Mike Flood '03 proposed that these funds be made available to innovative groups of individuals who want to organize school-wide activities.
"Clubs cater to a specific niche on campus. The problem at this school is that there's no real sense of community," said Will Johnson '03.
However, Luke Swarthout '04 disagreed with the proposal to give money to individuals. "I don't think that throwing money at a problem is the answer," he said.
Maria Jones '05 agreed. "One of the problems with the proposal comes from the many clubs that are denied money. They might resent individuals who are able to get funding," she said.
After more heated debate, Julie Babayan '03 made a motion. "I propose the formation of a committee to conduct analysis of budgetary funding, rollovers and campus programming and look into creating more big ticket item funding," said Babayan.
The motion failed to obtain a majority of votes. According to Ben Baum '03, AAS members who are interested in the issue plan to meet and discuss further options. "One option is to offer the money to students on campus who have the best ideas for all-campus events," said Baum. "We can put the money back into the fund for club budgets, but we are looking at other ways to get better programming on campus."
It was announced at the meeting that FOX News has asked AAS Vice-President Bob Razavi '03 for an interview about the issue of diversity senators which has received recent attention in the National Review Online. According to Razavi, the AAS was contacted by Andrew Fone, Boston bureau producer at FOX News. Fone indicated that FOX is interested in doing a story about the recent appointment of diversity senators. Razavi has left messages for Fone, but has not yet heard back or received any more information.
Eric Osborne '04 reported that he has been in contact with the College ring supplier, Jostens. Jostens has expressed willingness to restructure the ring contract to make only one school ring or one ring per class and give $25 per ring to the College itself. The College currently receives no money from Jostens.
Baum proposed that the newly approved oath of office for new members of the AAS be administered to the current body. The senate decided that the executive branch would be given the oath first by Senior Class Council Co-Chairs Rocío Digón and Stacey Kennard. Following the e-branch, Judiciary Council Chair Jun Matsui '03 administered the oath to the senate.
Treasurer Livia Angiolillo '04 made several budgetary recommendations. Club budgets were due to the budgetary committee last Sunday. When deciding on recommended funding, the budgetary committee found that many clubs, including WAMH, missed the deadline. Angiolillo also reported that many applications for discretionary funds were not granted due to the clubs' failure to present contracts. However, for the completed budgets, the senate passed the budgetary committee's recommendations unanimously.
Rania Arja '06 motioned to create an ad hoc committee to research her proposal for an Amherst/Bradley Airport shuttle sponsored at least in part by the College. The senate passed the motion and formed a committee of three first-year and two sophomore senators.
Kin-Yee Shin '06 and Andre Deckrow '06 presented the first-year class council project. The goal of the project is to relieve stress during the week before finals through an inter-dorm snow-football competition for freshmen and a coffeehouse in the basement of Stearns dormitory where freshmen can perform for their classmates. The senate approved the project.
The committee formed at the last meeting to write a letter to the members of the sophomore, junior and senior classes regarding the Distinguished Teaching Award announced that it has finished this task. One page nominations are due by Nov. 22. The senate unanimously approved the letter.
Baum proposed the creation of an AAS bulletin board in Keefe Campus Center to be maintained by the secretary. The senate passed his proposal unanimously.
Flood also proposed the creation of a committee to look into the possibility of the College directly depositing students' paychecks into their bank accounts. His proposal was passed and the senate created a committee of four to address the issue.