7:00 | Council members are arriving. Tonight the Council will be voting on the VSA’s annual budget for 2011-2012, the appointment of the 2012 class president, the appointment of Lathrop sophomore representative and the Vassar Greens’ new bylaw regarding the restriction of the purchase of bottled water with VSA funds. After the meeting, the members of the 26th VSA Council will take their seats around the table for the first time.
7:10 | Attendance.
7:11 | “So this is it. This is the end of the year,” say VSA President Mat Leonard ’11. Leonard is looking back at where Vassar was last year, noting the divisions among students in the wake of the financial crisis. He is listing the Council’s achievements and initiatives including the endorsement of the extension of a bus line to campus and the establishment of an alternative space in UpCDC.
7:23 | Approval of Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budget: The Council will first discuss the budget for 12 minutes after which they will vote on the budget as a whole. During this time, only Council members may discuss the budget. If the motion fails, the Council will create a speakers list for a particular of the budget and the audience members will have a chance to make comments and ask questions. The Council will then enter closed discussion to deliberate any proposed amendments to the budget. They will then vote on the amendment to the budget and begin the 12-minute discussion process once again.
The budget normally fails after the first 12 minutes as a courtesy to the audience.
Organizations requested about $772,000, and the total budget is approximately $682,000. An aggregate $4000 was cut from houses because the leadership from most houses stated that they did not need as much money as they had been given in the past. The cost of the weekend shuttle also increased to $15000 from $11,000. With the addition of the shuttle cost and VSA internal funds that are distributed to the year, the total requests amounts to more than $800,000.
VSA Vice President for Finance Travis Edwards ’12 is reviewing “highlights” from the budget—where the most significant changes occurred. “In general, it was very close to what was allocated last year,” says Edwards.
7:32 | The motion fails.
Jake Leavitt ’12 has come on behalf of Philaletheis. Philaletheis received one of the largest cuts in the budget. Edwards explained that the organization’s budget was trimmed because of a concern for over-programming and low attendance. “The number of events produced each year is based on the ideas of general body members,” says Leavitt, which he says indicates interest in the organization. Leavitt suggests that the point of the organization is the opportunity for students to participate in theater.
“I think that you’re missing the point of our mission statement….The issue is not that there is too much student theater but that there is not enough room for it on campus,” he says. “Almost all of our plays have been completely attended.”
Vice President for Activities Tanay Tatum ’12 says “A lot of other student theater organizations have also been increasing the number of shows they are producing.” She also notes that on weekends when there were multiple productions, the theatrical productions took up spaces, which meant that other types of organizations could not plan events.
Tatum is also discussing incidents of student groups disrespecting the spaces they utilize on campus. “The reason that Phil was cut as opposed to other groups is because you guys do produce so many shows,” she says.
VSA Vice President for Academics Laura Riker ’11 asks if seniors have come to Philaletheis for resources due to budget cuts in the Drama Department.
“I think that docking Phil money isn’t necessarily the way to go about this,” says Lathrop House President Samantha Garcia ’13, who notes that the organization is the only organization to be cut for an increase in programming.
“This was definitely one of the most contested issues in our budgeting process,” says Davison House President Mookie Thottam ’12. He also encourages Philaletheis not to cast the same students in multiple shows in order to give more students an opportunity to be involved.
“We have created rules in which double casting is avoided at all costs,” says Leavitt. “We do encourage directors to cast people who have not been cast, but that is actually not in our jurisdiction.”
Leavitt notes that Philaletheis has worked with other organizations in order that they may both use a space.
“We had to cut $130,00 from what was asked for,” says Edwards. “You guys were the biggest,” though other organizations faced larger proportional cuts.
“Though I think your claims have a lot of merit, I think it would be unfair to go back to other organizations and question [their budgets],” says Edwards.
“I think what the budget cut is going to do is not necessarily reduce the number of shows, but reduce the quality,” says Leavitt.
In response to a comment that the budget cut is a punishment of a functioning organization, Edwards says that it is not at all a punishment. “We’re just budgeting for what we believe the campus should have,” he says.
Leavitt says that he does not take the cut as a punishment, though he says “I think the decision was made without full knowledge of how we operate.” He also says that the comments about students disrespecting spaces is misinformed.
“We’re trying to diversify the programming offered by the student body,” says Vice President for Student Life Samin Shehab ’11. “I think the reason [Philaletheis] is taking the hit is because we need to take that money to places where there has been a dearth.”
Edwards suggests for next year’s Council that the budgeting process might change to include a meeting for questions from organizations and second review of the budget before it comes to Council.
8:07 | The Council has moved into closed session for 30 minutes.
8:43 | The Council is returning to a 12-minute discussion.
Thottam notes that in discussion outside of Council, the original allocation for Philaletheis had been lower than the one currently on the table.
