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(11/01/06 12:00pm)
Michael Levy, vice president of Administration and Finance, formally presented the Resolution Reaffirming Student Rights for a vote at last week's Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. The resolution is intended to represent the solidified stance of SGA and the student body on recent, intensified Campus Police activity at the College.
"There have been some issues we've had recently with Campus Police," Levy said.
In prior weeks, police activity at the College has escalated. The "issues" noted by Levy include frequent raids of off-campus parties, issuance of numerous citations for underage drinking and increased issuance of parking tickets. The resolution is meant to assert the collective sentiment of the student body in response to the aforementioned police activities.
"Campus Police (has) coerced people into giving up their rights," Drew Rausa, senator of Art, Media and Music said.
The resolution, however, did not come to a vote. The vote was delayed until next week's meeting due to disagreements over wording within the resolution.
These disagreements were brought forth by Rausa, who questioned segments of the bill that asserted the "high caliber" academic nature of the College as well as the maturity and responsibility of students.
Junior class treasurer Steve Viola, co-author of the resolution, said that upon consulting students, it was determined that students felt they were treated like children by Campus Police. Viola said, in defense of the resolution's wording, that students at the College are adults with full civil liberties and should be treated as such.
In spite of his disagreement with the resolution's wording, Rausa later said he fully supports the resolution and plans on voting in its favor.
At the Oct. 18 SGA meeting, Viola expressed discontent with a headline of The Signal that week. The headline, "Students fight for their right to party," was associated with an article that described the events that took place at the demonstration for student rights outside of New Residence Hall.
"The headline undermines what our goal was in having the protest," Viola said.
Viola said that the true purpose of the demonstration was to assert that students at the College were unhappy with the violation of their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights, which ensure protection against unreasonable search and seizure as well as due process of law.
Viola said the headline suggested that "we're only about alcohol abuse, and we're not about that at all."
At last week's meeting, Steven Link, vice president of Academic Affairs, announced that ProfRecord, the database created to replace Pick-a-Prof, will be up and running this week.
ProfRecord will provide grade distributions as well as feedback regarding professors at the College to better facilitate the class selection process.
Although ProfRecord is nearly ready, Link called for additional volunteers to work toward its completion. The expansive database still requires the input of approximately 3,600 lines of data before it can become operational.
With a week remaining before the beginning of registration for classes, Link called upon SGA members to help input the remaining data under the supervision of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), a student organization. ACM created ProfRecord and has been commended for its efforts by SGA.
At the Oct. 18 SGA meeting, vice president of Legal and Governmental Affairs Michael Strom presented a resolution that, if adopted, would take recognition away from 18 clubs deemed inactive by the Office of Campus Activities. Strom said that the 18 clubs failed to register for the 2006-07 academic year and exceeded the six-month leeway period.
Strom afforded an additional one-week period to the clubs to register after contacting them by e-mail. Those that did not respond are listed for losing recognition in the resolution.
Strom said that SGA will continue to take an active stance on the monitoring of club activity.
On Oct. 25, Meagan Terry, dining services liaison, announced plans initiated by Sodexho for the provision of weight-conscious food options at the Marketplace Convenience Store as well as the Brower Student Center food court. These selections, containing 300 calories or less, have been created with outside assistance from a dietician contracted by Sodexho.
Jen Hill, freshman senator, discussed student concerns regarding noise in the New Library. Students have noticed that the library continues to be noisy, even in locations distant from the caf?, like the third and fourth floors. Potentially, signs asking students to be courteous could be created and placed within the elevators.
At the Oct. 18 meeting, Chris Rindosh, vice chairman of Student Services, conducted an "informal survey" asking that all those present at the meeting who own cell phones raise their hands. Immediately, the hands of every senator and executive board member were elevated.
Rindosh said that there are approximately 100 students currently signed up for the College's telephone service. This record low for use of College phones comes with the avid use of cell phones.
Rindosh described potential plans for increasing cell phone service on campus in order to decrease reliance on the College phone system. Rindosh said that cell phone service providers could potentially install signal boosters on campus that would allow for better coverage.
The College is hesitant to remove all campus phones for safety reasons. Because cell service is inconsistent across campus and similarly, varies with different service providers, room phones provided by the College serve as more reliable means of communication in emergency scenarios. Additionally, all College phones display the origin of the call when Campus Police is called, whereas cell phones do not.
Rindosh said that additional student surveys as well as communication with College officials need to take place before the switch is made.
