WCSA – Page 4 – The Transcript

WCSA vote on changes to budget guidelines passes

At the Sept. 14 Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) meeting, senators put new budget submission policies to vote.

The rules in effect for budget submission last semester directly affected clubs and other student organizations; most organizations depend on WCSA as their main source of funding. But some of the rules were outdated.

“Changes have not been made for two years,” said junior John Littlehale, WCSA’s treasurer. He went on to present the revised guidelines.

According to the budget committees’ documentation, one of the new rules is that the treasurer “shall request monthly statements of appropriate accounts from the advisor or Student Involvement Office liaison to the budget committee.”

Also added to the budget committee documentation is the provision that, “Any remaining WCSA funds in club accounts at the end of an academic year shall be taken out.”

Littlehale emphasized the point that WCSA does not double fund; but previous guidelines did not allow for unforeseen consequences that could hurt an organization’s financial planning.

For example, in the past, if a group submitted a budget proposal to WCSA that covered the cost of an equipment rental, and the renter had to increase their rates after the budget was approved, WCSA would not fund the difference.

Now, the budget guidelines include—under their policy not to double fund—the language: “With exception of circumstances in which the organization is not in control.”

The proposed guidelines, which were voted on and approved by the budget committee last week, were unanimously accepted by the full senate.

To see WCSA’s budgetary guidelines, click here.

It was also announced that Matthew Schultz, a sophomore, was selected to serve on the Academic Policy Committee, and that Carson Shaw, a sophomore, was selected for the Women and Gender Committee.

To speak to your representative, press enter

Even if you do not know where the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) meets every Monday, your voice can be heard with the click of a button. At the Sept. 7 full senate, a new comment feature made its debut.

Class of 2017 representative Jessica Choate, a junior, developed and presented the online system. Students can find the interface on the WCSA website. After selecting a specific committee to contact (or the general senate) and inputting their comment or suggestion, students’ ideas are sent directly to their student government leaders’ emails.

“The online comment cards mean that WCSA is accessible to students, now more than ever before,” said Choate. “And that’s really exciting.”

Sophomore Areena Arora, chair of the academic affairs committee, informed senators about an upcoming academic forum. The forum brings “students, faculty, and administrators together to discuss a topic of general interest,” said Arora. “Last year it was about general education requirements. This year, we want as much student input as possible.”

Senior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, mentioned that the new comment feature would be an efficient way to receive feedback about the forum’s subject of discussion.

Several senators who brought lunch from the Ham-Will Food Court announced that reusable containers, an ongoing project on WCSA’s books, had finally been implemented. Students can opt for the eco-friendly carry out boxes in lieu of the standard white paper cartons.

“When a student picks a reusable container, they are charged five dollars and can bring it back to reuse,” said Drongowski. “It’s an awesome step to reduce the amount of cardboard and paper students use.”

Once a student returns the reusable container, the initial charge is refunded.

Before the end of the meeting, Public Safety (PS) officer Bob Wood also addressed the full senate. He wanted to explain the recent switch to a digital application for parking permits. He said that “because the PS staff was reduced by half,” due to budget cuts, they are “trying to think of ways to move inefficient office tasks online.”

He also mentioned that due to a lack of use, PS is considering changing the “B” parking lots behind the fraternities to “C” lots.

“It’s all about making it more convenient for students,” Wood said.

Senate seeks fresh faces

Food and freshmen made their way onto the Wesleyan Council of Student Affairs’ (WCSA) full senate meeting agenda this Aug. 31.

Senior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, began discussing the changes to Ohio Wesleyan’s dining services after a brief greeting.

First on one senator’s mind was Trattoria, the late night dining service previously run out of Smith Dining Hall. Drongowski confirmed that it was not renewed for operation.

Dean of Students Kimberly Goldsberry explained the principle guiding that and many other dining-related decisions; “the president is asking us to each take a look at all the different times our food options are open and ask ‘are we using them effectively?’”

Responding to another senator, Drongowski also informed the assembly that the Library cafe has been removed as an evening food option.

One senator commented that the cafe was the only dining option for students working late in Beeghly Library.

“While we have heard that anecdote,” said Drongowski, “people in reality just don’t use it. It has the lowest numbers by far.”

Executive committee members are continuing talks with the administration in regards to the dining situation. Part of their long-term plan includes redirecting resources to improve the most frequently visited food stops and adding a hot meal option after 8 p.m.

With empty seats in the room, WCSA also voted to amend their election bylaws at the Monday meeting.

Typically, WCSA senators are elected by general election. “But the current process will take three or four weeks to fill the [vacant] positions,” said Drongowski.

In an attempt to fill these vacancies, Drongowski moved to waive the rules in favor of appointment by application. “We have an application made up which would be submitted to the executive board,” she said. “We will make approvals and then the full senate will vote on them.”

These applications will be aimed specifically at the class of 2019. Currently, no members of the freshman class are represented in the senate.

The motion was passed with only one senator abstaining. It is a one-time measure, meaning future appointments will follow the usual process.

