The committee will be at the forefront of a sweeping revitalization of academics at the College. The CAP is in a position to recommend an unprecedented increase in tenured faculty as well as changes to the advising system and the College's open curriculum.
Last week, the Senate, spurred by the unique potential of the committee, charged Park with requesting more than just a single student seat on the 12 person committee. When Park announced this week that Marx had agreed to a second student seat, many senators were grateful, but others believed two seats were still insufficient.
Senator Elan Ghazal '05 motioned to send Park back to Marx to request a third seat on the CAP. After lengthy discussion, the motion passed by a vote of 14-9. Last week Ghazal expressed in no uncertain terms his disappointment at such a low student-to-faculty ratio on the committee discussing the College's academic future. This week, he again implored the Senate to insist on a central student role in crucial decisions about undergraduate life at the College.
A number of senators said they understood the importance of the committee and the responsibility of the AAS to advocate for real student involvement. Many, though, worried that it might be inappropriate to keep pushing Marx on the same issue.
Other senators agreed that it was not worth the political capital the senate might lose since many were sure Marx wouldn't concede another student seat. "I spoke to Marx and his language was very categorical," said Senator Viet Do '06. "[Marx] said 'I'll give two, but no more.'"
Park warned against approving Ghazal's motion in the interest of speeding up the appointment of students to the committee and emphasized that the chance to appoint two students to the committee should not be taken for granted. "Other committees of this stature have been hand-selected by the administration," he reminded the Senate.
Many senators felt that continued demands would make the Senate appear ungrateful. "If we request a third seat-no matter how we intend it-it's going to look like a power play, and I don't think we should go there," said Senator Rob Cobbs '06. "Marx is a very helpful president in terms of student decision-making, but if we keep nagging him that won't be the case."
Ghazal encouraged senators to stop thinking about Marx and to start thinking about the student body. "Don't frame everything in terms of how President Marx feels and how the faculty feels," he said. "Keep in mind who you're representing here. If you're afraid of offending the faculty and president, then maybe you shouldn't be in the senate."
For the second consecutive week, Judicial Committee (JC) Chair Ryan Smith '07 brought a constitutional amendment to the floor that would require senators to bring any proposed constitutional amendments to the JC for review before bringing them to the Senate floor.
Some senators argued that the amendment would vet language in committee and limit discussion of amendments. Others, though, countered that it would sap senators' power and complicate the process with little benefit beyond a rubber stamp, when under current procedure amendments can be sent to the JC.
With that procedure in mind, the Senate sent Smith's amendment back to the JC due to disagreement over ambiguous wording.
The Senate also decided to create an ad hoc committee on the Bradley Shuttle, which provides free student transport to the nearby airport before and after the College vacations. Over 200 students use the service every year, according to Rania Arja '06, who founded the project.
A number of senators expressed dismay that Marx had scheduled his Town Meeting student forum for Mon. at 9 p.m., conflicting with the weekly senate meeting.
Vice President David Scherr '05 said he would talk to Marx about combining the two meetings.
Ghazal, who chairs the elections committee, presented the names of 15 first-year students interested in running for the eight available Senate seats. Online elections will be held Tuesday Oct. 5. The first-year senator speech night will be Monday at 8 p.m. in the Cole Assembly Room.