SGA Plenary Meeting 10/07/2012
Absent: Maddy Court, Kersti Francis, Vanessa Sanchez, Vicki Sear, Julia Stuart, Devanshi Vaid.
Vrinda starts Plenary at 12:30pm
Reach quorum at 3:20pm
Vrinda Varia ’13: thank you all for coming to Plenary. If everyone could grab a seat, we are going to go through the packet.
We are going to go over the agenda, the history of Plenary, Robert’s Rules of Order, and then we will present the resolutions.
Agenda
1. Overview of Plenary (Welcome)
2. Approval of the Rules of Order and Agenda
3. Resolution 1: Elimination of the Mediation Program Liaison
4. Resolution 2: Increasing Posting Policy Visibility
5. Resolution 3: Collective Dorm Budget Party Fund
6. Resolution 4: Perry House Transparency and Institutional Commitment
History of Plenary
In 1892, Bryn Mawr College became the first institution in the U.S. to give students the responsibility to decide on how they should govern themselves. While it was considered a radical experiment, it has become one of the most valued aspects of the Bryn Mawr education. The tradition of student autonomy and responsibility has created a unique campus where students participate in discussion and resolution of the most important issues facing the College.
Twice a year, students get the opportunity to present resolutions to the entire student body. The Spirit of Self Governance is a beautiful thing and should make all Mawrters proud.
Robert’s Rules of Order
Plenary uses a form of communication based on Robert’s Rules of Order. They ensure that the will of the majority is done while protecting the voice of the minority. The rule of order may seem awkward and sometimes constraining, but it will limit chaos and personal attack. Please give your attention to the guidelines and follow them. In the long run, they will make Plenary run smoother and faster.
Quorum is essential and required. This means that everyone must enter and exit from the side door of Goodhart. Votes are only valid if there is quorum.
Order of Business:
Each resolution will be presented as follows:
· Reading of the resolution by the presenter(s)
· Explanation of the resolution by the presenter(s) 3 minutes
· Floor open to questions and Pro/Con statements 12 minutes
(questions are given priority during this time)
(If amendment is presented, it is given an additional 8 minutes)
· Floor open to Pro/Con statements only 7 minutes
· Rebuttal period for presenter(s) of the proposal 3 minutes
· Voting on the resolution
If there is discussion occurring at the microphones, then discussion will occur for at least 12 minutes as outlined above, before the question may be called. This is to ensure that a minimum discussion is given to all proposals, as the community has already warranted these resolutions worthy of discussion.
If there is no discussion at the microphone, the SGA Executive Board will give a 30 second time limit for those who wish to speak to identify themselves by either approaching the microphone or alerting their section counter. If after the 30 seconds no one has announced that they wish to speak, the amendment or resolution will be voted upon.
There will be a member of the SGA Executive Board moderating as well as another member keeping time for each resolution. One minute and 30 second warnings will be given for each timed period.
Speaking
**If you wish to ask a question, please line up at the middle YELLOW microphone.
**If you wish to make a statement in favor of a proposal, please use the GREEN microphone.
**If you wish to make a statement in opposition to a proposal, please use the RED microphone.
There will be a moderator at each microphone who will limit the number of people standing in line. Please keep your statements to one minute, so that everyone may have time to speak. Please listen carefully to the speakers to avoid asking the same question or making the same basic point. If you have already spoken on an issue, you will not be allowed to speak again until everyone else who desires to speak has done so. If you must talk while in your seat, please be considerate of those around you who may be trying to listen to the discussion. Most importantly, please be patient and respectful of all other members. Even though you might not agree with an idea, everyone has the right to speak and be heard.
The President will call on microphones alternating Pro/Con. Only the people at microphones who are recognized by the President will be permitted to speak, and again, no one will be allotted more than one minute to the proposal.
Voting
Voting is a right and privilege extended to all members of the Association. The options for exercising this right are pro, con, and abstain (no opinion, or you feel like you don’t have enough information to provide an informed vote). For a motion to pass a majority of members present must vote pro.
Please raise hands high, and know who your counter is for your section. The President will ask that everyone return to her proper seat during a vote, as to make sure everyone is counted accurately.
All votes will be done visually unless there the majority of the vote is unclear. If you believe you are not being counted, please see a counter or come to the front of the stage.
Definitions
AMENDMENT: An addition or change that is proposed to a resolution which is on the table for discussion. Please try to use language such as “strike,” “add,” and “replace with.” If the amendment strays too much from the original intent of the proposal, the President may declare the amendment to be out of SCOPE, or outside of the resolution’s jurisdiction or purpose.
After an amendment is presented, it must be seconded at a microphone by another member of the Association, and is then open for debate. At this time, all discussion regarding the original resolution ceases to allow adequate attention to be given to the amendment. If you are speaking to the main resolution during this time, the President may request you to come back to the microphone when debate on the main resolution resumes.
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME: This needs a simple majority for approval. When making the motion, please specify a length at which time shall be extended (4 more speakers/5 minutes, etc.). It must be made before time has expired, seconded, and then passed by a simple majority.
MOTION TO COMMIT/REFER: If you feel like more research needs to be done in order to support the motion you may move to refer to a committee (I move to refer_____ to a committee/task force). Upon doing so please specify the size, responsibilities and whom will be on the committee.
POSTPONE INDEFINITELY: This may be done if you feel like there is inadequate information and you feel like the motion does not warrant discussion. The effect would be to postpone debate entirely and move on to the next order of business. If desired, it could then be brought up at Plenary the following year.
