t powers - senior senator

Invidious Discrimination

2006-01-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

Since the beginning of the discussion on the RUDE Act, I have often found that defining or bounding the concept of discrimination on a college campus to be problematic, or at least confusing to say the least. Many argue that to limit discrimination is to circumscribe our ability to discern, to make choices or to distinguish between categories or classes. In this way, groups like the Red Cross, whose contributions to world health are widely valued, would be labeled as 'discriminatory' (and perhaps rightly so) because it forbids, for whatever reason, the donation of blood by gay males. I argue that even respected groups such as the Red Cross should not hold immunity from scrutiny, as it should be clear to all that some types of discrimination, as used in the pejorative sense like prejudice or bias against a group, are unfair if not wrong. It is necessary to set this more nefarious sort of discernment from a more merit-based system of selection and grouping.

In the modest amount of research I have done on the topic of discrimination both on campus and off, I came across an article on Wikipedia that described "invidious discrimination", that is, "to make a distinction between people on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit". This is an important distinction, especially in an academic environment, because it separates the assumptions of stereotype from the achievement and ability of the individual, and it is necessary to acknowledge the latter in order to deflate and derogate the former. In applying this new understanding of invidious discrimination apart from individual distinction, one can evaluate the inclusive nature of groups on campus and ascertain whether unfair membership standards are held.

To this effect, I perused the Student Activities Directory to sort out the inclusive from the invidious, finding the following organizations particularly egregious:

GLBTQ (exclusive membership to non-heterosexual students)
Whitman Christian Fellowship (excludes non-heterosexual students from leadership)

Neither GLBTQ nor the Fellowship are currently recognized by ASWC, the student government.

A second tier of discriminating organizations hold membership standards that are ambiguously discriminatory: namely, they discriminate by gender but have counterpart organizations that offer similar, if not the same, opportunities. These organizations are as follows, with ASWC recognition indicated by an asterisk:

Beta Theta Pi
Delta Gamma
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Phi Delta Theta
Sigma Chi
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Interfraternity Council*
Panhellenic*
Women's Lacrosse*
Men's Rugby*
Women's Rugby*
Softball*
Testostertones
Sirens of Swank
Varsity Sports (covered by Title IX)

These organizations operate under a similar 'balance' philosophy as mandated by Title IX, in that equal opportunities should exist on either side of the gender divide. One current exception at Whitman is that, after the dissolution of the local Delta Delta Delta, there are 3 sororities and 4 fraternities, however I believe/have overheard that there is some administrative rule which mandates a balance in this ratio and that efforts to apply this are underway. While certainly more accomodating than the first tier of discriminatory organizations, the practice of gender-balance in membership standards does not necessarily preclude these second-tier organizations from scrutiny and questioning. Nevertheless, only a questionably broad reading of invidious discrimination would implicate these groups as particularly prejudicious.

Others have discussed the probable discriminatory nature of organizations such as Phi Beta Kappa, Order of Waiilatpu and Sigma Delta Pi, all of which discern on the basis of merit in which academic achievement is heavily weighted. These organizations fall well outside any reading of invidious discrimination and are a prime example of how exclusionary organizations and institutions determine and admit qualified members.

With this clear reading of discrimination, the College President should not hesitate to apply the Whitman College nondiscrimination policy where inconsistencies exist. Similarly, as the policy dictates that nondiscrimination adheres in "admission and employment practices, administration of educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs", the President has the authority to ensure that potential recruiters and employers working with the Career Center hold standards consistent with the nondiscrimination policy. This might entail the requirement of employers coming on campus to sign a 'nondiscrimination agreement' affirming that its hiring practices are not discriminatory.

A wider discussion of this understanding of nondiscrimination is necessary if we as a campus are to meaningfully address the issue of discrimination. It is my hope that the boundings of distinction and discrimination addressed in this article prove useful in such a conversation.

Roosevelt and Whitman

2006-01-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

This break, while I sit with semi-decent cups of Senseo coffee at my parents' kitchen table, I have about two things on my mind at any given time. The first, coming after passage of the RUDE Act in November and subsequent conversations with President Bridges and other college administrators, is the political and campus-wide dimension of discrimination and a non-discrimination policy. The politics of non-discrimination has a deeply academic provenance, and for this reason it is easy to subscribe to such an idea 'in theory' or in written policy, and the trickiness of pinning down an actual definition for the word 'discrimination' attests to the potential manipulation of a still fungible concept.

With so many libraries closed over the winter holiday, my resources have been largely electronic. While perusing sites like Wikipedia and investigating the policies of the colleges in the Panel of 14 (Grinnell, Knox, Carleton, et al), I was reminded of the second thing on my mind: the recent phenomenon of the Roosevelt Institution, a burgeoning national student think tank with over 30 chapters. I had been a part of an earlier effort to initiate a chapter at Whitman, one that was lost in a haze of senior seminar and general confusion that is always consistent with the beginning of the year. Since then, the institutional phenomenon had grown quite considerably, lacking only the word "Whitman" between "Wheaton" and "Yale" under the heading 'Chapters'.

In the next week, as I return to tundra-like Walla Walla with very few academic things to do, I will be making efforts toward founding the Whitman College chapter of the Roosevelt Institution. Whitman, with its unending waves of pseudo-meaningful activism and protest in which I was complicit, has long been a home for student-based research on current political issues, as it was the very first college to require comphrehensive written and oral examinations in the United States. For instance, Professor Apostolidis' Politics 402 class published a comprehensive report on the state of racism towards Latinos in Washington and held a successful and well-attended forum for its release.

Fusing the elements of political disillusionment with Whitman students' capability for thoughful research is a perfect task for a chapter of the Roosevelt Institution. Even more, the publications produced by such a chapter would add a new dimension to student activism to clubs such as Campus Greens, Whitman Civil Liberties Union, and even the Sweet Onion Co-Op, to name a few.

Better yet, it might give me a more practical and thoughtful outlet than a run-of-the-mill blog. It just might.

Shrewd RUDE Amendments

2005-10-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a copy of the amendments I'm proposing at the next Senate meeting: give me your thoughts!

(Note: Changes and additions to the currently recognized RUDE Act pending amendment vote in the Senate are highlighted)

The Restricting Unjust and Discriminatory Employers Act of 2005

Sponsor: Sen. Tom Powers (2006)

Cosponsors: 0

Status: (10/16/2005) Received Favorably by the Senate from the Policy Committee. Currently awaiting further Senate action and amendments.

Text:
WHEREAS the United States Armed Forces is in the regular practice of stationing personnel at tables in the foyer of the Reid Campus Center during periods of high-traffic through that chamber for the purpose of recruiting Whitman College students to serve in the nation's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserves or other such departments of the Armed Forces;

WHEREAS these same recruiters have also held tables at job fairs of the College for the purpose of actively pursuing the attainment of Whitman College students into the ranks of the Armed Forces;

WHEREAS the United States Military and associated agencies not limited to but including the Department of Defense maintain a policy expressly forbidding the service of openly gay, transgendered, lesbian or bisexual individuals in such departments (“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”);

WHEREAS the federal law commonly known as the Solomon Amendment permits the Secretary of Defense of the United States to deny federal funds, excluding financial aid, to academic institutions that bar or provide unequal access to military recruiters on their campuses;

WHEREAS the Solomon Amendment was overturned by a 2-1 decision of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States and the case, FAIR vs. Rumsfeld, was granted certiorari for argument before the United States Supreme Court beginning December 6, 2005;

WHEREAS Article VII of the Constitution of the Associated Students of Whitman College states that no discriminatory organization shall receive support from ASWC Congress and that the rights enjoyed by ASWC members must not be denied on the basis of, not limited to, but including sexual orientation;

THEREFORE, be it Resolved by the Senate of the Associated Students of Whitman College that:

(1) All personnel representing a department of the United States Armed Forces or the Department of Defense are prohibited from engaging in recruitment activity for related agencies and departments, for either active or non-active duty, on the campus of Whitman College;

(2) All promotional material consisting in or related to recruitment for departments of the Armed Forces made available for dissemination to students by such personnel must be located within the Career Center of the Reid Campus Center and not in any other area of the Whitman College campus;

(3) Individuals meeting with military recruiters are requested to conduct their appointments in the Career Center, and such recruiters shall not be restricted entry to the campus provided that they do not engage in the activities proscribed in sections (1) and (2);

(4) The prohibitions enumerated in sections (1) and (2) of this Resolution are to take effect contingent upon:

a) the reversal or repeal of the elements of the Solomon Amendment that use federal monies as a law enforcement measure to ensure military recruiter access to students and

(b) the continued maintenance and enforcement of the policy of the United States Military to discriminate against and exclude those of a non-heterosexual orientation for service within its ranks (“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”);

(5) The Associated Students of Whitman College formally opposes and denounces both the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and the Solomon Amendment, which unfairly compels Whitman College to be complicit in this practice of discrimination and exclusion;

(6) The Associated Students of Whitman College formally and deeply regrets that it must violate its nondiscrimination policy in Section VII of the Constitution as a result of avoiding the dire consequences of noncompliance with the Solomon Amendment;

(7) The Senate of the Associated Students of Whitman College recommends the formation of a Task Force charged with the duty of publicizing this formal opposition to both federal policies and to conduct related ameliorative programming highlighting the implications of the policies;

(8) Chapter V, Article IV, Section 1, Subsection e of the Whitman College Faculty Code should be amended to include the distinctions listed in Section VII of the ASWC Constitution among the currently-included "race, national origins, or religion".

