President Michael Simmons '06 began by delivering an AAS constitution-mandated "extended remark" in which he discussed his plans and hopes for the AAS and the AAS relationship with the student body.
"Change will take collective sacrifice and accountability of each member of this year's body," Simmons said.
He emphasized the need for the AAS to improve its image among the student body. Simmons also said that the senate should strive "to make life a little more enjoyable for all of us on our campus."
"The AAS is about a lot of small, behind-the-scenes action that produces big results," he said. "There is no space for deadweight in this organization ... [our peers] expect ... action and results."
Instead of weekly officer reports, each senator gave a brief introduction to his or her goals for the year. Secretary Austin Yim '08 announced that the AAS Web site had been updated and that constituents can find the names of their senators and their senator's committees.
Other senators discussed goals of making senate meetings faster and more efficient, lengthening Health Services' hours and putting information regarding course-required texts online in order to enable students to purchase books before the start of the semester.
As a part of special orders, Simmons suggested that the senate discuss whether there is anything the AAS can do as a body to aid the Katrina relief efforts.
Janice Djabatey '07 suggested that the AAS hold a "Welcome to Amherst" luncheon for those students who will be attending Amherst from Xavier University.
However, Jessica Rothschild '06 expressed concerns about singling out these students. Because as of now there are fewer displaced students from New Orleans schools than there are senators, the senate took steps to institute a Big Brother-Big Sister type program so that displaced students can directly ask senators any questions they might have about the AAS.
Treasurer Richa Bhala '07 then announced that the Budgetary Committee's (BC) office hours start this week and that discretionary requests are open. She also suggested that it be mandatory that the senate require any club receiving funding from the Master General Fund to have a senate member involved in the club in some way in order to assuage constituents' long-time concerns about the use of these funds.
This responsibility would be akin to a senator's responsibilities to a committee on which he sits; however, Bhala cautioned, the purpose of this requirement would not be to pressure these clubs. Bhala also indicated that she will be requesting itemized budgets from these organizations in the coming weeks.
The discussion was then tabled and will be resumed next week after Bhala has met with the Judiciary Committee (JC) to finalize wording of the bylaw amendment she will propose.