Bowdoin Student Government

Meeting of the Bowdoin College Student Government

a.   Dustin welcomes Rob, the A-Board Representative who will be joining the BSG for the rest of the year

i.       Rob “Hopefully we’ll all be facebook friends soon”

b.   Steph: the “FSC” on page two should actually be the “SOOC”

c.   Rebecca: it’s not “Hillel diversity find” but just “Diversity fund” and the amount is $5000 instead of $500

d.   DeRay comments on the one time his name was mistyped and clarifies that he defers power to the committee

e.   Kristen’s name is not spelled “Kristen” and Alex’s name is mistyped as “Alec” once

f.    vote on approval of the minutes: approval passes

g.   President: DeRay

i.       reminds everyone that although it is a busy time of year, committees are still important because it is through them that action is taken

ii.  also mentions that we are trying to form a relationship with Howard and that proposals for clubs, running meetings, etc. are welcome

h.   Treasurer: Rebecca

i.       most money went to the recording studio, which is re-active this year, for the purchase of new equipment

ii.  V-Day is doing an event for awareness of sexual assault “Take Back the Night”

iii. the Organic Garden has a student leader and is therefore eligible for funding

i.    IHC President: Alex

j.       Homecoming is the big thing in the future

ii.   there are also some things scheduled for Parents Weekend

            (DeRay mentions that there is a schedule online and that             one should be coming through the mail tomorrow)

j.    Classes

i.       Bryce: dorm pictures went well

ii.     Sam: pub night went well also and we had a productive meeting with our advisor

iii.    Erma: the class of 2008 is getting stickers/buttons tomorrow

iv.   Torri: on Saturday there will be a tailgate party, there are also super stickers and an update on pubnight—the senior class can no longer serve alcohol

            (DeRay clarifies that there is no written policy, but he exploits the image that the policy is “being birthed”—there is just a concern with spending too much, etc.)         

k.   IHC Respresentatives

i.       Emily G: Quinby and Howell both have small events with food this weekend, Howell is also planning on bringing a poet and collaborating with other houses for a concert event

ii.     Kristen: the back-to-back parties went well, both houses have events for parents this weekend; we are also looking forward to an Invitational of inter-house events

iii.   Avery: this weekend there are pizza and disco parties, Mac will be having a party with pumpkin carving and is excited about decoration for the Halloween party

l.    Community Service Council Representative: Emily K

i.       the Community Service Council met, a group of leaders from the different Community Service organizations

ii.     Circle K is collecting used footwear and old shoes (essentially the same thing)

            (DeRay: how often does the council meet?) once a month

m.  A-Board Rep: Rob

i.       it was decided at a money meeting that the Foam Party last week was a bust because of the lack of enthusiasm

i.       this weekend we are hosting the comedian Godfrey who was recommended with good reviews by the agent as an appropriate fit for students and parents—tickets are free at the Union desk

a.   Academic Affairs: Burgess

                  i. Dean Judd is coming on the 18^th so be thinking about good questions

                  ii. be thinking about how appropriate the language selection is and                                    think of suggestions for new ones, etc.

Interjection: Deray says that we will be given a packet before the meeting with Dean Judd and asks what should be included in the packet

      -Distribution Requirements

      -Dustin: staff

      -Emily G-information on pass/D/fail

      -Steph-facts about the departments, “tour guide facts”

b.   Student Organizations: Steph

i.    the SOOC met last night with BMASV, which is the first group this year applying for a charter; it is a great cause and a void that needs to be filled; one issue is that they proposed a leadership council with equal distribution of power; they will be chartered

ii.     also thought about clubs and involvement with NameTag Day

            (DeRay wonders how BMASV is different from other             groups) it is targeted toward male awareness

            -Alex: also, Safe Space is reactive and V-Day is a national             movement, BMASV is about on-campus involvement and             awareness

c.   Facilities: Will

                  i.    the shuttle service is delayed because contract not out on time

                  ii.   ideas have been discussed regarding facilities, dining, security,                               and there will also be a meeting about problems with the                                  construction

                  (Torri: When can we expect the lightbulbs?) Next week

d.   Bowdoin Student Government Affairs: Dustin

i.   there is a page missing, but it is simplistic enough: there was some confusion last week as to what happens when time expires on an issue—the options were to move to table, to approve, or to deny—we got rid of the option to move to deny.  Now when time end one can move to vote (yes or no) or vote to extend time

ii.  at some time in the future the meeting will be held at an alternate location

iii.   Mike: revision of last week’s budget to 17358.47 because the $500 that was factored for leadership development was factored out because it was not actually spent; tonight we expect $250 for the polar pics and $850 for the Webmaster Salary; also reminder that there was a $4180 debt last year

