President Oden - State of Carleton
College Committee Appointments
Budget Committee
Sustainability Revolving Fund Proposal
Dining Resolution
Impeachments

State of Carleton
The first item on the agenda was a visit from President Oden. This was Oden’s first visit to the CSA senate, but he hopes to return once or twice a term to discuss one main topic. During this speech, he gave an overview of three main topics: need blind aid, retention rates, and the Arts Union.

In 1871, the college was broke and near collapse. They had stopped paying faculty and staff. The president at that time, President Strong, found William Carleton. President Strong told him that Carleton was a place where teaching and learning together is the focus. Some people say liberal arts are under attack, but they’ve been saying that for centuries.

Strong also told William Carleton that our aim is to be one of the best college’s in the country. We are about teachers and faculty of the highest quality, and are constantly trying to improve ourselves. The only way to stay the same is to change.

Need Blind
In 1992, the college decided it could no longer be need blind. Although many people were opposed, it was seen as a financial necessity. Most of the colleges that say they are need blind are not. To really be need blind, a college must be highly selective.

At other schools, 100% of the need blind aid is endowed. At Carleton, only 23% of need blind aid is endowed. Despite these disadvantages, only 1 to 2 percent of the class of 2012 will be need sensitive.

Retention rates
This has been and remains an important issue for the college. The latest figure is 72% for African American students. Nationally this is good, but not compared to schools similar to Carleton. It was a major factor in Carleton’s decision to join Posse. The results of the Campus Climate survey will presented in the fall.

Another way Carleton is addressing the campus climate is by increasing the international students population. There were 2 international students in 2002 and 41 last year. Whereas other schools do not provide financial aid to international students, Carleton does. Therefore, they are not a source of financial support. Their financial aid is being paid for on the basis of a number of grants, but those will run out. So the college will have to work to increase the endowment.

Arts Union
The most ambitious project on campus is the Arts Union. It is more than an arts facility, it is about fusing art into the whole curriculum. The goal is to combine art and sciences.

Question and Answer
Why is the endowment so bad?
It is not because we make more teachers and artists. It is because the college wasn’t ambitious enough. They weren’t asking for enough money. They didn’t think about deferred giving early enough.

What is the situation with the dining hall workers and Bon Appetit?
It’s good that students are concerned about equity, but there is a lot of misinformation going around. June 3rd, from 12:00 to 1:30, there will a meeting with management of Bon Appetit, Fred Rogers, and the Dining Task Force. Change always causes tention and misinformation.

Is the Carleton tuition pre-payment plan part of the discussion of income?
The discussion about financial aid is focused on poor students, so it doesn’t come up very often.

Isn’t it unjust that some people are allowed to pay less?
It may be considered for change, because it is not very fiscally responsible.

What is the international future of the college?
Sustaining and increasing number of international students. Carleton hasn’t had nearly as many students as colleges from other colleges, but we’re making progress. Off-campus study with Carleton faculty, increase in languages.

CSA thanked Oden for coming to speak.

College Committee Appointments
The following students were recommended to serve on the college committees. The were recommended after interviewing with the officers.

Admissions and Financial Aid Committee

Carolyn Morales

Admissions and Financial Aid Committee Liaison
Peter Antonov

Education and Curriculum Committee
Hannah Weinstein
Robert Martin (Fall and Winter)
Moshe Levi (Spring)

Academic Standing Committee
Martha Perez
Amariah Becker

Committee on Convocation
Trevor Hill

Dining Board

Amy Sun
Becca Kilman

Carleton Responsible Investment Committee
Nora Mahlberg
Alexander Persaud
Nathaniel Rosenblum
Cristina Santini
Eilidh Higgins

Rec Center Committee
Juliet Dana

Library Committee

Ted Falk

Barclay asked about the confidence of officers in nominees. The officers reported they were confident with the quality of the nominees. All the positions were competitive except AFAC liaison.

All appointments were approved unanimously.

Budget Committee
The next item of business was the Budget Committee Recommendations. For details, see the budget committee minutes here: https://apps.carleton.edu/orgs/csa/bc/minutes/?item_id=420215

The recommendation for SOPE was unanimously approved. The recommendation for KRLX was unanimously approved with Walker abstaining.

The Habitat for Humanity Request
They requested middle ground funds between going over and then under last year.

McMurtry voiced her concern about the large amount of money going to a few students.

Kenney responded that in the past they have used as much as $13,000. Ritter and others are in discussions with other college offices about dividing the financial burden.

Participating students also put in $200 each.

Stephens added that the experiences enrich campus life by expanding the lives of students.

Barclay pointed out that this is $210 per student, more than CSA usually funds. However, this is part of ACT and the service community aspect of the college.

Turovsky added that many events don’t necessarily directly involve a large number of students.

The recommendation for full funding was approved unanimously.

SRF Proposal
The first major project which has been approved is the CFL lightbulb replacement project. There are 5 targeted locations on campus which still use incandescent lightbulbs. The project will cost $700 up front, and will pay itself back quickly.