Edwards makes a motion to vote. The budget passes unanimously without amendment. Leonard urges Leavitt to apply for supplemental budgeting next year.
8:47 | Council is taking a five minute recess.
9:oo| Council is back in session.
Appointment of 2012 Class President
Leonard explains that ties “have to be settled by the Council that held elections, so we have to settle this tonight.”
Both candidates are present; they will each make a statement after which they questioned by Council.
Class of 2011 President Moe Byrne thinks that “everyone on the Council has a conflict of interest.” Cramer says that “there is no other option” available, but acknowledges that “this is a very uncomfortable decision.” VSA Vice President for Student Life Samin Shehab’11 feels that “we are all elected to make a unbiased decisions,” and “[urges] everyone to take an objective stand.”
Schmidt says she has “spoken to a lot of leaders” in a past few days and has a “great idea about what things will work for next year, and what will not.” She has brought a handout which lists her ideas about the position, in addition to her Candidate’s Statement. Schmidt notes that the senior class president is responsible to the community in two different ways: to VSA Council, and to the senior class. Schmidt plans to discharge both duties “in a balance.” She reminds Council that she was Lathrop house president, which she feels is “better training for the class president than being a previous president” because the class as a community relies on the senior class president much like dorm residents rely on residential house presidents. She says she has a “great relationship with the administration, which will help her accomplish her mission in the best way.” “I consider myself a great leader pretty much because I’m good at creating leaders around me,” says Schmidt.
Vogel is next to speak. She wants to “acknowledge that this is really difficult decision.” “I don’t have any special list for things I want to do,” says Vogel. She wants her achievements and candidate’s statement to “speak for itself.” Vogel says she has valued both the facts of the senior class president’s duties very well. She cites that the Class of 2012 has “done three different events.”
Vogel is noting the quality of discussion on her class council in addition to discussion about planning events. Vogel plans to add senior housing to the senior class council in some capacity. Currently representatives from the South Commons, Town Houses and Terrace Apartments are not required to sit on class council. Vogel also plans to begin a senior-specific blog.
When it comes to planning the large senior events, Vogel cites her experience from working with Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE). “Our events are all about tradition, especially for the senior class.” She plans to de-emphasize alcohol at senior events while bolstering the traditional aspects.
“I’d like to make our senior class gift something that benefits Vassar and benefits the community,” says Vogel. “I want to say that I understand that this is a really challenging and busy position, and I think that I am up for that challenge.”
Ferry House President Kate Dolson ’13 asks Schmidt what specific community service project Schmidt would like to plan for the class. Schmidt says that she would like to plan a year-long project.
Proxy Representative for the Town Houses Nick Dressler ’11 asks what each candidate’s schedule will look like for next year. Vogel says that she will have a thesis project but that she is taking fewer classes than usual and is downgrading her role on ViCE. “Of all the positions that I have, I think it is important that I bring those to the position,” she says.
Schmidt says that she is the president of Phocus, but that she is making the position of president her top priority.
Dressler asks each candidate which project she would make her priority. Vogel says she would make the class gift her priority. Schmidt responds that she would focus on class cohesion.
Tatum asks how each candidate will make their Council more inclusive. Schmidt says that she would work on a direct relationship with the Council of Black Seniors.
Tatum notes that both candidates could achieve their goals without the position and asks why the position is important to them.
Vogel notes the symbolic significance of the position and the place of that symbol in support of various goals.
Schmidt notes the resources that come with leading class council and how they will help achieve her goals.
Byrne says that she thinks both candidates have great ideas and explains that a lot of their time will be consumed by the “staple events.”
Vogel notes her idea to create a committee for Halloween and says that she would delegate more regarding events. She says that she wouldn’t necessarily change the events but that she would get more people involved in planning them.
Schmidt says that she will work to raise money in order to defray the costs of Senior Week for students. She says that she would also form stronger bonds with other classes.
Byrne also asks about fund raising ideas.
Leonard limits questions to one per person in the interest of time.
Edwards asks what each candidate would do to foster a class identity that will last for the next five years because the position lasts until the class’ fifth reunion.
Vogel suggests that she would write an entertaining newsletter similar to her coloful emails.
Schmidt says that reinvigorating traditions will be key, including inviting alums back.
Shehab asks about how the candidates will work on VSA initiatives. Vogel says that she would like to work on peer advising and the relationship abuse charge. She also notes that including the voices of her constituents is a priority and has been this year.
Schmidt says that she has ideas about illuminating what the role of the senior class council and the VSA are so that students understand what the VSA achieves. She says that she would like to extend peer advising to leadership advising and that she would like to work on improving the carrels system for senior thesis work. She also says that she would like to work on improving the Career Development Office.
The candidates are now discussing how they will engage alums.
