Action Minutes for September 28th,
2011
I.
Roll Call
II. Approval of Minutes
III. Approval of Agenda
IV.
Guest Speaker
·
President
Helman-As many of you have heard during noon tomorrow we had 200 faculty and
staff come into Western’s future into a potential name change. There has been
no predetermined decision, but we want to know whether or not to put University
into our name. CMC has just been authorized to allow 4-year degrees. Most
community colleges have removed the ‘community’ in their name. There is an
increasing confusion between ‘college’ and ‘university’, and perhaps some brand
confusion. College does not translate internationally. We think there’s some
brand confusion about who we are and what we do. We have proposed to the board
of trustees to change the name, they gave a thumbs up. So we have begun a
discussion about this decision to talk to the board of trustees in October.
This is a whole lot more than a name change, what we used to be and how we fell
by Tom Freedman, What is the world we live in? What should we do to thrive in
this world? We should take a look back and build a spaceship (metaphorically). While we hold off threats we need to
think about how to keep this enterprise going, and keep Western State College
of Colorado alive. 100-year anniversary, self-study for accreditation. Once
Gunnison Normal School when it was a teacher’s college. The world is rapidly
changing and Western State College of Colorado must adapt with these changes.
·
Gary
Pierson-A handout to help organize the thoughts of a name change. Please
educate yourself about this, and educate your constituents. Encourage speaking
with faculty and staff, important to have a campus-wide discussion. Would we be
open to hosting a forum for students? SWOT Analysis (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities
& Threats) and feedback from staff. Open to other ways to facilitate. Can
speak to Janice Osborn, took around an hour to discuss and have a forum.
o
Hosting
forums may be the most effective ways to get students involved, especially in
the evening.
o
We
could take a discussion period, and turn it into a forum, many questions among
students on campus. SWOT may not be best for students because they may not have
the best knowledge to help this exercise.
o
Will
we be sending this out to all students?
§ We haven’t thought about it. We can
consider it.
o
This,
in my opinion, is great.
o
I
try to be cautious sending out emails to students, would students like this?
§ If it is coming from both Gary, and SGA
it will probably be received well.
o
We
have the same questions coming up all the time, and the same questions keep
coming up. If we do these forums, we need somebody there that knows it better
than us.
o
If
we send this out in an email it should be condensed.
o
If
we have many sources, then students will know where to get information.
o
If
I got an email like that, I would never read it.
§ Maybe an attachment
o
I
want to read it to participate in the name change, but need a cliff-notes
version.
o
End
of semester, survey to get anonymous feedback.
o
This
is your opportunity for you input, what’s going to be the most effective way to
educate them and understand it to get good feedback.
o
Write
a Top O’ World article, and email for contact
o
SO
important to educate students of these issues, so they can explain issues.
o
Some
students have been pretty fired up about not changing it. There are probably many
students who would read the whole article to understand the issues.
o
No
student fee money would be used for a name change, all out of the general fund
o
What
If all senators have 30 copies to give out to heir constituents, and attach a
sheet for comments, and have a turn-in in the SGA office.
o
What
if we could do a poll via email or FB, or in CC table, preliminary yes or no,
give out info or places for info. What would the poll be before information was
distributed, then after.
o
Social
media could be huge for this discussion, to get a better more accurate response
than a forum
o
We
consistently have many students coming out for forums, but one forum will not
work, more often the better. Noon forums were more attended than later night
forums. We have had good input from forums in the past.
o
It
is a fact it is easier for folks to summarize an email, touching on points
would be key, this should be approached like the field house where we have
poles and sheets out for comments, and forums, then see where we are. Whether
or not people will attend, we can target students that are interested to see
what they are saying, and hopefully the issue will gain momentum.
o
Sometimes
facts are overshadowed by rumors, we can step-back and make a campaign, put out
as much information in all outlets.
o
Jay:
The college whether its staff or students, we do not make a decision like this,
ultimately the state legislature makes the decision. The leadership will
translate it to the board. This is not an internal decision, or a vote. It may
be unwise to make a straw poll until they are educated on. The cost that we
brought up, we know there will be a cost, Brad Baca are trying to estimate the
cost, and this is a general fund issue. Understand the process. We do not want
a vote. Do people generally think this is a good idea or a bad idea, to discuss
with board to get their opinion on the matter? One myth I would like to dispel,
this is no silver bullet issue to admissions or enrollment. Think of future of
college, the issue is much larger, we need to plan. My goal is that 100 years
from now another president can say the same things we say at this anniversary.
We are trying to look at the bigger picture for the future.
o
We
are about month out.
o
Who
would choose the name?