CALLING THE QUESTION: A request to stop all discussion IMMEDIATELY and put the resolution to a vote. This MUST be voted upon, and requires 2/3 support. It is basically a vote to vote. The first vote will be to close discussion and move to the final vote. If this fails discussion continues; if this passes then the presenter moves to the rebuttal period and then we vote on whatever debate is currently occurring—i.e. an amendment or the original resolution. If you CALL ALL PREVIOUS QUESTIONS, this would include the same premise as calling the question, only we would proceed to vote systematically on any amendment on the table and the original resolution. This motion may only be made after the original 10 minutes of discussion have elapsed, and must be recognized by the President.
POINT OF ORDER: A motion made after an infraction of Robert’s Rules of Order. May be made from any place in the room. The Parliamentarian will confer with the President regarding the error and then will present a method of recovery to regain order.
***Important***
These motions as well as the amendment process are serious procedures; which can, if abused, hinder the process or render it unfair. Please use them with discretion and allow the existing process to work as efficiently as possible. All motions must be presented at the microphone, and all amendments must be written down in advance of approaching the microphone and presented to the microphone moderator. All amendments must be presented and discussed as written.
Food
All food must be consumed in the atrium and the lobby. In the case that food is consumed in the Auditorium, SGA will not be allowed to use Goodhart in the future. Please abide and uphold the Social Honor Code by respecting this rule.
PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF AND RECYCLE PLENARY PACKETS!
Vrinda Varia ’13: with that we are going to start with the presentation of resolutions. The first resolution, Elimination of the Mediation Program Liaison is presented by Irene Shin ‘13 and Eun-young Park ’15.
Irene Shin ‘13: as stated the resolution is called the Elimination of the Mediation Program Liaison.
Eun-young Park ’15 and Irene Shin ’13:
Resolution 1: Elimination of the Mediation Program Liaison
Presented by Irene Shin’13 and Eun-young Park’15
Whereas, I.B.3 of the Honor Code asks for there to be an appointed Honor Board member who acts as the Mediation Program Liaison.
Whereas, this Mediation Program Liaison position is described as an Honor Board member who “works closely with the mediation intake coordinators to schedule mediation and to organize the mediation program.” (Honor Code, I.B.3)
Whereas, the Mediation Program is no longer active on campus.
Whereas, the Mediation Program will now be replaced by the Conflict Resolution Committee in name.
Whereas, the Conflict Resolution Committee will act as a resource for students who would like a trained third-party to help with a social honor code confrontation (for further information of a social honor code confrontation, please refer to II.B.1 of the Honor Code). This committee will be appointed by the Appointments Committee.
Whereas, the Conflict Resolution Committee and the Honor Board are different bodies of SGA and interaction between them should be kept to a minimum. This is to ensure that Honor Board members can be as objective as possible in all Honor Board hearings.
Whereas, a Conflict Resolution Committee member will contact the Head of the Honor Board directly to deliberate what the next step should be if a confrontation escalates to the level of an Honor Board Hearing or Deans’ Panel.
Whereas, the Conflict Resolution Committee has been appointed as of September 27, 2012. Their services will be announced to the student body through the SGA assembly, Dorm Leadership Teams, as well as Michele Rasmussen, Dean of the Undergraduate College and Angie Sheets, Director of Residential Life by October 14th, 2012.
Be it resolved, that the Mediation Program Liaison will be removed as an appointed position within the Honor Board, since the Conflict Resolution Committee has been instated.
Vrinda Varia ’13: thank you. You have 3 minutes to explain this resolution.
Irene Shin ‘13: so basically there is something in the Honor Code called the mediation program liaison and this position is supposed to be used in the Honor Board but there is no mediation program to be liaison-ing to. So we want to get rid of the program.
Vrinda Varia ’13: if anyone has any comments or questions, please line up at a mic or indicate to your section leader or else we will go to a vote. Okay, we are starting the 30 seconds now.
If no one has any comments or questions, we are going to move to a vote. This vote will be done by visual ballet. There are 3 options to vote: in favor of the resolution, in opposition of the resolution, and abstention. We are doing this by visual ballet, so section counters do not need to count.
This resolution passes.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: the second resolution is called Increasing Posting Policy Visibility and is presented by Natalie Zamora ’14.
Natalie Zamora ‘14: my resolution is to Increase Posting Policy Visibility.
Resolution 2: Increasing Posting Policy Visibility
Presented by Natalie Zamora ‘14
Whereas, the Posting Policy should be more available to students of the Bryn Mawr College community.
Whereas, the Posting Policy is an administrative policy so it is “unfit” for a plenary resolution which was confirmed at Tuesday Group and by Conferences and Events, meaning the process of updating the Posting Policy will continue as a collaborative effort with Residence Council and SGA, along with any student who is willing to give input on the subject.
Whereas, Posting Policy is an important school wide policy that many students will use during their academic time at Bryn Mawr College as it is a crucial type of public advertising on campus.
Whereas, the Posting Policy is only located on the Bryn Mawr College website and the SGA blog, but is not in the student handbooks that is distributed to every student at the beginning of the year in their mailboxes.
Whereas, both Conferences and Events and Mary Beth Horvath of the Student Activities Office have expressed concern with the lack of Posting Policy awareness when it comes to chalking and hanging banners over Pembroke Arch.
Whereas, without the knowledge of the Posting Policy, posting on campus becomes less effective (i.e. does not reach the people it needs to in time) and chaotic in terms of general tidiness of campus surfaces.
