Senators Present
Kyla Moore (facilitating)
Brandon Gaorian
Shannon Ikebe
Matt Presto
Leah Pine
Luke Squire
Jon Harmatz
Justin Brogden
Brett Foreman
Christina Rodriguez
Alix Siminson
Jules Brouillet
Kalan Sherrard
Ben Klebanoff
Others Present
Dean Shozo Kawagucci
Dean Linda Gates
Giordano Hardy
Cindy Camacho
Holland Hamiliton
Kameli (Students of Caribbean Ancestry)
Check In
7:04 Senators check in
Approve Minutes and Agenda
7:10 Minutes and agenda approved
Outside Business
7:10 Kalan Sherrard reported that a student asked him how the College utilizes recycled paper. Specifically the student was wondering whether the college prints items on "first tier paper". Dean Gates reported that her office only uses recycled paper. Shannon Ikebe expressed interest in looking into this.
Announcements
SFC/Forum Board/Student Union Board reappointments
7:12 Alix Siminson, and Luke Squire asked committee coordinators to start process for reappointing people to committees. Ben Klebanoff offered to reach out to the Student Union Board about their reappointment process.
Vandalism
7:14 Jules Brouillet reported that he had scheduled a meeting with Sandra Hodge to discuss vandalism issues on campus for May 15th.
Mexican Party
7:16 Cindy Camacho and Giordano Hardy reported that they had come to the plenary meeting to represent La Alianza, and support Kyla Moore's resolution (attached). Kyla Moore presented here resolution and asked senate to adopt the resolution as a proposal (proposal 1). Also reported that La Alianza and other student groups will be hosting events to discuss this and other troubling events that have occurred throughout the year.
7:21 Leah Pine facilitated this discussion. Senators expressed general support for the resolution and some suggested changes for grammatical issues. Jon Harmatz asked for clarification regarding the statement in the resolution that, "Oberlin College fosters discriminatory activities". Kyla Moore suggested that lack of reaction form the college tacitly supports racist actions, that lack of education from institution results in discriminatory actions, that this was the third time that such a party has occurred, administrative structure makes it hard for students to report these activities and makes it hard for students to actually be educated or disciplined for taking these actions, other actions of the institution make it hard for students of color to feel adequately represented and respected (ex. ResEd putting students in Afrikan Heritage house without educating students about why the house was created or informing these students of the house rules).
7:28 Alix Siminson requested an account of what occurred at the party. Cindy Camacho expressed that her organization had heard many different accounts of the party. It is generally agreed that a party that was themed "Mexico" occurred, and people who hosted the party reported that they were drunk upstairs. The party was hosted off campus last Saturday, and an unknown number of students attended. Some people in attendance were dressed up as drug dealers, and illegal immigrants. A picture of the event detailed a sheriff handcuffed to an "illegal alien". Other pictures showed individuals putting on tanning lotion to appear to have darker skin, and several latin@ students reported that they were harassed to give clothing to party. She reported that the hosts of the party were questioned by members of her organization, but attendee's were not. Kyla Moore also describes other types of events which inspired this resolution: derogatory comments on "Oberlin confessional", students in dressed in blackface for Halloween, parties with other derogatory themes: "pimps and ho's", white trash themed party.
7:35 Senators expressed support for the resolution. Some senators suggested that these events might be caused by liberal atmosphere on campus which encourages students to think their actions couldn't possibly be racist. Justin Brogden questioned the tone of the resolution towards the College and asked what attempts have been made to work with the College on this issue (suggested using OCDC to moderate dialogue). Cindy Camacho reported that their group had discussed this event with President Krislov and Dean Gates, chairs of other minority groups, and is working to create some sort of educational event for orientation next year. This year the group will be organizing a solidarity event on May 1st. Other senators suggested the resolution was vague and only addressed race issues in terms of student interactions with the College and not with other students.
7:50 Proposal (2) by Justin Brogden to co-host an open forum with La Alianza and OCDC, and to devote a column on this issue in the next issue of the Review. There will be a forum hosted on May 2nd by La Alianza. In discussion it was suggested that the party hosts wanted to serve "Mexican" drinks--Corona's and margarita's and that the intent of these individuals should be kept in mind when discussing the event. Other senators mentioned that the faculty statement of the College suggests that students do not have to face any form of harassment and any harassment can be disciplined by the College.
7:59 Proposal (3) by Jules Brouillet to amend the resolution (attached).
