Aquestion-and-answer session dominated yet another A.S. Council meeting this week, this time with Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Joseph W. Watson.
During the meeting’s public input session, which preceded Watson, former John Muir College Junior Senator Aida Kuzucan addressed the election for her possible reinstatement.
“”Tell everyone you know to vote,”” said Kuzucan, who acknowledged the strained circumstances under which she left the council. While critics said Kuzucan’s attendance record was spotty, others said council peers ousted her because of personal differences.
Watson started the question-and-answer session by informing the council about the additional on-campus housing set to break ground this summer.
A.S. President Harry Khanna was the first speaker and asked Watson what his opinion was on student control over university facilities.
“”Students have a principal task and that is to be students,”” Watson said. “”Students participate in advisory committees, but it’s clearly the administration who makes the, hopefully informed, decisions.””
Khanna initiated a follow-up question: “”If this were the real world, then students would be the shareholders and Chancellor Fox would be the CEO. So the students would ultimately be in control over what they pay for.””
Watson, however, challenged Khanna’s analogy.
“”I think the shareholders are the people of the state of California and the Board of Regents is the board of directors,”” Watson said. “”You can view the students as consumers of products.””
Muir Sophomore Senator Meghan Clair inquired as to what considerations are being taken in hiring Watson’s successor, considering the current issues on campus, such as the bear gardens and conflicts over residential security officers.
“”The only one I can think of at the moment is the one who is willing to hire me as an RSO,”” Watson joked, then added a serious comment. “”I don’t have an input in the process and don’t anticipate it.””
Earl Warren College Junior Senator Daniel Palay asked Watson what he would do if the athletics fee referendum passed overwhelmingly, but failed to meet the 20-percent minimum voter turnout.
“”I would advise the chancellor to take the referendum,”” Watson responded.
Thurgood Marshall College Senior Senator Adam Gardner then asked Watson’s opinion on possibly electing one resident adviser for each college.
“”I would not support that,”” Watson responded. “”The R.A. position is a job, an employee who has a supervisor.””
In his follow-up question, Gardner criticized the results of the quarterly question-and-answer sessions with campus vice chancellors.
“”We say there is no representation on the RSO work group. We say there needs to be alcohol at the night club,”” Gardner said. “”The answer is, sorry the policy’s made. Is there any value to these question-and-answer sessions?””
Watson defended his position.
“”Even though there are disagreements, I think there is value to these sessions,”” Watson said. “”I can think of a number of things that have been influenced by our discussions.””
