General Assembly

Minutes from September 21, 2006

Download Word File: Minutes-9-21-06

 

Associated Students of Occidental College

General Assembly Minutes

September 21, 2006

12:00-1:30, J200

Minutes by Kenna Cottrill  

 

Senators Present: Patrick McCredie, Konstantin Chaykovskiy, John Wilson, Matt Kuzio, Andrew DeBlock, Amy Laslett, Jimmy Gillan, Rozell Hodges, Max Thoman-Tedford, Teddy Zou, Mike Myers

 

Guests Present: Sarah Yadali, Nathalie Morrison, Laura Smith Heimer, Scott Nishinaka, Sarah Owens, Liz Gelinas, Christine Spector, Vince Karlen, Sarah Richey, Daniel Landesman, Erik King, Matt Lave, Mike Kuhn, Erica Nunez, Meagan Colvin, Ryan Cassutt, Ben Nyberg, Sandy Runyan, Katherine DeMocker, Brett Ory, Sadia Afolabi, Mary Liz van Nes, Jacqueline Saldana, Jessica Lobl, Debbie Afar, Lilia Pharazyn, Jasmine Wade, Ryan Philips, Max Read, Erika Johnson, Kaja Martin, Brittany Sanders, Abe Cohen, Kate Fahrner, Benna Gottfried, Nicole Orabona, Kari Swanson, Anna Wilson, Emme Haiken, Erin Roddies, Brenda Vargas, Tuan Ngo.

 

Patrice Hall and Katie Orme called to order at 12:05 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. 

 

1. Student Services Presentation—See the Powerpoint for more information

 

Christine Spector, manager of Bengal Bus, outlined the mission.  “The mission of Bengal Bus is to provide free and reliable transportation that serves the needs of a diverse student body, while bridging the gap between the Occidental campus and the surrounding communities.  In addition, Bengal Bus seeks to support and collaborate with other groups to achieve common goals of the Occidental community.”

 

Christine noted that she changed the slogan from “Wanna ride?” to “Something for everyone” because it is more representative of what Bengal Bus will be trying to accomplish and is not suggestive.   

 

The days have also been extended Wednesday through Sunday.  She has added Museum Days, so that whenever a museum is free, the Bengal Bus will go there.   

 

Laura Smith-Heimer asked about how often the Bengal Bus would run during its programmed time.  If it runs from 9AM -3 PM, how often will it be on campus?  Christine noted that there are always 2 drivers.  The number of runs they make will depend on the distance they travel.  If it’s to Target, it should be about every 15 minutes; if it’s Santa Monica, it will be every hour.  It will be as frequently as the drivers can get people there and back.  

 

Matt Kuzio asked about the pick up point.  It’s the fountain at Alumni Circle. 

 

Max Thoman-Tedford asked for clarification on movie nights.  Christine noted that the SAC has discounted movie tickets, so students could buy their tickets and the Bengal Bus would take them to the theatres. 

 

Daniel Landesman asked about transportation to airport.  Christine noted that transportation will be available for Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break.  Fall Break shuttles will depend on driver availability.  The cost will be $10 to LAX and $5 to Burbank. 

 

Sarah Owens asked if students could schedule Bengal Bus to do runs.  Christine noted that clubs and organizations can, if they want Bengal Bus to supply the drivers.  If clubs and organizations have their own drivers, they can contact Facilities directly.  There is about a 3 day notice required for Facilities. 

 

Shannon Watters, La Encina Yearbook editor, outlined the mission: “The mission of La Encina is to provide a comprehensive, appealing, accurate, and diverse record of the present school year for the benefit of the current and future Occidental community.”  

 

Shannon noted that the yearbook strives to provide the most comprehensive and fun yearbook so that students will want it because they were part of it.  The yearbook should capture and document year.  This year is full of amazing and bad things, yearbook wants to capture all of it.  Shannon wants to get the most coverage possible.  She needs the campus’s help—she encourages students to contribute to this, yearbook will have a weekly or bi-weekly photo call so students can submit photos from events on campus.  The yearbook staff wants this to be students’ book, not the staff’s.  The staff wants to work with students on accomplishing this goal.  Shannon will have office hours 4 times a week starting next week.  She will be in the Bengal Room open to talking about the yearbook. 

