Senate Initiatives

The 2007-2008 Senate Initiatives are listed below, ordered by their primary Senate sponsors.

For older initiatives, check the old site.

Elspeth Hilton
ASPC President

Increase The Evening Hours At Honnold-Mudd.

Description: While many peer institutions are open until 2 am, 3 am or 24 hours, Honnold-Mudd, the main library of the 5Cs, only remains open until 1 am. Three years ago it was only open until midnight and a student initiative improved the hours to 1 am. Thus, we hope to increase the open hours by another hour or two.

Plans: To meet with library services to look at the numbers. By viewing library data and taking a 5C survey, I hope to find out which nights are most popular, how late students wish the library was open and if there are certain weeks (ie near midterms) that students would be more likely to take advantage of later hours.

Progress: Completed. Carried out survey and compiled data, found that there were many issues with the library beyond just hours. There was also a desire for earlier hours, not just later hours. Increased the hours to 3 am the week before final and to 24 hour during finals in the fall semester, also got food and drink policy loosened. Due to budgeting constraints, changes could not go into effect for the spring semester but hopefully will be improved next year. Currently working to ensure that hours are longer during spring finals as they were during fall finals, and that there are long term effects from this project.

Improve Student Health Services Via Hours Of Operation, Cost And Improved Service.

Description: Many students complain about health services and it is time to find out what the legitimate complaints are and find solutions. I plan on looking at hours, quality of service and costs, especially those of birth control and related expenses.

Plans: To continue to meet with the director of Health Services and the director of HEO to find solutions for these problems. Also plans to distribute a 5C survey to get numbers on who would use the health center if it was open on the weekend or late at night, how people get birth control if they can't afford it at SHS and other questions.

Progress: I have already met with the director of Health Services as well as the director of HEO along with the other 5C presidents. Have also discussed this matter at great length with trustees. The Student Affairs Committee of the Trustees has decided it to make it their project to improve the health center and are doing a large scale review. I am working with the trustees on this process, and we are in the process of making a survey to distribute, which will be used in the fall as part of the review. I also worked with Trustees and administration to find a more affordable way for students to use the health center. We are working with SHS to allow Planned Parenthood to come on campus and "set up shop" once a week, although this has proven difficult for financial and logistical reasons.

Create A Pilot Dorm For Green Initiatives On Campus.

Description: There are many types of energy saving tactics which can be applied in dorms. I hope to implement many of them in Walker and use it as a test to see which tactics work best. With these results, we will lobby to have them applied in all dorms on campus.

Plans: To work with Campus Climate Challenge and the Environmental Affairs Commissioner (Kyle Edgerton) to find out what happened with Walkers winnings from last year's CCC and apply them to energy saving devices in the dorm. I also hope to get funding from the administration to invest in other types of energy saving 'green' tactics for Walker.

Progress: I have discussed this with Kyle and others and briefly with members of the CCC. Much of this will be carried out with the new dorm that is being designed.

Senate Representatives: Elspeth Hilton and Kyle Edgerton

Look At Interdisciplinary Studies To See Which Should Be Changed To Department Status And Do So.

Description: There are many interdisciplinary studies which work best as they are, but some, such as Neuroscience and Environmental Analysis, are incredibly popular and due to their current status cannot get adequate funding, professors or other resources.

Plans: To work with Academic Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Zelig and faculty committees to make a statement on which interdisciplinary studies would benefit from and have the support to be moved to have Department status.

Progress: Jonathan has introduced this topic many times with faculty and it is an ongoing debate. Hopefully progress has been made but it is hard to tell, more will need to be done during the current semester and into next semester.

Senate Representatives: Elspeth Hilton and Jonathan Zelig

Examine Our Contract With Sodexho, Make Changes To Improve The Quality Of Life For The Dining Hall Workers And Consider Changing Our Dining Services Contract.

