Discussion Minutes for November 16th, 2011
I.
Roll Call
II.
Approval of Minutes
III.
Approval of Agenda
Motion to
add BSA bill under discussion
IV.
Guest Speaker
a.
Professor Vandenbusche-Enrollment: Thanks
for having me. I will give you some background, in May of 2011 in a letter to
the editor I commented on the recruitment and enrollment at WSC. Enrollment was
a bit peeved by this. And recently two letters were written about Westerns
recruitment, talking about the wrath of the administrators. I have done a ton
to progress this school, and recruit for this school. When I talk about
enrollment, it is something that I do fairly successfully. In my opinion, this
is a critical time is WSC’s history. Some facts: a great outdoor area, great
national caliber programs, only search a rescue team. Vans from all over the
nation studying biology, the rocky mountain gothic biological lab is world
renown, small classed. Conservatively 1.5 million people visit the Gunnison
valley. 342,000 skier days at CB. 174K skiers at monarch. We can’t get an
additional 500 students out of million visitors. We have a very minor
relationship with CBMR & Monarch, or with the national parks service. Administration
can argue but they can argue that enrollment has been going down for the last
7-8 years. I have gone through all weekly papers, an in 1969 2,970 students,
1,000 more than today. There are more colleges, but the population is also
larger. Every college and university is up, and is considerably up. Best
outdoor location and better academic programs than other Colorado schools. Enrollment
and recruitment in the last 7-8 years has not worked. WSC needs a minimum of an
additional 500 students. With all these new buildings, fees have gone up, and
they will go up more. More students=fewer fees, and will help in recruiting.
I’ve heard what we can’t do. I’m interested in what we can do. There are a lot
of excuses. Some things I think we need to do better relationship with
tourists, a much closer relationship with the north end of the valley, high
power people vacation in this area, doctors, lawyers etc. talented people. Get
a group of people to help sponsor and place interns, donate money to college,
give talks, and scholarships. There are multitalented people that want to help
WSC, where the money and talent is. Consider adding more sports. Adams added 5
sports, and there was a spike in enrollment. All programs are picking more
sports. We should be involved with skiing. Maybe adopting Men and Women’s
soccer team, which would lead to an immediate spike in enrollment.
Administrators can recruit two students each year. WSC is much better known in
New Zealand than some US states. Faculty likes to bitch, and the worst party to
be at is at a faculty party. Involve the alumni office we have thousands of
alum around the nation. We need to approach them and tell them we have a
problem with enrollment at WSC. We need to get involved recruiting more
international students, more want to come. More international students would
add a cosmopolitan feel to WSC. We can learn from each other! When students
come in at orientation is a slide show on WSC history to know traditions. Ask
students for suggestions. If every one of us got one student to WSC, we would
have a lot more students. Practical things: one-year student teachers for
education program, we turn out better students. ½ a year might be enough. More
hard copies wouldn’t cost more money. Mountain DEWINS, acts for clubs. I would
like to see a plan from the administration, a master plan of recruiting.
V.
Action Items
VI.
Discussion Items
a.
BSA Bill
i. Questions concerning bill: What will your event be?
1.
It’s like a two-part event, a community
art show, and a speaker. So a guest speaker and a community event.
ii. Will there be any interacting with class among the guest speaker?
1.
He requested an hour, and is coming the
day before, we and can probably get him into classes, perhaps politics and
business given his background.
iii. Is this all you budget?
1.
The remaining of it. We did a bake
sale, and helped freshman move in.
2.
Keep in mind this is a prestigious
event that goes on at campus every year
iv. What will you do if not granted all 800?
1.
Fundraising with Dan Cress
v. What is the topic he will speak on?
1.
He is our age, and he is supposed to be
a motivational speaker, saying controversial things in a positive way. He talks
about his experience as an African American going up in the city. He wants it
to be a surprise.
2.
We are going to different departments
to ask them about potential funding.
3.
We wrote a letter requesting funding
from different departments.
vi. How much of a priority is this?
1.
We have to pay the speaker fee and get
contracts signed, so it needs to happen sooner than later.
VII.
Advisor Report
a. Have a
great safe thanksgiving holiday!
VIII.
Senator Reports
a.
Erika: for the math bill, we got an
additional $200/person, and saved some money, that might be coming back to SGA
funds.
b.
Sarah: NASC is having their final
speaker this Friday in Quigley auditorium, talking about Ute culture and a
chili dinner after
c.
Nicole: sign up for ultimate Frisbee,
prizes!
d.
Adam: don’t for get your posters from
your box!!!
e.
Rodney: Lots of feedback from students
on how great the adventure film fest is.
f.
Katie: Eric Kater from the honors
program just said thank you for bringing the speaker of the book.
g.
Walker: To get our image out we were
thinking coffee with senators or with president, sit around Mad Jacks and drink
coffee. A way to market.
IX.
Committee Reports
a.
Haleigh: Constitution committee was
supposed to meet…but now it is canceled. So a quick meeting after this meeting
to find a better time.
b.
D’Andre: Food committee meeting today,
and we will start our sales November 30th
c.
Brad: Marketing committee meet after
this meeting downstairs
d.
Nick: Tree committee & Internship:
meet after class.
i. We have been talking about WRAP’s role for 21+ students, and
we were thinking that this was an opportunity for Western to sponsor something
for 21 year old and up on campus. Any ideas? PC at springfest, or a beer
garden. SGA could support and back this, and could be a positive thing to
sponsor.
X.
Advisory Reports
a.
Sarah: Occupy Wall Street here at WSC,
there’s an occupy forum, Monday November 21st at 6pm. Boar of trustees
dec. 9th. We will send flowers to Alan and make him a card and pass
around the following week.
b.
Nick: They are unveiling a new statue
Saturday 10-5 in December, the mountaineer at Taylor. City council discussed Cramer
Hill, in years past; we have had more involvement with it. Talk more on our
end, and history of Cranor Hill. Internship program are talking about finding
the need within the city, and the skills of students. City wants their own
process for finding and picking students.
c.
Meg: Shipwrecked the play Thur Fri Sat.
5$, this is one of the best WSC performances you will see. Highly recommend
7:30, in Studio Theatre. WRAP has tickets for $1 if you buy them tomorrow.
d.
Blake: Men’s at Air force, XC running
at nationals, wresting and basketball away. Monday men’s basketball team at
home. Talk about sports being added, but unsure, women’s swimming and soccer
team.
e.
Travis: there’s 376 total, 279 males
and 97 females.
f.
Hayden: Men’s hockey home on Friday,
probably at 5pm, but times are a changing’.
g.
Elijah: communion after thanksgiving. Don’t
forget about the pool tournament, sign up tomorrow, and win a nice pool cue!
And other fun giveaways
h.
Aurora: 11-1 flu shots for $10.
i.
Noah: Great turn out, ¼ of the student population, 700
students. Planning on doing it next year. WP doesn’t have any events or trips
going on, except avalanche certification.
XI.
Special Topics
a.
Elijah: We need to look into why
students are not coming, and we need to start some committees and get some
ideas rolling, to get enrollment up.
b.
Sarah: cleaning list in the office for
little things, vacuuming and stuff.
XII.
Remarks for the Good of the Order
XIII.
Late Roll Call
XIV.
Adjournment
