Associated Students of Monmouth College Update

By Julie Trac
News Editor

The Associated Students of Monmouth College’s (ASMC) last meeting of the year was called to order at 6:38 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2 in the Highlander Room of the Stockdale Center.

The start of the meeting was delayed due to missing senators. The meeting was unofficial because the quorum of 29 senators was not met. Neither attendance was taken nor the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes because of the unofficial status of the meeting. The previous meeting’s minutes should be approved at the first meeting of the 2006-2007 academic year.

President Brandie Miller thanked the senators for their “faithful attendance” and said that “it’s been a really good year.”

Vice President Richard Harrod is preparing for the faculty meeting with the Board of Trustees. If anyone has ideas or has something he or she would like Harrod to relay to the board, contact Harrod either by e-mail, rharrod@monm.edu, or telephone, ext. 3724 .

Treasurer Adam Riegle stated that approximately $12,500 of the $13,000 budget was allocated to student organizations this year; however, only $8,000 have been spent. Please submit receipts to Riegle as soon as possible.

Parliamentarian Emily Zvolanek thanked the senators for following the rules this year.

Mollie Williams, student affairs representative, spoke about the possibility of a new system of swipe cards to enter buildings which is being considered. It is a costly, five to six year process, and the College will implement it “little by little,” meaning it will start at one residence hall and then Scot’s Market and then other locations across the campus.

There is a theater planned for the new residence hall instead of a computer lab.

Williams spoke about President Ditzler’s letter to the student body concerning the break down of the computer software during the registration process. She said that it was a nice gesture for Ditzler to recognize the problems many students encountered during the process.

Zvolanek talked about the academic affairs faculty committee. The committee is looking at altering the procedure for students who fail to meet the 2.0/4.0 GPA required to continue their education at Monmouth College.

The committee is attempting to make this a “more beneficial and streamlined process” for the College. The committee wishes to clarify the process for students who are appealing their dismissal by specifying what information is needed, such as recommendations from professors. More importantly, the committee wants to “connect the gaps which have appeared over the years.”

The food service committee met and discussed several items for the rest of the semester and some new changes which may occur next year.

Bruce Cvancara, director of dining services, said the morning meal service in Scotland Yard is “moving slow since it is not a meal exchange.” The service will continue until the end of the semester.

Midnight breakfast will be on Sunday, May 7, starting at 10 p.m. It is the busiest main dining room event of the year as the staff serves over 800 students during the breakfast.

The food centers on campus will begin closing next Wednesday as more students leave campus for summer break.

The air conditioning was turned on in the main dining room on Tuesday, May 2.

Organic tea is provided in three different flavors in the Hewes Library coffee shop.

Cvancara is looking to provide freshly brewed iced tea next semester instead of the box iced tea which is provided now.

Student affairs met briefly to discuss problems with the third floor McMichael washroom.

There was no old business.

In new business, Miller formally announced the new ASMC president and vice president for the 2006-2007 academic year by passing the gavel to new ASMC president elect Harrod. Harrod’s running partner is freshman Paige Halpin.

There were several announcements. Miller spoke about the notices sent to the student body concerning leaving campus. She urges all students to follow the rules listed to avoid being fined.

The one act plays will be performed on Thursday and Friday, May 4-5 at 7:30 p.m. in Wells Theater. Tickets are $2 and may be purchased at the door.

Anyone interested in applying for the 2006-2007 ASMC executive board must turn in his or her application by Sunday, May 7 to Harrod.

Miller closed by wishing everyone good luck on finals.