Applications for the position will be distributed at the Sept. 2 club fair, through the OWU Daily, and over social media. They are due Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Last full senate ends with eyes to the future

Quoting Ohio Wesleyan alumnus Branch Rickey, sophomore Lee LeBoeuf began her secretary’s report to the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) by saying, “It is not the honor you take with you but the heritage you leave behind.”

Despite these words on legacy, the final full senate meeting of the semester focused on things to come.

Junior Jerry Lherisson, president of WCSA, did thank the senators and representatives for their dedication to the council and for “the hard work that resulted in change.” And junior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, echoed Lherisson’s sentiment.

But Drongowski also mentioned that top members of WCSA are looking to fill a vacancy on the executive committee left by Jess Sanford, a sophomore who will be traveling abroad in the fall. They will begin their search within Sanford’s administrative policy committee but will look elsewhere if necessary.

The academic affairs committee informed senators of plans to host another academic forum next semester. This forum would bring administrators, faculty and students together to discuss OWU’s general education requirements.

Sophomore Jess Choate announced that her residential affairs committee was able to purchase sports equipment for Edwards Gym. Soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs and more will be available to rent in the fall.

Finally, the meeting closed after the allocation of the fall budget was unanimously adopted.

WCSA continues to make change

When two prospective students asked the vice president of the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) about baked goods, she knew something was wrong.

Emma Drongowski, a junior, began her April 20 full senate report by saying, “let’s talk about bagels.”

Her culinary focus came in response to social media postings, a Transcript article and numerous student comments about WCSA’s plan to decrease the size of bagels for sale on campus.

Drongowski said that while she was “happy WCSA could make a change in the everyday life of students,” the change “took only five minutes out of [sophomore representative] Jess Choate’s day, only took one quick email.”

WCSA accomplishes many things in a semester, Drongowski emphasized, things like a university-wide email that circulated Monday evening with important information for students.

Keeping to the theme of progress, Areena Arora, a freshman and chair of the academic affairs committee, announced the library agreed to extend their hours for the week before finals.

Arora also mentioned that the faculty committee student positions had been approved by her delegation and were ready to be voted on. The full senate passed the slate before them unanimously.

Choate, chair of the residential affairs committee, said that a budget was submitted to purchase sports equipment for student rental. The equipment includes volleyballs, footballs, soccer balls and Frisbees, and will be available in the coming semester (pending approval).

Finally, sophomore treasurer Graham Littlehale introduced a resolution to approve the Fall 2015 budget. After questions were answered, junior Jerry Lherisson, president of WCSA said, “Next week we’ll come and vote on it.”

WCSA passes bagel reform

WCSA crest. Photo courtesy of the owu website.

While students enjoyed beautiful spring sunshine on the Jay, the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) met indoors for their April 13 full senate meeting – and for ice cream.

Several official matters were discussed before the frozen dessert arrived.

A survey measuring student preference for off-campus meal point restaurants was announced. It will be circulated tomorrow.

The academic policy committee is still working on extending library hours.

The administrative policy committee is set to review WCSA’s governing documents later this week in an attempt to make the meeting process more efficient.

Finally, a plan to reduce the size of bagels in the Hamilton Williams Campus Center Bakery is underway. Some bagels are too large for the slicers, according to senators; the slicers are also too dull.

Dean of Students Kimberlie Goldsberry entered the room just in time for her advisor’s report, with ice cream in tow.

WCSA recessed for five minutes to distribute the surprise treat, though junior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, asked senators to fill out comments cards during the break.

“There you go, efficiency,” she said.

WCSA raises student activity fee, remains transparent

While the senate recessed, representatives spoke anxiously amongst themselves.

A pause in proceedings is unusual for the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA). However, at the April 6 meeting, controversy demanded a change in procedure.

The docket before the senators on Monday included two measures: an increase of the student activity fee from $130 to $160 per semester and an approval of the student government’s budget.

According to junior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, the “vote on the student activity fee [will] give WCSA a better sense of what our budget next year will look like.”

In regards to the docket’s second item, junior Jerry Lherisson, president of WCSA, reminded senators that the “proposed budget is only preliminary but will guide the budget committee…so they can go forward with fall planning.”

With comments and questions answered, Lherisson moved to vote on an increase of the activity fee. Before the vote commenced, a senator asked if the representatives could put their head down during the count.

At this point, calls were made by sophomore Hayden Knisley, a non-voting member of WCSA, to “own your vote.”

Drongowski deferred to sophomore Jessica Sanford, chair of the administrative policy committee. Sanford said that a heads-down vote, in which the senators would put their heads down and vote, was not permitted by WCSA guidelines, but she did have concerns about a student sitting across the room. Senior Noah Manskar was recording the full senate meeting on his iPhone. Sanford asked if he would turn it off.

The request prompted Drongowski to call for a two minute recess while WCSA’s governing documents were consulted.

During the break, Dean of Students Kimberly Goldsberry said the meeting “was public, it’s open to the public and [Manskar] cannot be told to stop recording.”