(9) This resolution shall be distributed to the following persons and offices concurrent with the procedure outlined in Article II, Section One, Subsection F of the By-Laws of the Associated Students of Whitman College:

Whitman College
George S. Bridges, President
Charles Cleveland, Dean of Students
Barbara Maxwell, Associate Dean of Students
Patrick Keef, Dean of Faculty
Tony Cabasco, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
Peter Harvey, Chief Financial Officer
Varga Fox, Director of Financial Aid
Susan Buchanan, Career Center Director
Polly Lorenz, Director of Conferences and Events
George Theo, Director of Student Activities and Patron Saint of ASWC
Patrick Spencer, Chair of the Academic Council
Ron Urban, Registrar
Tom Davis, Chair of the Faculty Policy Committee
Members of the Student Life Committee
Board of Trustees
Board of Overseers

United States of America
Cathy McMorris, Representative of Washington’s Fifth District
Patty Murray, Senator of Washington
Maria Cantwell, Senator of Washington
Supreme Court of the United States

Public Comment for Recruiter Resolution

2005-10-13T01:28:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in speaking your mind about the recruiter resolution, this is the place to do it. To refresh your memory, here's a copy of the resolution sent earlier:

WHEREAS the United States Armed Forces is in the regular practice of stationing personnel at tables in the foyer of the Reid Campus Center during periods of high-traffic through that chamber for the purpose of recruiting Whitman College students to serve in the nation's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserves or other such departments;

WHEREAS these same recruiters have also held tables at job fairs of the College for the purpose of actively pursuing the attainment of Whitman College students into the ranks of the Armed Forces;

WHEREAS the United States Military and associated agencies not limited to but including the Department of Defense maintain a policy expressly forbidding the service of openly gay, transgendered, lesbian or bisexual individuals in such departments;

WHEREAS such practice as listed above is discriminatory on the basis of sexual orientation;

WHEREAS the Reid Campus Center's mission statement is to 'Serve as a gathering place for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of Whitman College';

WHEREAS the Associated Students of Whitman College is charged with the duty of creating and celebrating student public space in the Reid Campus Center and throughout the College by providing programming and advocacy in the students' interest;

WHEREAS the Reid Campus Center replaced the historic Student Union Building and in so doing must serve students as a space for organization, association and advocacy;

WHEREAS Article VII of the Constitution of the Associated Students of Whitman College states that no discriminatory organization shall receive support from ASWC Congress and that the rights enjoyed by ASWC members must not be denied on the basis of, not limited to, but including sexual orientation;

THEREFORE, be it Resolved by the Senate of the Associated Students of Whitman College that:

(1) All personnel representing a department of the United States Armed Forces or the Department of Defense are prohibited from engaging in recruitment activity for related agencies and departments, for either active or non-active duty, on the premises of the Reid Campus Center;

(2) All promotional material consisting in or related to recruitment for departments of the Armed Forces made available for wide dissemination to students by such personnel must be located within the Career Center of the Reid Campus Center and not in any other area of the premises;

(3) The prohibitions enumerated in sections (1) and (2) of this Resolution are to take effect on the first day of the month immediately succeeding the passage of this Resolution and are conditional upon the continued maintenance and enforcement of the practice of the United States Military to discriminate against those of a non-heterosexual orientation for service within its ranks.

(4) The Director and staff of the Reid Campus Center are requested to officially recognize and incorporate this prohibition and its conditions in consultation with the Executive Council of the Associated Students of Whitman College.

(5) Chapter V, Article IV, Section 1, Subsection e of the Whitman College Faculty Code should be amended to include the distinctions listed in Section VII of the ASWC Constitution among the currently-included "race, national origins, or religion".

Just click the comment button and let me know what you think!

Student on Board of Trustees Resolution

2005-08-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Just so the incoming Freshman Senators have something to run their campaigns on, I thought I'd post the resolution I intend to introduce in some form or another about gaining student representation on the Board of Trustees. For now I'm calling the position a 'Student Trustee', though this may change in the near future. No clever name for this act; people will have to come up with their own pet name for it, I suppose.

Without further adieu, the text:

Student Representation on the Board of Trustees Act

WHEREAS the mission of Whitman College encourages "creativity, character and responsibility" and intends to foster "intellectual vitality, confidence, leadership and the flexibility to succeed in a changing technological, multicultural world";

WHEREAS the Twelfth President of Whitman College Thomas Cronin has emphasized that a "liberal arts college is an ideal place to explore what it means to be a human being, to debate the obligations of citizenship, to learn about democracy", and 'that a liberal education is a training ground for citizenship, a means to acquire discernment, judgment, and tolerance and learn the arts of civility and self-governance";

WHEREAS the Associated Students of Whitman College did ordain and establish a constitution committed, in part, "to foster student involvement in the governing of the College and to promote students’ contributions to their greater communities";

WHEREAS Chapter Five, Section Four of the Whitman College Faculty Code declares that "all regular students in the College are required to become members of the Associated Students of Whitman College";

WHEREAS the Whitman College Board of Trustees ('Board of Trustees') is the highest and utmost authority for general policy and management of the College and its concurrent and consequent objectives in serving the greater Whitman Community;

WHEREAS zero of the seventeen members of the Board of Trustees is currently enrolled as a student at Whitman College;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the Associated Students of Whitman College that:

(1) The Senate reaffirms its constitutional commitment to foster student involvement in the governing of the College;

(2) The Senate of the Associated Students of Whitman College ('Senate') recognizes the absence of a student presence, and thus, student representation on the College's highest governing authority, the Board of Trustees;

(3) The Senate calls upon the Board of Trustees to formally and officially invite and accept a member of the Associated Students of Whitman College chosen as representative by such organization to serve as an ex-officio 'Student Trustee' at all regular meetings of the Board of Trustees;

(4) The office of 'Student Trustee' is hereby established as a recognized and legitimate position within the Associated Students of Whitman College as the official liaison between the Associated Students of Whitman College and the Board of Trustees;

(5) The Executive Council of the Associated Students of Whitman College shall appoint a member of the Associated Students of Whitman College as 'Student Trustee' and representative of the student body to the Board of Trustees with the advising and supermajority (2/3) consent of the Senate;

(6) The 'Student Trustee' member, as personnel of the Associated Students of Whitman College, shall be charged with the duty to adequately and fairly convey the sense of the student body in consultation with the Congress of the Associated Students of Whitman College to the Board of Trustees, and, consistent with the provisions outlined in Article II, Section Seven of the By-Laws of the Associated Students of Whitman College, shall be eligible for impeachment proceedings as outlined in Article II, Section Seven of the By-Laws of the Associated Students of Whitman College;

(7) As a corollary to the responsibility of the 'Student Trustee' provided in Section Six of this resolution, the 'Student Trustee' shall make a report to the Associated Students of Whitman College Congress detailing the general agenda of meetings of the Board of Trustees and the success of fulfilling the duty charged to her or him as outlined in Section Six at all regular meetings of the Joint Congress of the Associated Students of Whitman College;

(8) The Joint Congress of the Associated Students of Whitman College shall provide the confirmed 'Student Trustee' with a stipend salary of not more than $50 per semester to be withdrawn from the Non-Emergency Contingency Fund during Fiscal Year 2006 and directs the Finance Committee to provide for this or a proportionately similar amount in the Preliminary Budget Recommendations of future fiscal years consistent with Article III, Section Six, Subsection B of the By-Laws of the Associated Students of Whitman College;

(9) The 'Student Trustee' is required to attend all meetings of the Senate and is strongly encouraged to attend meetings of the Executive Council;

(10) The 'Student Trustee' shall serve a term that commences upon confirmation of the candidate by the Senate and ends on the day of Convocation of the succeeding academic year;

(11) The Senate strongly urges the Dean of Faculty and the Senate of the Faculty at Whitman College to amend the Faculty Code to formally recognize the role of the 'Student Trustee' as a non-voting, ex-officio student delegate to the Board of Trustees.

My hope is that this resolution will create sufficient pressure for both the College and its governing boards to notice how Whitman distinguishes itself on professing good citizenship to its students but at the same time affords students no opportunity to 'self-govern' at the highest level of the college.

Representation in a Parallel Universe

2005-08-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

Of all the schools I applied to as a high school senior, the two that had me the most frothy at the mouth were Whitman College and Grinnell College. Actually, it is not uncommon to hear Whitman referred to by non-Westerners as the 'Grinnell of the West' as far as comparisons with similar schools go (though, ironically, Grinnell's namesake Josiah Grinnell was the one told to 'Go West, young man').

Now, in the search for how other student unions attained representation of some variety on their school's Board of Trustees (which I have universally found to be the highest decision-making authority at colleges and universities), I find myself comparing the two liberal arts schools again. This time, though, it's easier to see which one may have a better policy.

According to an article from 2001 in Grinnell's paper of record, the Scarlet & Black, Grinnellians obtained a student seat on the Board of Trustees at each of its quadrennial meetings:

. . .starting next October, the president of [Student Government Association (SGA)] will be allowed to sit in on board meetings at the chair's discretion. In February, Flammer asked if the SGA president could serve as a voting member of the board; last Friday, president-elect Paul Ford proposed that he be granted the same privileges as college president Russell Osgood at meetings. The board decided that the president could attend meetings, but would not cast a vote. Osgood does not attend executive sessions, and neither will the president of SGA.

The article goes on to reveal how students went about acquiring this essential representation:

Why, after years of student attempts to gain a voice on the board, did trustees agree now? Flammer attributes the decision to "persistence and respectful persuasion. I have no doubt in my mind that the reason these steps were taken is because we were persistent and we always acted respectfully."

There are many more examples of attempts to obtain this kind of representation, some of them not as successful as Grinnell's example. It would behoove our student leaders to peruse the evidence of both successful and unsuccessful methods as we work towards a similar objective at our fair college.

I could also ask the Senator Powers of the parallel universe (the one who chose Grinnell College three years ago) about how his system works, as well as why the hell he ended up in the middle of Iowa.

Umatilla Chemical Depot Leakers

2005-08-18T15:13:00.000-07:00

I found this rather disturbing item in the recently declassified department. It's the details of all the chemicals and weapons that have leaked out into the soil only 60 miles away from Walla Walla at the Umatilla Chemical Depot, clearinghouse for weapons of mass destruction for most of the U.S.'s recently decommissioned elements of war.

