Author: Sam Slesinger
Last Tuesday, Nov. 4, ASOC Senate convened for its weekly meeting to vote on a resolution to purchase new residence hall televisions and a campus beautification endowment proposal and discuss the atmosphere of last week’s General Assembly meeting, among other business.
First-year Senators Andreas Bloomquist and Aliza Goldsmith presented a resolution that allocates Senate Discretionary funds toward the purchase of three new televisions for Stewart-Cleland, Braun and Pauley Hall.
Bloomquist cited the increased frequency of videogame tournaments and movie screenings in common rooms across campus as reason for the resolution. Its total cost, including locking mechanisms and installation fees, is just over $3,500. Proxy for Campus Wide Senator Renoa Batista (sophomore) Robert Calderon (senior) expressed concerns about equipment security.
“Last year the TVs in Norris were torn off of the walls,” Calderon said. “How will our investment be protected?”Goldsmith said that the televisions would be secured with the same locking mechanisms as those used in Rangeview. Senate approved the measure in a 10-0-2 vote.
ASOC President Patrick McCredie (senior) presented the Campus Beautification Endowment Proposal, a joint resolution written by McCredie, Sophomore Class Senator Joellen Anderson and Senior Class Senator Allison Dempsey. The proposal cites a lack of student input in the aesthetic appeal of the College and calls for the creation of an Endowment program that would fund “student administered campus art.”
“Occidental is bereft of artistic projects inspired and developed entirely by students,” the proposal reads. “[C]ountless walls and student spaces are devoid of aesthetics and unattractive to passersby.”
The resolution mandates the creation of a five-member committee with design knowledge and experience that is accountable for the review and revision of beautification project applications. $3,500 of Senate Discretionary funds will be channeled into the ASOC Campus Endowment fund to provide capital for initial art supplies. Thereafter, future applicants can apply for grants up to $750 for additional provisions.
According to the proposal, the resolution is not a critique of the College’s current design practices, but rather a response to the deficiency of student input.
“This endowment not only benefits the physical appearance of Occidental,” the proposal reads. “[It] aims to promote the talents, creativity, and artistic yearnings of students’ campus wide.”After a brief discussion, Senate approved the resolution in an 11-0-1 vote.
In discussion of last week’s General Assembly meeting, Junior Class Senator David Laporte expressed disappointment in the way the meeting was conducted.
“We can’t use the GA as a forum to scream at people,” Laporte said. He said that many students were unfairly yelling at administrators during the meeting.
“I feel like students weren’t being listened to,” Batista said.
Anderson faulted the GA Co-Chairs for the hostile atmosphere. “I think the GA Co-Chairs did a poor job of facilitating,” she said.
Senate also approved weekly funding requests and ratified several committees as required by the ASOC Constitution. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Senate meets at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night in Fowler 111.
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