An entertaining variety of the Associated Student Council’s unusual antics were caught on film last night as the first of all subsequent meetings that would be featured on Student-Run Television.
Several students were on hand to speak in favor of the Loft, in hopes that the council will consider providing permanent funding for the venue, while others came to show their support for the Plastic Bag and Polystyrene Ban Resolution, which would eliminate the use of such materials on campus.
Director of the University Events Office Martin Wollesen gave the council a quick update on the current state of the Loft.
‘We’re moving from a place where something never happens to a place where a lot of things happen,’ Wollesen said. ‘We’ve been able to focus on and increasing our focus on working with student organizations.’
The Special Committee, a group comprised of various campus community members and spearheaded by Revelle College Chair James Lintern, reported on their failure to produce a new resolution condemning the violence in Gaza, despite convening for six hours this past weekend.
‘I would like to say that a community is being formed but there was not enough time,’ Associate Vice President of Diversity Ricsie Hernandez said. ‘I feel like after one more continuous meeting, we could get it done.’ I feel like we’ve gone so far that we only have a few more points and we could have a resolution.’
The committee was granted a new deadline of Feb. 18 to produce a draft.
President Donna Bean’s motion to appoint Associate Vice President of Student Advocacy Frank Carroll, who was notably absent, as the Spring Election Manager was opposed by multiple councilmembers due to Carroll’s nebulous affiliation with the Student Voice! slate.
‘ ‘Is it possible to put him on the Speaker’s List while he’s on speakerphone?’ Associate Vice President of Athletic Relations Peter Benesch asked.
Despite Benesch’s efforts to include Carroll in the discussion via speakerphone, the motion to postpone the appointment passed. Carroll marched into the forum 30 minutes later to once more open up discussion of his appointment, and the council voted to permit members of the public to be added to the Speaker’s List.
‘I drove and then ran here to save you from yourselves,’ Carroll said. ‘I feel that I can be a very neutral party in this election and I think I exhibited that in the previous election.’ Lumumba-Zapata Coalition member Sam Huang was present to offer a counterpoint to Carroll’s defense of his proposed appointment.
‘The fact that Frank Carroll was [at the APSA meeting] seemingly with Student Voice! makes it seem like he can in no way be neutral,’ Huang said. ‘His comments on the possibility of a slate forming are another disqualifier for why he should not accept the position of election campaign manager.’
Film ran out just before Carroll was appointed to the position on a 16-5-3 vote, and the cameraman was told to bring more film to the next meeting, provided that he was willing to return.