 

Meagan Colvin clarified how Shannon would want photos submitted.  Shannon noted that she is working on a website that will easily accept photos.  Students can submit photos of their friends, and yearbook is looking for a diverse set of photos.

 

Ayesha Khan asked who the pictures could be sent to.  Shannon is working on a website that will hopefully be connected to a student server.  Students should check the Oxy Digest for the web address.

 

Shannon also reminded students that the staff will be doing yearbook pre-sales.  Right now the book costs $40 and the price will increase.  Students will be warned when price increases.  Yearbooks are a great investment because the staff is trying to make it the best yearbook they can.

 

Erika Johnson, manager of the Student Activity Center, outlined the mission: “The mission of the Student Activities Center is to provide the Occidental community with diverse resources for academic, entertainment, recreational, personal, and business purposes while remaining the focal point for information about activities and events on and off campus.”

 

The SAC is one stop shop for things to do.  Erika focused on the group activity sales—if there is an event and they have special prices for groups, the SAC could buy the tickets and sell them for the group out of the SAC.  She also reminded students that all the butcher paper and paint, chalking, deposits for clubs are through the SAC.  Clubs must deposit money through the SAC into their ASOC account.  They also provide faxes and copies.  SAC can also be a list generator—if a club needs massive amounts of people to sign up for something, the SAC can provide assistance.  She encouraged students to come to office hours to speak with her. 

 

Ben Nyberg, manager of The Occidental Agency, outlined the mission: “The mission of The Occidental Agency is to promote students’ awareness and involvement towards an inclusive community by providing quality, free, and diverse publicity materials to the entire Occidental community for campus events, clubs, student services, and administrative departments.”  

 

TOA offers free graphic design, posters, t-shirt design, buttons, and websites.  TOA will pay for printing up to $50 per project until the printing money runs out. 

 

Max Read asked if students could request a specific designer.  Ben said that would be fine. 

 

Tuan Ngo and Vince Karlen, co-managers of Programming Board outlined the mission: “The mission of Programming Board is to organize and sponsor innovative programs that uphold the College’s mission statement and integrate social, cultural, and academic life.  To do so, Programming Board will collaborate with student organizations in ways that reflect timeliness, excellence, and professionalism.”

 

This year PB has 2 main goals—to diversify programming and collaborate more with clubs and organizations.  PB is open to ideas.  They will be very accessible this year—come with any idea in any stage and bounce it off PB.  They also promise to get back to students in a timely manner.  This year, what PB does depends on what students want.  PB is here for clubs and organizations to utilize.  The Tech Manager, Kyna Shilling can’t be here today, but she is very good at what she does.  If you need equipment for anything, email her. 

 

They also passed out a survey and asked students to please fill it out and return it. 

 

Brittany Sanders noted that the Oasis Dance in quad from 10 PM -2 AM was better than dances in Sycamore Glen from 9PM – 1 AM, and she encouraged PB to do more dances at this time in this location. 

 

Katie Orme reminded students that all the information is on website: http://asoc.oxy.edu/asoc. Students can access all information there.  This website designed by TOA.!

 

2. Student Services Bylaws

 

The Student Services Managers took turns going through the portions of the by-laws.  Please see the document for complete information.  No questions were asked. 

 

Vote to approve by-laws: 37-1-2 PASSED (for-against-abstain)

 

3. Media—Oxy Weekly and KOXY

 

Please see the Powerpoint for complete information. 

 

Max Read, Programming Director for KOXY, presented.  Tessa Goldston, Manager, is sick. 

 

Last year KOXY sponsored concerts in Cooler and Bird Studio.  This year, their goal is high quality and diverse programming that is good and appeals to a diverse student body.  KOXY can’t provide DJs for dances because they do not have the training or equipment.  However, they can provide assistance for quad shows.  Also, if a club or organization is interested in bringing a band to campus, KOXY would love to help with that. 

 

KOXY is still accepting DJ applications for individuals or groups/organizations.  KOXY would be happy to extend the deadline if necessary, right now they are due on Friday. 