§ It would ultimately be the board, take
some choices, and the board would recommend
§ Western has to be in there, Colorado
has to be in there, then, are we a University or a College.
o
Students
want information, and want to know what’s going on.
o
What
would the requirements be going from college to university
§ No operating definition between
University or college
§ Many colleges are changing to
university, small liberal arts colleges still hold the name ‘college’, and are
becoming extinct, we are one of the only few public liberal arts college.
§ Rumors of Adams change status to
University. Fort Lewis is thinking about it. Metro is trying to run campaigns.
§ We need to get our board briefed on Oct
28th. If we do this it needs to be at this next meeting, with a
strong sponsor. The board needs to make a decision this fall.
§ We have four weeks to see what students
think about this issue, to take back to the board. Perhaps more questions will
follow October meeting,
§ There are a lot of great ideas, but no
one is right. We should bombard social media, and all media outlets to speak to
as many students as possible and educate them.
o
Do
you think forums are the most efficient way to distribute information?
§ Yes, forums were great for debunking
all rumors, and an expert could explain the issue in detail.
§ People got their questions answered.
§ If you want to do it over the next four
weeks you need to start next week. Some people come to more than one meeting.
It took a while to get the word to everyone. Dates and times set up for forums
ahead of time.
§ When is next legislature session
·
Begins
in January
·
Limited
number of bills, so you have line it up early
·
Who
was your prospective sponsor
·
Board
meetings are open to all students, meet in the CC
§ Social media and forums are great ways
to communicate with peers. We can have expertise at these forums.
§ We will let you know, discuss it
tonight. Clap, clap, clap!
·
Larry
Meredith & Bruce Bartleson-Library Referendum- Director of library district
of Gunnison county, both former Westerner’s. Public relations director for a
long time. I was in charge of the first 100 year celebration of college. Remind
you all about the new public library in Gunnison and children’s library in CB
and Mt. CB, and CB south. Only 15K people in the county, but over 30K visits
over all of last year, 160K pieces of material. 2 ballot questions coming up:
1b-a bond issue to provide funds for facilities 2a-is a bill to get funds to
operate library. Understand, most of you use the school library, but a good
public library helps improve quality of life within a community, center for
technology, gathering places, and meeting rooms. Most of college facilities are
for students rather than community. The library will be a community tool. We
will raise property taxes to fund library, for a 500K home taxes would be
$66/yr. Speak with fellow students. Please vote for us. You have until Monday
to register to vote, do it online (democracy-so vote)! You can register without
a driver’s license. We would appreciate your support, and a boom for the
community. 18,000 sq. ft. library.
o
Where
will it be located?
§ North of public schools on 11th
street
o
Property
was given to the county as long as a donation.
o
When
would it be built?
§ If it passes, we would start in April
of next year, and hope to be finished within a year.
V. Action Items
VI. Discussion Items
·
Wildlife
Society Bill- (Presented by Erika) Presented bill and appropriate information. Where
is the conference being held?
o
Hawaii,
6 nights
o
Any
questions can be discussed next week.
·
Color
Printer-Perhaps it would be a benefit to purchase a color printer. As SGA we
don’t have access to a color printer on campus, unless we go through PC. IT
suggested for us to buy a printer, the initial printer cost is $1,000, but that
would be the highest quality. Allows us to print on bigger paper. It would
benefit SGA, Intramurals CCE club sports, would all have access to the printer.
We would have to pay for paper and ink. The big printer in the LEED office is
moving to Taylor. How many students look at posters? How effective are posters?
What about social media/electronic flyers.
o
Color
printers in Taylor are often requested and note the color posters. When they
did Taylor they did not map for a copy center. For homecoming we printed a lot
of posters.
o
Perhaps
PC is the best solution.
o
PC’s
printer costs $1250, and a toner is $500. PC is more than happy to print, but
you have to pay.
o
IT
suggests that maybe we co-sponsor with PC and look into cheaper toners. That
way we would all have access. Anyone who gets SGA funding could use printer.
o
Stay
focused on green ways of doing things, on flat’s screens. Either paperless
recycling or co-sponsorship.
·
Discussion
of better ways to communicate paperless advertisement
·
Cory
Vanderveen-City of Gunnison Parks & Recreation-With aquatics department looking
for some things. We put on 2 college nights, to get students to come to pool,
rope swing, diving board, and slides. During these nights, students can come
and play and use facilities. Staff stays there as safety, rules are pretty
relaxed to provide a fun aspect. We would like some help, getting more students
into community center. We have different ways to solicate information to
students’. First night 8pm-10pm, about 80 people came on college night. They
wanted to do it every Wednesday, but we cannot. Try to make it as affordable as
possible. Do students want more music? Help advertise, advertise, make it our
own. Not try to make money, but just try to get college students in and have
fun. Handing out fliers, 10-15. Charge $1 at front. About $50 to run a 2-hour
event, would like to break even. What do constituents want more of?
o
How
often are you looking to do it?
§ We were thinking every-other Wednesday.
