Cyber Bullying

Salem College students, there has been an outbreak of cyber bullying due to the recent events with the death of Osama Bin Laden.  As far as I know, the cyber bullying extends to facebook and text messages.  It has come to my attention that (an) American citizen(s) with Middle Eastern lineage have been targeted along with others who are international students.  I understand that some of these students are targeted due to their race and/or religious beliefs.

The Salem College handbook states that cyber bullying is not tolerated on Salem College campus.  Anyone who is a victim of cyber bullying can contact honor council and set up a trial.  Cyber bullying should not be acceptable in any circumstance - this is a very serious matter with very serious consequences.

No one should feel unsafe or threatened on our campus due to their religious affiliations or race.  STOP THE HATE!  Stand up for what is right.  We are supposed to be an all-inclusive group of sisters and sisterhood.  Let's live up to our name!

A final note, Osama Bin Laden was the head of a terrorist group.  This terrorist group's actions should not be affiliated with the Islamic nation.  As a matter of fact, President Obama stated that Osama Bin Laden's group has killed many Muslims as well.  In George W. Bush's words: "The faith of terror is not the true faith of Islam; that's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace."

There is a piece I found on About.com that touches on xenophobia, Islamophobia, Religious Intolerance, and American Muslims.  The link is: http://racerelations.about.com/b/2010/09/13/religious-intolerance-is-making-american-muslims-live-in-fear.htm

Update on Meeting with Dean Mac

Just so we are clear, I haven't seen any changes yet for the upcoming semester to anything including the:
1) catalogs
2) fall semester schedule
3) an email from Dean Mac

This is extremely frustrating.  I'm trying to give it more time, but I hope to see these changes in the VERY NEAR future.

SALEM STUDENTS BE AWARE!!!

There has been another break-in in the pit.  As far as I know, this makes break-in number four.

LOCK YOUR CARS!  TAKE ALL YOUR VALUABLES OUT OF YOUR CARS!

It is advised you do not go into the pit alone.  Walk with someone if possible.

The person breaking and entering into these cars is a MAN.  Report shifty behavior immediately!  Advise public safety to call the police immediately.

WE ARE SALEM - The Points behind the Protest

WE ARE SALEM

The Points behind the Protest:

1.      We want more classes:

a.       Race and Ethnicity Studies:

                                                              i.      Until a day before the protest, there were no classes for Race and Ethnicity offered Fall 2011.  The day before, a core class appeared on the schedule.

                                                            ii.      After the protest, there was another core class offered for Race and Ethnicity.

b.      Women’s Studies:

                                                              i.      As of April 14, 2011, 1:50pm eastern time, there are no core classes offered for the Women’s Studies major for Fall 2011.

                                                            ii.      In the 2010-2011 course catalog, there are no guidelines as to when the core classes will be offered or not offered.

                                       iii.    There is only one class offered under the women’s studies major other than an independent study or an internship.

                                                          iv.      According to your 2010-2011 catalog, there are six professors who have the ability to teach women’s studies classes, minus, of course, Assistant Professor McQueeney, who is mentioned in the catalog but will be leaving.  These able educators include Professor Ljungquist, coordinator; Salem Distinguished Professor Dulan; Associate Professors Dunn, Porter, Smith and Zehr.

                                                            v.      This is a major at Salem college that, according to the 2010-2011 course catalog, requires 12 courses, 4 of which are core classes.

                                                          vi.      In essence, we want more women’s studies core courses.

2.      We want to keep our professors and get more:

a.       We want Professor McQueeny to stay.

b.      There was a mention of hiring three new professors, but the departments to which they were to be hired were not mentioned.  Are there going to be any more professors hired for Race and Ethnicity studies or Exercise Science studies, which desperately need them?

c.       There have been numerous people leaving, not just professors.  Deans, professors, etc. have suddenly seemed to leave all at once.  This causes a great deal of fear among the students.

d.      There have been rumors the Exercise Science professor, Professor Fox, is leaving.  This would completely destroy this major.

3.      Other Important Points:

a.       We understand it takes time to build up new departments.  However, why were the new departments of Exercise Science, Race and Ethnicity, and Women’s Studies not first offered as minors so that the programs could be built up before offering them as majors?

b.      On Friday, April 8^th, 2011.  I, LeeAnn Holmes, went to the registrar’s office and talked directly with a woman that works there.  I asked her three questions:

                                                              i.      Are there going to be courses added?