Quarterly Leaker Report
Umatilla Chemical Depot
Apr 05 - Jun 05

Date *** Quantity *** Type of Munition
24 Feb 2005 *** 1 *** GB Ton Container
30 Jun 2005 *** 2 *** GB Projectiles, 155MM

Other leakers since 1984 (times leaked - weapon, chemical, amount):
2 - Bomb, GB, 500 lb
16 - Bomb, GB, 155MM
57 - Projectile, GB, 155MM
2 - Projectile, VX, 155MM
1 - Projectile, GB, 8 Inch
69 - Rocket, GB, M55
4 - Ton Container, GB
13 - Ton Container, HD
TOTAL = 164

Maybe it really is a good idea to use a Brita filter.

GAO Report on College Textbooks

2005-08-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

The General Accounting Office released a report today about the price trends of college textbooks and the various factors that contribute to the increasingly burdensome cost of books for higher education students.

While not damning of the publishers of college textbooks, the report does note that the following practices have made the price of textbooks rise at double the rate of inflation:

1) Bundling: The practice of including CD-ROMs, mini-books, links to websites and other 'supplemental' materials along with a required textbook. Many publishers indicate that such bundles are helpful for students, yet often the textbook itself is not available in a stand-alone package for students willing to forgo the extras.

2) Superfluous Editions: Quite simply, publishers are putting out new editions that by most standards would not make earlier versions obsolete. These new versions can then sell at the prevailing market price for brand-spanking new books when the vast majority of the text has previously been marketed.

3) Limiting Reimportation: Savvy shoppers will note that textbooks sold in the good ol' USA will go for much less at international stores such as British Amazon. For some reason, publishers are blocking the total ability for college consumers to reimport these books at cheaper prices than those in the US.

Fortunately, Whitman already takes a few steps to mitigate complete domination by publishing companies to dominate prices, as the Whitbooks site has offered a book-trade message board for about a year now. Whitman also has experimented with e-reserves, which allow students to access material without any printing capability.

Things that Whitman may want to try include the following:

European University-style reading lists from which students select particular essays
Making faculty post reading lists no later than about 4 weeks before the beginning of the semester to allow for more shopping time online/at other bookstores
Having faculty negotiate for custom books or unbundled materials
Pressure departments to ignore superfluous editioning in textbooks

There's a bunch more in the report than can be said here, but feel free to discuss on this post. You can get the report here (disclaimer: it's 8MB).

An Antiquated Faculty Code?

2005-08-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Excuse me while I blow the dust off of dear Whitman's Faculty Code.

Gesundheit.
Now that the actual text of the code has been exposed, it's easy to see that it's badly in need of a general update. What's that the code implicitly says? It's OK for campus organizations to discriminate against sexual orientation and still remain recognized by the college? Special weight is to be given to members of Greek organizations on the hugely important Student Life Committee?

Well, I can understand why the Faculty Code would mandate that at least 1/3 of the members of the Student Life Committee should be Greek members: about 33% of the student body belongs to a fraternity or sorority. If these numbers change, then it's a discussion to be had at that time to modify representation issues.

But how many on our campus would describe themselves as 'non-heterosexual'? Certainly enough to warrant protection for this minority from discriminating clubs and organizations. The Faculty Code makes an effort to end organizational discrimination based on national origin, race and religion, but why stop there? In all fairness, the Faculty Code should extend to the bounds set by the more inclusive Bill of Rights in the ASWC Constitution, which includes all four demographics mentioned above plus veterans status, marital status, socioeconomic status, HIV/AIDS status, sex or gender identity, ethnicity, age, and disability status.

So let's all urge those with a seat on the Student Life Committee, Faculty Policy Committee and the ASWC Senate to speak up to the Faculty and Administration about this serious gap in anti-discrimination policy between our student government and our school rules for organizations. There's absolutely no compelling reason why the college should recognize those groups that students have deemed intolerably discriminatory. Either way, student funds are used to supplement the budgets of groups.

Achoo?

Reading Day Ressurection

2005-08-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Reading Day has long since been a dead holiday at Whitman.

Other schools allow at least a few days or even the better part of a week between the close of classes and the commencement of final examinations. Not at Whitman though, where a 1 day break between the two periods is barely standard practice as the administration often takes the liberty to call Saturday, a day which hosts no classes in the first place, a 'Reading Day'. That's tantamount to forcing a salaried employee use up a vacation day to take a weekend off, and overall this practice is really more insulting than scheduling no reading days at all.

Of course, some professors allow adequate time for the study of course material in-between the last class and the day of the exam. However, such liberties taken by professors to arrange take-home final exams or canceled classes to create more of a study buffer is not mandated by any administrative or departmental policy, meaning students stuck with strict schedulers also bear the burden of the inflexibility of the exam schedule.

This academic year, Fall 2005 allows no reading period, and instead the administration wields the weekend as the in-between study days and unfairly steals both rest and relaxation from busybody students. Spring gives us one reading day in the middle of the week, with classes ending on Tuesday and exams commencing Thursday. Students, in the interest of quality academic work and personal sanity, should demand that the administration afford them a longer period to absorb and analyze the marathon's worth of knowledge given in classes before the culmination of classes.

The cost of scheduling more reading days seems large, as it entails canceling all organized academic activity to allow for personal study and research, but inserting a mere two-day period into the academic calendar per semester is a matter of priorities for when the year begins and ends. Another concern that some may have is that an extension of reading days will allow those with a proclivity to par-tay more time to waste in the interim (and perhaps even perpetuating a constant hangover into the exam days themselves). I say, better to afford students at least one extra day per semester to use how they wish than to force some to spontaneously combust from the simultaneous stressors of caffeine, sleep deprivation and cramming fests. If one were to be accepted to Whitman in the first place, it can only be assumed that these days will be used wisely.

So let's try and ressurect Reading Day for the years to come so that it's not a mere label on the mere weekend betwixt classes and exams and allow everyone the opportunity to decompress--or at least cram that extra bit more. After that, we can work on official recognition of Guy Fawkes Day.

Introducing the RUDE Act!

2005-08-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

I thought, in the interest of full disclosure from public officials and whatnot, that I'd post the content of an email I sent out to two of my favorite clubs on campus promoting the recruiter resolution. The listservs of these groups, the Peace Coalition and Whitman Civil Liberties Union, received the message earlier today, and I've gotten a couple of positive responses back; hopefully more will come throughout the day. Feel free to post criticisms and suggestions in the comments section as you wish; they'll certainly all be very helpful.

Fellow Peaceworkers and Civil Libertarians,

I don't know how many of you read the Oregon Peaceworker, but in this summer's issue there was an article about Southern Oregon University (SOU) passing a resolution to ban military recruiters from engaging in their business on campus and in the student union building. I liked what I saw, so I researched more and saw that other colleges like Harvard Law, UC Berkeley and City College of New York have also taken this measure.

I am one for comparative college politics, and I've taken the time to write a Whitman-specific resolution to drive those pesky Marines that show up on campus sporadically back to Blue Mountain Mall where they came from (not that they were successful at Whitman in the first place). The reason to give 'em the boot is simple: the Reid Campus Center (where they typically prey on jobless Whitties) is essentially the Student Union Building, or it can be argued that Reid takes on the responsibilites of the SUB as it replaces the building. As the student union, ASWC should take steps to make Reid the building for student space, and an essential first step is putting Reid in line with the most fundamental of ASWC rules.

As long as the military continues to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, it will contradict the nondiscrimination guarantee of the ASWC constitution. This is the time to show not only that the ASWC constitution is meaningful and essential to our student government, but also that ASWC can have authority and a say over the policies of Reid Campus Center to create and maintain a student-run public space for organizing and mobilizing.

The full resolution is at the bottom of this email and is also available at my blog, http://senatorpowers.blogspot.org/, where you can make comments and start a dialogue on this important issue. I hope you'll take the time to read the resolution and give me some input, either about your general opinions on the matter at hand or on language that should be reworked or included in the text.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and get ready for a politically active fall!

I've tentatively titled this resolution the 'Restricting Unjust and Discriminatory Employers Act' with a U.S. Congress-style title so it can be shortened to the catchy and apt acronym 'RUDE Act'. It may be impolite to ask the military to leave, but it's certainly beyond reproach and downright rude for the military to ban gay employees. What do you do with a rude guest? You ask them to leave.

On a side note, some of you may be interested to know that federal courts are considering the constitutionality of the Solomon Amendment, which restricts federal funding from schools that refuse to allow recruiters on campus. Currently, the amendment was last overturned by the Third Circuit Appeals Court and it may go to the Supreme Court next session, where incoming John Roberts would be a factor if he is confirmed this fall. For those who are interested in his views on this law, check out Jeffrey Toobin's article in the New Yorker.

