The New School

2011 11 09 Minutes

The New School
University Student Senate Minutes
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 – 8PM
Location: 6 E 16th Street #1103

Present (10 Voting): Hajir Sailors, Bronwyn Lewis, Katherine Towell, Santiago Posas, Voltaire Veloso, Mimi Clitus, Kathy Litchfield, Chris Crews, Michael Kaplan, Rachel Housle.

Absent: Fernanda Ormeño, Divya Khandelwal, Christin Pettibone and Melissa Holmes.

Guests: Janna van Grunsven (NSSR Philosophy), Eric Godoy (NSSR Philosophy), Chris Hooks (Lang/Free Press), Daniel Bustillo (NSPE/Milano), Rey Mashayekhi (Lang/Free Press).

AGENDA

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 PM by co-chair Bronwyn Lewis, who facilitated the meeting.

Introductions
Group shared how they identify with a preferred gender pronoun.

Additions to Agenda
Discussion on use of USS internal funds added to agenda.

Approval of past meeting minutes (from 10/20/2011 and 10/31/2011)
Status updates to be corrected. Motion to approve by Melissa. Bronwyn second. All others in favor. Motion passed.

Officer Reports (Co-chairs, Treasurer)

Treasurer

No updates or new budget reports.

Secretary

No updates to report.

Co-chairs

Co-chairs met recently with President Van Zandt. Continuing discussions regarding OWS, Undoing Racism workshops, and Un-conference. There was a recent OSDA leadership retreat which some of the chairs attended and was very positive. There was also an upcoming Print Committee meeting (11/10) as well as a meeting on gender neutral spaces, which are part of a larger on-going conversation that the USS and others are a part of.

New Business

Funding Proposals

1) Philosophy Grad Conference:

Philosophy dept. is planning to put on a 2-day conference with the topic of “freedom and responsibility”. Philosophy has requested $1,100 from their department already, and hoping top get another$1,100 from the USS. The keynote speaker will be part of the event as well as the honoraria. Senators suggested students also reach out to other departments and divisions for the call for papers. Motion to approve $1,100 until May 15, 2012 by Hajir. Seconded by Katherine. All in favor. Motion passed.

2) Mega Media Showcase:

Proposing to do a “Rough Cuts & Fine Cuts Showcase” of student video projects. Event is designed to highlight student works. Event to be held off campus, and to include catering. Requesting $3,950 from the USS. Senators asked about the expected attendance, outreach efforts, other funding. Estimate about 130 people, with around 15 media showcases. Motion to approve $2,500 in general funds, contingent on approval from Kate Walbert and Karen Connor-Wilson in (OSDA), as well as USS Treasurer by Hajir. Second by Bronwyn. 8 members in favor. Katherine voted no. Motion passed.

3) Wittgenstein Workshop

Proposal to do a series of philosophy workshops around the work of Wittgenstein. This is part of an ongoing Philosophy student event that includes TNS and outside scholars. Normally meet 3x a semester, with around 20 people in attendance. Request is for food at events, and small speaker honorarium to cover dinner. Motion to approve $1,825 by Hajir. Second by Kathy. 9 members in favor. Mimi Abstained. Motion passed.

90 5th study space (Voltaire)

The issue of 90 5th Study Space came up again at a recent NSSR Town Hall. Students were promised a quiet replacement study space for the “fishbowl” in 65 5th, which was the 2nd floor of 90 5th. However the space is being used for art projects, group meetings and many other activities which conflict with a quiet study space. Student Services seems to think there was a disconnect between student governments (USS and GFSS) about the space, but this is incorrect. Admins are simply passing the buck. The space was always meant to be a quiet study space from the beginning planning. It was suggested it would be useful to have some survey of all available study spaces on campus so students know where other options are for meetings, etc. Motion to re-affirm the 90 5th space as quiet space by Voltaire. Kathy and Hajir abstained. Other members in favor. Motion passed.

Health Services/Day of Wellness (Bronwyn)

Bronwyn mentioned that Health Services is hosting a Day of Wellness on Nov 21 and wondered if we wanted to help with this, including a Midnight Breakfast. Bronwyn and Melissa will follow up on this and get more details.

People’s Institute and Undoing Racism Workshops (Melissa)

Tabled since Melissa was not here to give an update.

Committees Update (Mimi)

Mimi has met with Linda Reimer and Amy Minter about all various committees and trying to get more students on them, what their responsibilities are, etc. She suggested maybe we have some sort of “Committee Block Fair” where students can learn about the various committees and how to get involved. Right now the Print Committee and University Facilities Committee (UFC) still needs student reps.

Town Hall (Guest – Daniel Bustillo)

Daniel asked if the USS had had any discussions about the recent Town Hall with DVZ. Apparently the issue of diversity came up and the administration had no real answers to the challenges from students and faculty around diversity and issues of race and privilege on campus. The USS has not had a discussion about this as a group, and many members were not at the Town Hall, so not sure exactly what happened or the dynamics of the meeting. However the issue is important and needs to be addressed.

–

Katherine motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Bronwyn. Meeting officially adjourned at 9:55 PM.

Notes partially taken by Santiago Posas. Revised and respectfully submitted by chris crews, Secretary of the USS.

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