Eli Schutze ’12 is asking a question sent by another student via Twitter. The student asks how each candidate will make the senior class gift symbolic of the whole class.
Vogel notes the ideas for the gift which she stated earlier and that she would work to find people to get involved who are very passionate about the gift.
Schmidt says that the gift should be “something people can be passionate about and have a connection with in the long run.” She suggests setting up a fellowship for Vassar students to “extend Vassar learning into the community.”
Dressler notes that the class secretary position and suggests that whichever candidate is not elected apply for the position.
The candidates are responding to a question about security and about a potential campus ban on kegs. Both candidates are skeptical of a ban on kegs because they feel such a ban would increase the amount of hard alcohol at parties.
President of the Class of 2014 asks about how the senior class council could foster a relationship with the freshman class council.
President of Jewett Mariah Minigan ’13 asks about how the candidates would approach the topic of restructuring.
Vogel says that it is crucial to gather a lot of different perspectives. Vogel says that what many students reacted to this year was the way that information was presented. She also says that the VSA will be going into the year with a lot of student interests.
Schmidt says that she approves of the restructure. She says that she would create a committee under operations that would gather different voices from all over the College, including students, faculty and staff. She also says that she would host town hall meetings.
10:10 | The Council is moving into closed session to discuss the appointment.
11:12 | Council is back in open session. While the Council was in closed session multiple news sources have reported that Osama bin Laden is dead.
Byrne is speaking to both of the candidates: “Both of you are absolutely incredible. We sat here and said nice things about both of you.”
A simple majority of the Council will decide the vote. The Council is moving into voting in multiple options: abstain, Vogel or Schmidt.
Five Council members abstain, including Vogel.
11 vote for Vogel and six Council members vote for Schmidt. Vogel will be the Class of 2012 president for 2011-2012.
11:11 | Appointment of Lathrop House sophomore representative: Aoife Feighery ’14 is making a statement: “I just want to make sure that freshmen feel as comfortable as I did in Lathrop.”
Erina Kii ’14 is now making her statement:”I feel like I need to give something back.”
Both candidates express a strong connection to the residents of Lathrop.
Moore asks how each candidate will contribute to class council.
Byrne asks about how they will get sophomores to engage in dorm activities in a year when she says students tend to disengage with their houses. Feighery says that she will ask students about what they like and what they do not as events are planned. Kii says that sophomores have a good foundation at the College, so they have less need to branch out. She says that she would look for common threads in the class to tap into.
The candidates are now discussing dorm vandalism and respect for College property.
The Council has moved into closed session.
11:50 | Kii has been elected.
11:52 | Tap That: The Council is discussing the Vassar Greens’ Tap That initiative to prevent VSA funds from being spent on bottled water. Edwards has moved to call the motion—a new VSA Policy—to question. The motion passes unanimously.
11:55| Finance Bylaws: The bylaw amendments move all fund applications to the consent agenda and sets all VSA Finance Committee meetings for Wednesday afternoon at 4. Attendance will be mandatory for members of the committee. The motion passes.
11:59 | Open Discussion: Shehab is clarifying the supposed “ban on kegs.” He says that the change will change “what Res Life authorizes” such that when students register parties they will not be able to register a keg. Vassar will not officially be allowing kegs. “It does not affect senior programming,” says Shehab.
The Council is reflecting on the year and sharing advice with members of the 2011-2012 VSA Council.
12:15 | Council is adjourned.
12:16 | The members of the 26th VSA Council are taking their seats. VSA President Tanay Tatum ’12 calls the meeting to order.
12:22 | Attendance.
“Congratulations everyone on being elected,” says Tatum. Council members are going around and introducing themselves.
12:30 | VP for Operations Jenna Konstantine ’13 is announcing open positions left unfilled in spring elections. The VSA will be sending out an e-mail about the open positions. Students can apply for open positions and be appointed in special meeting of the VSA Council before the end of the semester.
12:40 | Resolution in Support of Employees: The resolution supports Campus Dining, Buildings and Grounds, Security, and all unionized employees on campus partly in recognition of Vassar’s relationship with Poughkeepsie and sets aside May 1 as an annual day for the VSA to “dedicate itself to developing relationships with, cooperating with, and supporting every employee of the College, including its invaluable support and maintenance staff.”
Council members ask about what concrete ideas will come out of the resolution.
“We didn’t feel like we were informed enough to give concrete ideas…but this is something that we want the administration to know that we are in support of,” says Tatum.
“We didn’t feel comfortable putting forward concrete ideas without consulting Council first,” says Vice President for Student Life Charlie Dobb ’12.
“Anything we put our name on, we need to be willing to dedicate our resources,” says Moore.
Council members are generally in support, though they urge each other to follow this statement with concrete action later.
The motion passes unanimously.
12: 50 | The Council is adjourned.
