By Kelsey Donk Arts and Entertainment Editor
Secretary of Finance Cameron Goodall ’15 began this week’s meeting by detailing the budget request approvals from the Financial Policies Committee meeting. Naked Magazine editors requested funds to publish their magazine, and Farms to K requested funds to create buttons about the food service bidding process. Both requests were approved.
Three representatives from the Kalamazoo Outing Club were present at the meeting to request $4,390 to take a trip to Joshua Tree, Calif. over winter break. The trip will be open to all Kalamazoo College students until the group reaches a cap of 18 participants.
“The KOC is trying to reach as many students as possible with these wonderful opportunities,” KOC member Kira Sandiford ’15 said.
After about 40 minutes of discussion about the merits and flaws of the budget proposal, commissioners voted to approve the request.
President Bianca Rasho ‘13 announced that the StuComm Executive Board is expected to meet with administration on Thursday, and Commissioner Ogden Wright ’16 suggested that the board highlight institutional racism.
Commissioners continued to discuss the definition of institutional racism and the issue on campus.
“We want to create that culture on campus — who you are and where you’re from,” Shadae Sutherland ’14 said.
Commissioner Morgan Walker ’15 suggested the board mention this year’s study abroad rates at the meeting with administation. Rasho said she and the other executive board members also plan to discuss on-campus parking, ethnic studies, the dining committee, StuOrg credit cards, student engagement, tuition increases and the effectiveness of the student portal.
Vice President Darwin Rodriguez ’13 reminded commissioners that he has been working with students, staff and faculty to develop an ethnic studies program on campus. He updated commissioners on the process and said he hopes to provide a trajectory as plans become more concrete.
Experiential Education Committee head Brie Mulligan ’15 said she hopes to make experiential education opportunities more public and available to students. Information Advisory Services Committee head Wyatt Smith ’14 said this committee is working on improving the student portal and bandwidth.
Student Life Advisory Committee co-chair Alex Werder ’15 said that the committee discussed a point system to reimburse volunteers for a proposed safe ride program. The committee also discussed student engagement.
This meeting concluded at 10:26 p.m.