Be it resolved, the Posting Policy should be a reoccurring feature in the student handbook as well as posting policy specific for dorm posting be posted on the dorm bulletin boards to stay there all year long. Angie Sheets of Residential Life and Tracy Kellmer of Communications will be helping me follow up, ensuring that these goals are met before the next school year.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: thank you. You have 3 minutes to explain your resolution.
Natalie Zamora ‘14: the posting policy is very important to advertising on campus as it is required to follow in dorms and academic spaces. Not a lot of people know there is a dorm policy. When I was getting signatures for this resolution, people thought I was making the posting policy. So the fact that not many people are aware that there is a posting policy is concerning to me which is why I made the resolution. So more visibility; everyone gets student handbooks in their mailbox and you can refer back to it if you need it. As far as posting on the dorm bulletin boards, that is pretty simple; as you are tacking it on to the bulletin board, you can look to see if it is appropriate or not.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: thank you. If anyone has comments or questions, please proceed to the questions mic or indicate to your section counter that you have a comment or question.
Questions Microphone:
Emily Tong ’13: I am confused in the second section that is says that the posting policy is an administrative policy and is unfit for a Plenary resolution. So why are we talking about it here?
Natalie Zamora ‘14: making amendments to the policy, changing things in it is unfit for plenary. I cannot be up here and talk about what I want to be changed because it is very easily fixable thing. I can go to Res Co and settle it there. Which is why I wanted to make it more of a process with everyone because it is important on campus. We all need to agree what is fair and right for the community. So this is just to increase that awareness of the posting policy.
Chloe Baumann ‘14: my question is with what seems like a committee you are trying to form. With the “collaborative effort with Residence Council and SGA, along with any student who is willing to give input on the subject.” Why are you not going through an appointed position process?
Natalie Zamora ‘14: I was not sure how difficult of a process this would be in making amendments to the posting policy. I have not yet started the process. I have things that I definitely want to change and add, but I have not thought about it any further than that. We might end up having a committee but I am not sure if it would be appointed or not because it is hopefully a onetime deal. I definitely don’t think it is swept under the table at all. I brought it up at SGA before as a Your Two Cents sort of thing and will continue to bring it up at SGA. I know that people are not a part of Res Co and do not particularly attend SGA meetings, so you can talk to me or if I have a committee you can have your say. Does that answer your question?
Chloe Baumann ‘14: It doesn’t. So you are looking to change the posting policy through conversations with Res Co and SGA.
Natalie Zamora ’14: yeah.
Chloe Baumann ’14: And you are open to any student input, but it seems like you have a specific agenda already? I am confused as to how this will be an open process?
Natalie Zamora ‘14: my resolution is not about making a committee about adjusting the posting policy. It is about increasing visibility of the posting policy.
Chloe Baumann ‘14: so then why were you talking about changing it?
Natalie Zamora ‘14: that was my initial idea until I found out it was unfit to go through a Plenary resolution by Conferences and Events. So then I changed my resolution because I was not sure how to attack the posting policy in ways make amendments to it. So I just have not considered making a committee or even considered the next step to changing the posting policy. This is purely more awareness and visibility than anything else.
Chloe Baumann ’14: thank you for the clarification.
Gaia Brusasco ‘13: this amendment or this Plenary resolution will, if it passes, result in a sign the dorm bulletin boards that says to put your name, your contact information if you post something here, and maybe say this bulletin board is for SGA things here. It is just to make the posting policy very clear and visible so we can see it?
Natalie Zamora ’14: yes.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: if anyone else has any comments or questions, please indicate to your section counters or approach the mic. We will start the 30 seconds to move towards a vote now. So we are going to move towards a vote.
This resolution passes
Before we proceed to resolution 3, just an update, we are at 467 people, so if we lose 3 more we will have to wait for quorum again. I know everyone has been here for a while, but hang tite. Resolution number 3, Collective Dorm Budget Party Fund, is being presented by Sarah Henkind ‘13 and Kendra Kelly ‘13.
Sarah Henkind ‘13: our resolution is called the Collective Dorm Budget Party Fund.
Sarah Henkind ’13 and Kendra Kelly ’13:
Resolution 3: Collective Dorm Budget Party Fund
Presented by Sarah Henkind ’13 and Kendra Kelly’13
Whereas, certain parties/events on campus have become annual traditions, such as East vs. West, Radnor Halloween, and St. Patrick’s Day.
Whereas, these annual events are hosted in Bryn Mawr College dorms.
Whereas, money for these events has previously come out of the budgets for the dorms under the supervision of the Dorm Presidents.
Whereas, the amount of money in a Dorm President’s budget is calculated and allocated by Residential Life based on the number of residents per dorm.
Whereas, these dorm budgets are intended for events and functions exclusively for the dorm’s residents, and are intended to foster community events within each dorm.
Whereas, the dorms who host these events do so because they have the capacity to host large-scale parties, and because they have layouts conducive for security efforts.
Whereas, these events are open to all of the Bryn Mawr College student body, and often are Bi-Co and Tri-Co wide events.
Whereas, the responsibility of financing these events falls solely on the budget of the hosting dorm.
Whereas, financing these events puts an economic burden on the hosting dorm’s budget and leaves little funds for the intended use.
Whereas, Bryn Mawr College’s department of Residential Life is concerned about the economic burden placed on dorms that host large scale annual events.
Whereas, dorms that host these events feel less likely to host events due to the financial burden placed solely on their budgets.
Whereas, the existing Party Fund only covers a fraction of the costs of hosting an annual event, and are listed as thus: Level 1: $30, Level 2: $60, Level 3: $90.
