WCSA selects Rowan Hannan as chairperson to its Committee on Racial and Cultural Diversity

By Transcript Staff

At the Sept. 5 meeting, Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) announced Rowan Hannan the chairperson to its Committee on Racial and Cultural Diversity.

According to an email sent to all students by WCSA sent on Aug. 30, this 8-member committee will work to identify and address issues faced by underrepresented students on campus.

Hannan said, “I haven’t been on WCSA before. I have led clubs (PRIDE, BOMI club) and am on my third year at SAGE, but I wanted to make change at a different level. I think WCSA really has the power to shape this university and provide a louder voice, especially for underrepresented platforms.”

“I’d like to push WCSA toward a more diverse senate, and encourage other committees to consider different backgrounds when planning their projects,” they added.

In the committee’s first report to the senate, Hannan announced that the committee would be working on sensitivity training for WCSA members, creating a buddy system for international students and providing incentives for making dean’s list, among other things.

Bob Wood, director of Public Safety, announced the starting date for Colum-Bus – an initiative by WCSA and Public Safety to provide cheap transportation to Columbus on a bi-weekly basis. The first bus ride is scheduled to depart from Roy Rike parking lot on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The round trip will cost students $5 and will make multiple trips to Columbus University Gateway. The tickets can be purchased online through Columbus Coach’s website.

Wood also announced flashing lights were established at Rowland Avenue, earlier this month, and encouraged students to use them. In his report, he also mentioned changes in campus parking; particularly changing Selby parking lots from C parking to B parking.

Senators junior Ryan Bishop and sophomore Caroline Hamlin addressed the full senate on developments being made by the Sustainability Task Force.

Bishop said one of the task force’s main goal is to get the university to hire a new Sustainability Coordinator by 2018. He said the plan is to have the student activity fee will sponsor a part of the costs for the new position.

The Sustainability Task Force meets Wednesdays at noon on the second floor of Merrick Hall. Hamlin invited senators to come to the meetings, and said it is an open meeting.