Description: There have been many discussions recently about the quality of life for the workers in the dining halls due to Sodexho hired managers. There is also question about Sodexho's policies as a corporation and their stock holdings, and if they are in line with our ideals as a college. There is also a need for Sodexho to serve more local and organic food.

Plans: To work with the food committee, workers support committee and administration to make a statement on the facts about Sodexho and the policies we disagree with, our options for change and a plan of action.

Progress: Worked with the Food Committee to increase the amount of local and organic food in the dining hall. They have also worked hard to meet our needs, but work still needs to be done on the larger issues. I think more progress will be made (hopefully) on this in the fall with the new Vice President and Treasurer, Karen Sisson.

Senate Representatives: Kyle Edgerton, Mollie Ruskin and Elspeth Hilton

Re-Examine The Funding System For Club Sports And Find A Solution That Better Fits The Needs Of Club Teams.

Description: Club sports are at the moment funded largely by student fees. With this system, club sports do not receive the funding they need to travel and buy equipment because it would be unfair to give such a large proportion of student fees to such a small group (Pomona members of club teams).

Plans: By working with members of club teams, the athletic department, alumni, trustees and administration, we hope to find a new or another venue of funding for club sports that is consistent year to year and provides the funds they need to safely run as a team (ie appropriate travel costs and equipment needs).

Progress: This has been brought to the trustees and they are seriously examining it. In addition to this, the college has begun a process to take over some costs that the ASPC has been covering in order to free up more student fees to clubs and organizations (including club sports). In addition, a ZipCar has been made available to club sports to be used for transportation.

Senate Representatives: Emi* Okamoto and Elspeth Hilton

Improve First Year Advising.

Description: First years are assigned academic advisors before they arrive at Pomona. While this is important for receiving help for registering for classes in their first week, by the time second semester comes around, many student finds that they have changed departments or have found a different professor in the department whom they would like to have as their advisor. Problems arise when first-years are afraid of offending an advisor so early in their college career or are afraid to approach the other professor about becoming their new advisor.

Plans: We hope to create a more fluid system where first years are asked mid-way to three quarters of the way through their first semester what action they would like to take, such as "keep my advisor" or "switch my advisor" as well as "switch my department". Professors would also have the chance to request a student to be their advisee. This system will hopefully increase satisfaction and quality of advising.

Progress: We held an "Advising Extravaganza" a few nights before freshman signed up for courses which included the majority of student liaisons and many freshman attended. This will hopefully be a reoccurring event, and Dean Feldblum is looking at ways to improve the process for the incoming class.

Senate Representatives: Jonathan Zelig and Elspeth Hilton

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Burke Wise
ASPC Vice President

Complete The Socially Responsible Investment Of The ASPC Reserve Funds.

Description: ASPC has a large amount of reserve funding that currently earns minimal interest in a banking account. Last year, a process was begun, and to a large degree carried out, that would invest the funds to increase the ASPC income, and thus spending on events on campus. This year the process is to be completed.

Plans: To deliver the funds to the selected investment manager and conduct an initial poll of the students on socially responsible investing to determine our standards.

Progress: An investment committee has been formed and will begin meeting soon to carry out the process.

Build Student Awareness Of The Possibilities Regarding Funding And Events With The Goal Of Increasing And Diversifying Activities On Campus.

Description: There are many resources on this campus that go unused because students do not know about them. Students who have an idea for an event should be encouraged to explore how to make their idea a reality. The Vice President can be a key partner in helping students learn what services and funding sources are available.

Plans: This is a year-long goal that will be a series of efforts with individual students and groups. I hope, though, that I can make my intentions more known with articles and editorials submitted to TSL.

Progress: I have already met with students who have demonstrated even a casual interest in event organizing and plan to begin work on TSL articles in the near future.

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Susan Sparrow
Senior Class President

Fill 3 Committees for Senior Activities.

Description: Find co-chairs and members for Senior Class Gift Committee, Senior Class Service Day, and Senior Class Social Events.