Lherisson called the meeting back to order after two minutes. Drongowski said “to make WCSA transparent and accountable to the student body” recording would be permitted and a paper vote would be used to decide the docket.

Senators submitted a paper marked with their decision and name. Sophomore Lee LeBeouf, secretary of WCSA, collected the submissions and escorted professor Sean McCulloch, a WCSA advisor, into the hall for counting.

Both measures past.

Unexpected debate breaks out between senators

After the initial presentation, arms began to rise.

An unexpected debate prevented the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) full senate from adjuring at their usual time on March 30. The point of contention: funding for the Campus Programming Board (CPB).

Junior Jerry Lherisson, president of WCSA, and junior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, presented a revised plan to increase the student activity fee as the last order of business at the meeting.

The plan, which will be voted on by senators April 6, would raise the student activity fee from $130 per semester to $160. This would give WCSA the budgetary freedom to better control how their funds are spent.

According to Lherisson, it would allow WCSA to “support organizations with a history of demonstrating services” vital to student life and put WCSA “in charge of where its money goes.”

But CPB was the center of discussion after Lherisson invited questions.

Billy George, a junior, noted that “attendance and response from students in regards to CPB’s programs is low.” He also raised concerns about CPB’s funds being a line-item on the budget.

Sam Schurer, a sophomore, said that “the cost of bringing Drake Bell to campus is a common complaint amongst the student body.”

Bell, who played at Bishop Bash on March 28, cost CPB $20,000 to host. The separate fee for stage and sound, among other logistical expenses, totaled $30,000.

In response to the senators concerns, Drongowski said that the money for Bell “came from a totally separate account… [and that] most of the CPB money goes to Day on the Jay.”

This appeal did not sway Zoe Morris, a junior, who wondered why there was “not more oversight by WCSA of an organization that received its funding from WCSA.”

In the final words on the subject, Lherisson noted that “every spring WCSA meets with CPB to discuss finances and organization. If having more oversight is something you want, we can discuss having more senators on CPB or weekly meetings with CPB’s treasurer. Bottom line, we want to know where all the money is going.”

WCSA backs gender-inclusive housing

Senators passed a resolution in support of gender-inclusive housing at the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) full senate meeting on Monday, March 23.

The resolution was discussed by WCSA at a Feb. 9 session, but was tabled until revisions could be made.

“Today we have an opportunity to endorse it,” said junior Jerry Lherisson, president of WCSA.

In tandem with the Spectrum Resource Center, Residential Life (ResLife) drafted the proposal under consideration. If it is approved by President Rock Jones, gender-inclusive housing options would be made available to Ohio Wesleyan students as early as next semester.

In addition to logistical considerations, the proposal includes letters of support from the community, the Admissions Office and Counseling Services.

The proposal was unanimously accepted by WCSA, with the full senate voting to endorse the resolution.

Executive members of WCSA also mentioned that their cost sharing initiative, introduced at last week’s meeting, needs to undergo some changes before progress can be made. “The proposal we have is not in its best form,” said junior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA. “Instead of giving money to the student affairs division, we are looking to fund certain events that are important to students.” The revised proposal will be presented to the senators on March 30.

Senators look to pad deficit

The Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) considered the benefits of increasing the student activity fee at their March 16 full senate meeting.

The fee is a component of the Ohio Wesleyan tuition statement. It has not been increased since 2011.

Citing OWU’s current deficit, WCSA president Jerry Lherisson, a junior, told the senators that the administration “needs to make $4 million in cuts in order to have the exact same quality of things we have now.”

In an effort to decrease the financial burden on faculty and staff, whose salaries, health benefits and retirement plans are at stake, WCSA is proposing to cost share with the student affairs division.

This division includes the community service office, the office of multicultural student affairs, Residential Life, the student involvement office, Public Safety, Counseling Services and Health Services.

According to junior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, “if WCSA were to give some funds to student affairs less cuts would have to be made” across the board.

The money for cost sharing would come from WCSA’s budget, funded by the student activity fee. The options presented on March 16 were to raise the $130 student activity fee to $160 or to $170. The senators could also vote to keep it as is.

According to Lherisson, if the activity fee were increased and money was allocated to the student affairs offices, it would “soften the blow” to the people that make “integral, day to day campus life what it is.” Without an increase, this won’t happen.

Because the budget for the 2015-2016 year will not be finalized until class of 2019 enrollment is set, neither the administration nor WCSA knows how dire the financial picture will be. “Our top four officers are just as frustrated that we can’t give exact numbers and say what is going to be cut,” said Drongowski. But Dean of Students Kimberlie Goldsberry reinforced the point that “whether student government will be able to assist student activity or not…there are going to be cuts.”

WCSA leadership emphasized that these options are being discussed, and that nothing will be decided without the full consent of the senate.

Also mentioned at the full senate meeting were the Golden Bishop winners for the categories of friend of WCSA, best new member and best overall member. Craig Ullom, vice president for student affairs, sophomore Sam Schurer and sophomore Jess Choate won the titles respectively.