Student Assembly Minutes
April 13, 2009
A. Call to Order: 9:03 p.m.
B. Social Honor Code Discussion
Many schools make a statement about expected behavior with the understanding that everyone has the freedom of speech
The philosophy of writing down a Social Code may cause for a subconscious polarization on campus and therefore may make the current situation divisive
Social Honor Code with punishments may create a divisive situation and also would be somewhat contradictory
The Constitution is about public rights, but since we go to a private college it is not unreasonable to set down guidelines for expected behavior
If there is a Judicial Board, then other things may be included (ie the streaking team) and hinder the Hamilton atmosphere that we like
Harassment could have an emotional impact on people and therefore should be taken seriously
Everything on this campus could offend someone in some way and therefore it will be tricky to figure out where the line is
Want to see what kinds of punishments other schools have and if we will form a series of principles or a hard judicial guideline
Even if there is just an elected board that will issue opinions on issues and form statements it would be helpful
Use the Social Honor Code to provide an avenue for people who feel offended
This current situation highlights issues that may have already existed before
It is important that whatever we do is student initiated and can be expressed to new incoming classes
Other schools have a publicly displayed honor code with signatures and this could have a strong symbolic effect on the community
People are going to make their own choices and the best form of action will be to educate and raise awareness
The idea that people will not follow the Social Honor Code is not enough reason to not have one
People can't be labeled in one group or another here and therefore labeling contradicts the culture at Hamilton
The people who sit on the possible "Social Honor Court" should be from different areas on campus, including both students and faculty
We don't need to propose an official Judicial Board, but if we make a statement then it could only help
Anyone who is interested in sitting on the ad hoc committee that will address the possible creation and structure of a Social Honor Code at Hamilton should contact sa@hamilton.edu
C. Funding
• Tumbling After receives $210.87
• Duelly Noted receives $600
• One Heart With Africa receives f$615 pending they are working under SFIPHA
• Spanish Club receives $485
• Weekly total: $1910.87
• Remaining for this semester: $1941.58
• Funding decisions pass
D. Committee Reports
• Technology
o Meeting with the Registrar this week
o Will be picking movies for next week
o Spots are filling up for the E-card (15 left)
o The Student Assembly website works again
o The SA suggestion box on MyHamilton will be ready soon
• Social Traditions
o Working to get exciting events for May 2nd
o If anyone has any ideas for these events please email soctrad@hamilton.edu
• Diversity and Accessibility
o Meeting this Friday in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m.
• Elections
o Class presidents elections will be on Tuesday the 21st
o Signature sheets for general elections are due in Mailbox 721 Friday, April 17th by noon
o There will be a briefing meeting at 5:00 p.m. on the 19th
o Email the 100-word platform to Edwin Gaston, egaston@hamilton.edu
E. Announcements
• Please nominate professors for the Sidney Wertimer Award. The survey will go out tonight
• Carl B Menges Prize Scholarship in College Governance for juniors and seniors requires that students submit an essay on College governance of around 5-7 pages by Friday April 17th. At least one $500 stipend will be given on Class and Charter day to the writer of the best essay.
• In memory of Katharine C. Eckman, Class of 2009, there will be a Bone Marrow Registry Drive this Thursday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the Annex. After completing a simple registration form, we will ask you to swab your cheek to provide a sample to help potential recipients determine compatibility. If, and only if, your bone marrow is the best possible match, then, almost 90% of the time, the donation is almost the same as giving blood - virtually painless. You can opt out of the donor pool at anytime, and only roughly 1 in 100 registered donors are ever asked to donate. For the 140,000 leukemia patients diagnosed each year in the US, bone marrow is often their only hope for survival. Please contact Tommy Kobayashi '09 at thomas.kobayashi@gmail.com or (303) 588-0499 with any questions.
F. Meeting Adjourned: 9:47 p.m.