(DeRay requests copies of the budget forms, Dustin promises them very soon, like by the end of the week; DeRay also asks about the numbers of the shuttle service, which Will explains is $9000 flat pain in quarter-segments)

e.   Student Affairs: Carolyn

                  i.   to make a long story short…the equipment from IT is not ready, and there were setbacks with the templates; thus, we are switching to polaroids with stickers on the bottom; there is a sign up sheet (cue unanimous excitement) for the polar bear and cameraman; at Farley volunteers should meet in the lobby at 11:30, and at Whittier they should meet at the front entrance where the bleachers begin

                              (Rob enthusiastically volunteers to dress as the Polar bear)

                  Volunteers should offer to take the picture and be approachable and nice; also, non-Bowdoin parents and kids can take pictures, but film is  limited; the polar bear will have a sign; also Carolyn will e-mail her cell phone number in case something comes up; Also as a reminder, the polar bear should not talk

                              (DeRay: Don’t shake the pictures)

                  ii.  Nametag Day is moved to Nov. 16 because of a conflict with a                               trustee meeting

                  iii.  Next big thing that is planned is Homecoming, but there are                      thoughts about a Breakfast between Nametag Day and                                      Homecoming

a.  DeRay: the status of Darfur is that the trustees will be taking action at the next meeting; Barry was obviously not too excited about the position that BSG took

Interjection: When the Polar Pics people are at Farley they should be visiting the different games in the area

a.   Carolyn: funding is being shifted from the allocation for printer paper to a camera, film, and stickers; it should provide about 220 pictures

b.   Dustin: motion to vote, Rebecca seconds Vote Passes unanimously

a.   Steph: part of the BMASV charter is about the leadership structure; usually there are 2-3 authorities to pinpoint and act as contacts; they proposed a council with self-elected officers and equal power amongst them (prevents people from doing it for resume, etc.); the question is: What should we require as far as leadership structure goes?

                  -Kristen thinks it is cool for them to introduce new ideas like this.                                Leadership people should be predetermined, but clubs                                      should be free to work with them.

                  -Burgess agrees that as long as it’s very clear what the leadership                   is, flexible leadership lets transitions happen.  It is sometimes                          difficult to find people who are moving up, ready to start                                leadership position.

                              -Carolyn agrees with the concept of flexibility but encourages the                               idea of structure because if people are not targeted, things may just                not get done.

                              -Torri agrees but worries about the continuation of the group w/out                   leadership, that it may fall apart in the new year w/out definite                        leadership (Will seconds)

                              -Dustin likes Kristen’s point about innovating, but worries that the                               burden may fall of the SOOC.  They need to be clear about the                               concerns.  Also, next year we should pinpoint how this worked, but                       he thinks they should be given a chance.

                              -Steph thinks that leaders are necessary as points of contact, and                     that they are necessary to organize specifics and keep the group                       moving.  People should be invested and organized.  The self-                           electing process is fuzzy as well.

                              -Ben thinks that in terms of self-electing, of people want to be                         involved and they care enough, there is no issue.  However, there                   need to be       pinpoint people.

                              -DeRay is not convinced that we should tell groups they need a                        certain number of leaders.

                              -Carolyn says that is there are no numbers, they should be guided                   in a direction so that they know what people need to be responsible                   for.

                              -Alex thinks that as long as there are pinpoint people, running the                   group should be up to them.  They’ll fix it if it doesn’t work, but                     allowing for innovation is important.

                              -Sam points out that the Student Activites Office works in a similar                   way, so they could be used as reference.

q.   DeRay indicates that we need to talk about dealing with attendance and how a policy will work this year-defer to Dustin

                  -Dustin says that the policy his first year was strict: three absences                               and then terrible, mysterious things ensued.  Last year the policy                                was similar—after three unexcused absences the member would be                         brought forward for a vote.  There was one problem last year but a                             problem the year before.

(Rob spills a large amount of water)

                              -Steph likes last year’s system, as does Carolyn.

                              -Torri likes the earlier system because it is difficult to vote against                               people sitting in a room.  If people can’t make the commitment, it                             is a concern. (Rebecca seconds)

                              -Ben thinks 3 strikes you’re out is a little…Draconian because                         we’re in college—the system should be give and take

                              -Emily G second this because there can be excusable                                        circumstances and mentions that people should be able to appeal

                              -Dustin clarifies that there were appeals processes both years.                          Also, “in defense of all things Draconian” missing three meetings                               means that someone is failing their responsibility to their                                 constituency—there is a group of people who are not being                                           represented.  Involvement and voting are critical (Will seconds)

                              -Kata wants to know if a replacement is elected if someone is                          removed (yes—they are elected by the body that sent the person                      originally)

                              -Sam wonders if when someone is removed from the BSG, if they                               are also removed from their position in the respective group                               (DeRay says that no, this process is separate)

                              -Sophia thinks that most legwork is done in committees and that                     the group should consider the importance of this obligation; There                               should be a process for looking at these meetings

                              -Torri refers to the question of whether we want weak                                       representation or no representation and cites the expression that we                   are only as strong as our weakest link.  She is “all for removing                       that weak link from our body” if the question arises.

                              -DeRay indicates that this question will be decided within the                          affairs committee.