Whereas, Bryn Mawr dorms cannot exceed a Level 2 party due to constrictions on capacity.
Whereas, the creation of this fund is intended for Bryn Mawr College parties that are hosted within the dorms.
Be it resolved, that the Bryn Mawr College Self-Government Association request that money for annual events, such as East vs. West, Radnor Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day no longer be taken solely from the budget of the host dorm(s), but rather be taken from a separate fund comprised of ten percent (10%) from every dorm’s budget.
Be it resolved, that the Bryn Mawr College Self-Government Association will match the funds comprised of the ten percent (10%) taken from each Dorm President budget. As the budgeting process for the Fall of 2012 has already occurred, SGA’s contribution will not be available until the Spring semester of 2013, at which time they will match the remaining Dorm President budget funds.
Be it resolved, that these combined funds be placed under the control of the Residence Council, where the distribution of the funds for these events will be voted on by the Dorm Presidents.
Be it resolved, that the Dorm Presidents of the hosting dorm are responsible for presenting a budget on behalf of their dorm prior to the funds being voted on.
Be it resolved, that the Residence Council’s voting will be conducted in a two part process which will proceed as thus:
1) A vote in which the majority of the Residence Council’s quorum is in agreement with the event.
2) A vote in which the majority of the Residence Council’s quorum is in agreement with the amount of the funds requested.
Be it resolved, that functions receiving pecuniary resources from this fund must be open to all current Bryn Mawr College students.
Be it resolved, that the requested money for the annual events be used for the non-alcoholic party functions of these events, as funds would only be allocated for party necessities such as bouncers, food, DJs/music, and decorations.
Be it resolved, that this fund be made available at the commencement of each academic year, and the funds will cover the events of that academic year.
Be it resolved, that the Residence Council Heads of 2012-2013 will organize the creation of this fund for the 2012-2013 academic year on the contingency that this resolution passes.
Contributions to a Party Fund From Each Dorm President’s Budget: 2012-2013
Dorm Annual Dorm President Budget Contribution
Brecon $425 $42.50
Denbigh $460 $46.00
Erdman $625 $62.50
Haffner $390 $39.00
Merion $450 $45.00
Pem East $525 $52.50
Pem West $475 $47.50
Perry $150 $15.00
Radnor $370 $37.00
Rhoads North $440 $44.00
Rhoads South $350 $35.00
Rock $615 $61.50
Total of 10% of every Dorm President budget: $527.50
Total when matched by SGA*: $1055.00
*Matching my SGA may not be feasible for the 2012-2013 year as they have already undergone their budgeting process.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: you now have 3 minutes to explain your resolution.
Kendra Kelly ‘13: in the past, the dorms that hosted large scale campus wide events have all had the financial responsibility to solely fund the events, and it is very hard on their budgets. We came to this resolution by looking at the effects they had on having events just solely for the dorm and dorm teas from the dorm presidents. So these funds will come from the dorm president budget to create a fund so that 10% will be taken from the dorm president’s budgets since these events are for the entire campus.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: if anyone has comments or questions, indicate it to your section counters or approach the mics.
Questions Microphone:
Lee McClenon ’14: how is this fund or is this fund being written into the constitution? Or into the rules of order of SGA to make sure this happens?
Kendra Kelly ‘13: there is nothing in the constitution that talks about the dorm president’s fund. So this will go through Angie Sheets or whoever is in charge of Res Life and become part of the process.
Lee McClenon ‘14: as for the SGA matching funds, will that have to be written into any sort of process for the treasurer’s position?
Kendra Kelly ‘13: I think that the heads of the residence council will have to go through a budget; Sowmya, will this have to be written into the constitution since this is being funded for SGA?
Sowmya Srinivasan ‘13: When SGA pays for the Res Co budgets, it is not written into the constitution. So I assume no.
Lee McClenon ‘14: I wonder how this will be sustainable. How will next year’s treasurer know about this and budget for it?
Kendra Kelly ‘13: hopefully by the president we elect this year.
Anna Kalinsky ‘14: I am wondering how did you determine what qualifies as an annual party? I know you listed a few, but what would you do about parties that become annual or historically happen but have not in the past few years?
Sarah Henkind ’13: I think that it is really going to be determined and put to a vote by the dorm presidents for getting funding. We base these on the events that in the past had the most people attend from all of the Tri-Co. But it will be determined mostly by the dorm presidents.
Sarah Jordan ’13: what is stopping the dorm presidents from hosting these parties? Why don’t they form a club and ask for club funding as opposed to using dorm budgets?
Sarah Henkind ’13: through special events?
Sarah Jordan ‘13: Separate from special events. I know in the past dorm presidents have applied for club funding to get money for these parties. I was wondering if that is not proper or why we are not doing that?
Kendra Kelly ‘13: I think because it falls under the jurisdiction of the dorm’s budget, and club money is a little different in its purpose. So since it has always come out of the dorm budgets, we are trying to keep it within there with help from SGA.
Pro Microphone:
Natalie Zamora ‘14: as a former president of east, I am in favor of this because it is so difficult to budget. I had to budget for east west, hell week, and dorm teas. There really is not enough money, and everyone goes to these events. Some dorms that do not have annual dorm parties, but everyone is going to East/West, and it only seems fair to help us out. I think that the fact that parties are paid out of the dorm budgets is kind of ridiculous. So I am in favor.
Balcony Microphone:
Emily Strong ’13: as someone who lives in Brecon my whole time, it seems like this is a fund that will be taken from all dorms but actually only be used by a small fraction of them. And not everyone goes to East/West, only people who want that sort of party, so I am in objection to that. How would you answer that?
