Resignations Plague TCU Government, Hurt System Ents Object To
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE TUFTSDAILY m,reYou Read It First Thursday, February 10,2000 Volume XL, Number 13 I Resignations plague TCU government, hurt system byMA’ITHEWKANE initiatives. A full vot- ever, new, more rigorous the TCU. “I resigned for many reasons. Daily Editorial Board ing Senate, as defined ELBO policies, combined Most importantly, I didn’t feel that I could Craig Waldman’s resignation as Tufts by the TCU Constitu- with the recurrent resigna- any longer be productive in this student Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ) Co- tion, consists of 29 tions, may make itdifficultto government. I am disappointed with some chair on Monday night was only one in a members. The Senate, fillthevacated seats for some aspects of student government at this mo- series ofresignations that have plagued the which is designed to time, as the deadline for can- ment,” he said. TC U government over the past two years. have equal representa- didate petitions was last Wells also voiced similar disappoint- Eleven TCU members have now resigned tion from each class, night. ment in his resignation statement. “I lost my this year. has only two voting The larger issue sur- desire to be apart ofthis organization. I do This Sunday, at the Senate’s third meet- senators representing rounding the 11 total resig- not feel I can accomplish my goals in the ing ofthe semester, President Larry Harris the senior class and nations in the TCU govern- current confines. The Senate is separated will announce the resignation of freshman three representing the ment-especially the eight and disjointed.. I was disappointed with Debbie Chou, the fourth senator to resign junior class. fiomthe Senate-isanalarm- the level ofpolitical wrangling and bureau- since winter break. Thus far this semester, Thesenate isnotthe ing trend that began cracythat was the Senate has not had a general meeting only branch ofthe TCU last year and seems to involved with without at least one member resigning. government that has be plaguing Tufts’ stu- student gov- The four senators that have departed been plagued by early dent government. ernment as a this semester - freshman Debbie Chou, resignations. The Elec- All the reasons whole.” senior IMeena tion Board that the representa- Thever junior (ELBO), which is tives gave for their res- Many of the Randy Wells, responsible for ignations are impor- complica- and freshman carrying out all TCU elections, saw tant critiques of certain facets of the tions that Emily Jmz- its sole member, Sarah Molenkamp, TCU’s current state. make it diffi- add to the four resign in September. The rest of the Many ofthe formerrepresentatives cult to work first-semester board’s members had already re- cited unexpected workload, both from productively resignations signed last May in the wake of con- their studies and from the Senate, as a in the Senate - Costa troversy involving the election for chief reason for the resignation. 0th- and TCUJ Nicolaau, Eric Senate president. ers commented that their priorities could be at- Hanson, Isaac TheTCUJ, normally aseven-per- changed during the year or that they tributed to Dole, and son body, saw Waldman and mem- were no longerenjoying their govern- last May’s Howard Lien ber Eric Modeen, resign this semes- mental roles. Some said their resigna- cabinet --leaving the ter as well. Coupled with the early tions were rooted in displeasure with am en dmen t , remaining 19 graduation of Dan Lewis, LA ’99, the nature of student government at which caused voting sena- these resignations leave the TCU J Tufts. Several individuals saidthatthey Josh Margolin agreat deal of tors 5,hort- defunct until new members can be feltunabletoaccomplishwhattheyfelt controversy handed as elected. needed to be done due to constraints inher- among the TCU branches. However, even they work to- ELBO has scheduledan election ent in the TCUJ, ELBO, and, the Senate. before the amendment became an issue, the wards acxom- Daily filephoto to fill vacated spots in both the Sen- Waldman was one of the individuals plishing new Meena Thever ate and the TCUJ for Feb. 17. How- who spoke out about his displeasure with see RESIGNATIONS, page 2 ents object to Res Life’s blanket finingc- for vandalism by SARAH SWAIN who preferred to remain anonymous. Senior Staff Writer When approached, the facilities department de- TheOfficeofResidential Life is imposingafineon ferred to the Office of Residential Life. Assistant all Wren Hall residents after a number of vandalism Director of Residential Life Bob Clark said the office incidents have occurred there over the past few strictly adheres to the fining guidelines which are months. Last semester, apinball machine was thrown posted on its website. According to the policy, the off the “draw bridge,” a ping pong table was stolen repair costs of non-attributed vandalism in dorm from the lounge, and a fire