8:03 Proposal (4) by Alix Siminson to create a working group to finalize the language of the resolution using the suggestions for the resolution presented at plenary if no version of the resolution is adopted by the Senate, and examine the avenues available to students to: report issues of discrimination, and educate students about issues of diversity. Discussion regarding how the resolution and proposals reflect the interest of students, how the resolution portrays the Oberlin administration, how the event affected students, how the college can take steps to address these issues through cultural diversity requirements and orientation programs, how faculty need to be involved in these sorts of dialogue, and how students who are here because of institutional support can approach the institution with criticism.
8:41 Approval voting on the resolution proposals:
Kyla Moore--1
Brandon Gaorian-1
Shannon Ikebe-1
Matt Presto-1
Leah Pine-3
Luke Squire-3
Jon Harmatz-3
Justin Brogden-3
Brett Foreman-3
Christina Rodriguez-3
Alix Siminson-3
Jules Brouillet-3
Kalan Sherrard-abstain
Ben Klebanoff-3
8:43 Voting on Proposal (3):
Kyla Moore--No
Brandon Gaorian-No
Shannon Ikebe-Abstain
Matt Presto-No
Leah Pine-Yes
Luke Squire-Yes
Jon Harmatz-Yes
Justin Brogden-No
Brett Foreman-Yes
Christina Rodriguez-No
Alix Siminson-No
Jules Brouillet-Yes
Kalan Sherrard-No
Ben Klebanoff-No
Failed 5-8-1
8:44 Voting on Proposal (1):
Kyla Moore--Yes
Brandon Gaorian-Yes
Shannon Ikebe-Yes
Matt Presto-Yes
Leah Pine-Yes
Luke Squire-Abstain
Jon Harmatz-No
Justin Brogden-Abstain
Brett Foreman-Yes
Christina Rodriguez-Yes
Alix Siminson-No
Jules Brouillet-No
Kalan Sherrard-Yes
Ben Klebanoff-No
Passed 8-4-2
8:45 Voting on Proposal (2), passed 14-0-0. Voting on Proposal( 4), passed 13-1-0. Working group membership: Giordano Hardy, Cindy Camacho, Kyla Moore (Chair), Matt Presto, Justin Brogden, Brett Foreman, Christina Rodriguiez
Working Groups
EDGE fund fee
8:47 Luke Squire reported that the working group will be meeting this week.
Composting
8:48 Leah Pine reported that the working group met, discussed working on getting a compost themed hall in Dascomb, and are investigating composting facilities in Ohio that Oberlin could contribute to.
Socially Responsible Investment Committee
8:48 Matt Presto reported that the group met and finished a draft of their charter, which they will present this week to Marcia Miller the CIO of the College.
Communications
8:49 Jules Brouillet reported that the group met, and will be proposing to create a student funded staff position to work with office of communications. He further reported that he will work to create a charter outlining the details of this office.
Town Gown
8:50 Kyla Moore reported that group was active in several community events, firehouse is getting renovated, and reported that programs sponsored by town making it easier to renovate homes in town so homes are sustainable. Jules Brouillet reported that group will be meeting at 3:30PM tomorrow in the Senate office or on Wilder porch and will be discussing a wide array of topics.
8:58 Shannon Ikebe became facilitator as Kyla Moore had to adjourn.
Decisions
Decafe
8:59 Proposal (5) by Ben Klebanoff that Senate suggests that cuts be made so that Decafe could remain open to students for service at 1AM. Alix Siminson suggested that students can't be involved in the process to find a different way to cut costs if students can't analyze the finances of dining services. Luke Squire suggested that students need to be involved in the process in some substantial way.
9:02 Proposal (6) by Alix Siminson to create a working group to meet with Michelle Gross to try to develop a better process to handle budget cuts in dining services budget, specifically the working group requests access to the same financial information dining services has available so that Senate can be in position to make an informed recommendation to this process.
9:03 Proposal (7) by Luke Squire to adopt the statement below regarding student involvement in decision making process to close Decafe.
"We, the Student Senate, ask that discussions regarding the operation of De Café include Oberlin students. While we recognize that cuts must be made as the operational budget of the school is decreased, we do not support drastic changes to aspects of student life to be made with out solicited input, discussion, and consultation of the student body. Inasmuch, we do not support the loss of our late night grocery, dining, and social center to be implemented without a greater and more inclusive conversation to first occur with the student body."
Discussion as to Senate's role, and the need for student involvement in this process of cost cutting. Many senators expressed a belief that a more positive outcome could be reached.