Plans: Seek out leaders and members of the class excited about getting involved in the Senior Class.

Progress: Almost all filled.

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Julie Tate
Junior Class President

Put Together A Class Of '09 Speaker Committee.

Description: Every year students complain about the speakers at their graduations. I will put together a committee of Juniors who will compile a list of realistic speakers, which will then be presented to the board of Trustees.

Plans: I plan on submitting this list at the Honorary Degree Committee meeting either in October or at the meeting in April.

Progress: None yet.

Put Study Abroad Students' Addresses On The Internet.

Description: A lot of students want to communicate with their friends abroad, but have no way of doing it but facebook. I want to put their international addresses on a student accessible web site, allowing other Pomona students to send them letters or packages.

Plans: I would like to gather the required information from the office of Study Abroad, and take it to the webmaster who can possible put it on the school or ASPC website.

Progress: None yet.

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Jonathan Zelig
Acadamic Affairs Commissioner

Begin a Discussion About a Grading Philosophy at Pomona

Description: Currently, Pomona does not have a philosophy or policy regarding grades. Professors are never given instructions or suggestions on what grades mean at the College. There has also been dramatic grade inflation in the last several years.

Plans: To start a discussion among the faculty and/or the administration about implementing a school-wide philosophy or policy on grading.

Progress: I have added this to the agenda of the faculty's Curriculum Committee. I have also discussed grading with numerous faculty members at Pomona. I hope to have a discussion with the full Curriculum Committee shortly.

Address Faculty Departures and Retirements In Departments

Description: Some departments have faced multiple faculty departures and retirements in the same year, forcing students and especially majors to deal with tremendous flux in class scheduling, advising, and thesis reading.

Plans: To lobby the faculty and administration for each department to create longer-term faculty plans, that include expected retirements and account for the potential for faculty to leave for new positions.

Progress: I have had discussions with several members of the administration. The Faculty Position Advisory Committee has now had several conversations on this topic, and Dean Kates seems sympathetic to the idea of taking a longer-term perspective on hiring. The Committee will be discussing this idea throughout the spring semester.

Improve the Advising System

Description: Our advising system has a number of issues, but special attention must be paid to first-year advising. First-years should get more information about majors and requirements. They should also have more say in choosing an advisor.

Plans: Work with interested administrators, especially Dean Feldblum, on revising the system.

Progress: We held a first-year advising fair last semester, where students could advise first-years on course selection.

Address Student Concerns over Faculty Tenure

Description: Many students are just now becoming aware of how Pomona College has slowly shifted its tenure emphasis toward research. Pomona conceives of itself now as an "undergraduate research college."

Plans: I want to make more public the changes, so that the student body can be more aware, and can ask questions of, and share concerns with, the proper administrators. Also, I want to speak with administrators on how this change came about, and also to air my concerns that this change might undermine our emphasis on faculty teaching.

Progress: Not much progress on this yet. I have only begun to have discussions with a few faculty members, in order that I might gain a few additional perspectives on this perceived change.

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Andrés Gallegos
Off-Campus Representative

Involve Incoming First-Years In Off-Campus Activities And Invest Them In The Well-Being Of Surrounding Communities (With An Emphasis On Volunteering).

Description: The greatest level of community engagement a Pomona student can have involves not only exploration but active, helpful and creative participation that values reciprocity. An emphasis on volunteering allows students to maintain community relations in a productive way!

Plans: Maintain the FEISTY (Freshmen Engaged in Service Together, Yeah!) program created last year in which sponsor groups choose a local organization to volunteer at for one day and then share their experiences with other first-years.

Progress: Completed FEISTY program, but not hyped well enough. Working on incorporating it into orientation (contacting OCOM folk & Maria Tucker).

Utilize Existing Alumni Connections And Develop New Relationships With Former Claremont Students In Order To Prepare (Graduating) Pomona Students For That "Real" World.