extinguisher was used common areas will be divided equally among the when there was no fire. Last month, all of the suite dorm’s residents, who will also pay $10 fine. doorknobs were stolen off of the doors. Wren Hall resident Manijeh Azmoodeh believes While this policy may be an efficient way for the that the University should accept responsibility for University to collect over $6000 in revenue and potential vandalism when it chooses to place items quickly replace the stolen and broken objects, many such as pinball machines in public spaces where students believe that they are being unjustly penal- vandalism might occur. ized for the wrongful actions of others. These stu- “Ifthe University is not going to take responsibil- dents feel that the University should take preventive ity for the things it leaves in public areas, then I for measures to counteract vandalism, rather waiting one will not be held accountable and pay for their until after incidents have occurred and then enacting replacement,” she said. “If the University would blanket punishments that punish students who impose such fines on its students if things like the weren’t involved.‘ pinball machine and the ping pong table were stolen, Photo by Jacob Silberberg “They overcharged us so much here anyway, why didn’t they have the common sense to chain Acts of vandalism, such as this cavity punched through the 41 why should we have to pay yet another fine for them down or bolt them to the floor?” in Miller Hall, are becoming more prevalent around campus. something that wasn’t our fault,” askedone resident, One suggestion that Azmoodeh made was that ~~ ~ ~ ~~~~ Tufts install a dorm security system, possibly includ- Excerpts from the Tufts Office of vandalism occurs. The amount for been surpassed, residents who have ing guards or a front desk through which students Residential Life’s Policy on each building will be determined by common (key) access to the could be monitored. Many other local universities Vandalism: the designed occupancy for each vandalized area will be fined $10 per have such features, including Boston University. building. Residents of that building person per incident. This is done to Other residents of Wren Hall do not feel as If damzge or vandalism occurs, will not be charged if non-attributed encourage communities to take strongly about the fine. “I think it’s funny.. in a way that it makes them look stupid. But it sucks that we responsibility for vandalism and to regardless of whether in a common damage is less than $1 per resident have to pay the fine,” Rachel Evans said. area or student room, and the per academic year. Once accumulated identify individuals responsible for This is not the first time that acts of vandalism person(s) responsible is identified, non-attributed damage exceeds $1 per the vandalism. If after residents have have occurred in residence halls. As student Michael then the total cost of the damage or resident then the total cost of the all been fined an individual or Xenelis noted, Bush Hall residents were forced to vandalism (labor + materials + central non-attributed damage will be divided individuals come forward to take pay fines last year after fire exit signs were stolen, a administration fee) will be billed to the equally among those residents who responsibility, the individuals will be student kicked in a wall, and several windows were individual(s) involved. In addition, have common (key) access to the billed and the community will be broken. disciplinary action may be taken.. damaged area. In the case of damage, credited. “I’m kind of used to it because it happened last students will be billed for the cost year inmy dorm,”Xenelissaid. “Idon’t thinkit’s fair Residential Life and Facilities (labor + materials + central The decision about whether an that we have to pay a fine, but there isn’t any other understand that there may be some administration fee), with no punitive incident is damage or vandalism better way.” Azmoodeh does not share Xenelis’ nonchalance. damage or vandalism in the residence fine attached. rests with the Residential Life After writing a viewpoint for the Daily stating her halls for which no individual will take professional staff. views on the situation, Azmoodeh received anumber responsibility. Staff will record In the case of non-attributed of responses from other Wren residents. Many stu- damage and vandalism and students vandalism, once the $1 per resident Thefull policy can be found at http:li dents shared her view that students - many of will be informed when damage or per year cumulative threshold has ase.tufts.edu1reslife. see FINES,page 2 2 THETUFTSDMLY.February 10,2DO@ The Daily Weather Forecast Today Tomorrow Attorney chosen to Mostly cloudy Cloudy, light rain (freezing rain?) AM precip then mostly cloudy defend Olson in SLA High: 40 Low: 36 High: 40 trial A cold front will die as it crosses over the Tufts campus today, shifting the winds to LOS ANGELES -Henry J.