The New Paltz Oracle
Volume 76 Issue 15
Thursday, March 10, 2005
By Ellen Thompson & Jillian Nolan, Editor-in-Chief and Assistant Managing Editor
The Council of Organizations biweekly meeting finally made a comeback Monday night not only to the SUNY New Paltz campus, but also to a large group of students hoping to get their organizations initiated into the Student Association.
After missing two meetings scheduled for the nights of Feb. 14 and Feb. 28, due to inclement weather, the Council of Organizations was held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Student Union Building, beginning 15 minutes after its scheduled 9:30 p.m. start. Kenneth Imafidon announced that on March 14 and March 21 the meetings would be held in SUB 100. Half of the information given by Imafidon, and many of the other SA executive board members, was muffled and incoherent as they spoke through a faulty microphone.
Victoria Passerella, president of the SA, was the first to take the podium to announce future plans for the student organization's offices on the third floor of the SUB and for the parking committee. Passerella said the problem with the third floor offices is that there has not been a procedure and evaluation process for which organizations receive offices.
"Basically, at this point, we are going to be redistributing the applications from last spring and then using the information that we receive to make the best use of the third floor," she said.
Passerella, who is currently the student representative on the parking committee board, has supported getting more of a student voice on the committee, resulting in the president of RHSA recently receiving a seat. Her job with the committee is to make sure that all policies are fair to students who commute and reside on campus. As a result, the new lot behind the Southside House will soon have room for 255 spots.
"By making this spot that is close to the academic buildings just for commuters, which are currently the only group on campus without their own parking, it will help everyone," she said.
R.J. Partington III, vice president of the SA, spoke next, telling the Council of Organizations representatives that there will be a Town Gown meeting on Thursday March 10 in SUB 100. Partington also said he is organizing a meeting for students who are moving off campus. The meeting date and time haven't been decided yet.
"The program is really important because it will provide students their rights as tenants off campus," said Partington. "Students will learn what to do if they feel that they are not being treated fairly by their landlord."
Catherine Jacob, the vice president of Academic Affairs and Governance, brought up the issues of a 24-hour study space for students, "Course Syllabi Project," and the SA executive board elections.
Jacob said Provost David Lavallee has been working with the Library staff as well as with other administrators in looking into a 24-hour study space that will be accessible to all students. The details cannot be released until the study space is finalized, but it is projected to be open by finals, she added.
"The graduation rate is so low at New Paltz, maybe this will help students get through their classes," Jacob said. " It is a necessary resource that I think would benefit the campus as a whole." The "Course Syllabi Project" is intended for professors to submit a sample syllabus by March 15 to be put on Blackboard for students registering for Fall 2005 classes. Jacob said, "Hopefully before Fall 2005 Registration we will have a majority of the syllabi because this is a recommendation to the faculty, but most have been cooperative."
The SA executive board elections are scheduled for the dates of April 18, 19 and 20. Any student can run for a position, but the candidate must attend one of the general interest meetings scheduled for March 10 in the Purple Lounge and March 16 in SUB 409, both at 9:30 p.m., to be a potential candidate, according to Jacob.
Sergio De La Mota told representatives that he still needs a performing arts representative for the Programming Board. Clubs and organizations have until the morning of April 18 to apply for funded programs, he said. The SA will not take any late forms.
Safyia Warner, executive vice president of finance, then explained how organizations must hand in Facility Used for Scheduled Event and funding forms 21 days before their planned program. She also named numerous organizations that missed the President's and Treasurer's Meeting, which was mentioned only at the first Council meeting on Jan. 31. The mentioned groups are currently not allowed to program.
"Please do not expect us to put letters in mailboxes, this is the purpose of Council of Organizations meetings," she said. "Or come see us at our office hours."
Warner reminded organizations to sign for budget requests by April 4. She also informed students how the gym was charging organizations for rental fees based on the number of members, when they are only supposed to charge one rate for the entire organization.