Recruiter Ban: The Resolution

2005-08-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

Relevant to the earlier post about kicking recruiters out of Reid Campus Center, I thought I'd post this resolution I wrote this week. I'm still working on a title for it, so throw one out there if you have an idea. Here it goes:

WHEREAS the United States Armed Forces is in the regular practice of stationing personnel at tables in the foyer of the Reid Campus Center during periods of high-traffic through that chamber for the purpose of recruiting Whitman College students to serve in the nation's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserves or other such departments;

WHEREAS these same recruiters have also held tables at job fairs of the College for the purpose of actively pursuing the attainment of Whitman College students into the ranks of the Armed Forces;

WHEREAS the United States Military and associated agencies not limited to but including the Department of Defense maintain a policy expressly forbidding the service of openly gay, transgendered, lesbian or bisexual individuals in such departments;

WHEREAS such practice as listed above is discriminatory on the basis of sexual orientation;

WHEREAS the Reid Campus Center's mission statement is to 'Serve as a gathering place for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of Whitman College';

WHEREAS the Associated Students of Whitman College is charged with the duty of creating and celebrating student public space in the Reid Campus Center and throughout the College by providing programming and advocacy in the students' interest;

WHEREAS the Reid Campus Center replaced the historic Student Union Building and in so doing must serve the same interest of the student public as its predecessor;
WHEREAS Section One of Article VII of the Constitution of the Associated Students of Whitman College guarantees that the rights enjoyed by its members must not be denied on the basis of, not limited to, but including sexual orientation;

THEREFORE, be it Resolved by the Senate of the Associated Students of Whitman College that:

(1) All personnel representing a department of the United States Armed Forces or the Department of Defense are prohibited from engaging in recruitment activity for related agencies and departments, for either active or non-active duty, on the premises of the Reid Campus Center;

(2) All promotional material consisting in or related to recruitment for departments of the Armed Forces made available for wide dissemination to students by such personnel must be located within the Career Center of the Reid Campus Center and not in any other area of the premises;

(3) The prohibitions enumerated in sections (1) and (2) of this Resolution are to take effect on the first day of the month immediately succeeding the passage of this Resolution and are conditional upon the continued maintenance and enforcement of the practice of the United States Military to discriminate against those of a non-heterosexual orientation for service within its ranks.
(4) The Director and staff of the Reid Campus Center are requested to enforce this prohibition and its conditions in consultation with the Executive Council of the Associated Students of Whitman College.

Look for this to be introduced this September and for recruiters to be out of the RCC by spring! And don't forget to let me know what you think.

The Biggie of Modern Whitman Activism

2005-07-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

The last class who would have personally known Matt Singer just graduated this year ('05), as he attended Whitman for his freshman year in 2001-2002 before transferring over to Montana. For those who haven't participated in the Campus Greens, Whitman Civil Liberties Union, or just about any other 'progressive' campus activist organization, Mr. Singer carries a lot of legend and received a lot of credit for his inspiration as a 'super-activist'.

Now, I don't recall exactly what organizations he founded or participated in while at Whitman, but it seems his involvement was crucial to the reinvigoration of Whitman activism in just the year prior to my arrival at the school. In any case, we'd be remiss as activists at Whitman to forget his contributions to our way of life both on- and off-campus. In hiphop terms, Matt Singer was the 'Biggie' of Whitman politics, whose brief tenure gave way to the Puff Daddy-esque homages led by Matt Eppelsheimer, with the Co-Op possibly attaining a role in this allegory as his 'Sean John' line of clothing. I'm just glad no one's been shot and Sting hasn't sued.

Matt Singer is alive and well, however, and posting about leftism in the western states in his blog, appropriately titled Left in the West. It seems he has moderated his views slightly from those radical Whitman days and is now a cheerleader for dark horse Democratic candidates to win governorships and presidencies. Dig it.

PATRIOT v. Missionaries

2005-07-26T16:00:00.001-07:00

While Congress continues its consideration of renewing the USA PATRIOT Act, including the various controversial provisions calling for the search of library records (Section 215) and unfettered access into education records (including those in private institutions), I thought it might be a wise idea to return to the resolution passed by the ASWC Senate in Fall 2003. A revised, more education-centric resolution also followed to pass in the Faculty Senate, effectively becoming policy of the college.

My favorite parts, and perhaps the ones that have turned out to be most historically relevant, pertain to the unwarranted search of student records and the bit about 'compelling and urging the administration' to actively break U.S. law when necessary:

THAT the ASWC Senate urges federal authorities not to subject any individual in the custody of the Walla Walla Police Department, who may be placed in federal custody, to military detention, secret detention, secret immigration proceedings, or detention without access to counsel; and

THAT the ASWC Senate urges the Whitman College administration to provide notice to all individuals whose education records have been obtained by law enforcement agents pursuant to Section 507 of the USA PATRIOT Act (Disclosure of Educational Records).

You can find the whole dern thing over at the ol' ACLU website, as I believe the motion was originally composed and sponsored by the Whitman Civil Liberties Union.

So keep one eye on your beer and one eye on the Senate as it considers the House's (very) subtle changes to the USA PATRIOT Act, especially that omnipotence-enabling Section 215.

Reject HEA's Financial-Aid-as-Law-Enforcement

2005-07-20T11:14:00.001-07:00

One of former ASWC President Bradley Bowen's more tangible acheivements at Whitman came when he served as a Senator in the 2002-2003 year. Bowen, a steadfast civil liberties activist who back then held the Presidency of the Whitman Civil Liberties Union, worked most of the spring semester to pass a bill decrying the provision in the 1998 Higher Education Act that forbids financial aid to students with drug-related convictions (even those that have served the time sentenced). His success at the end of year marked a the first accomplishment of its kind for the Senate: a resolution seeking to change federal or state policy that directly affects the students of the college or the college itself.

Just as Bowen and his classmates have graduated and cycled out of the Whitman student community, the HEA drug provision must come to an end. The Education and the Workforce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives is set to consider H.R. 609, the Higher Education Act Reauthorization bill, and I agree with today's New York Times editorial that the entire provision should be sacked rather than slightly modified:

A proposed change in the law would improve the picture slightly. It is aimed at penalizing students who commit drug-related crimes while receiving federal aid. It would be better to repeal the provision entirely, as many observers have suggested.

Congress' consideration of H.R. 609 will most likely take longer than a month, putting the ASWC Senate in a strong position to reaffirm its commitment to Bowen's 2003 resolution and speak strongly against the government's use of student financial aid as a tool of law enforcement.

Higher Education holds a privileged position as an intellectually rehabilitative pursuit for all, and restricting access to federal financial funding for student aid is an authoritatively futile exercise in both callous classism and racism. I urge the Senate and Whitman Administration to again raise their voices against this hugely unfair law.

Get Recruiters Outta Here!

2005-07-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

Many of the resolutions I have introduced in the Senate have actually originated (read: been stolen) from other sources, where I say 'hey, what a great idea' and import the solution to our fair college. Unfortunately, this hasn't extended to a Reed College-style Ren-Faire (yet), but the practice of imported policy has made our school a PATRIOT-Act resistant zone of sorts.

The latest news gaining both my attention and support is a move by the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University to ban military recruiters from tabling in the Student Union Building or at job fairs sponsored by the college. The logic behind the ban argues that the practice of the United States Armed Forces to discriminate against non-heterosexuals discords with ASSOU's non-discrimination policy.

Well, folks, ASWC also has a non-discrimination policy (that's why the Christian Fellowship gets no funding), and I intend to introduce similar legislation forbidding the presence of military recruiters from Reid Campus Center (although they have very tough luck there already). This bill should also extend to such groups as the Boy Scouts of America, which has a similar discriminatory practice.

The only problem I can anticipate this early for the effectiveness of the legislation is the gradual drift of authority over the Campus Center that has waned student and waxed faculty and staff ever since the introduction of the Reid Campus Center (as opposed to the former Student Union). This resolution, therefore, would probably occur concurrently with another resolution that would grant more student control and input over the administration of Reid. I have yet to read the relevant texts about public space relating to student activism, but then again I have many bus rides left in the summer, so I'll keep you all posted.

Signposting the Senate System

2005-07-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

During my tenure as Senator for the Freshman Class way back in oh-two/oh-three, I was told time and time again about the new constitution, by-laws and model of government for ASWC and its intended posture along the workings of the three federal branches of government. This was completed in 2004 with the introduction of the current oversight system, which allows the Prez to appoint justices--err, students--with the consent of the Senate.

Now it's my turn to make the Senate look not only more official, but also more efficient and less lackluster with the introduction of such features as cosponsors, formal introductions of bills and Dear Colleague letters. As a current employee of the US House of Representatives (stop me before I outwonk myself), I explain each of these legislative details to caller-constituents each day and am confident that each will improve the conduct of the people's business down in G-02.
Some brief remarks about each:

Formal Bills will allow Senators to refer to particular concepts or issues with a proposed solution, which can be amended and tinkered with at the will of the body. A bill usually has an apt title (if not one that's clever or cliché), and the Senator who introduces a bill is said to be the sponsor of the bill. The formal introduction and naming of bills allows both the Senators and the Whitman public to easily track the progress of a resolution through the ASWC system, from committee to Senate to House, instead of simply referring to something as 'the Mandel bill', as some Senators introduce more resolutions than others.

Cosponsors are Senators from whichever class or committee that generally agree with an introduced bill and usually are jealous that they didn't think of it first and are actually hunting for some slice of credit. Cosponsors, however, are essential for adding pressure for the body to consider the bill and can indicate a united front of Senators. For example, the Senior class could have one Senator introduce a resolution about eliminating all department thesis requirements (shudder to think) and the remaining three Senior Senators could cosponsor the bill showing support across a delegation. It also looks good for accountability to constituents that Senators are actually performing well in their capacity as public stewards.

Dear Colleague letters often occur in the case where a bill may not be essential to the resolution of an issue, but the issue at hand warrants the attention of multiple Senators. A particularly recent case is the US House Democrats' letter to President Bush urging the supplemental funding of the VA, as House Republicans have missed many opportunities to provide over $2.5 billion in appropriations to the needy department. In ASWC life, a Dear Colleague letter could be something like this (as in more funding for the always-needy KWCW), or it could be a bill in its infancy. Dear Colleague letters are also often used to indicate cosponsors of a bill.

All of this may be more work for the Communications Director, but I bet that the new choice for this position is all 'fro it.

Some may not be fond of mimicking the federal system (according to recent polls only 19% think Congress share their priorities), but I think the fault with the current Congress lies not in its method but rather the incessant partisan hackery. I hope that other Senators and the eventual choice for Ombud embrace these slight improvements to the current ASWC legislative system for an improvement in transparency and accountability and an end to the tendency to refer to resolutions as 'that one idea we were discussing last week'.

Monster Blogs

2005-07-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

As a fan of the classic Amityville Horror film, far be it for me to say that houses shouldn't talk, let alone have their own blogs. Drew Lorona and co. have done well to combine the creepy-haunted vibe of the large domicile known as the Monstrosity with college-boy armchair convictions (not to mention a helping of good ol' Whitman geekiness).