Kendra Kelly ‘13: Brecon Halloween, Brecon Prom would also be able to have access to these funds. So this is not exclusively just for East/West. Largely the parties that are held in these categories or are held in these places because they have the capacity and entrance/exit security to hold parties of this scale. We feel that enough of a percentage of the dorms would equalize it across the board. Not something that your dorm will be restricted from having funding, but just not be able to host an event of that scale. We are trying to even out and even if you do not go to these events, there might be some events that you go to or a lot of people in your dorm might go to.
Emily Strong ’13: thank you.
Pro Microphone:
Emily Tong ‘13: so Natalie Zamora said pretty much everything I wanted to say. I am the current co-president for Pem East and I just want to reiterate that it is very difficult to budget with these budgets and decide whether or not we are going to use money for hell week or for parties or dorm teas. Because we really want our dorm to come together this semester and it would be easier if we had the money for it.
Questions Microphone:
Chloe Baumann ‘14: when would the money come out of president budgets? Would it be second semester or immediately?
Sarah Henkind ‘13: the budgets have already been done for SGA for this semester. So it would not be this semester.
Chloe Baumann ‘14: I am not asking about SGA.
Sarah Henkind ’13: at the start of each semester. So for academic year.
Chloe Baumann ’14: okay. So will this happen this year or not?
Kendra Kelly ‘13: we are hoping that if this passes we will match half the funds that we are asking for. So half of the numbers.
Pro Microphone:
Lee McClenon ‘14: I was Res Co head last year. I am in favor of this resolution. I think that a lot of the work we do in Res Co involved these logistics and so it would free up the time. I know everyone doesn’t go to parties, in fact even if you host a party, there is not the capacity for everyone in the school to go to it. But many students at Bryn Mawr value these parties and wish that we had more social opportunities like them on campus. Even though it is not for everyone, it is good for the community.
Questions Microphone:
Amy Chen ‘14: will all of these events be open to the Tri Co or is it just Bryn Mawr?
Sarah Henkind ‘13: everyone; Bi Co, Tri Co.
Kendra Kelly ‘13: well it depends on the dorm size. As these are coming from all of the dorms budgets, they will have to be open. Any dorm that gets the money has to be at least open to all Bryn Mawr students. The Tri Co and Bi Co will be decided by that dorm at that time.
Amy Chen ‘14: have you tried talking to other people for funds because given the current budgeting for SGA, they have less money to give out to and you are taking from other clubs.
Kendra Kelly ‘13: this resolution was Angie Sheets’ idea and something she really wanted SGA to examine. Res Co is doing everything they can. We have talked to the deans. I think there is a flip side and even if people are not going to the parties, if you live in the dorm, it means more money for your dorm for social events and community building.
Amy Chen ‘14: so the individual dorms are not decreasing, but there will be a pot to go towards it?
Kendra Kelly ‘13: right
Pro Microphone:
Anna Kalinsky ‘14: as Brecon dorm co-president I want to speak in favor of this resolution. I want to speak as someone recognizes many people do not go to these parties, but someone who does go to these parties. I find there have been problems with dorms running low with food, drinks, and bouncers for security. If additional funding is available, we can make the parties safer, which is something I think we should be focusing on, even though it would be some of our fund money. It would ensure the safety of members of the campus which should be a priority.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: we have 30 seconds until the 12 minute mark. So if anyone has any questions or comments please approach the mic and we will have to have a motion to extend time.
Anna Sargeant ’15: motion to extend time.
Vrinda Varia ’13: motion to extend time to the end of speaking order or for how long? To the end of current speaking order?
Anna Sargeant ’15: yeah.
Vrinda Varia ’13: okay, we are good.
Balcony Microphone:
Tiffany Gao ’13: I am not a party person but I do enjoy these sort of unofficial traditions. If we have a separate fund it will contribute to making sure we have these unofficial traditions, which I think are important to my experience of the Bryn Mawr community.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: there will be 30 seconds for anyone else to approach the mic. So we would move to a vote right not but we have lost quorum by 5 people. So we cannot vote until 5 people get here.
Lose quorum at 4:00pm.
Regain quorum at 4:13pm.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: we are going to move directly to a vote, so if everyone could take their seats again please. Just a reminder, we are voting on the Collective Dorm Budget Party Fund resolution presented by Sarah Henkind ’13 and Kendra Kelly ’13.
This resolution passes.
There is one more resolution. Resolution number 4, Perry House Transparency and Institutional Commitment presented by Marissa Jackson ’14 and Sasha De La Cruz ’15.
Marissa Jackson ‘14: good afternoon.
Marissa Jackson ’14 and Sasha De La Cruz ’15:
Resolution 4: Perry House Transparency and Institutional Commitment
Presented by Marissa Jackson ’14 and Sasha De La Cruz ‘15
Whereas, Perry House, Bryn Mawr College’s Black Cultural Center, is now closed as a facility for gatherings and resident housing.
Whereas, administration has given students a vague timeline concerning the renovation and reopening of Perry House.
Whereas, the Dean’s Office is significant as a liaison between students and administration, and the Board of Trustees is significant as a group responsible for decisions concerning campus finances.
Whereas, many were disappointed about the decision to make Pem East Fourth the new Perry House residence.
Whereas, students have had limited participation in the discussions concerning its future.
Whereas, members of Sisterhood, BACaSO and Mujeres have expressed the desire to have members of every ethnicity, nationality, and creed attend our meetings, events, and discussions as members of our affinity groups.
