First, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to campus to all the members of our community, especially to those students returning from programs abroad and faculty returning from sabbatical. I believe Winter Break provided a much-needed opportunity to relax and prepare for the exciting semester ahead of us. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts with you concerning last semester and the direction we are heading in for the rest of the year.

Throughout last semester I was thrilled to be part of the positive energy which pervaded campus. Despite some unfortunate isolated incidents, the community held fast to a high level of morale. The ASPC Senate took last semester as an opportunity to make some long overdue changes on campus. The Senate purchased a new Honda Odyssey minivan to replace the aging former-Sagehen Shuttle station wagon. The Senate also purchased new sound equipment for CCAVES which student groups can reserve at minimal cost for events. Members of the Senate took the initiative to form a sub-committee to create a new and improved Digester program to be launched in a few weeks. The Senate also advocated to the faculty changing the Freshman Seminar time from 8:20 to 11:00 for a one-year trial basis. Senate sub-committees were also an active force on campus. For instance CCLA planned a successful semester of events, including the first Harwood Halloween not shut down in 5 years, and the Sports Committee organized the largest Homecoming event to date.

With such a successful semester behind us, I believe the community is anxious for an even better Spring. I know the Senate feels its year’s work is far from half-complete. We will be starting the semester by holding a Townhall Meeting in Mudd-Blaisdell next Tuesday to solicit student opinion on issues ranging from campus life and upcoming events to the smoking policy on campus. The Senate plans to create a Senate Ambassadors program to reach out to underrepresented groups and organizations on campus and relishes the honor to continue to represent our dynamic student body this semester. Groups of Senators have taken the initiative to form a student-led Speakers Committee, advocate a Universal Course Review, and make changes to the Student Code in a variety of areas. And Senate Sub-Committees continue to outdo themselves in planning for this semester. Whether it is CCLA’s plans for Smiley 80’s and Spring Formal, or the upcoming Ski and Beach Day, or the Community Affairs Professor Service Auction and Pow! day of community service (this year involving Pomona alumni for the first time ever), our student body is trying to program events that cater to all our diverse interests and improve our sense of community on campus.

Finally, I want to add that the goodwill and support for the College even during the dark hours of our blackouts have amazed me. The student reaction to the power outages is a testament to our ability to see past minor discomforts and know that we can still perform at our best even in trying situations. Even though we are no longer on the interruptible power plan, we as a community should still be mindful of our electrical usage. Now is the time for us to try to conserve power, not just for ourselves but for the entire state of California.

We have a great semester behind us, and now we will move forward into an even better Spring. Once again, if there is anything that the Senate can do to improve our community, please do not hesitate to bring it to our attention.

Sincerely,

Brian J. Andrews ’01

ASPC President