The targeted locations were chosen because the lights are on all the time. One example is the chapel hallway. The light difference will be minimal, as they have chosen the warmest kind of lights.

Stephens felt that the students who use these spaces should be consulted, especially those who use the chapel.

Schwartz responded that students were not consulted, but the group will continue to look into this as the project proceeds.

For normal CFL’s, facilities is giving out alternative lightbulbs.

Dining Resolution
Several concerned students came to senate asking for support of a resolution regarding the dining contracts. The text of the resolution is as follows:

Whereas, the Carleton College Community chose to contract with Bon Appétit Management Company (BAMCO) for its meal services; and

Whereas, Students are concerned about Bon Appétit’s labor practices during the transition; and

Whereas more than 500 members of the Carleton Community have signed the “Support the Dining Staff” petition; and

Whereas, this petition shows the Carleton communities’ support for the Carleton Dining Staff’s union and all staff member’s right to unionize; and

Whereas, this petition shows the Carleton communities’ support for the Dining Announcement-All Campus Email and understanding that Bon Appétit expects to offer employment to all current Sodexo employees who are members of the Operating Engineers union; and

Whereas, the Carleton Dining Staff are integral members of the college’s
community; therefore be it Resolved, That the Carleton Student Association Senate:

1) Affirms its support of the Operating Engineer’s Union at Carleton,
2) Recognizes the importance of providing fair wages and benefits to all
Carleton Staff,
3) Asks the Bon Appétit Management Company to respect the Operating
Engineers Union and its labor related demands,
4) Thanks the Carleton Administration for their support of worker rights, and
asks that they remain vigilant on the matter at hand,
5) Welcomes Bon Appétit to the Carleton Community and looks forward to developing an open, productive relationship with Bon Appétit in the following years,
6) Decides to remain appraised on the matter.

  

The students explained that at the moment, the contract is not yet settled. After speaking with dining service members, the students became concerned about the plans of Bon Appetit to cut benefits.There were 600 signatories to the online petition supporting the rights of the dining hall workers.

Barclay noted that the petition is very popular, with more signatories than some senators have votes. He encouraged senate to treat the petition as a referendum.

Chang, a member of the task force, pointed out that there is a lot of misinformation going around. So far nothing has been broken. She added that Bon Appetit is not breaking up the union.

The presenting students said that their concern is based on converstions with the union workers

McMurtry noted that the union is not mobilizing around this issue.

The students explained that this is a show of solidarity for when students go off campus and these decisions are made during the summer.

Kenney felt that the senators have a higher burden than individuals to make sure what they’re saying isn’t rasch reaction, but added that the resolution says only that students support the dining staff, the union, and fair benefits.

Kimball felt uncomfortable about the hastiness of the resolution.

Barclay reaffirmed Kenney’s statement, saying the statement is not intensely strong. There was a boycott when Sodexho tried to cut the benefits of part time workers several years ago. The resolution just states preferences.

Antonov remined the senate that if something does develop, this is the last chance for CSA to voice the opinion of students.

The group said that issues of petition and union are not as often voiced, but there are other areas of concern.

Kenney said that the document formally says that CSA supports the workers. The statement is not nearly as strong as the petition.

Barclay moved to approve the resolution.

Kimball moved to include in it something friendly to Bon Appetit. The voting on the ammendment was as follows:

15 in favor
4 opposed
It was ammended

The resolution was approved unanimously.

Impeachments
The newly changed bylaws dictate that any senator who has two unexcused absences is automatically up for impeachment. Three senators were absent on this night, and were therefore automatically raised for impeachment. The senators were Smith, Bedi, and Epstein.

Smith had two unaddressed absences. She had not been notified because until now she was not up for impeachment until now.

Fleming and Antonov said they had worked with her and she is certainly involved in the activities of CSA.

Kenney said she has been a collaborative member, but the fact that she has missed two meetings is significant.

Stephens noted that she was one of the candidates with the highest votes.

Ali felt uncomfortable discussing her engagement when she was not present. Smith could also have an explanation after the fact which would be valid.

Schirmer asked about senators who don’t volunteer and don’t work. Smith has been an active member, so what is really measured by absent?

The senate voted by secret ballot, and Smith will not impeached.

Alspach noted there is a lot of turnover, and that there should be some kind of meeting before people become senators. Fleming said that there will be.

Stephens felt that senators should know the bylaws.

Discussion of Bedi

Boller asked what is the meaning of a symbolic impeachment.

Kimball said he has no interest in symbolically dishonoring people.

Bedi was not impeached.

Epstein was not impeached.

Alspach thanked the officers for their hard work. Fleming responded in kind, thanking the outgoing senators. Ritter thanked Secretary Martin and Martin thanked Ritter for thanking him.

For questions or corrections to the minutes, contact CSA secretary Robert Martin, martirob@carleton.edu