9:18 Voting on Proposal (5), roll call vote requested:
Brandon Gaorian-Abstain
Shannon Ikebe-Yes
Matt Presto-Abstain
Leah Pine-No
Luke Squire-No
Jon Harmatz-No
Justin Brogden-No
Brett Foreman-Yes
Christina Rodriguez-Yes
Alix Siminson-Abstain
Jules Brouillet-Yes
Kalan Sherrard-Abstain
Ben Klebanoff-Yes
Failed, 5-4-4
9:23 Proposal (6) passed 11-1-1, Proposal (7) passed 9-2-2. Membership of the working group: Alix Siminson (Chair), Luke Squire, Brandon Gaorian, Brett Foreman, Jon Harmatz, Shannon Ikebe. It was suggested that guests from last week's senate plenary should be invited to attend meetings of this group.
Points
9:25 Ben Klebanoff inquired as to the number of points senators have accumulated. Justin Brogden and Leah Pine suggested that senators should submit work-logs to both treasurer and operations manager, so that attendance to events can be monitored more easily.
9:34 Proposal (8) by Brett Foreman that he submit a complete document of work logs by tomorrow morning. Voting on Proposal (8), passed 8-3-2.
Committee appointments
9:42 Amanda Miller interviewed for athletic committee, and has recommendation of the committee coordinators. Proposal (9) by Leah Pine to appoint Amanda Miller to Athletics Committee. Voting on Proposal (9), passed 12-0-1.
9:44 Hannah Kahn applied for the SFC alternate position, and will be voted on next week, after a more extensive presentation can be made on this topic.
9:47 Jules Brouillet applied for a seat on the dining committee. Proposal (10) by Kalan Sherrard to appoint Jules Brouillet to the committee. Voting on Proposal (10), passed, 13-0-0.
Reading period "table"
9:50 Leah Pine suggested that senate should collect letters from students complaining about the length of reading period. Proposal (11) by Leah Pine to coordinate a process to receive letters from students, allow students to sign a petition advocating for a longer reading period, and hear student concerns on this issue. Luke Squire suggested that the group might include a computer at table to allow students to vote in referendum.
9:53 Voting on Proposal (11), passed 13-0-0.
Discussions
New housing selection policy
9:57 Ben Klebanoff presented housing selection policy proposed in an advertisement in the Review. Kalan Sherrard reported that Stevenson was locked on the day of the forum to gather more student input in the process to create a new housing selection process, and Jules Brouillet reported that the forum was very small. Ben Klebanoff inquired whether Senators had any feedback regarding the process. He reported that he felt the process was a step in the right direction, but was not perfect. He also suggested that students with feedback regarding the process should also go to the forum on April 29, in Craig at 8PM that was advertised with the announcement of this process.
Facilitator for next week--Kalan Sherrard
Check outs
10:00 Senators check out
Luke Squire--get quorum on referendum.
Jules Brouillet--to work towards quorum, and hold working group meetings.
Alix Siminson--to schedule a meeting with Michelle Gross.
Kalan Sherrard--meet with faculty about SRIC, and continue committee appointments
Leah Pine--continue to fill open committee positions
Shannon Ikebe--continue to work on composting issues
Student Resolution on Discriminatory Campus Activity
Whereas, Oberlin College has adopted a student's rights and responsibilities policy that includes a faculty statement on Discriminatory harassment and racial abuse and harassment;
Whereas, Oberlin College is committed to a safe and encouraging educational and social atmosphere for all students, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, place of origin, disability, gender, political persuasion, religion or sexual orientation;
Whereas, social gatherings on Oberlin campus have been created with discriminatory and stereotypical themes that are in violation of the student's rights and responsibilities policies;
Whereas, Oberlin College Students have engaged in discriminatory and harassment towards other students on the basis of racial identity and intimidation of the receiver thwarts reporting to proper authorities or officials;
Therefore, be it,
Resolved, that Oberlin College administration openly addresses and engages in action to swiftly correct issues of racial and other discrimination on Oberlin campus;
Resolved, that Oberlin College improve the current discussion of race, class and gender during freshmen orientation activities and informational sessions;
Resolved, Oberlin College should take responsibility for not having taken sufficient preventative measure to discourage discriminatory activities on campus, and to create an atmosphere to examine the college's proper avenues for future action.
Jules Brouillet's amendments:
Resolved, that Oberlin College administration openly addresses and engages in action to swiftly correct issues of racial and other discrimination on Oberlin campus;
Resolved, Oberlin College should foster an integrated community on campus, and create an atmosphere to examine the college's proper avenues for future action.