Description: Many of us are in a frantic race to secure our futures post-Pomona. The Claremont Colleges have created fantastic people that current students should and will use in order to learn us about the possibilities and intricacies of being both successful and happy.

Plans: Hold career- or identity-specific forums of Claremont alumni to inform current students of organizations, career paths and other existing opportunities.

Progress: Still speaking with Alumni and the Volunteer Center to work on forums & dates.

Get The Senior Class To Give Back One Last Time...

Description: The senior class is on its way out, making important transitions in terms of our values, our capacities, and our paths. Before finishing up, seniors should make one last effort to give back to the community which has had such an integral part in our development.

Plans: Continue the tradition of Senior Service Day, finding spaces and organizations with which seniors can volunteer throughout the year.

Progress: I'm hoping to incorporate this one with the last initiative.

Bring The Surrounding Communities To Us, Allowing Pomona College To Realize Its Full Potential As A Community Resource.

Description: Pomona students are an important resource that the cities around us truly appreciate and often need. In different ways, we can open our campus to different parts of Claremont, Pomona, and Los Angeles and share all that we have.

Plans: Continue activities such as Art Day, in which elementary & high school students can come to campus and interact with art professors & students using spaces such as Walker Wall, photography studios and the museum.

Progress: Successfully completed Art Day, which was amazing. Speaking with Campus-Town Committee to see if they have it in them to pull off another one.

An awareness campaign about the environmental social justice issues in the Inland Valley area.

Description: As part of the College's work to instill environment- and community-friendly values in its students, the Campus-Town committee hopes to work with local groups and host a series of field trips to environmental justice sites in the immediate area.

Progress: Contacting groups from last year: EEACJ and an LA River group.

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Kelly Schwartz
Communications Commissioner

Create An Improved Version Of The Digester.

Description: There have been complaints about the structure of the digester.

Plans: With suggestions from frequent users and the current webmaster, the new digester would allow users to control the frequency of delivery and simplify the process for users to submit postings.

Progress: There will be a meeting between Neil Gerard, Susan Deitz, Nathan Reed, and myself to discuss what to consider in changing the digester. Next, there will be a forum for frequent users to give suggestions and/or express concerns.

A More Respectable And Diverse TSL.

Description: There have been complaints about the quality of writing for the TSL. The types of stories that tend to be covered do not accurately portray the views of all students on campus. Also, the TSL should be a better resource for issues or concerns on campus.

Plans: Keep an open communication with the staff. Encourage a higher standard of writing and publication of more politically diverse articles.

Progress: I have met with this year's editor-in-chief. I have expressed concerns on behalf of the Associated Students of Pomona College. The writers on the staff this year have been given a bigger role in the paper this year to encourage better writing. I have committed to relaying information to the TSL from ASPC that is important to the entire student body.

Better Use Of The SCC Living Room Message Boards.

Description: The message boards should be used by organizations to creatively advertise their upcoming events.

Plans: Organizations will receive information regarding how to submit their own advertisements for the message boards.

Progress: I have found out the proper procedure for organizations to submit their own advertising. I have advertised it in the Digester.

Improve Wireless Internet Access Throughout Campus.

Description: There should be wireless access in nearly every part of campus, especially lounges.

Plans: Some locations that are being considered: Wig Residence Hall, Gibson Residence Hall, Oldenborg Language Lounges, Smiley Residence Hall, Lyon Residence Hall, and study-lounges in Mudd-Blaisdell Residence Hall.

Progress: I have been in contact with the director of this project over at ITS. He will be updating me on developments.

To Invite Speakers To Campus That Will Spark Political Discourse.

Description: It is important to have a variety of views expressed on campus. Programming speakers that spark debate will enrich Pomona's environment. By increasing the diversity of political discourse on campus we can revitalize discussion on campus, which of late has become a bit stale.