(10/18/06 12:00pm)
The International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) and the Student Society for Stem Cell Research were approved at last week's Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. IAJE was approved with only one vote in dissention, while the other club was approved by a unanimous vote. These approvals came two weeks after the denial of club status to the seven-year premedical club, Alpha Zeta.
Tim Asher, associate director of Student Activities, gave a presentation regarding potential new policy for the assured success of new clubs at the College. Two weeks prior, SGA received notification from Asher's office that 20 clubs at the College had become inactive.
Sophomore music major Colleen McDonald, freshman music education major Brian Plagge and junior music major Jeff Auriemma presented IAJE to SGA, outlining its objectives and goals.
As an internationally recognized organization, IAJE "fosters and promotes jazz education," McDonald said.
McDonald said that the College's music department focuses primarily on classical genres of music, creating a "lack of support" for jazz. IAJE will allow for students' musical endeavors into jazz, as well as prepare them for careers in music education.
The primary goal of IAJE will be the hosting of a middle school and high school jazz festival at the College. McDonald said that IAJE will contact middle school and high school jazz programs, roughly within a 30 to 40 mile radius of the College, and invite them to take part in the festival. McDonald also said that the College chapter of IAJE will not seek Student Finance Board (SFB) funding, but will fundraise through activities instead.
Dan Beckelman, junior senator at-Large, was the only SGA member to vote against the club's approval.
IAJE gave "a very poor presentation," Beckelman said.
In debate leading up to IAJE's approval, Beckelman questioned whether IAJE might be incorporated into any of the other music education oriented clubs at the College.
Junior biology majors Natalie Cedeno and Krysta Johns-Harris presented the goals and objectives of the Student Society for Stem Cell Research. Cedeno said that members of the organization work to enhance public education and awareness regarding stem cell research by bringing speakers to the College. The club will also provide internships, job opportunities, and possibilities for involvement in research for its members. Cedeno also said that the club will take part in internal fundraising activities as well as for outside charitable organizations, such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
In his presentation, Asher asked SGA members to work together with the office of Student Activities in order to assure the success of new student organizations. Asher proposed a joint recognition and registration process for potential new clubs. This course would inform student leaders of campus resources and advertisement restrictions.
"Students who are trained are better student leaders," Asher said.
Asher cited clubs including the Poker Club and TCNJ Paintball, which had gone inactive. By creating a new program with the help of SGA, Asher hopes to prevent new clubs from gradually slipping into inactivity. The new program is likely to involve SGA members as well as members of SFB, and Asher himself.
"The success (of student clubs) is what our office is all about," Asher said.
Academic Affairs chairman Steven Link discussed plans for a resolution commending the work of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) for their new program, ProfRecord. ProfRecord will replace Pick-a-Prof with its provision of grade distributions and comments regarding professors at the College. ProfRecord is scheduled to be in place for class selection for the Spring semester.
"SGA is indebted to ACM for putting the program through," Link said.
The resolution commending ACM will be attached to the club's application for SFB recognition in order to facilitate their approval by SFB.
Kamaria Byrd, Equity and Diversity chairwoman, took offense to a comic which appeared in the Funstuff section of The Signal last week. Byrd said that the comic, titled "Arabs on a Plane," was offensive.
Citing complications arising from a statement made by executive vice president James Gant as well as the comic, Byrd said that "The Signal needs to be held responsible."
In response to Byrd's statement, Beckelman said that "(Members of the equity and diversity committee) try to make everything PC."
Student Services chairman, Chris Rindosh, addressed student concerns regarding loud, early morning garbage pickup behind Decker, Travers and Wolfe halls. Rindosh said that the College's contract with the waste management company states that pickup is to occur after 7 a.m. Rindosh requested that students make note of any pickups occurring before that time.
SGA internal elections took place in closed session. Aaliyah Ali, senator of culture and society, was elected Historian. John Ronan, speaker of the senate, was re-elected to his position.
(10/11/06 12:00pm)
Steve Viola, junior class treasurer, unveiled a presentation to Student Government Association (SGA) members on the negative effects of the state budget cuts to the College. This presentation will be used by SGA in future lobbying scenarios regarding higher education.
In his presentation, Viola demonstrated the expansive negative effect of recent budget cuts on higher education. Viola said that the lowest income bracket of the New Jersey taxation system requires 91 percent of annual familial income to pay for college education.