Whereas, space for Black and Latina support groups is limited on campus.
Whereas, there is limited space to hold general body meetings and special events for groups on campus.
Whereas, regular access to a kitchen for food demos and other cultural meals is limited on campus.
Whereas, Perry House is important and relevant to both Black History in the United States and Bryn Mawr’s institutional history.
Whereas, subsequent generations of Bryn Mawr students may not understand the cultural, political, and social importance of Perry House if it is not renovated before the Class of 2015 graduates.
Be it Resolved, the Association recommends that the Board of Trustees, President McAuliffe, Residential Life, and Facilities Services make the renovations to Perry House a priority in Bryn Mawr’s institutional planning and seek to make it a livable space for students before the Fall of 2014. The Association requests an institutional commitment towards the renovation and revival of the Perry House tradition.
Be it Resolved, students will be invited to meetings concerning renovations and or the closing of dorms and other student spaces.
Be it Resolved, student representatives for Facilities Services and the Board of Trustees, as well as other appropriately positioned student leaders will maintain regular contact with the student body so that they have a better opportunity to understand and share the opinion of all students with the administration in continuing the dialogue on Perry House. This may be done through individual meetings with various club leaders and in SGA meetings.
Be it Resolved, students representatives from Sisterhood, Mujeres, and BACaSO will hold regular discussions with the Dean’s Office, Residential Life, and the President’s Office until a definite plan for Perry House has been set in motion.
Be it resolved, resources should be allocated to the upkeep and maintenance of the Perry House once renovations have taken place.
Be it resolved, there are a variety of different factors that play a role in determining the future of Perry House, and the Association will be willing to make compromises if and when they are necessary, with the assumption that all involved parties have the best interest of the Bryn Mawr community at heart.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: thank you. You have 3 minutes to explain your resolution.
Marissa Jackson ’14: this is Perry House. In case people do not know what it looks like, you can see it in the PowerPoint. It is Bryn Mawr’s Black Cultural Center similar to the one they have at Haverford. It has a kitchen, a common room, residence housing for 7 or more students, and was built in 1931. It also has a library with a collection of books, as well as a few computers like the ones they have in other places on campus that people can use if they want to. This is a quote that we took from the college’s website, it says “Perry House, purchased by the college in 1962, was originally used as “Spanish House.” Today, it serves as the Black Cultural Center residence. In case you guys don’t know, 322 Morris Ave. And I have it on a map where the triangle is Goodhart and if you go down and walk past the Pem Arch and Dalton, and go across the street, that is where Perry House is. It is because it is a place that is important for our affinity groups to meet and for our culture to have discussions. As a student said yesterday in our meeting, “It’s a place to gather and make sure we are all happy and healthy on this campus, and we start together and we will graduate together because we have this space and this community that is so important to our campus.” It is still significant today on campus because Bryn Mawr has a lot of diversity especially over the past few years. But at the same time, less than 10% class of 2012 who is going to graduate in May identified as Black or African America. These are pictures of ways we have used Perry House in terms of meetings and discussions that we have had there.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: thank you. If anybody has any questions or comments, please approach the mic or indicate to your section counters.
Questions Microphone:
Meheret Shumet ’13: in the event that President McAuliffe and deans would prefer to build an alternative space as opposed to renovating Perry House, would this resolution lend itself to those changes?
Marissa Jackson ’14: like we said earlier, we are willing to make compromises if necessary, but ideally, we really want our Perry House space back because it is relevant on campus. We have been a little disappointed because the house I lived in was built a long time ago, and so part of owning this kind of facility is taking care of it and the kept up and that has not happened at Perry House. So I feel like that is why it requires so much time and attention today. In the event that they do decide to build another dorm or something, we are open to those discussions.
Karina Siu ‘14: I think it is a good resolution, but for the timeline for fall of 2014, has this been discussed as a possible time? My understanding of state of Perry House makes me unsure if it is a possible timeline. I understand the importance of the class of 2015 to be able to live there, but is this a timeline that has been discussed?
Marissa Jackson ’14: it has not been discussed in depth. Funding is an issue. So we talked about possibly of using other place in the meantime. We do understand that this date is approaching; we have not discussed a timeline. That is part of what we want to do here.
Pro Microphone:
Kendra Kelly ‘13: I went to the open house hosted by Perry House last spring; it was so amazing to be invited into that community and learn more about it and meet with the community and alumnae and students. That gave me the inside about how important this is. As Residence Council Head, I was at the board of trustees meeting on grounds and buildings, and this does not seem to be on their radar, and it was just very striking and that it needs to be on their radar and needs to be called attention to because it’s something that needs funds and support and needs to be in their conversations.
Kelly Wilkinson ‘14: I am a member of Sisterhood, on the Exec Board this year. However, I was not an active member of Sisterhood until this year. But one of the things I did do was go to Perry House my freshman and sophomore year. As a member on campus, it is difficult, day in and day out, to be the only person of color in classes or in the dorm, pretty much all of the time. It is vital for students of color, especially Black and Latino students to feel that we have a safe space where they can speak freely and be in an environment that is promoting their happiness and wellbeing as well as the greater good for the rest of the community. I just wanted to say that.
Questions Microphone:
Saba Qadir ‘13: clearly there is a lot of support and appeal that the administration will notice that there is a student concern. How have you thought of how to continue this conversation in the following years? Do you propose a specific way? What is your exact plan of attack?