Plans: The Speakers Committee will develop a theme and start programming interesting speakers to come address controversial issues. The committee will work hard to bring more speakers from different backgrounds and of different opinions to talk in a panel rather than in a lecture format.

Progress: The Speakers Committee has not yet had its first meeting. However, I have already contacted a number of Pomona alumni from a variety of fields that are interested in coming to speak.

Senate Representatives: Kelly Schwartz and Elspeth Hilton

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Kyle Edgerton
Environmental Affairs Commissioner

Institutionalize CFL Lending Program.

Description: The compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) lending program begun in 2006 was popular and successful, so far providing over 1,000 CFLs to Pomona students to borrow for free until they graduate. Each CFL uses one-fifth the energy of an equivalent incandescent bulb, saving energy and money.

Plans: This program is currently in the hands of seniors who established it. Information and responsibility must be passed on to younger students to ensure the longevity of the program. Information on finding subsidies for the bulbs and ordering them will be passed on, as will loaner spreadsheet data and access to storage area.

Progress: The Environmental Quality Committee, recently assembled, will soon assign oversight of the program.

Institutionalize Annual Organic Dinner.

Description: For the last two years the EQC has sponsored a dinner held at Frank Dining Hall composed entirely of organic and mostly local food. Students have been happy to use a meal plus $5 in Flex to come to the event that includes live music and prizes.

Plans: Pass on the responsibility for the event and information about past iterations of it to a capable and dedicated student to ensure its continuation.

Progress:

  • Under the leadership of Lizzie LaCroix, the Annual Organic Dinner is probably going to take the form of a small speaker series with an organic buffet option, making organic eating more of a regular educational experience rather than a quirky one-time event.
  • Those interested in bringing speakers or planning the menu should contact Lizzie or the EAC.

Reduce—Create An Ethic Of Resource Use Reduction.

Description: Efforts were made this year to reach first year students to give them basic information and tips on how they can reduce their resource-use impact both on campus and elsewhere. These efforts should be honed and expanded through a variety of media. One part in this is finishing an informational video: "Kyle Edgerton: Environmental Linebacker."

Plans: Work with the Office of Campus Life to place information sheets in housing packets emphasizing basic tips, the CFL program, and other resources. Change information on the College website about "Things to Bring to College" to inform students of the coming Thrift Store. Finish and release the KEEL video.

Progress:

  • Students in the Campus Climate Challenge group are working-with some assistance from the EAC-on campaigns to promote more conscious use of resources, providing drying racks for use instead of electric dryers and working with Dining Services on an experiment to measure the amount of food that is wasted because of tray use.
  • Senior Field Garthwaite is working on a series of public service announcements to promote sustainable behaviors both on campus and in the larger world.
  • The video "Kyle Edgerton: Environmental Linebacker" has been mercifully sidelined.

Reuse—Institutionalize On-Campus Composting.

Description: For about a year or so, students involved with the Organic Farm have been taking leftover vegetable cuttings from Frank Dining Hall to the Farm for composting. EQC wants to aid and institutionalize this process (insofar as the Farm community wants that to occur) by communicating with the dining halls, the Coop Fountain, and the Sagehen Café and by looking into securing paid work-study positions for the students doing this work to give them additional incentives.

Plans: Have a conversation with the relevant Farm community members, including Farm Manager Juan Araya, to discern their needs. Make the necessary contacts and requests outlined above pursuant to the Farm members' needs.

Progress: Under the EAC's leadership, the College began a process of creating a Sustainability Action Plan to make sustainability a part of the College's near- and long-term plans. About 100 students and faculty joined together on a recent Thursday night for the "Green Caucuses," and future events and opportunities for input are forthcoming.

Reuse—Establish a Pomona College Thrift Store.