If you head over soon, you can find both Peter Jackson bashing and a weird cultural phenomenon known as the Whack It King. And Mom always said you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

The Monstro (as they like to call it) - Up on the blog roll it goes.

Another President George B.

2005-07-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

Pack your suitcases and prepare for the honeymoon, Whitties, because there's a new man in tow n calling the shots.

Like President Cronin, may we wish him well in his new role as spokesman-in-chief for Whitman's endowment. If he's really good, he could probably make up for the misguided $35,000 hit it it took earlier this year. Then again, we may have lucked out even more with a Prez who pays more attention to student affairs and college wellbeing than your average liberal arts school head.

Now, everyone has a fresh start to have the Prez know their name. Oh, and I call dibbs on first party to feature Pres. Bridges doing a kegstand. Or maybe that's more of a politics major thing.

Interest Rates Rise! Yikes.

2005-06-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

If you've ever been upstairs at Penrose House (where the candy dish is), this message is probably for you.

The SLM Corporation, euphemistically known as SallieMae, announced a while ago that student interest rates are rising dramatically come July 1. It's urging everyone, including your humble senator, to consolidate loans and lock-in a low interest rate (somewhere under 3%). It's either that or the feds will start coming up with even worse bureaucratic euphemisms than FannieMae (shudder to think).

You can apply online with SLM here.

Related to this item are several pieces of legislation pending in the US Congress that would allow reconsolidation of loans for us further down the road as well as increased limits for tax-deductable interest on student loans. Most of these are sponsored by Rep. David Wu of Oregon, though as a Democrat his bills face tough sailing in the stormy GOP-dominated waters of the House. It would be swell if Whitman were part of some coast-to-coast student lobbying organization to guide these bills to safe passage, and I think this idea should be explored more thoughtfully next year.

Executive Council: write that down.

Co-Op Summer Bloggy

2005-06-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Things are getting bloggy over at the Hotel California this summer, where Matt Epp and his cooperative cohorts refuse to leave until they bring you some food (slow or raw or organic or fresh or whatever the movement of the month is right now).

Head on over to the CoopBlog to peruse some evening ruminations on all things activist. Check out this sample:

I think we're all a bit giddy (it could just be me) at this unique sense of community we find ourselves in--activists and friends living, cooking, surfing, making our mark on the world together.

What would Whitman be without hippies?

Restore Curtailed Pell Grants

2005-06-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Bush administration's contempt for the working class obviously does not stop to permit the opportunity of education for low-income students. If this program of grant-curtailment and its devious formula of exclusion continue to prevail, schools like Whitman will only become more homogeneous in class and socioeconomic background, which is something liberal arts school usually have a dangerous dearth of to begin with.

We must lobby all of our federal legislators to put an end to this back-door defunding of important financial aid or demand that our Financial Aid office makes an effort to defray the differential.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/opinion/07tues2.html
Greg Winter of The Times reported yesterday that the federal government has rejiggered the formula that determines how much families have to pay out of pocket before they become eligible for the student aid package, which consists of grants and low-interest loans. The new formula, which will save the government about $300 million in federal aid under the Pell program, will cause some lower-income students to lose federal grants entirely. The families of others will have to put up more money before they can qualify for financial aid. Perversely, single-parent households will have to pay more than two-parent households before they become eligible.
The federal Pell Grant program, which is aimed at making college possible for poor and working-class students, has fallen to a small fraction of its former value. The states, meanwhile, have trimmed aid to public colleges, partly as a consequence of soaring Medicaid costs. The states have deepened the problem by shifting need-based tuition to middle-class and upper-class students under the guise of handing out so-called merit scholarships.
The political clamor around the new formula is likely to lead to changes, but they will be aimed at upper-income families who are most able to pay. Tinkering with formulas in Washington will not solve this problem. The nation as a whole has been disinvesting in higher education at a time when college has become crucial to work force participation and to the nation's ability to meet the challenges of global economic competition.
Until the country renews its commitment to making college affordable for everyone, the American dream of upward mobility through education will be in danger of dying out.

A Last Appeal to 2006

2005-04-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

The recent intrusion and violation of the ASWC endowment for the sake of 'up-with-people idealism' constitutes one of the biggest foul-ups in understanding the ASWC financial system and its designated accounts. For those who may not know, the ASWC endowment accrues monies 'in trust' along with Whitman's certainly larger endowment, and both of these ensure the longevity and security of ASWC accounts as a whole. In voting to significantly assault and abuse the endowment, Senators and House of Club Representatives (the latter of which should not have any authority to do so because they are not truly 'elected' by popular standards) have directly complicated and extended and already confusing and complex budget entanglement. I would have staunchly defended the ASWC endowment against such irresponsible measures and I now call upon those who voted to put ASWC into significant monetary and existential peril to immediately resign, as they have discarded and dispensed with any trust conferred upon them upon their election by fellow students. Voting to overextend ASWC finances to support a private venture that wants the funding to retain the appearance of responsibility in the eyes of the community only places the communal gaze and appearance of irresponsibility on ASWC itself, and it is this new reality which we must overcome in the next year. The leaders of the Whitman Foods Cooperative would also do well to consider and reconsider the circumstances and conditions under which they forge and foster their 'come together' project.

Should the $35,000 endowment assault stand and become a more-than apparent reality for the students next year, I refuse to stand back with an 'I told you so' attitude and will directly engage the financial and political consequences of this year's legislative irresponsibility. As a former Finance Chair myself, I will work very closely with Finance Chair-elect Meagan Reed and soon-to-be-former Finance Chair Ajay Abraham and the standing Finance Committee to explore and eventually pursue an avenue which will replenish the gaping hole in our endowment. I will work with President-elect Amy Kunkel-Patterson, Policy Chair-elect Emily Marshall and the next Commnuications Director to repair the hole of a similar size in the credibility and responsibility of ASWC as a students' union in the eyes of the public. This means a return to the affairs of policy that directly benefits the position of students in the College through the removal of administrative obstacles that mitigate or seriously limit the opportunity and realization of student ability. The Whitman Foods Cooperative is merely an impossible pie-in-the-sky project that will significantly distract and deter ASWC from accomplishing real reforms and results for the student public. ASWC should not ignore or refuse to recognize the problematic existence of the cooperative, but the last move it should play is to become, in actual or in essence, a govering body for the Cooperative. Such a turn of events would mirror the turn of the tide for the student quality of life at Whitman.

Today is my birthday. Vote for me or endure the horrible consequences of bad karma. Or just wish me a good one, that'd be fine too.

If you elect me, I'll be the most active and well-informed ombudsman to date. I will attend all meetings of the Executive Council and will hold office hours in the boldest attempt yet to redefine the role of the senator as a check on the Executive Council and a frequent writer of legislation. I will also attend all meetings of the standing Policy, Finance and Lifecycle Committees to share my knoweldge of ASWC and Whitman College and to ensure that Senators make informed votes on matters that directly affect students. I will consider myself the leader of the Senate, and my respect for, and ambition in, this role will be reflected in my passion for the office and the duties that I will perform faithfully in the name of student advocacy.

The financially and politically tumultuous circumstances of ASWC today will have consequences for students at Whitman for many years to come. I will ensure that a new era of accountability, responsibility and action replaces the current trends of impractical idealism, fiscal relativism and bureaucratic shortsightedness. Students from every class should closely examine each candidate and determine whether the election of each would either remedy or perpetuate the errors of today.

If it is not readily apparent at this point in the appeal, my vote on April 17 would have been a resoundingly defendant 'NAY', and this particular matter would be well outside my reputation for naysaying anything that does not meet my complete satisfaction. The move should be immediately reconsidered in light of the financial and political consequences that could seriously undermine the future credibility and legitimacy of our fair students' union.

Despite my reactionary defense of the endowment against idealistic infiltration (read: the invasion of the patchoulied and dreadlocked hippies), I must accept the outcome of the vote of the Senate to allocate these funds. Democracy must circumscribe and inform all prodecures of ASWC, and should the majority will find the funding of the cooperative a positive concept, then I can only respect the process that produced that outcome. However, I do not respect the process that requires or frequently engages in the suspension of the by-laws or the contravention of the spirit of the ASWC Constitution. The Senate, often at the request of the Executive Council, does both of these things way more often than the students should accept. As your Senior Senator, meaning simultaneously a Senator for the Senior class and most experienced Senator of all, I will stand up to the Executive Council in consistent and principled defense of the by-laws and Constitution that govern the way in which ASWC advocates for students. I will consider my election on Tuesday as a mandate to protect the by-laws and spirit of the Constitution from any further suspension or contravention.

A New Platform

2005-04-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Here's an updated platform for my Senior Senator Candidacy:

TOM POWERS FOR SENIOR SENATOR

Allow me to continue my dedicated service to you on the ASWC Senate. As your Senior Senator, I assure you that my spirit of independent and bold leadership on issues where other Senators fear to tread will not falter or wane. I intend to use my strong voice to advocate sensible changes in campus environmental policy, relations with Downtown and the City of Walla Walla, book prices and student interest loan rates, and will review college administrative policies affecting students while seeking a student seat on the Board of Trustees. Foremost in my public service, I will labor at lengths to develop ASWC as a cohesive and legitimate students’ union that consistently advocates in its members’ interest.

As your Senator, I will recommend the canonization of Mr. George Theo as patron-saint of ASWC, pending a separation of church and state debate.

I also promise to continue my hallmark fashion trendsetting in ASWC by providing every person who attends a meeting with the gaudiest of neckties (I have loads of them). We cannot operate sans solidarity in style.

Concession and Relaunch

2005-04-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here's to Emily Marshall

It's been fun, but hats off to Emily Marshall for winning the Policy Chair election on Tuesday evening. I know I ran the best campaign I could from abroad, and I also know that she deserves to win. I don't mind losing to a fellow respected Senator from last Fall, and I'm glad we have one of our best representing the students in this next critical year.