The last e-board member to speak was Justin Holmes, the senate chair. Holmes told Council representatives that the Senate had passed Bill 14, giving the SA $55 for their Web site, newpaltzsa.com.
"When this e-board started, the Web site was eight pages," said Holmes. "Now it's 71."
Clubs Initiated
Six prospective organizations each presented a three-minute mission statement, but only five were initiated into the SA. The organizations were accepted into the Council by a majority vote taken by organization representatives. Before the votes are cast, the prospective organization is asked a maximum of five questions and then asked to leave the room to allow the Council discussion time. But discussion time is usually passed.
"People are just here so their clubs don't get expelled," said Nydia Southerland, the African Women's Association representative and a senior childhood education major. "People don't take time to discuss anything."
The first prospective group, Voices for Peace, represented by Adam Esrig, an international relations major, was one of the five groups that the Council did not further discuss. Esrig said that the group plans to promote peace and communication between the Israeli and Palestinian communities on campus. He said that the group does not have a religious agenda and would incorporate all communities, including the Jewish, Arab and Palestinian communities, among others.
"We would create an atmosphere where groups can come together to bridge the gap," said Esrig.
The group was voted into the SA with only four opposing votes.
Jeffrey Silverstein, a senior business management major, represented the second group, Young Republicans, the first Republican group to present that night. The group plans to have trips to Washington, D.C. and New York City, have guest lecturers and also hold an "in-depth analysis" of the SA elections.
When it came time for the five questions, Brian Gold, the representative for the Political Science Club and a sophomore majoring in international relations, asked Silverstein if he was aware of the fact that he needed credentials to use the name Young Republicans. Silverstein responded that the group was seeking SA representation first.
The group was voted in with no discussion, making them the first SA-recognized Republican organization on campus.
The third group to present was the Crocheting and Knitting Club. Thirty students are interested in joining, according to the representatives, who did not give their names. The group said they plan to sell the items made during meetings and donate the proceeds to charities.
The group was voted in with no discussion.
Transforming Feminism, a prospective organization that grew from a conference focusing on the transgender issue, presented next. The group representatives said that, despite the fact that there are several other feminism groups in the SA, they would be the only group to focus on this issue. They said they feel their group is important because transgender individuals are met with tension by other feminist and gay and lesbian groups.
The group was voted in after two questions and no discussion.
A Chemistry Club was proposed as the fifth group of the evening. The group would work with the community to "show kids how cool chemistry is." According to the group representatives, the Chemistry Club would use grants instead of SA funds for programs; they simply wanted to be recognized on campus.
No questions were asked.
Imafidon said to the Council, "At least ask questions. It's a Council meeting. Please be respectful."
A representative in the crowd responded with, "We've gotta get out of here before Oscar's closes."
The group was voted in with no discussion.
The final prospective organization to present was the College Republicans, who were met with suspicion from the Council. The group's representative, Gold, also the Political Science Club representative, said the College Republicans owned the rights to their name and had 48 members who had been meeting for five weeks.
The group would campaign for local politicians and discuss topics such as abortion and other important political issues. The group would be open to all political parties.
As soon as the group finished their presentation, three placards were immediately raised. Five questions were asked, but many representatives still had questions.
When the College Republicans representatives left the room, a Council representative asked Imafidon if the group could use SA funds to endorse a political candidate.
He said, "Current SA rules prevent the use of SA funds to be used to support any political party or political candidate."
De La Mota said that the College Republicans had been using FUSE forms to reserve rooms in the SUB through Student Activities, which went around the SA system. "Once this information got to my office, I put a stop to it," he said.
The discussion went on for about five minutes and a motion was made to vote.
The group was denied with a vote of 21-20.
Some Council members were upset with the decision and called for a second discussion, which was turned down by the Executive Board.
After organizations made announcements about upcoming events, the Council was adjourned.
The Council will meet again on Monday, March 14 at 9:30 p.m. in SUB 100. The meetings are open to all students.