellence. Earic interjected that there currently is no statement that says 2.75 GPA has to stay there at that bar, and that there is a high expectation for Greek Life, the lowered expectations to a 2.5 GPA are so people can shoot to a higher GPA.

Kenna said that there are different set-GPA's for all sorts of things, and to make the GPA the same all across the board isn't realistic, but that in general the school is trying to set higher standards across the board. It will take time, they are trying to balance these things, and there are lots of issues surrounding it. Dan added that in relation, when Phi Psi was being colonized, 2.75 was what was set from their national organization, and that it chosen so it could be equitable across all of the organizations.

Jessica Cornick said that she has noticed in the Greek Policy Group, the Greeks are being continually punished, but never rewarded for good neighborhood relations, and in general for all of the things that they do. She said that it is really frustrating when the bar keeps going up, and they have to keep jumping over it. She said that she knows that the Greek Awards are coming up, but they were dinged off in the neighborhood relations, but extra points were/are not given for academic achievements like academic leaders, or for having over 3.5 GPA. Earic said that Student Life is trying to figure out an awards points system. Dan suggested that Jessica go to the Greek Council with her issue.

Abe Cohen brought up how Earic mentioned earlier the Neighborhood Partnership Program and how it was a really good program that gave back to community. He asked that as far as school goes, as great as it is that you said that, there is a box office, there is a coat check in Thorne Hall, and that they only recently received an increase in govt. grant, so why are the headquarters still in a coat check? Earic answered that for everyone who don't know: LA Bridges/GEAR UP are partnerships Oxy has in the city that service 3500 students from high school to junior high school every year. He said that Abe's issue has been in discussions with administrations to get more space, and that space on campus is a big issue. He said that ITS doesn’t have enough space for itself, library, etc. Kenna: reiterated the importance and emphasized Earic's concern as well, saying that they're working on it.

John Wilson asked how the appropriation of the $19,000 from the Senate to OSL accompanied with the right leadership and the right budgeting process so that teams can get their uniforms, there isn't an over-expenditure on the banquet, etc. He asked how Student Life is working to improve on those criticisms. Earic answered that Student Life has to take care of everyone with interest. He reiterated how he wants to hear the complaints, and if students cant get a meeting with him or Dan, to let him know. He talked about how the allocation of uniforms is a slow process, and how they have to figure out the budget for money. He said that club sports has never had a formal banquet to recognize all that they do, and that because 10-12% of students make up club sports, the idea of a banquet came in to recognize what those people give to club sports.

Katie Healey asked about the Club Sports Council, asking what the objectives are if meeting are held after budgets have been decided. Earic said that budgets are not approved unless the CSC looks at them.

Abe Cohen asked for a date for when the CSC will be up and running, because he had been it would be up two weeks ago. Earic answered that because of the Exploration of Blackness and other things going on on-campus, an email was not yet sent out, but will be sent out by today or tomorrow asking dates/times which would be best to meet.

Brittany Sanders said that last semester she worked at The Get-Away, and didn't see the money she made till almost till the end of the semester and it was held in March. She asked if there is any way to get paid for that type of work within two weeks of actually working, and Kenna said that sometimes it takes longer, depending. She said that it may have been a management issue, because management is different this year as well. She also said that she will keep this issue in mind for the Get-Away and Winter Formal when they come up this year. She added that she doesn’t know why it took so long, but now it is something that she is aware of.

Katie Healey asked why club sports moved from the Senate and if realistically the Office of Student Life can deal with club sports effectively and in a timely manner. Earic said that this year Student Life is working directly with the Senate next semester, and they will be better do better job of dealing with club sports. Kenna added that there is always the risk of injury, and risks associated with travel to tournaments. These issues need to come through a professional department so that students aren’t thinking about those issues. She added that it was not as if the ASOC did a bad job, just that when the Office of Student Life handles it, they can protecting students and that these issues aren’t for them to have to handle.

Jimmy Gillan asked about the liability issues associated with travel, asking what was different about being transported in Oxy vans. Earic answered that typically students are not transported by a designated driver, and that some policies and procedures students think just don’t apply to them, which makes Student Life have to deal with the important questions concerning phone numbers, emergency info, etc. and it is not that easy.

Jimmy Gillan proceeded to ask about student fees, and Earic explained that student fees come through college, are distributed through the ASOC.

Earic said that there is more of an issue because there have been more injuries - their were five injuries last year in club sports. It is possible that players didn’t follow proper procedures in informing the administration, a hospital, etc. He said that the bottom line is that more support needs to be given to students so they have incentive to play.

Matt Kuzio said that it was the Senate's decision to switch the funds for club sports, which is a decision they came to last year. He said made a great deal of sense to have Student Life handle the situation, and that there wasn’t pressure from Student Life to process those funds, but that they said they had a system that would work better. Earic added that it takes time to develop a system that works.

Matt Kuzio said, on a different note, that he received an email yesterday about the volume of emails the students get sent. For example, the sending of an email out about Angela Davis three different times is unnecessary. He suggested that Student Life check facts before they send out the first email so they don’t have send out numerous follow-up emails to correct the facts. He said that the count this week from Student Life was twelve emails, and this shouldn’t happen. He added that it makes the emails less effective the more students get. If students were to get one once a week, they would be more willing to read it.

Earic acknowledged that he knows students get a lot of emails, but they are from different departments as well. Alternatives could be more posters or flyers instead, and he said the students need let Student Life know what works to market the Student Life department.

Jessica Cornick brought up the discussions about legitimacy of Greek Council. She said that the groundwork has been laid by Student Life, but she brought up how the Greek Council is supposed to be the governmental body for the Greeks, but as of right now, she feels they are kind of acting as a puppet for Student Life and are not actually making any policies. Earic answered that Student Life will look into it, and said that college policies have to be put in place for all students to be governed by, not just the Greeks.

Jessica asked if the Fraternity and Sorority policy book is supposed to be the policy now, if it is the manual representing the college policy or constitution, and asked how it plays out if Student Life decides something and the Greek Council denies it. Earic said that hazing, alcohol, and recruitment issues are the focus, and that the policy helps guide what Greek Life should do, but also should help govern what Greek Life does. Jessica asked if in the end the power will come back to the Greek Council, because right tow Student Life has it, and the Greek Council is kind of just there. Earic answered that Student Life is indeed involved with policies because that’s what they do. Student Life has to help set expectations, doing Greek Week or whatever takes place. Earic assured Jessica that the Greek Council is not a puppet, but that it is a body that helps shape this campus.

Patrice and Katie closed the discussion, telling people to email them at asocga@oxy.edu if they had any questions, concerns, or comments.

Meeting adjourned at 4:13 PM.