Description: Last spring's Operation Clean Sweep was by and large a success, with students paid to stay a week after Commencement to help Housekeeping collect, organize, and distribute the mass of items left over after students left for the summer. Efforts to collect items throughout the year and also store them through the summer will reduce the College's contribution to the waste stream by preventing the needless purchase of new items like furniture and refrigerators by incoming first-years. Also, proceeds can be given to charities. Steps must be taken to overcome last year's main problem—staff were prohibited from taking leftover items for their own use. This restriction is ludicrous and bespeaks insidious unequal treatment.

Plans: Secure space for such a store, find interested students to either work or volunteer in it, and publicize the store to get an influx of unwanted items throughout the year.

Progress:

  • A large group of students have expressed interest in helping with the store, and on 2/16 they cleaned and organized the items in the space.
  • A GRAND OPENING was held on 2/24, just in time for Smiley 80s!
  • Donations are welcome, and store hours will be established soon.

Recycle—Improve The College's Recycling Infrastructure.

Description: During the last several years the College's recycling infrastructure has been expanded through placement of outdoor recycling bins in important locations, posting placards explaining what can and cannot be recycled, and by combating destructive myths that say recycling is not, in fact, recycled. Efforts to expand the College's recycling options to include batteries, Styrofoam, and CDs/DVDs must be made to ensure that the College sends as little as possible to landfills.

Plans: Work with Neil Gerard and the Smith Campus Center along with outside recycling services to establish a central, comprehensive recycling center. Continue to improve user-level recycling. Possibly establish separate containers to collect cans and bottles that can be collected and returned for the CRV to fund other recycling efforts. Look into pressuring the City of Claremont to expand its facilities to guarantee its recycling of Plastics #3-#7 rather than relying on market prices.

Progress:

  • Recycling Center is now installed in the mailroom!
  • Students, staff, and faculty can recycle used batteries, ink cartridges, small consumer electronics like cell phones, and CDs and DVDs as well as packing materials (like Styrofoam peanuts and bubble mailers) and cardboard.
  • Next step: Advertise the Center and establish relationships with recyclers for various materials.
  • Next step: Promote the Center as a "Sustainability Corner," giving a physical space to various attempts to "green" Pomona.
  • Students who want to get involved in managing the center should contact EAC.

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Sneha Vakamudi
CCLA Commissioner

Coordinate Events Across The 5Cs.

Description: Last year campus events seemed to be an all-or-nothing occurrence. Multiple concerts, parties, and other events coincided on the same night. This lack of communication and organization across the 5Cs led to a more isolated campus atmosphere, with students not able to attend events at other campuses because of overwhelming amounts of social commitments at their own. In addition, the on and off schedule emphasized the effects of the Claremont bubble.

Progress: Weekly meetings have been initiated with the other 5C campus events directors. We are working towards coordinating events better (changing party schedules so that there is as little overlap as possible) and making sure that there is at least one large event for students to look forward to every weekend. We recently worked with CMC in particular to move parties around because of conflicts within CCLA; they were very cooperative and the year looks promising in terms of 5C compromises.

Increase The Visibility Of CCLA On Campus.

Description: CCLA has often been known as the committee that throws large annual parties such as Harwood Halloween and Smiley 80s. But, the committee does much more on campus. We are in charge of themed parties, and Table Manners, as well as non-alcoholic events such as Rose Hills screenings, live arts, and special events. We hope to increase the visibility of CCLA in all aspects of campus event life so that students know that this is a dynamic committee that holds a wide range of events suitable for every student at Pomona.

Plans: Tabling at SCC open house, presenting Budget Committee to club leaders, making use of CCLA banners and logo to brand, spreading CCLA info through class reps and word of mouth.

Progress: Tabling at SCC was a big success, as were CCLA logo banners during events. Currently working on effective ways to make use of class reps.

Increase Diversity Of Events To Make All Students Comfortable And Satisfied With The Campus Environment.

Description: CCLA took a slight step back last year, in that so many events were geared towards alcohol, and not the event itself. We feel that by paying more attention to themes in themed parties, the artists at live arts, and the DJs in Table Manners (to cite a few examples) we will draw the attention away from the alcohol and towards the event itself, making it a more comfortable environment for students who choose not to drink. We also are working on increasing our programming of special events and off-campus events so that CCLA is not simply visible on weekend nights.

