President Michael Simmons '06 opened the meeting. "[I am] really happy we're all here, and I am really excited for this semester." In this constitutionally-mandated opening address for the semester, Simmons asked senators to do some "soul-searching to find their niche." He expressed hopes that the senators wholeheartedly involve themselves in their respective committees and senate responsibilities.
Treasurer Richa Bhala '07 reported that the Budgetary Committee (BC) would meet this Wednesday to complete any remaining financial transactions for the fall semester. The BC would also be handling discretionary requests. She estimated that the carry-over of funds allocated but unspent would be between $38,000 and $40,000.
Noting that these remaining funds amounted to ten to 15 percent of last semester's total budget, a very substantial portion, Bhala commented that dispensing leftover allocations should be discussed by the senate. Bhala observed that the appeals of numerous clubs are turned away, and yet by the end of the semester large sums of money remain unused. Senator Josh Stein '08 proposed that the BC should be in charge of the inquiry, and all agreed.
Senator Jordan McKay '07 then reported on the status of the Martin Luther King, Jr. service, scheduled for February 10. McKay informed the senate that Calvin Butts III, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, N.Y., will be the keynote speaker for the service, beginning at 7 p.m. in Johnson Chapel.
Discussion of the upcoming elections followed McKay's report. Stein motioned to hold the mid-term election a week from this Thursday in an effort to speed up the voting process so that the two new sophomore senate seats, as well as the open Judiciary Committee (JC) Chair, could be filled as quickly as possible. The senators unanimously approved the motion.
The senate then set about filling four unoccupied committee spots. Senator Avi Das '07 was elected to the Dining Services Committee, Stein was elected to the Elections Committee, Senator Patrick Benson '08 was elected to the Committee on Priorities and Resources (CPR); and Senator Tim Zeiser '07 was elected to the Committee on Financial Aid. The senate decided that the final available committee slot, a seat on the Bradley Shuttle Committee, was to be left for one of the new sophomore senators.
Senator Charmel Maynard '07 next brought up a proposal to construct a bench in honor of retiring Associate Dean of Students Onawumi Moss, sparking a lively debate over appropriate employment of senate funds. The bench would cost $5,000, Maynard said, a sum that many in the room, particularly Senators Mira Serrill-Robins '06 and Das, agreed was exorbitant. Das stated that unfortunately the expenditure, though for a worthy cause, was one that "we as a senate cannot afford."
Simmons suggested that perhaps another, less costly manner of commemorating Moss would be advisable. Stein asked the senate, "What would the appropriate amount of money be [for honoring a faculty member]?"
Senator Julie Kim '08 suggested that less than $1,000 would suffice. Senator Emily Silberstein '06 agreed with Kim's proposal. She went on to suggest that instead of a physical monument such as a bench, the senate might write a letter of commendation to Moss on behalf of the entire student body. Senator Mira Serrill-Robins '06 agreed, adding that the letter should be published in The Amherst Student for the entire student body to read and appreciate.
Simmons, clearly wary of the bench proposal and its precedent-setting potential, said, "Senate money is for student activities." He agreed with Silberstein and Serrill-Robins that a non-monetary method of collectively recognizing Moss' contributions would be best.
Bhala added that a thoughtful gesture, such as the proposed letter or a bouquet of roses, would be most tasteful and efficacious. She expressed reluctance to endorse the bench because it would represent a physical transformation of the College campus. Such a dramatic alteration would, Bhala went on, require dealing with a "very difficult to work with" physical plant. Bhala and the senate thus concluded that a smaller-scale commemoration would be a better alternative.
Towards the end of the meeting, Stein and Benson motioned to commemorate the recently resigned Senator Raj Borsellino '08. Stein spoke to the character of Borsellino. "Raj was an awesome senator who we hope to see back with us soon," said Stein. "He is also the friend of many of us here tonight. As such, I see such action by the senate as both an important gesture to a dedicated senator and, more importantly, a kind offering to a dear friend of many of us here at Amherst." After some minor adjustments to the wording of the resolution, the senate passed the motion unanimously.