President Anthony Marx is chairing the ad hoc Committee on Academic Priorities, which will shape the academic future of the College by outlining specific recommendations for upcoming curricular developments. At the forefront of Marx's academic vision, the committee will influence changes that may include the largest increase in professors the College has ever seen.
AAS President Ryan Park '05 explained that Marx asked him to name one student representative to serve on the twelve-person committee.
Some senators, citing the magnitude of the committee's task and the need to raise student awareness about it, moved to open election to the committee to the entire student body. Others countered that, due to the need for communication between the AAS and the committee, the student representative should come from within the AAS.
Some senators suggested that such an important position should not be left to a popularity contest. "This body has a special knowledge of who we're working with," said senator Jake Thomas '07.
Many, however, rejected that idea. "The argument that the student body won't make the right decision holds no ground," said senator Will Havemann '07. "Everyone in this room is here because of their votes."
Park expressed a reservation many seemed to hold about whether the new committee warranted a break with precedent. "The reason I think we should elect this position from within the senate is simply because that's the way this body operates," he said. Park went on to compare the appointment of individuals to committees from within the AAS to the way the U.S. Senate fills its own committees.
The senate voted down the motion to open up the position to a school-wide election. The senate ultimately resolved to table discussion on the matter, charging Park with appealing to Marx for additional student seats on the committee. Senator Elan Ghazal '05 expressed frustration at such a low student-to-faculty ratio for a crucial committee on academic life. "Since this is going to affect the student body quite a bit, that's absolute bullshit," he said. "And you can put that on the record."
The other major topic of the meeting concerned the Council of Amherst Publications (CAP). The group was formed years ago as a way for student-run publications to come together and pool resources and bargaining power, but has been defunct for over a year.
The crisis that has temporarily revived the group was a malfunctioning printer in the office used by The Amherst Student, The Indicator and various other publications. Three representatives of The Indicator approached the senate requesting $2,160 for the costs of a new network printer and necessary printing supplies. The senate approved the CAP request.
Treasurer Ian Shin '06 will use the urgent funding request as a chance to work with the publications to restructure CAP. By appointing a student director, coordinating Internet Technology support and mandating that all AAS -funded publications be a part of CAP, Shin hopes that funding for publications might be more cost-effective.
Park reported that the administration had refused the AAS' request to permit students to park in a row of Alumni Lot. Many faculty members walk to campus during the warmer months, so it is still uncertain how much of Alumni Lot will be needed by the faculty come winter.
Park also reported that the administration is willing to spend the money to replace the old outdoor basketball court, which was displaced by the temporary parking lot. However, they had no location in mind for a new court.
Judiciary committee (JC) Chair Ryan Smith '07 proposed an amendment to the AAS constitution whereby the JC chair has the responsibility of keeping the master copy of the constitution and all subsequent amendments. The amendment passed in the senate and must be ratified on the ballot of the next general election before it can become part of the constitution.
The senate approved the budget for The New York Times program through the first semester and Interterm. Free copies of The Times became available to students yesterday at the entrance to Valentine Dining Hall.