Plans: More elaborate themes, varying Table Manners to include more event based ideas (DJ competitions, freestyle, drum nights, etc.), non-alcoholic live arts events.

Progress: The hip hop show at the beginning of the year was a huge success with over 100 students from across the 5Cs attending a non-alcoholic, performance driven event. Themed Parties is throwing a party aimed at raising money for breast cancer awareness. Special Events is starting a series of weekly events such as screenings of The Office. Off-Campus is preparing for their first large event (TBA).

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Mollie Ruskin
Community Affairs Commissioner

Organize And Hold A Community Action Summit For Activist And Support Organizations.

Description: An event where students working in activist and/or support campus organizations can come together to share ideas about the state of community work at Pomona. The goal of the Community Action Summit is to foster an improved activist environment of collaboration and coalition. In addition, it should be a space where students can learn about and connect to other student organizations, and build off of common challenges and ideas. Ideally, it is the sort of event that would happen, at the least, during the opening month of every semester, and at the most, once a month throughout the year.

Progress: The first Community Action Summit was held the first weekend of the semester. Over thirty students attended, representing 20+ activist and support organizations. The discussions was substantial and successful; very concrete goals for the year—both long and short term—were laid out, networks were established and productive issue-based brainstorming began. Specific ideas included an online venue for discussion and networking (which was subsequently created through Sakai), a weekly campus event dedicated to activist/support activities, and specific steps for broadening the scope of the collaborative process. Click here to view an overview of the first Community Action Summit.

Plans: A second Summit is to be held in the month of October; the date is yet to be determined. Institutionalize this as a necessary semester-opening event, to be coordinated by the ASPC Community Affairs Commissioner.

Create And Maintain An Online Network To Facilitate Student Organizing.

Description: Establish a digital space available to student organizations for the purpose of centralized and accessible networking and collaboration. This space should include an open calendar, to which anyone may add and view events, as well as a discussion forum, announcements center, resource-sharing options and live chat room. It should become a place intended for simplifying the process of communicating with and learning about student activist/support organizations, activities and events.

Progress: A CampusAction Network has been established on the Sakai system, and is currently available to all students and faculty across the 5Cs. For those interested in joining, log on to Sakai, click 'Membership' then 'Joinable Sites,' and the 'CampusAction Network' will be listed.

Plans: To maintain and oversee the use of the project site, and to institutionalize this responsibility as one of the roles of the ASPC Community Affairs Commissioner.

Create A Centralized Directory Of All Activist/Support Organizations.

Description: Compile contact information as well as mission statements/background information for all activist/support organizations on campus, as well as recommended faculty, staff and administrators. The goal is to provide student organizations with a central document that facilitates the process of inter-group cooperation, as well as community-wide engagement in student organizing.

Progress: A significant number of organizations have provided basic information, but there are many more listings that still remain to be included. Once compiled, the directory must then be printed and distributed in both digital and hardcopy version.

Mainstream The Conversation Between The Interests Of Underrepresented Students And The ASPC Senate.

Description: Create a system by which students who are institutionally and culturally marginalized (students of color, low-income students, LGBTQI students, international students, etc.) may connect with and articulate their interests to the student senate. The ultimate goal is two-fold: 1) to ensure that under-represented students have a visible and accessible avenue for bringing their concerns to the attention of the Student Senate and 2) to refocus the conversation on these issues such that these experiences do not remain in the periphery of the Student Senate's activities.

Progress: Currently brainstorming an effective and feasible approach to the substantial inclusion of underrepresented students in the ASPC dialogue. Any suggestions, recommendations or ideas on the matter would be warmly received; please contact Community Affairs Commissioner Mollie Ruskin to share your thoughts.