If you've found this site, then it's been relaunched to support my new campaign for Senior Senator. If elected, I have the distinct possibility of serving as ombudsman for the ASWC Senate, as I will have had the most experience out of anyone elected at Whitman College next
year. I'm already excited about the outcome of this election and hope that there are more capable and dedicated seniors out there like Emily Marshall to run for Senate. And it'd be nice if a few more guys stepped up, as the entire Executive Council next year is female. A little gender balance never hurt.

Thank your for supporting me and engaging with all of the ideas in my campaign. I am already deeply indebted to many of you for your support and contribution, so let's just say I'll pay you all back with a giant party when I get back to Whitman in mid-May. See you on the other side!

VOTE TODAY

2005-04-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

This is your last defense.

Against an unqualified ASWC Executive Council for 2005/2006, that is. Put me on the front lines of Policy and I'll fight to the end. And work to cease military metaphors in campaigns.

If you havent voted yet, run down to Reid or find the e-mail sent by Michael Quiner. The link should be http://www.whitman.edu/aswc/~vote. I repeat, this is your last defense!

Thank you all for reading this blog--let's hope today is auspicious for tonight's results.

An Expatriated Expression for a Referendum

2005-04-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

In the interest of posting everything related to my interest in ASWC on this blog for the sake of transparency, I'm posting an open letter I sent to the ASWC leadership regarding, among other things, the accounting problem and its implications for the grant to the Whitman Foods Cooperative. Please help me extend its intended readership to include you, as a member of ASWC, and do not hesitate to take the action it recommends should you agree. I also encourage as much commenting and forwarding of this letter as possible; it's hard to be heard when you're 6,000 miles away. Here's the letter:

(originally sent to ASWC President Bradley Bowen, ASWC Policy Chair Scott Thompson, ASWC Finance Chair Ajay Abraham, and ASWC Oversight Chair/Whitman Foods Cooperative Task Force Leader Matt Eppelsheimer)

Esteemed ASWC Leaders,

I am startled by the recent news about the complications and subsequent endangerment of ASWC accounts and the Savings Fund. As a former Finance Chair, I am obviously at least partly responsible for this current 'debacle', yet my current exile, as I have been calling it lately, in Ireland leaves me with little chance to address any of the issues surrounding the accounting errors and the state of my culpability in their production. In any circumstance, however, I am missing a significant opportunity to address the potentially biggest problem ASWC has faced during my time at Whitman College, and trust that you, as leaders of an organization in times of relative peril, will produce a sound and secure future for the students' union.

First, allow me to formally apologize for any actions or inaction taken by me regarding the administration of ASWC Finances during my tenure as Finance Chair in 2003-2004. While I know that I put every effort forward under the auspices of professional stewardship for the student body during that year, mistakes were obviously made and, in light of the current budgetary imbroglio, I have no alternative but to accept these errors as mine. I hope that the prevailing circumstances of the day and the actions taken to remedy this crisis ultimately uphold the new-found legitimacy of our as-yet infant system of student government. Moreover, I truly wish to be a part of the actions taken to rectify the damage potentially done to student trust in ASWC.

From abroad, I can tell very little about the state of the spirit in students on campus and even less can I ascertain the competing solutions for the potential deficit and its implications for the Whitman Community Foods Cooperative. I laud the efforts of all involved in solving the current problem and appreciate the significant drive that the co-of task force has demonstrated even with major doubt cast upon their chances for the remaining Savings Fund grant.

It is my understanding that two major opinions have formed over the devolution of events concerning the Savings Fund and the co-op. One rather pragmatic view prefers to deny the funds to the co-of until a positive balance is restored among ASWC accounts and a significant surplus has accrued in the Savings Fund (as was incorrectly thought to have happened this current year). The other, perhaps more idealistic, view would prefer to essentially squeeze the operating budget for Fiscal Year 2006 in order to set aside the previously agreed amount of funds for the Whitman Foods Cooperative. Though both of these views are principled for different reasons, either decision will significantly affect a large part of the student body. For this reason, I feel a democratic compromise is necessary to properly resolve this issue with student trust in the legitimacy of ASWC intact.

At the upcoming Senate election in late April, I propose that a referendum be put to the students on the question of 'squeezing' the normal ASWC Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2006 to facilitate a start-up grant of $35,000 for the Whitman Foods Cooperative.

Holding a referendum with a binding outcome will of course require an in-depth understanding by voters of the circumstances of the deficit, the outcome an 'affirmative' vote would put on usual ASWC expenditures and the conditions under which the $35,000 is given to the Whitman Foods Cooperative. I feel that the Whitman College Pioneer has thus far done an excellent service to the students in producing a special edition about the co-of and in providing in-depth coverage about the accounting errors and their possible implications for clubs, programming and the co-of in the short and long terms. Information and explanations for both sides of the issue will be crucial to ensuring an informed and democratic outcome to the competing solutions of today.

I therefore call upon you as the leaders of ASWC to maintain the trust and interest of students in developing a legitimate outcome to the potentially dire circumstances we as members of a students' union now face. The time before the Senate election can only wane from this point, and it is with respect to this truth that I urge ASWC to put a vote to the entire student body on an issue that could provide too divisive for the future legitimacy of ASWC as the students' union.

Thank you for affording me this opportunity to speak from far away. Please know that while I am physically removed from ASWC and Whitman College, my conviction in, enthusiasm and support for ASWC remain as strong as ever.

I look forward to solving this problem in the interest of all students.

Regards,
Tom

I encourage any of you to forward this letter to any person/group/listserv you deem appropriate.

A Strong Voice to the Faculty

2005-04-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

The position of Policy Chair for ASWC has a special responsibility and privilege to have a seat on the Faculty Policy Committee as the Student representative. The ASWC President is also invited to and encouraged to attend these meetings. As your representative on the Faculty Policy Committee, I will effectively communicate upcoming decisions regarding academic or policy changes that affect students in any degree, small or large. I will ensure that opinions and ideas are solicited from the student public and will defend these student voices responsibly and strongly during meetings with the Faculty Policy Committee.

Should you elect me Policy Chair for 2005/2006, I will bring a number of current issues regarding students and faculty to the Faculty Policy Committee and will ensure that they have their day in session. These issues include:

Obtaining a student seat on the Board of Trustees
I support President Bradley Bowen's and candidate for president Amy Kunkel-Patterson's calls for a student to sit on the Board of Trustees. This issue has become more important since the process of selecting the new Whitman College President revealed that students have but two seats on a committee that merely recommends a candidate to the Board. A student voice on the Board would also give the college an increased transparency that would invite students into the dialogue of solutions for the College's problems and would greatly enhance the capacity of student advocacy, which is what ASWC Policy is all about. Other schools of the 14 to which Whitman compares itself have already made this revolutionary move for student representation on the highest college administrating body.

Solicit more Student input on grading policy changes
This semester, alterations were made on the policy concerning how PDF-grades are allocated or made and how the honors grade-point average will be increasing in most departments, beginning with the class of 2009. These changes are probably unfamiliar to most students, especially those that do not happen to attend a Senate or House of Club Representatives meeting on a regular basis. As Policy Chair, I will ensure that all students not only know about these decisions but also have some input on the implementation and nature of the changes with my seat on the Faculty Policy Committee. Since the students only have one seat on the committee to represent over 1400 of us, I will never limit the discussion of student opinions to solely that of mine, as Whitman students will probably disagree on even a simple matter like PDF reporting changes.

Encourage more Cooperation between ASWC Senate and Faculty Senate
The Faculty Policy Committee is a smaller organ of the Faculty Senate, much like the ASWC Policy Committee is a part of the larger ASWC Senate. As Policy Chair next year I will bring dedication to having these two bodies cooperate on official matters and issues that affect the College as a whole. An example of this dedication to dual participation is the anti-PATRIOT Act resolution I wrote in 2003 stating that the college would not cooperate with federal government invasions of student privacy and non-discrimination. Working with the ASWC President and his seat on the Faculty Policy Committee, the resolution also passed the Faculty Senate in a modified form, meaning it actually became a part of the detailed College administrative policy. As Policy Chair I will certainly bring this enthusiastic spirit of cooperation to the Faculty Policy Committee where issues between the faculty and students align.

Making the By-Laws Work For You

2005-04-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

ASWC is a governing body with a working set of rules called the by-laws. Unlike a Constitution, the By-Laws are to be frequently updated, arranged and eliminated to ensure the most effective conduct of business. This year revealed a few flaws in the By-Laws that I as a candidate for Policy Chair have solutions to, and with your vote and my tenure on the Executive Council next year, I will move forward with these proposed reforms.

Ad Hoc Committee Formation Needs Clear Rules
The Fall 2004 Oversight Report rightly revealed the flaws in the operation of the Savings Fund Allocation committee (SAFE Comm.). This was obviously due to the lack of prescribed structure and rules put forward at the formation of the committee, resulting in a nebulous and unspecific charge to that committee. Changes should be made for the formation of ad hoc committees in the bylaws.

These changes should stipulate that the Senate or House, when forming an ad hoc committee, must outline the voting and non-voting members of the committee and its chair, the frequency with which the club meets, the overall goal of the ad hoc committee, and the point at which the ad hoc committee must present a solution or resolution to the Senate or Congress. An ad hoc committee should only be dissolved by a majority vote in the body that enacted it (Senate, House).

-At least 1 Oversight member should be assigned to each ad hoc committee unless a significant conflict of interest is involved or arises, at which point the body should require that an independent ombudsman sit at all meetings of the committee.

-Attendance at ad hoc committee meetings should be specified in the rules made by the body that forms it and should stipulate that after a certain number of unexcused absences (like 2) a member should be dismissed.

-Ad Hoc Committees should operate informally under a general understanding and interpretation of Parliamentary Procedure (ie Robert’s Rules), especially where matters like quorum and amendments are concerned. These particular areas were flawed in the SAFE Comm. process.

