After Vice President Noah Isserman '07 called the meeting to order, President Michael Simmons '06 offered a report on his activities and expanded upon his personal plans for improving the school.
He mentioned that he is investigating a program whereby a congressman would come to the College and teach during the spring semester. Citing the theoretical nature of the College's political science department, Simmons expressed hope that this could potentially bring a new perspective for students.
In terms of his campaign promises, Simmons explained that his idea of retreats for the student body would be considered if they were framed on the College's higher goals and missions, which he indicated would be possible.
Finally, Simmons said he plans to speak with the Committee of Academic Priorities to discuss the possibility of no assigned homework during the add/drop period, in order to "make it a true add/drop period."
The senate then listened to former senator Spencer Robins '08 discuss student efforts to divest in the Sudan. Robins explained that there is a moral issue behind his efforts. "We don't want to fund genocide," he said. He explained that student support for investigating the possibility of divesting is critical, as President Anthony Marx would present the case to the College trustees only if it had significant student backing.
Numerous senators questioned Robins on the effects that divestment would have both on the school's finances and the situation in Darfur. In terms of the College's investments, Robins said that Marx has already divested roughly 15 percent of the investment pool that is directly invested in corporations.
The other 85 percent of the College's investments, however, is directed in funds of undisclosed companies. Robins stressed that if a large portion of that 85 percent is invested in companies involved with Sudan, and divesting would endanger the College, he would not like, nor would he find it appropriate, to pursue divestment. Robins, therefore, asked a senator to propose a motion that would ask the administration to consider divestment.
A motion was then put on the floor that "resolve[d] that it is in the best interests of the student body for the administration to actively consider and explore the possibility of withstanding investments from companies that offer services and funding to the government of the Sudan ... while the genocide there continues." When Robins finished fielding senators' concerns, the issue was put to a vote and passed unanimously.
The BC recommendations were then placed before the senate. Initial recommendations called for WAMH to receive $2,000 to put on a concert and Hillel to be allotted $1,900 for their weekly Shabbat dinners and their breaking of the Yom Kippur fast.
Numerous senators, led by Andrea Gyorody '07, challenged the BC's recommendations for WAMH, citing evidence that previous WAMH concerts had drawn less than appreciable crowds. WAMH's representative at the meeting, senator Avi Das '07, responded to these allegations by asserting the need for more concerts on campus.
"Defunding this event would put us in a dangerous position. If we only have large concerts, we won't have concerts at all," he cautioned. Senators David Gottlieb '06 and Josh Stein '08 agreed with Das. They argued that a per-person cost ratio is not an appropriate manner in which to evaluate a club's discretionary proposal.
After the debate concluded, WAMH was allotted $1,960. Then, after a brief debate, Hillel's allotment was increased by $400, after the organization's representative, Joshua Stanton '08, explained that the breaking of the Yom Kippur fast meal would be more expensive than had been previously estimated.
The senate then held committee elections. The senate elected Emily Silberstein '06 and Raj Borsellino '08 to the Elections Committee; Borsellino '08 and Timothy Zeiser '07 to the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid; and Jordan McKay '07 to the Committee on Priorities and Resources.
Treasurer Richa Bhala '07 then proposed a bylaw amendment that would place an AAS member on the Amherst College Program Board (ACPB), Social Council, FLICS, ACEMS and the Olio.
Daniel de Zeeuw '08 queried whether "these positions assure access to the club's complete budget." Bhala assured him that they did, and explained that the point of placing senators in these organizations was to ensure that allocated money was not being squandered.
The amendment passed unanimously and elections then occurred to fill the spots created by Bhala's amendment. Senators elected Samantha Siegal '08 to the Social Council, Charmel Maynard '07 to the Amherst College Program Board, Jason Kung '08 to FLICS, Julie Kim '08 to ACEMS and Das to the Olio.