Plans: Once the conversation is underway, the plan is to most actively pursue the goals and issues brought to our attention by underrepresented students.

Expand The Role Of Student Membership On The President's Committee On Diversity.

Description: This is now the third academic year in which the President has charged a group of faculty, staff, administrators and students with the mission of reviewing the College's treatment of 'diversity.' This is an extremely valuable task, and yet one that has benefited only slightly from student input. I would like to allow for increased visibility among the student body with regards to the workings of the Diversity Committee, as well as increase the work of the two students who sit on the Committee.

Progress: The Diversity Committee has yet to begin its sessions for the 2007-08 school year.

Rejuvenate The Activities Of The Community Affairs Committee

Description: I would like to see the members of the Community Affairs Committee take a more active role in monitoring and engaging with our campus community. Instead of merely adding to the plethora of fascinating events held on campus, I hope to encourage this committee to delve into specific issues with force and urgency, and to inspire active and substantial action where seen fit.

Progress: The members of the Community Affairs Committee have been selected, and the Committee will be sessions in the first week of October.

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Emi* Okamoto
Sports Commissioner

Plan Pomona College "Chirp Week".

Description: This year the classic Homecoming week occurs over fall break, and while we do encourage attendance, we realize that many will be away. Thus the following week, October 24th-28th, we want to focus on the sports since all our sports teams have home games that weekend and get everyone chirped up!

Plans: We are hoping to plan a sports themed party on Friday October 26th, following the volleyball game against CalTech. We want to support our sports teams with everything from cowbells to tattoos and of course some game T-shirts.

Progress: We are currently looking for T-shirt designs featuring Sagehen pride. The design could be yours! Email Nathan Schier for more information. Keep your eyes out for updates and finalizations of the schedule.

Raise Awareness of and Participation in Intramural Sports.

Description: Intramural sports are a great opportunity for Pomona students to get together for some stress-free sports fun. Tons of sports—dodgeball, billiards, soccer, and many more—visit www.sagehenim.com for a omprehensive list. Want another sport? Just let us know!

Plans: Continue to work with the Intramural Sports director to advertise and raise participation.

Progress: All sponsors were emailed to encourage their sponsor groups to join, but in addition everyone should be asking around their friends, hall, and even math study group for people to join a team. Individuals always welcome, and ladies are a fabulous addition to any team (their points are worth more in many sports!). Keep your eye on the digester for upcoming deadlines.

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Joe Chang
South Campus Representative

Reusable Plate Program.

Description: Several students have brought up a legitimate concern that our current take out system, while well-intentioned, is still generating a large and unnecessary amount of waste. I hope to find a program that will be effective in our current conditions.

Plans: I will research successful programs and hopefully inquire ideas for a system unique to our campus. I also plan on working with Sodexho employees to ensure we meet the county health codes. There is considerable desire to establish a pilot program within this semester. A survey may be helpful in gauging student sentiment.

Progress: Senior Mike Blouin has been working with the food committee and we have ruled out several options. We are looking at the viability of covering the plate with a layer of wax paper, so that we can avoid health code concerns.

Quality of Snack Improvement.

Description: Snack is an integral part of the social life in Pomona College. As such, improving the quality of snack's food could attract much greater participation and improve quality of life at Pomona. We are very interested in rethinking the dining halls' selection of food for Snack.

Plans: I hope to propose an alternative to the current system. Dean Townes and I will meet tomorrow to write the survey. After sorting out student opinions, we will either work with Sodexho directly or make a proposal to administration to revise the current board policy about snack. While I do not want to jeopardize the free privilege of snack, if students feel that the quality of snack is important enough to them, I hope to convey this in future snack policy.

Progress: Sodexho representatives have expressed their concerns that Snack is not a meal specifically paid for by students. According to Dean Townes and the representative, Snack is a free service, a privilege, and most food comes from leftovers. Students have also expressed that they view snack as a fourth meal.

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