Clarify Budgeting Process By-Laws for Finance Committee
As Finance Chair in 2003/2004, I can testify that the budgeting process is not at all easy. Having this experience and the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I think that the insertion of clarifying by-laws into the budgeting section would aid the Finance Chair and her or his committee in ensuring a timely and error-free budget.

-The by-laws should stipulate that the Finance Chair should send the final budget to the Business Office no later than the last day of classes so that the budget can be properly processed over the summer for the next year. Currently, this stipulation does not exist and the Finance Chair could go uninstructed on this matter.

-The by-laws should also mandate a thorough revision of the budget to ensure that no flaws exist. I recommend that this duty falls to the Oversight member assigned to the Finance Committee. This is extremely important and would have alleviated last year’s budget flaw, where a simple and minute discrepancy in an Excel spreadsheet link led to an over-budgeting problem. The revision of the math and technical accuracy of the ASWC budget should be completed and if necessary have problems fixed before the budget goes before the full Congress for approval.

-The President should also undertake a responsibility to ensure that all Budgeting paperwork is completed on time and with accuracy, acting as a third-party observer and number-checker when called upon by the Finance Committee or Oversight.
The outgoing Finance Chair should be required to give a detailed and in-depth training session to the incoming Finance Chair covering all of the following topics:
-A detailed breakdown of the complex Datatel accounting system and how to read a Datatel account printout
-Contacts in the Business Office (including Walter Froese, Kathy Yeager, Peter Harvey, DeniseMann and Kathy O’Leary)
-An exhaustive overview of the budgeting process
-The Lifecycle Plan/Committee
-The ASWC Account structure

Significant steps should also be taken for the Finance Chair/Committee to meet with the ASWC Advisor and Business Office to ensure that both know the proper use of the Datatel accounting system, or a new system should one be implemented. Strengthening the Finance Committee-Business Office Communication will be a priority in rearranging the by-laws next year.

Elimination of Personal Recognition Update Forms (RUFs)
Since the implementation of the new-and-improved comprehensive ASWC, to be held accountable clubs have been required to provide the Executive Council with an updated list of members, including details about the individuals like email addresses, ID numbers, favorite colors and body measurements. OK, so maybe just those first two. Organizations such as the Whitman Civil Liberties Union and individuals have objected to this practice since its first implementation, and now steps should be taken to remove these unnecessary details while still holding clubs accountable for proving an active membership.

The common practice to avoid turning in the RUF every semester is to submit a membership disclosure waiver, which must be signed by the ASWC adviser and club President and Representative. I propose that this alternative waiver practice becomes the standard practice with a few alterations to the waiver. These changes apply to the Membership List section of the RUF and are as follows:
-Have the Club President and Representative affirm that the club has at least 15 members but do not require the ASWC Adviser to sign it. Instead, have the ASWC Communications Director sign it upon receipt, signifying a contract between the two parties involved.

-This written and signed affirmation should be supplemented by some tangible proof of the club having over 15 active members. This could be minutes from a meeting noting the number of members present, a photograph or written chronicle of an event led and sponsored by the club that had over 15 active participants, a roster of club members with the signature of each member, etc. A listserv membership list should be acceptable only with additional proof of club membership.
-If the Communications Director receives a RUF that does not meet these standards, s/he shall recommend to Oversight and the Executive Council that the club be derecognized.

-Derecognition should not be automatic but will be upon vote of the EC with an Oversight member present.
-Derecognized clubs wishing to appeal can file a grievance with Oversight and/or appeal to the full Senate, with recognition reinstated on a 2/3 majority.
This vote only reinstates a club that has turned in an RUF but has given an unclear or ambiguous proof of necessary membership. No RUF, no recognition.

These changes allow clubs to seek out members without the fear of having to later report the names and details of its members if it does not wish to. They also provide adequate checks for the process as relates to the Club, Communications Director, Oversight and the EC/Senate.
These changes should also be made for new clubs, although the standard to prove minimum membership should be higher among clubs seeking new recognition. If a lower standard or the same standard is applied, then it will be easier for clubs to replicate themselves in different versions and the old version of ASWC will return, unwanted and uninivited.

A New Era of Student Advocacy

2005-04-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

The 'new' form of ASWC, that is, the version most recently implemented in 2002 by Whitman students, chiefly prioritizes advocacy and programming. On the programming end, the new-and-improved ASWC has been a huge success by bringing bands from every genre and size from everywhere in America and the world to the otherwise-musically-inhospitable town of Walla Walla. I can laud ASWC's programming until the proverbial cows come home, but as a candidate for Policy Chair, I have one specific goal I want to communicate:

I will lead ASWC into a new era of student advocacy.

I intend to transform the reputation of ASWC from a club-sponsor to a Students' Union, which means actively engaging local, regional and global affairs involving students in the present day. While this also means electing a president with a similar outlook and idea of the possible scope of ASWC, I believe that an enthusiastically active and vocal Policy Chair can ignite an activist spark under the currrent malaise of student interest. I will be that Policy Chair.

I will continue my record of standing up for students on policy matters from the local to the global. In 2003, I authored a successful resolution defending the educational rights of students and a modified measure also passed the Faculty Senate, becoming the policy of the College.

ASWC should increasingly facilitate the needs and demands of students in cooperation with corresponding college services (ie Bookstore, Bon Appetit, ResLife/Housing), or, as the case may be, taking issues to the City Council, State Legislature, or United States Congress. This can all be realized with passionate leadership, the kind I know I can provide.

Perhaps the most important change in perception of ASWC, however, is that all students of Whitman College should view themselves as members of ASWC. All students should view themselves as the Students' Union, a popular organization that they can come to rely upon for working in their interest.

A Reasonable Clothing-Optional Policy

2005-04-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

Support a Nudity/Clothing Optional Policy for Particular Areas of the Campus
Recent events involving unnamed students, the lack of clothes on campus and their punishment by security personnel have sparked a debate regarding campus policies towards nudity/naturalism. The students in question have clamoured for a change in the policy that would describe nudity as inoffensive and acceptable behaviour on campus grounds.

I was an early supporter of the changes proposed by these individuals and brought them to a hearing with the ASWC Policy Committee. The Committee reflected each side of the debate, with half of the members preferring no change to the current policy and the other half favoring an accommodation to naturalist/nudist advocates.

I currently feel that those on campus that do not wish to see the accommodation of a clothing-optional policy can physically avoid contact with this practice if the policy is spatially-bound. That is, only certain areas of the campus should be clothing optional. These should include:
The Amphitheatre
Ankeny Field
Interest House Lawns (as adopted by each House)
Whitman Glen/Narnia
Other spaces obscured from a public street view

All practices of this policy must occur in a respectful manner that promotes decency, prohibiting any lewd or lascivious act that would be in direct contravention with the Walla Walla City Ordinance on Indecency. All practices must also follow prevailing Supreme Court jurisprudence on the right of expression and privacy and release Whitman College and ASWC from any responsibility for abuse of this policy.

The times and manner in which this practice may be exercised could be limited and specified if so desired by a majority of the students. A referendum could be held to this effect.

A Feasible, Responsible Co-Op

2005-04-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

The latest news from the ASWC Executive Council reveals that the Savings Fund has been essentially exhausted from the inflated figure reported earlier. This has potential consequences for the future implementation of the Whitman Community Foods Cooperative (Co-Op) and its relationship with ASWC over the years to come. It should be made clear that while I wholeheartedly support the implementation of the Co-Op in general, any grants allocated to it by ASWC must be approved by a referendum to all students, as proceeding with the $35,000 gift would provide giant setbacks for the usual spending made by clubs and programming bodies. This referendum could happen at the Senate election late April or in the EC election right now in order to qualify before the April 17th vote on the business plan. Neither of these options seems likely, however.

Should the Co-Op come into existence, the following text describes how my tenure as Policy Chair would involve the Co-Op:

Support an Independent, Non-profit Whitman Foods Cooperative
I support another alternative food market in Walla Walla that benefits students in whatever shape it may take. Students need grocers closer to campus than Safeway and need more variety in town from which to choose. The Co-Op, if run effectively, would provide all the organic food that Andy’s does and would be merely a stone’s throw away instead of a town away.
ASWC should NOT go into debt or make unnecessary incursions into normal spending (clubs, programming) to accommodate the Co-Op unless this move is supported by a majority of students. If ASWC is in danger of going into the red next fiscal year, the validity and feasibility of the Co-Op will be seriously injured. I would not support bringing about the Co-Op at the detriment of usual ASWC expenditures unless it is brought before a referendum and passed by majority vote.

As far as a relationship between the Co-Op and ASWC, the only connection should be one of mutual support and encouragement. ASWC should financially sponsor the Co-Op in its early years (through the $35,000 grant) and transition out of the decision-making process of the Co-Op once it has an integral organization structure and sustainable bottom line.

I am opposed to ASWC fees ‘subsidizing’, or bringing down the cost of, membership fees for the Co-Op. Not all students may choose to be members of the Co-Op and, unlike clubs, the only students who directly benefit from the Co-Op are those that shop there. That being said, I believe all students will indirectly benefit from the mere existence of the Co-Op, as it will bring a new spirit of independence and self-determination to the student body.

The college should help the Co-Op find housing in a near-campus property that it owns and forgive rent on the property for the start-up years of the Co-Op. This assumes that volunteers live in the Co-Op and are in fact volunteers, and not making profit from the Co-Op endeavour. The Cinderella House location seems ideal (near campus and with progressive history), however I’d like to see that historic ‘Beauty Salon’ sign stay put.

Whitties and the Downtown

2005-04-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

Walla Walla and Whitman have been closely intertwined since the 1860s. Looking downtown, however, a student presence is only seen at the intersection of First and Main, where coffee shops are abundant and pedestrians are popular. As Policy Chair next year, I will build a strong relationship with the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation to ensure and encourage that the changing face of Downtown Walla Walla includes room for its student clientele. I believe that a more vocal Whitman College presence in the affairs of Walla Walla and particularly the Downtown area will change public perceptions of students and encourage more interaction through business and community. The following are some epiphanies about what can be changed for students' benefit.