Drug and Alcohol free event, to keep event and safe.
o
One
concern is that we have our own pool.
§ The community needs to coincide with
the college, and give students other things to do on Wednesday’s nights. The
Community center has many amenities, and the size to host a large fun event.
§ Resident Life will post fliers, send
emails for next events. Speak with RA’s, for events.
o
Do
you need to bring your ID?
§ No, we know you all!
o
Could
you give us your email address
§ Yes
o
You
could partner with WRAP. So, it’s free and students wouldn’t mind paying next
time.
o
Let
the thoughts roll…Leave fliers, smaller one’s are more effective.
o
Another
event is a dodge-ball tournament. Working with intramurals for water polo,
water basketball, and water polo. College students, organizations, and clubs in
dodge-ball tournament to help fund college night, test to see if it is viable
for next year. Several free memberships for winning teams and free giftcards
from Mochas’s. October 22nd, sign up at rec-center, email or call
number on flier. Open to whole community, trying to get police officer team.
VII.
Advisor Report
·
Extra
fliers for changing of the name. Looking for students to volunteer for a sexual
assault hotline, and a clinic. Be there to give them resources, male or
females, if you are interested email Shelley. Academic progress reports should
be finalized, for first year students and students on academic probation.
Mandatory first-year meeting. RTA is free again, and have a larger schedule,
starting November 23rd. LEAD office is doing a 6wk workshop on ‘Money
Matters’ to help educate students, Oct 11th 7pm. First meeting on
budgeting, credit score, and identity theft.
VIII.
Senator Reports
·
Erika:
Booty Bash tomorrow instead of homecoming dance.
·
Alan:
CB film festival this weekend
·
Alumni/Lacross
and Rugby game this weekend
·
D’Andre:
Went to Escalante to meet with freshman, got quite a few students there, handed
out fliers. The email never got sent about meeting with Mears and Ute.
·
Nicole:
Resume workshop October 4th 8-9pm
·
Adam:
Mt. Bike race this weekend host looking for volunteers along course, email
Janna if interested. Saturday at 1pm.
·
Walker:
10 per movie for film festival or $50 for six movies
IX. Committee Reports
·
Homecoming
Updates
·
Bonfire:
good, 9pm Friday night.
·
Parade:
Everyone who can be there the day of float, should be there 9:30, unless you
are on the parade committee, then 9am. So far we have 20-25 floats. DARE
Athletics, Sac, PC, Dr. Vandenbusche is the parade marshall. President Helman
will be there.
·
Bowl
Decorating-Setting up at 7:30am saturday for tailgate and game. Tailgate 10-1.
·
Lighting
of “W”-Meet for 5 minutes after to talk tomorrow, set.
·
PR-Running
PSA’s for homecoming
·
Float-built
just need to paint and put up banner
·
Alumni-
5-7 people that can go to alumni dinner at 7pm, greeting and talking, name tags,
personable.
·
Royalty-
Nominations are in Dr. Vandenbusche Gary Pierson and Coach Banes, Maria
strubble, suzy coykendell, Melissa Bravo. Powderpuff going well, four coaches,
two are taking it pretty seriously. 26 girls have signed up, 15 have confirmed,
more ladies can sign up. Officially changed to 4:30pm on Friday. There will be
male cheerleaders. Flag football.
X. Advisory Reports
·
Sarah:
Friday rededication of Taylor, Vandenbusche will be there.
·
Haleigh:
thank you for Homecoming, it is a crazy time of year. It is turning out well.
·
Travis:
Softball championships tonight. Kickball starts next week, 10 teams signed up.
Ultimate, 2 teams, one more than last year.
·
Grace:
Please come help set up the decorations. Taking stuff down at 1pm, which would
be a great help. Please send total costs from homecoming to Grace.
·
Meg:
An improv group started at Western. Awkward fiction, SNL type feel sketches
they are writing in theatre, and college humor on film, and improv games. Family
oriented, not a club yet. Maybe one performance this semester, and maybe more
in the future.
·
Blake:
XC is splitting up to go to Oklahoma Jamboree and RM shootout. Football game
1pm Volleyball game at 7pm playing Adams, wear red! Tentative car bash this
Friday at tailgate
·
Hayden:
Rugby 11am against alumni, Women’s rugby 1pm Saturday playing Mines, down hill
biking after on new course around 4pm.
·
Elijah:
Taylor Auditorium 7pm concert on Saturday
XI. Special Topics
XII. Remarks for the Good of the Order
·
Nick:
Ute is being used as a resident hall, students want to see sidewalks, instead
of dead grass path, do other students feel similar? Other campuses put
sidewalks for pedestrians and bikers.
·
Aurora:
For float we were given a truck from Avis, please sign the Thank You Card.
·
Chase:
XIII.
Late Roll Call
XIV.
Adjournment
