Senators discuss how to improve diversity

Improving communication on campus focus of meeting

In-depth discussions of censorship and diversity took center stage at Senate's Nov. 24 meeting, amidst other business.

The body also held an optional meeting Tuesday to continue its discussion of diversity.

Passage of a proposal supporting the Climbing Wall project, discussion of air quality in campus buildings, the approval of the Sadism and Masochism and Bondage and Discipline (S/M & B/D) club's charter and a report of the final standing of the Ohio Public Interest Resource Group (OhioPIRG) reaffirmation petition drive were also covered.

Senate also broke up into internal committees.

In its discussion on censorship, senators focused on Senate's role of improving communication between the student body and the administration. Senate voted for senators to meet with administrators Monday and present the administration with a mandate which would call for a panel discussion on censorship and the arts. The panel would include President Nancy Dye, Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk and Interim Associate Dean of Student Life and Services Joe DiChristina, who would have an opportunity to clarify their opinions on censorship to the student body.

A group of about 120 students protested outside the General Faculty meeting two weeks ago asking for such clarification and further dialogue after comments made by Dye, Cole-Newkirk and DiChristina about an October performance at the 'Sco were construed by some as advocating censorship.

Senate voted that any statements made by the senators at the meeting beyond those communicating the mandate would represent the individual's views, and not necessarily those of Senate.

As a result of the meetings between senators and administrators before Thanksgiving, a forum with Dye was held Wednesday. (See story page 1).

The group then passed a proposal brought to the floor by senator junior Chapin Benninghoff in support of the proposed Climbing Wall project in Philips Gym.

Speaking in favor of the proposal, Benninghoff cited the more than 200 signatures collected by wall proponents.

"We have a crazy women's basketball thing that can't even keep a team. Think about the way a climbing wall could broaden athletics on this campus," Benninghoff said.

Senate passed the proposal and agreed to give organizational support to the project.

Next on the agenda was a broad discussion on diversity. The dialogue continued for about 45 minutes as senators talked about the perception of Senate on campus as well as ways they could encourage minority participation in Senate and improve campus outreach.

Senators agreed that a large part of the problem stems from Senate's perceived lack of effectiveness among the student body. Senator Devin Theriot-Orr, a senior, said, "Senate is largely perceived as an impotent organization. How can we make a Student Senate position one people want to run for?"

Senator sophomore Nicole Johnston said a problem she perceives is the time commitment required by senators when coupled with a work-study job or another activity. She applauded the suggestion of Benninghoff and first-year senator Bobbi Lopez to make Senate a work-study position.

Benninghoff spoke in support of another suggestion by Lopez, this time to organize campus-wide forums to discuss issues of diversity. "Clearly we've failed. Why not let it go to the people where we've failed?" he said.

Senator sophomore Anil Murjani and first-year Elias Holman warned against assuming that token minority representation on Senate would necessarily make senate representative of the campus. Holman said that as a white person, he did not feel that he represented all, white people, and that the same was probably true for other races.

Senators were pleased with the depth of the discussion, and agreed that because next week's meeting after Thanksgiving Break is optional, it would be devoted entirely to discussing issues of diversity.

Senate then broke into internal committees. The Organizational Senate Committee decided to have another Organizational Forum on Feb. 15 to elect the one remaining organizational senator seat. One forum was held Saturday.

They also brought to the floor the vote on the S/M & B/D club's charter, which passed with only one abstention.

The Communication Committee discussed plans for dorm raps in Keep Co-op and German House held last week.

Other business included air quality and OhioPIRG. The final count of valid signatures on the OhioPIRG reaffirmation petition was reported as 1909, two more than were necessary to affirm student support for a fee increase. Senators approved OhioPIRG's petition over e-mail last week.

Senator sophomore Bill Stevens also reported that the air quality of some campus buildings had recently been tested, and that air purification systems were being planned for some.