Marissa Jackson ’14: so one of the biggest things we are talking about that was brought up at the last SGA meeting is that we already have student representatives for the deans office, facilities services, board of trustees and so I feel like a major part of this plan is making sure we invite those students in appointed position to come to our meetings. Encouraging more people from our community to go to SGA and share our opinions. I think we will very much rely on students in appointed positions. We will also meet individually with administrators, faculty, and staff.
Pro Microphone:
Michaela Olson ’15: I work for admissions and I know that our actual statement toward diversity has been a work in process. I know that in terms of maintaining diversity, I think it is important as a student of the class of 2015. I would love to see Perry before I graduate.
Matanda Mondoa ’15: I visited Perry House during my freshman year and at the time I was a bit homesick but over and over again, the community of Perry House was great and hosted great events and good food, good discussion. When I finally went there I felt that I was at home and I fit in. Perry House to me is very important because it gave me more appreciation of my culture as being a child of African immigrants and being American. So Perry House for me is very much a home.
Balcony Microphone:
Mercy Farnum ’14: my question is it says “Be it resolved, resources should be allocated to the upkeep and maintenance of the Perry House…” What kind of resources do you mean? Do you mean like SGA resources for activities there or is this a recommendation for Res Life and the more administrative people who are in charge of that? What resources do you have in mind?
Marissa Jackson ’14: we are discussing with the Alumnae Association about creating a fund that would go to the upkeep of Perry House, but also we would like part is the institutional commitment to allocate resources to the upkeep of Perry House that they do for the other dorms. Like they keep up Merion, Radnor, Brecon, Rhoads, all of the dorms are continuously kept up and we want Perry to be a part of those dorms that the college keeps up.
Mercy Farnum ’15: so what you are saying is you want to start an initiative to make sure the administration hears your concern?
Marissa Jackson ’14: yes.
Pro Microphone:
Meheret Shumet ’13: this resolution is important for a number of contentions. This weekend, the board of trustees was here and alumnae. There were a number of alumns who were really alarmed when they heard that Perry House had closed, and none of them heard anything about it. Not only the alums who did not have an idea, but the faculty. So there is really a huge need for transparency. The fact that Perry is such an important place to a lot of us on campus. I am also a Perry House liaison for Bacaso. So the fact that a lot of us rely on it not only as a living space, but as a space to be you, and a lot of us have other spaces whether it be Radnor, Brecon, Pems. We talked about the dorm personalities, and I wish there were some for Perry because a lot of us who know Perry could really speak to that. Secondly, I think Dean Rasmussen and Angie Sheets have done an awesome job at keeping in contact with us and making sure that those of us who are really concerned get our voices heard and this resolution is extremely important and relevant to many of us here. A lot of you might not have known that this was an issue, but its resolutions like these that make it relevant.
Tsega Meshesha ’13: I had the opportunity to live in Perry my sophomore year and this year. My sophomore year was very hard. I had a wonderful summer in my home country in Ethiopia and the fact that I could go to the kitchen and cook whatever I wanted, but at the same time I was new to this house. I didn’t really know the people in the dorm but I knew their face. I didn’t know them on a personal level. Just the fact that we had a kitchen to feed ourselves, a meeting space, so many people would come and use our living room for various things. It was just a really great place from going form being in a place with a lot of people that are like me, but then you come to America and there are so many different diversities and people. Sometimes I feel a little different, it can be a culture shock. So having Perry House to kind of regroup and say alright you are no longer in a place where everyone looks like me, I am in a different place but I still kind of feel comfortable in this house. So now living on the fourth floor, I guess because we do not have a kitchen, it is really hard for us to have that community again. Because I am going to graduate, I will not have the opportunity again to live in Perry House. But as an alumna, I hope that this resolution will be strong enough to be able to finish this conversation because I feel that this house needs to be there for women of color. Being out in Bryn Mawr is not comfortable for all of us. So having Perry to make that area more comfortable is necessary.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: we have hit the 12 minute mark. So if we want to continue this discussion, we need a motion to extend time. There will be 30 for anyone to approach the mic. Also please remember to keep your comments and questions to under 60 seconds. Speaking order will end when all individuals at mics finish.
Balcony Microphone:
Andrea Parra ‘13: I want to know why it has been neglected over the past couple of years?
Marissa Jackson ’14: why Perry House has been neglected?
Andrea Parra ’13: yes. Why keeping renovations have been neglected and it has not been for the other dorms?
Marissa Jackson ’14: honestly, that is a good question. We feel like the institution did not value the Perry House tradition. We spoke with Mary Osirim, a professor from the sociology department who said while she was on the advisory board in ‘98/’99, and she said that while she was there the repairs for Perry House were about $200-$16o0. So it is an ongoing problem and process. A lot of other buildings on campus like Batten House are going through similar things. So we do not know why it happened.
Questions Microphone:
Syona Arora ‘15: I was wondering, I know that Perry House was associated with different groups because of its history. But would it be open to all minority groups?
Marissa Jackson ’14: we feel that Perry House is a unique space for members of Sisterhood, Bacaso, and Mujeres because of the history we have culturally and on campus. So when the time comes, we would be willing to fight the battle, and get those discussions out there. But at the moment, I feel it is more important to try and get it back before we do that.
Sarah Jenness ‘13: I have an amendment that I would like to make.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: do you have it written?
Sarah Jenness ’13: yes.
Vrinda Varia ’13: can you read it?
