Senate Briefs

Bring on the Speakers

ASPC President Phil Kopczynski '03 opened the meeting, after some informal discussion of the upcoming March 5 student strike, by calling for the approval of last week's minutes. Vice President Julia Patzelt '03 then presented a summary of the speakers scheduled for this spring. ASPC-funded speakers already scheduled for the spring include: Tibetan Buddhist speakers in early April at the Rose Hills Theater; "Spoke Rock and Folkin' World" in early March at the Motley; the Politics and Pop Culture Series presented on April 3 by the Asian American Resource Center at the Motley; "Raw Nutritional Science," March 10 at the Smith Campus Center or the Rains Athletic Center; and Derrick Jensen on April 10 at Edmunds Ballroom. Patzelt offered the summary in response to questions raised by the budget report she presented last week. Discussion followed about the Senate's policy for funding off campus speakers and presentations. Patzelt explained that off campus ASPC-funded events must be open to all Pomona students and must be of interest to the Pomona student body.

Laundry Basket Legacy

Residence Halls and Food Commissioner Evan Sirc '03 followed the opening announcements with a report on the final stages of the laundry-bin placement program. Sirc reported that all campus laundry rooms had space for at least two or three mounted baskets and volunteered to oversee their purchase. Sirc explained he would need to contact either Housekeeping or the Office of Campus Life to arrange for the baskets to be mounted in each of the laundry rooms. He also expressed concern regarding a missing change machine, once located in Walker Lounge. No plans were discussed to locate or replace the change machine.

UN Weapons Inspector and ACLU President to Speak at Pomona?

Senior Class President Ji Chong '03 then reported on the status of potential spring speakers Scott Ritter (former Chief UN Weapons Inspector in Iraq) and Nadine Strossen (former president of the ACLU). Chong presented potential dates and venues for each of the speakers as well as estimated costs. After much discussion, it was agreed that the ASPC will offer Ritter $9,000 (including travel expenses) to speak on Friday, April 4. Ritter's presentation will likely be held in Little Bridges. Strossen will be offered $5,000 in addition to travel expenses and will speak Thursday, April 17. Following some less-than-serious discussion of reserving senators front row seats for these events, Kopczynski suggested that further discussion regarding potential venues, possible dinners or receptions, and exact times for these events be continued next week.

Library Hours Action Looming

North Campus Representative Cory Forsyth '03 and Sirc next presented a finalized proposal for a trial period of extended library hours for the Senate's approval. After some discussion regarding minor changes to the proposal, Patzelt moved that the letter be approved. The motion carried with 12 senators in favor and 1 abstention. The letter states the position of the ASPC that Honnold-Mudd Library should be open (including normal access to the library's resources as well as study space) until 2:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday for a one-month trial period during April. The purpose of this trial period is to measure student interest in and usage of these lengthened hours in order to decide if a permanent change is warranted. Kopczynski said he would now take the letter to student governments at each of the other 5-C schools as well as to representatives at Claremont Graduate University and the Keck Research Institute. He expressed his hope that student representatives at each of these institutions will then endorse similar letters, which can be given to the appropriate personnel at each of the Consortium schools, including Dean of the College Gary Kates at Pomona.

White House Chief of Staff also to Speak at Pomona?

Kopczynski explained that former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta (who served under President Clinton) has expressed interest in speaking at Pomona for solely the cost of his travel expenses. John Podesta is the father of Pomona student Gabe Podesta '05. After a brief discussion, the senators agreed that having Podesta speak at Pomona, particularly at such a low cost, would be an excellent opportunity. Some discussion followed about what Podesta should speak on, but ended with the suggestion that Gabe Podesta be contacted about potential topics.

Sirc then raised the last topic of the meeting, asking whether Senate t-shirts would be produced this year. Sirc was quick to add that such t-shirts would be produced at the expense of the senators, not using ASPC funds. Kopczynski asked Sirc to prepare a design for review at the next meeting.