According to Viola, the phasing out of the Outstanding Scholar Recruitment Program has only increased the burden on low-income families of college students. He said that this dissuades low-income students from entering college and increases student debt upon graduation.
"As a campus of voters, we're a force to be reckoned with," Michael Strom, vice president of Legal and Governmental Affairs, said in response to the presentation.
In another matter, Strom refuted claims of bias in a voter registration campaign made by junior senator at-Large Dan Beckelman.
"I didn't believe there was any merit to his statement," Strom said.
The campaign took place under the joint supervision of SGA and the Lambda Theta Alpha sorority. SGA registered voters at a table outside of Eickhoff dining hall. Strom said that students registered of their own volition and were in no way coerced.
"If the capital sees that there are 6,000 voters (who) can join together in a cause, they will hopefully take us more seriously," Strom said.
Beckelman later said in a telephone interview that initially there was concern over bias in the registration process. However, upon review of additional registration forms, indications of bias toward Democratic districts "balanced out" with additional registration forms from Republican districts.
The registration drive garnered approximately 120 newly registered voters.
Strom thanked members of the Lambda Theta Alpha sorority for their efforts. A resolution commending their work is scheduled to be voted on at this week's meeting.
In a recent meeting with Tim Asher, associate director of Student Activities, it was brought to Strom's attention that there are 20 inactive clubs currently recognized by SGA. The clubs in question face potential revocation of their charters if they do not comply with training requirements set forth by the office of Student Activities. Alpha Zeta, a club for students enrolled in the seven-year medical program, was denied club status altogether.
Asher wants mandatory training sessions for clubs to occur two to four times per academic year to prevent club inactivity. These sessions will differ from the mandatory Leadership Development Program sessions already required of clubs.
Tiana Lautato, sophomore class vice president, announced that the College is tentatively considering replacing TESS with a new system, Student Administrator (SA).
Lautato said that she will "make sure that the system is right for the students."
SA is expected to debut either in the coming Spring semester or next year's Fall semester. Although registration for classes would take place via the new system, tuition bills would continue to be paid through TESS. Lautato said that students will be engaged through facebook.com to determine sentiment toward the new SA system.
Dining Services liaison Meagan Terry announced Sodexho's plans to introduce an Asian station in the Eickhoff dining hall. It would replace the international section during the evening. Terry stressed that the international station would remain open in the afternoon, serving its usual selections. A date for the opening of the new station has not been agreed upon yet.
Terry also said that students should discuss potential food allergies with a Sodexho manager before complications arise.
Terry expressed continued enthusiasm for the nationwide canned food drive, "Cans Across America," to be held on Oct. 18. She encourages students to donate. Viola voiced discontent with remarks made by Shaina Basile, sophomore criminology and justice studies major in the Opinions section of last week's Signal. Viola said that her remarks regarding the disqualification of SGA executive members due to alcohol violations portray SGA senators unfairly.
"We're not jokers in suits; we do care about students," Viola said.
(10/11/06 12:00pm)
The Legal and Government Affairs committee of the Student Government Association (SGA) denied Alpha Zeta, a group of seven-year medical students, official club status with a vote of three to six.
The purpose of Alpha Zeta, which has about 50 members, is to enhance the learning experience of students enrolled specifically in the seven-year medical program at the College. Members of the Legal and Government Affairs committee expressed concern as to the originality of the organization's purpose.
Michael Strom, vice president of Legal and Government Affairs, said that if afforded club status, Alpha Zeta would have been one among other similar clubs.
"Currently, there are five other organizations that deal with a similar purpose," Strom said.
Dan Scapardine, senator of culture and society, said that there are other organizations at the College which help to facilitate the transition from undergraduate studies to medical school. These organizations include the Minority Organization of Pre-health Students (MAPS) and the Tri Beta biology honor society.
"We pass a lot of clubs and we have to be a little stricter with who we pass," Scapardine said.
Natasha Nayak, sophomore biology major and president of Alpha Zeta, said that the purpose of Alpha Zeta is unique.
The organization focuses on "seven-year agendas and topics," Nayak said.
Students desiring admittance into the College's seven-year medical program must apply for the program at the onset of the application process. The program plan for seven-year medical students differs from other majors affiliated with the medical field, with requirements specific to the seven-year medical program. Seven-year medical students spend three years at the College, followed by four years at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
Nayak said that the alternative nature of the seven-year medical program creates needs for mentorship of its students as well as a collaborative guidance effort. Alpha Zeta would serve to fulfill both needs.