Solicit more Student Discounts from Downtown Stores and Boutiques
Students help the downtown thrive and give it the timeless and singular character all citizens and visitors can enjoy. Even though the cost of living is relatively low in Walla Walla, students should be able to receive discounts as incentive for frequenting businesses and establishing clientele relationships between the college and downtown businesses.
To obtain more student discounts at stores, I would work with Timothy Bishop, the Executive Director of the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, and businesses that have a working relationship with this organization. The primary targets for a discount program would be Coffee Perk, Ze Bagel, Smokey Blue’s Pizza, and other local restaurants and coffee shops. I commend The Underground for consistently offering student discounts to their events and adding a real alternative to Whitman nightlife.

Have the Executive Council meet with the WW City Council
As Walla Walla and Whitman College grow into the new century, ASWC should make an effort to meet and greet the elected representatives of the city. A students’ union has the responsibility to not only facilitate the demands of students at the administration level, but also to cater to the standard of living in the city where students live and interact. A working relationship between ASWC and the City Council would more adequately address students’ needs in the decision-making process at the local level and would also foster positive sentiment towards the students of the college and town-gown relations in general.
The Executive Council, or at the least the President and Policy Chair, should be the contact points between the City Council and ASWC. Before meeting with these officials, ASWC could hold a forum about plans for Walla Walla and how it will or will not incorporate and accommodate Whitman students.
If eventually possible, ASWC could form a students’ alliance with Walla Walla Community College and Walla Walla College to address all issues relating to students on a united front.
This could also make programming coordination between the three schools much easier. I would recommend to the Programming Chair that s/he comes up with a coordinated schedule of programs throughout the year at the three colleges and perhaps even work out a discount system or reduced prices of admission for members of these schools.

Explore Formal Process of Incorporating Boyer Avenue into Campus
ASWC and the College have long had plans to purchase and close down Boyer Avenue to the public, restricting it to only pedestrian and emergency access. While closing the street may seemingly damage town-gown relations, it promotes student safety and therefore I support this move and would work towards its eventual realization.
Boyer can be seen as divisive of the campus (small as it is) and is already closed on many occasions to accommodate large activities and festivals (Block Party, Ren Faire and Commencement to name but a few). Permanent closure of the street would facilitate better transportation and safety (many have almost been hit on this street) throughout the campus and would significantly decrease the liability of Frisbee/Disc Golf, as most frustration from this activity is caused by throwing over Boyer.
Funding for the closure of the street should by footed by the College and only if absolutely necessary supplemented by ASWC. The cost to the College would probably be in the tens of thousands of dollars, but the College has also had its administrative eyes on closing down the street.
Parking should still be allowed near the IHC, however.

Establish Partnership between ASWC and the Downtown Foundation
The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation has existed since 1984 and has consistently worked with Whitman College, local businesses and the Walla Walla City Council to maintain one of the greatest small-town main streets in the West. ASWC should form an extensive and long-term partnership with the Foundation to reflect students’ interests in the new plan for downtown and to improve student/Walla Walla or Whittie/Townie relations.

Making College More Affordable

2005-04-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

Since the implementation of the newer, more policy-oriented ASWC, many internal issues regarding government organization and communication have come at the expense of bigger issues that affect the entire student body. While I promise not to overlook the internal affairs of ASWC, I refuse to neglect to address the pressing issues that affect students nationwide. As Policy Chair, I will use my position to lobby the administration as well as state and federal legislatures to support a more affordable college education. I will chiefly prioritize two solutions throughout my tenure and will call for other schools and student unions to join in on this mission.

Negotiate and Work for Lower and Reduced Book Prices
Legislation has been written and submitted in the US House of Representatives that would defray or limit the cost of academic books for higher level education.
As Policy Chair, I would lobby the Bookstore and College to support the spirit of book price legislation and put a demand on publishing and bookselling companies to cut their exorbitant cost to the student consumer. State PIRGs have resources to support this legislation and, if elected, I would attempt to pass a resolution urging the college administration and federal government to take action on this issue.
I also intend to work with Congressman David Wu of Oregon (my representative) on supporting Federal legislation on this matter. Congressman Wu has introduced legislation in connection with Portland State University to lower book prices on a national scale for students to more readily afford an expensive education such as that at Whitman.

Lobby Federal and State Legislatures for More Grants and Lower Loan Interest Rates
During my internship with Congressman Wu last summer, I was introduced to a number of bills that would create more Pell Grants and have the grant include more money than in the past. As Policy Chair, I will use my relationship with his office and my understanding of Congress to best represent the students’ interest, especially concerning the problem of rising interest rates for the student loans which many Whitman students (including myself) are burdened with.

Sustainable Energy Use at Whitman

2005-03-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

Whitman already sets a prime example for energy use by converting light bulbs to CFLs (compact fluorescent bulbs) and the green-building-certified Reid Campus Center. However, the College can certainly follow up on these acheivements with more wider-reaching initiatives that address the global problem of energy shortage. As Policy Chair, I would dedicate my committee to prioritizing the following reforms within the first semester of my tenure, using them to accomplish more specific reforms in the second semester.

Bring Whitman to Kyoto Protocol Compliance
Other colleges such as Lewis & Clark College have become the first Kyoto-compliant schools by reducing on-campus emissions and energy use. These schools also purchase credits from non-profit groups like the Climate Trusts to help power plants comply with the Protocol.
Bringing Whitman to Kyoto-Compliance requires the research of sources of pollutant emission on campus and researching energy sources for the College. If students approve of this initiative, I would recommend that the leaders of the Sustainable Energy Campaign (see below) incorporate the Kyoto-project into their plans for the campaign.
As Policy Chair, I would be an official advocate and leader of sensible initiatives to bring Whitman into a more environmentally sustainable era.

Lobby college to support sustainable energy
Senator Juliana Williams has passionately lobbied the administration to rely on sustainable energy sources, such as the Stateline Wind Power plant, to meet a minimum of 4% of use on campus. This issue has been at somewhat of an impasse recently, but increased student demand for Kyoto compliance could push the college towards this option.
I would support a referendum extending student fees by not more than $10 per year to foot the bill for at least 10% renewable/clean energy use by the College. Such an initiative should provide detailed outlines of the source of power and a timeline for getting the College to pay for subsequent moves to clean power.The decision for this initiative must go to the entire student body and would amend the by-laws, not the constitution. It must meet at least a majority of the students’ approval in order to be implemented.

Whitman College and Me

2005-03-31T07:43:00.000-08:00

At Whitman, most people know who most other people are without really knowing many people at all. I'd love for you to get to know me, so here's a post dedicated to who I am and what I've done at Whitman over the past few years. After you read the following, I'm sure you'll agree that I'm the best qualified candidate for ASWC Policy Chair next year!

First, a general smattering of my accomplishments:

FRESHMAN YEAR
ASWC Senator on Finance Committee
Regularly attended Policy Committee Meetings
Vice-President of Whitman Civil Liberties Union
Staff Writer and Opinions Editor for the Pioneer
Co-Wrote and Passed Anti-Iraq War Resolution in October
KWCW DJ
Trombone/Guitar for Whitman Jazz Ensemble I
Member of Wayne and the Barnacles

SOPHOMORE YEAR
Finance Chair for ASWC, Executive Councilor
Chaired Lifecycle and Ad Hoc Committees
Wrote and Passed anti-PATRIOT Act resolution in Faculty Senate
Regularly attended Policy Committee Meetings
Music Director for KWCW
IHC/Global House Resident
Member of the Barnacles

JUNIOR YEAR
Junior ASWC Senator on Policy Committee
Music Director for KWCW
Vice-President of Whitman Civil Liberties Union
Member of the Savings Fund Allocation Committee (SAFE Comm.)
2004 Summer Internship with Congressman David Wu (OR)
Member of Barnacles; Murder on the Yukon

Second, a personal appeal:

In addition to serving the students of Whitman College in these official positions, I have made a wide variety of friends that transcends clique, class and affiliation, political or otherwise. I intend to draw upon this social network for opinions and support throughout the year to best aid my service to the students as Policy Chair. In 2005/2006, I will be going into my Senior year at Whitman finishing up a major in Politics and a minor in Rhetoric. I’m into indie music, existentialist literature, black cats, and, quite obviously, policy and government affairs.

As you might tell from my forthcoming platform, I have a complex understanding of ASWC, its by-laws and its constitution and am ready to use my detail-oriented mind and intense enthusiasm for the student body to enhance the state of ASWC and students in my tenure as Policy Chair.

I hope you know who I am a little better now. I'd love to know you and your ideas for the future of ASWC. I would also love to have your vote in the online elections on April 12!

Manifesto

2005-03-31T07:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Campaign Blog, clearinghouse for all my ideas next year.

As your Policy Chair for 2005-2006, I will build upon my significant level of experience in ASWC to accomplish practical achievements and reforms for the student body.

I will consistently fight for environmental responsibility, including bringing Whitman up to Kyoto Protocol compliance and smartly reducing our out-of-control paper use while passionately supporting the new Foods Co-Op.

I will work for more student discounts downtown and lower interest rates for student loans.

I will stand up for students on academic matters and will work with the administration to cut book costs and obtain a student seat on the Board of Trustees.

I will also highly prioritize persistent and clear communication with the student body by inviting the campus media to all meetings and releasing information to the campus in new and innovative ways, like text messages and radio promos.

These are but a few of my ideas for next year. Additional and more detailed plans for ASWC next year are to come very shortly.

I have given the students of Whitman College an enthusiastic and detailed leadership for three years and will give everything I have left in my final year working for Whitman students. Vote for solid ideas and stable leadership: Vote Powers for Policy Chair!