 

Emme Haiken, The Occidental Weekly Editor in Chief for the Fall Semester.  The Oxy Weekly is always looking for people to contribute to the Opinions section.  Students can write a full Opinions piece which is 400-500 words, or a Letter to the Editor which is 100 words. 

 

Jessica Lobl asked if staff writers are paid.  They are, but they have already been hired.  Students are encouraged to volunteer and could be moved into a paid position. 

 

Brittany Sanders asked if pieces could be written anonymously.  Emme said that the paper’s stance is that if you believe if it strongly enough, you should put your name on it.  If there is a situation that requires anonymity, a student can contact Emme. 

 

4. Senate on Funding—ASOC Finance & Public Relations Committee

 

Teddy Zou, Konstantin Chaykovskiy, Rozell Hodges, Jimmy Gillan, and Patrick McCredie for the Finance and Public Relations Committee.  Teddy and Jimmy are Co-Chairs for Funding this year. 

 

Teddy noted that for this year, there will be priorities for funding, which were determined by Senate.

 

Patrick McCredie discussed the Funding Request Meeting.  Attendance at the meeting is mandatory.  Meetings will be Fridays at 12:30.  Funding requests must be submitted by Thursday at 5:00 PM.  This allows Senators to look at the request and develop any questions or suggestions.  This should save time for clubs and organizations.  The meetings will also include a panel of Student Service representatives to ensure that clubs and organizations do not have to search out the managers.  Patrick reminded students to fully and accurately describe their event. 

 

Rozell Hodges discussed the Funding Request Form—noting that it is due on Thursday at 5 PM and the mandatory meeting is at 12:30 on Fridays.  Students should fill out the form completely—including check boxes for Student Services needs and event classification.  There may also be a $500 price evaluation so that if the event is over $500, there should be a detailed report of what the expenditures are going to be.  This should promote accountability and transparency.

 

Meagan Colvin asked if the meeting was mandatory for every request.  Jimmy Gillan said it was.  If there was an emergency when someone couldn’t attend, the club or organization should contact Senate.  The meetings should be brief.  It should help that Student Services managers will be there to help coordinate information.  Rozell also noted that the club leader does not have to be the one attending the meeting, any person familiar with the event can attend.   

 

Jessica Lobl asked if all the funding requests would be discussed at same time.  Jimmy said they would.  Again, it’s not a deep discussion.  It’s meant to provide a contact point for the club or organization.  Patrick reminded students that they  will submit their request before the meetings so everyone involved will have time to examine and ask questions.

 

Ben Nyberg asked how early clubs and organization have to plan event.  Do the funding requests need to be in 2 weeks in advance.  Jimmy noted that last year it was 12 days in advance.  The committee will release the official funding guidelines when they are finished.  There will be some time frame noted. 

 

Meagan Colvin asked about the retroactive funding policy.  Teddy noted that a lot of things will be similar to last year.  Senate will fund retroactively to a certain point, and after that, requests should be on time.  If not, then the request would be funded at a lower rate than those on time.

 

Sarah Yadali asked when the funding request form will be available.  Jimmy said it will be passed in Senate on Monday.  The 1st meeting will be next Friday. 

 

Jessica Lobl asked if the event was an inter-club event, do both clubs need to be represented at the meeting.  Rozell noted that the person who is attending should be able to explain the roles of the other clubs.  Konstantin Chaykovskiy noted that the person attending should represent all the clubs’ interests. 

 

Jimmy reminded students that the priories listed does not mean that things not in those categories will necessarily be funded less.  Senate wants to promote these inclusive events.

 

5. Announcement from Honor Board

 

Abe Cohen, Honor Board Juror noted that the Honor Board is looking for 2 more jurors—the  Academic and Diversity and Social Justice jurors.  Applications are available on ASOC website.  Interviews will be on 9/28 and training will be that Satruday.  Tell your friends. 

 

Jessica Lobl asked if a student can be a juror and be on RHA, for instance.  Kenna Cottrill suggested that Abe check with the advisor. 

 

Katie and Patrice introduced themselves and encouraged students to use the ASOC Website.  It has a lot of information and is always updated.

 

Meeting closed at 1:01 PM .