The senate debated funding CAP's request for eight new computers, a scanner and furniture for a new office that the College will build for the CAP in the basement of Morrow Dormitory when the building is refurbished.
Treasurer Ian Shin '06, President Ryan Park '05 and members of the CAP, with support from Assistant Dean of Students Samuel Haynes, researched the cost of purchasing the needed equipment. They collectively concluded that $15,000 would be sufficient.
News about the cost of the equipment came as a surprise to most senate members who had just learned about CAP's revival and need for new computers. As a result, most senators were also surprised that the $15,000 would come out of the reserves, a collection of left-over funds from previous years which the College invests and from which the AAS earns interest. The reserves, which have not be touched for many years, are generally for emergency purposes such as insurance against lawsuits that the senate could potentially face.
Some senators were concerned that the issue of funding CAP was sudden news and that the decision to consider funding CAP with reserves was done without the senate's knowledge. "This seems to [have been] done unilaterally," said Senator Noah Isserman '07.
In response, Shin argued that funding CAP would improve the quality of student publications. "It is a very exciting move," he said. "It will move publications to better days."
Other senators expressed concern about CAP's capabilities and whether it would be a permanent and meaningful organization. In addition, senators questioned the organization of CAP and wondered if all the necessary members of all College publications were involved with CAP.
Shin also thought it was important to address the issue of maintenance. "We are currently looking for a computer specialist so they will be on call [once the new computers are put in place]," he said.
Several senators expressed a desire to delay voting on the proposed CAP allocation because of the short notice. Park was opposed to waiting to vote on such a heavily debated issue. "I am wary of postponing every controversial issue," he said. Park also emphasized that there was enough information to vote. Eventually, the senate put the issue on the floor for a vote and approved the $15,000 request.
Harrington was at the meeting to address senators' concerns about the library. Senator Richa Bhala '07 suggested purchasing another printer in order to prevent students from facing printing jams. Bhala pointed out that the printer could easily be funded by existing surplus funds.
Harrington explained that the money has already been allocated for specific things and could not be reallocated. For example, money allocated for books and DVDs could not be spent on new printers and extended hours. "Juggling the money … that's an issue," Harrington said.
Senator Techo Kim '06 addressed the question of students getting access to study rooms. Harrington discussed the possibility of allowing thesis students to use the study rooms that are normally assigned to professors. "We were thinking of having a lottery so thesis students can use them," she said.
Except for the CAP issue, the senate did not have any substantial debate over the weekly budget allocations. The senate allocated $750.00 for Interterm tango lessons which will be open to the student body and $150.00 for Noor's Eid Dinner.
The senate also discussed moving TYPO and The New York Times distribution program into the Master General Fund. Although there is enough money in the general Fund to support both programs, neither vote received the two-thirds necessary to change the bylaws to allow for the switch. Advocates of both programs will continue to request money through discretionary funding.