Joel Park, junior biology major and global studies chairperson of Alpha Zeta, said that the special qualities of the seven-year medical program make certain aspects of the college experience more difficult to attain, such as a semester of study abroad.
Additionally, Nayak said that seven-year medical students are given the impression that an Alpha Zeta chapter exists as a club upon acceptance to the College.
"Our acceptance letters included an invitation to the Alpha Zeta society," Nayak said.
Nayak later discovered that the chapter had been deemed inactive for over a decade.
Strom said that he spoke with members of Alpha Zeta and recommended that they communicate with members of the other student medical organizations on campus to discuss the possible formation of subcommittees or changes to their constitutions. Strom also said that if communication does not produce the desired effect, members of Alpha Zeta are "more than welcome" to reapply to the Legal and Government Affairs committee.
Nayak and Park, however, said that they will not reapply to the committee. Alpha Zeta has been recognized by the biology department as a separate departmental organization.
Park said the only difficulties Alpha Zeta faces as an organization recognized by the biology department, but not by SGA, will be in advertising. Only official SGA-recognized clubs can advertise for meetings and events on the campus.
As to the reason for denial of club status, Park speculated that the goals of Alpha Zeta were not made clear to the Legal and Government Affairs committee.
"We don't really blame SGA," Park said. "It was a misunderstanding on both sides."
(10/04/06 12:00pm)
Political bias may be present in a voter registration drive led by Michael Strom, vice president of Legal and Government Affairs, according to senator at-Large Dan Beckelman.
Student Government Association (SGA) members also raised concerns regarding Sodexho's employment of individuals with outstanding arrest warrants and the prosecution of students engaged in illegal downloading.
The voter registration drive is being conducted in anticipation of the November U.S. senatorial race between Republican Tom Kean Jr. and Democrat Bob Menendez. Upon examination of the voter registration forms, Beckelman noted that the vast majority of students were registering in heavily Democratic districts.
"It seems as though they tended to register those who would vote for Menendez," Beckelman said.
Beckelman said his primary concern was the potential influence on the registration process made by the Menendez campaign.
"I wonder if they were prodded by Menendez to register people like that," Beckelman said.
In response to this concern, SGA Executive President Christine Cullen assured that she and Strom would "look into it."
In reference to an altercation two weeks ago between two Sodexho employees, junior class treasurer Steve Viola spoke out against Sodexho's hiring of employees with outstanding arrest warrants.
"Can we screen people before we hire them, just as a point of good faith?" Viola asked.
James Gant, SGA executive vice president, said Sodexho's program is intended to give job opportunities within Sodexho for newly released convicts.
"You'll expect people with warrants," Gant said.
Viola, however, was not convinced.
"I think that the school has gone to great lengths for security with the crackdown on underage drinking and the 24-hour swipe access policy, but this is in direct opposition."
Chris Rindosh, vice president of Student Services, cautioned students against illegal downloading.
According to Rindosh, the College is using a third-party organization to track students who use peer-to-peer file sharing programs such as LimeWire and Direct Connect. This organization bypasses the College in its issuance of fines, which could amount to more than $20,000.
Rindosh also presented plans regarding a possible school-sponsored subscription-based media provider, similar to Apple's iTunes. This service would cost $20 per month per student. More specific plans regarding a trial period are to follow.
In a recent lobbying session with New Jersey state officials, Beckelman was denied a meeting with New Jersey Sen. Barbara Buono, a Democrat from Edison. The purpose of the lobbying meeting was to discuss the effect of state budget cuts on the College.
Beckelman was deferred to Buono's aide, who defended Gov. Jon S. Corzine's cutting of funding for higher education.
"(Buono's aide) was being a shill for the Democratic Party rather than a true legislator," Beckelman said.
Dining Services liaison Meagan Terry addressed the issue of food allergies. She said that in the event of an allergic reaction, the proper course of action is for students to notify any of the Sodexho managers. Their business cards are readily available at the Eickhoff entrance.
Terry announced plans for a canned food drive to be held on Oct. 18. She also introduced the new Global Taste program, which offers value meal and drink combinations to students in Brower Student Center.
New additions were made to SGA, including the inauguration of new senators. Additionally, Nicole Reilly, freshman business major, and Meghan Lee, senior secondary education/Spanish major, were given approval and sworn in as associate members.