Sarah Jenness ‘13: “Be it resolved, the Association recommends that the Administration involve the Professors and Faculty on the status and progress of Perry House renovations.” So from earlier we heard that a lot of professors on campus don’t actually know what is going on with Perry House and given that students are only here for a 4 year period, but professors are here generally much longer, it would be important that they are involved with what is going on with Perry House.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: do you deem this amendment to be friendly?
Marissa Jackson ’14: yes.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: can you bring the amendment up here. There will be an additional 8 minutes allotted to the conversation if anyone wants to discuss the amendment. So we will continue speaking order and then there will be an additional 8 minutes added. We are going to continue with speaking order. Just as an effort to maintain the one minute mark, I will raise my paper at 45 seconds.
Pro Microphone:
Sharaai Marrelo ’13: I want to speak to the timeline that is on the resolution. The people who are behind Perry House at the moment, if it is not started by the time we would like it to, the drive behind Perry House movement will die. Unfortunately, the sophomore class of 2015 is the last class that has been in Perry House, been able to go to events, food demos. We want it to be remembered in the timeline and really keep it because if the freshmen class now has not had Perry House, there are only the 2015s that have had the ideas behind Perry House.
Jomaira Salas ‘13: as Marissa said earlier, the number of Latina and Black students on campus is very low, but it is not just about getting people here, but to think about graduating students. Perry House, and I can speak for many of my friends, is the reason I am graduating in May has to do with Perry House and a bunch of other support systems. There was an alumna that I talked to who volunteered to raise money for her class and she said that the reason why she does that is because of Perry House. So Perry House is not just for us but for the institution, because then these alumni go out and raise money for the college.
Chantille Kennedy ‘15: I wanted to reiterate what Marissa was saying that Perry Hosue is open to everyone. I feel like a lot of people don’t know that with Perry House being on Pem Fourth. Can I go up there? Perry House is a dorm on campus. To go back to another question, we just want it to be paid attention to like any other dorm on campus. Funds need to be allocated towards that so this problem doesn’t happen again.
Alexis De La Rosa ‘15: I want to reiterate some of the feelings others expressed. Being a part of the affinity groups and a part of what Perry was and was intended to be it really has been a second family and to a lot of other students on campus. I was disappointed because it was it was not on the radar of the alumnae. Also there is a third floor to Perry, but it was closed off. I think that to be able to have the dorm be livable and for people to live in the extra rooms would be another way that people to use the space. We are all open and want to celebrate the culture.
Janielle Vidal ’14: as a President of Bacaso, I want to speak to its importance to the African and Caribbean students who are international. In my class, there are two students from African and I am the only one from the Caribbean. We are minority in a minority. So to have Perry House as a space to convene and to have a piece of home is very important. We have a lot of artifacts in Perry House that have gone through the years and are preserved in the space is very important. We have traditions where we need the physical space of Perry to continue. Even though it is not an open wide campus traditions, we have traditions ourselves, and we want to see them continue.
Khadijah MCCaskill ’13: I want to make some of the points that others have made. As a Black American, being on this campus and away from home, your culture is often not seen as America. And Perry House is important in reiterating that fact. We have libraries of literature from Black American culture in the library. It is not important as a living space but it is important as a learning space. It is important that Black American culture, African American culture, Latina American culture is made important and relevant on this campus.
Lee McClenon ’14: I want to make a comment on this amendment. I am in favor of the spirit of this amendment. But you should recognize that it is up to everyone on this campus to make heard your voice when something concerns you. So the fact that faculty, staff, and the board of trustees have not heard about Perry House, it is not the fault of the administration. The administration thinks it is a short coming that they are not going to advertise. So if you are concerned about something like this, you should have your voice heard by as many people as you can. That is why I think this resolution is a great first start.
Anna Kalinsky ‘14: this goes off of what Lee said. I have been to Perry House once and it was a wonderful experience. It is a really great space, and it is horrible that it is not open now. And for people who have not been there or seen it or who do not know about it, I want to urge everyone to take a stand and not just abstain to the vote because it is very important to look at the fact that the Bryn Mawr community is not just willing to push it under the table. It might not necessarily be relevant to your live on a daily basis, but it is very important to some students. The fact that Bryn Mawr is not putting forth an effort to maintain it really says something that is not good.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: we now have 8 minutes to discuss the amendment and only the amendment.
Pro Microphone:
Meheret Shumet ’13: this is in response to the comment about the amendment. I am in favor the amendment because it is my belief that it is the administrations responsibility to be a liaison if current affairs going on in the alumnae world. It is really not the student’s responsibility to find alumnae and advertise what is going on. Who puts out the alumnae bulletin? The alumnae association. I think it is on the administrations part. I am firm believer that the administration should be a liaison for us.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: If there are any other comments about the amendment and only the amendment, please approach the mic. We are going to start 30 seconds and then we will move to a vote.
Janielle Vidal ‘14: I didn’t know which mic to go to. I think that the amendment should say that the “… administration involve professors, and alumnae on the status and progress of Perry House renovations.”
Vrinda Varia ‘13: is this amendment friendly?
Marissa Jackson ’14: yes.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: okay. We now have a fresh 8 minutes to discuss this amendment. 30 seconds if anyone has comments or questions please approach the mic.
Michaela Olson ‘15: I would like to add to the amendment, “… administration involve professors, and alumnae on the status and progress of Perry House renovations.”
Vrinda Varia ‘13: is this friendly?
Marissa Jackson ’14: yes.
Vrinda Varia ‘13: 8 minutes to talk about this amendment. We are going to start 30 seconds, if no one approaches the mic we will move to a vote. We are moving to a vote.
This resolution passes.
Plenary ends at 4:51pm