• Sens. Ashlee Downing ’08 and Kaitlyn Phelps ’08 were absent.
• There was a consensus that the FUSA induction dinner preceding the meeting was “delicious.”
• Sen. Megan Crowley ’07 made a “friendly amendment” to the previous meeting’s minutes, requesting that periods, not question marks, be added to certain sentences. The grammatically correct minutes were unanimously approved.
• Sen. Ashley Close ’08 introduced the new Senator of the Month program, wherein a senator who goes above and beyond his duties will be rewarded, “possibly with a small prize.”
• Senate Chairman Tim Rich ’08 stated that, in regards to the issue of the Fairfield beginning the ’07-’08 school year before Labor Day, the Senate had an obligation to the student body to investigate the issue and that they should “work to find a way to get [the academic calendar] released earlier.”
• Sen. Lisa DeBeradinis ’08 said that Academic Vice President Orin Grossman assured her in an e-mail that the ’07-’08 school year will not begin before Labor Day. The administration is, however, looking into an earlier start for upcoming school years.
• In response to the housing issue on campus, which was listed as the No. 1 concern for over two-thirds of the Senate, Chairman Rich is holding an informal and not mandatory – though highly recommended – session of the Senate on Tuesday, Oct. 17, to draft a formal resolution.
It will be introduced to the Senate on Sunday, Oct. 22. If passed the resolution will become the Senate’s formal position on housing. The meeting will be closed to the public.
• Sen. Emily Dragone ’09, co-chair of the Student Life Committee, said she met with Jim Fitzpatrick to discuss the removal of chicken patties in the dining room and the possibility of the hamburgers being pre-cooked.
Fitzpatrick said that chicken patties are a less healthy option than grilled chicken, but can be brought back per the students’ request. He assured Sen. Dragone that the hamburgers – if pre-cooked – are at least pre-cooked that day.
• Students living in Dolan Hall will not get a bus shelter as previously mentioned last meeting. The shelter has been deemed unnecessary and would cost approximately $10,000. If there is demonstrated need students living in the townhouses could receive such a shelter, but it would not be put in place until September 2007.
• The Alcohol Ad Hoc Committee, headed by Vice Chairwoman Ashley Close, said the Senate wishes it had been consulted about the changes in the University’s alcohol policy.
• The Senate agreed that the implementation of a Stag statue would be a good idea. Sen. Kate Cota ’07 mentioned the possibility of a live Stag mascot.
Sen. Mark Amsbaugh ’08 said, “as an expert when it comes to stags, and all things deer – being from Texas – it would have to be a reindeer because they are really the only kind you can domesticate.” The discussion was ended by Chairman Rich, and it does not appear Fairfield will procure a real live Stag mascot.
• Sen. Thibodeau ’10 brought up the problem of students smoking too close to dorm buildings. Law dictates students must be 25 feet from the building when smoking a cigarette. He said, “kids aren’t following the rules.” Sen. Ben Welch ’08 suggested encouraging RAs and Public Safety to enforce the rule. Much discussion was given to the possibility of placing “butt boxes” as a 25-foot demarcation point before the issue was referred to Student Life.
• There was slight tension in the Senate as a result of the meeting starting time. As previously reported in The Mirror, the Oct. 15 meeting was to begin at 7 p.m. or immediately following the FUSA inductions. The meeting was called to order at 6:38 p.m. as a result of FUSA inductions running short, The Mirror was informed. Sen. Dan Lamendola ’09 raised issue with the changed time. “My big concern here is that the meeting started early when it said it would begin at 7 p.m. in the campus announcement. … The meetings are a public forum, and the public wasn’t informed.” Chairman Rich noted the objection, but the discussion continued. Sen. Chris Steele ’08 said, “Fighting back and forth isn’t the right way to go; it is offensive.” Sen. Kaitlin Albiez ’07 said she was “sufficiently uncomfortable. We represent 73.5 people and should be past being catty.” Sen. Lamendola continued to argue, but the meeting was adjourned despite his objections.
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