1.      Her answer was: There are only two courses that might be added and that is an interior design course and a fine arts course.

                                                            ii.      Are any classes cross listed for Race and Ethnicity majors and Non-Profit majors?

1.      Her answer was: Race and Ethnicity had some classes cross listed.

                                                          iii.      Are there no classes offered for Race and Ethnicity and Non-Profit majors this semester?

1.      Her answer was: There are no core classes offered for the Race and Ethnicity major this semester.  Not-For-Profit Management courses were moved on the course schedule for fall 2011 under the subheading of Policy, Politics, and Public Service.  While under the Arts Management and Not-For-Profit, nothing shows up.

                                                          iv.      SUMMARY:

1.      I was led to believe there would be no core courses offered for Race and Ethnicity majors.

2.      Not-For-Profit majors are confused because they are still looking under the subheading of Arts Mgmt/NFP Mgmt, instead of the subheading Policy, Politics, PublServ.

3.      It was said that only maybe would two more courses be added.

c.       The Protest

                                                              i.      Our main goal was a peaceful protest.

1.      We refrained from using foul language or degrading terminology.

2.      We did not engage in physical or verbal attacks.

3.      We marched outside, so as not to directly disrupt classes or meetings in session.

4.      This was an all inclusive event:

a.       Anyone who had questions about the event was answered to the best of the protestors’ abilities.

b.      Anyone who wanted to support our cause was encouraged to do so.

c.       Every Salem student and professor who chose to participate could do so by either protesting or wearing Salem college attire.   Also, “I am Salem” stickers were available to everyone.

5.      Everyone was encouraged to write peaceful letters of questions and demands to President Pauly, Dean Barr, and Dean McEalaney-Johnson.

6.      The protestors at the student government meeting were not disruptive in any way.

                                                            ii.      We were attempting to unite Salem to a common cause.  Our goal was not to divide and disrespect.

1.      Our chants consisted of:
“We want classes!
We want professors!
We want options!”

“Salem sisters hear our call
We want equal chance for all
Give us classes, give us choices
Unite our sisters and our voices!”

2.      We encouraged others to join us, and if they didn’t, we did not disrespect them.

3.      We did not enter buildings so we would not disrupt classes or meetings.

4.      Our goals were mainly to have others become aware of our concerns and respect our discontent and call for change.

d.      Response

                                                              i.      Dean Barr addressed us directly, out on the square and asked us who we wanted to talk to.  We asked for President Pauly.

                                                            ii.      President Pauly manipulated her schedule to address us on the square.  She listened to us and then said we should talk to Dean McEalaney-Johnson.  She also said that we could continue protesting if we so desired.

                                                          iii.      Dean McEalaney-Johnson walked by us, but didn’t stop, and then reprimanded us at SGA, but did not stick around for us to talk to her afterward.  (We do not say this to attack or accuse, we say this to point out facts.)

                                                          iv.      At the SGA meeting, I, LeeAnn Holmes, was misquoted.  I do not have a problem with any deans, I just feel like my concerns aren’t understood or being completely listened to.  Also, we were accused of being misinformed at the SGA meeting; however, all the information acquired for that speech was acquired third hand instead of first hand at the protest.

                                                            v.      In essence, we felt like our concerns went nowhere.  We talked to Dean Barr, who then let us talk to President Pauly, who then directed us to Dean McEalaney-Johnson, who we are just now able to talk to today.

Meeting with Dean Mac

Got a meeting with Dean Mac, room 209 in main, this Friday (April 15th) at 11 to 11:30. Everyone interested is invited.

I encourage everyone to bring your concerns.  We have a very restrictied time limit of 30 minutes.

Please tell and bring others!

A Shout Out to Jo Dulan

I was in my African American literature class today, listening to Jo Dulan talk about the abuse women go through and I couldn't help but agree.  Jo Dulan has been such a wonderful roll model for women's rights, and especially the rights of African American women.

As my sisters of Salem and I protested the other day for more classes in the Race and Ethnicity major and Women's Studies majors, I realized how much Jo Dulan has really influenced me in a positive way.  We were asking for change at a progressive institution.  And even though we were met with much animosity and anger, so was the protests of Martin Luther King Jr. and Women's suffrage activists.

Jo Dulan, I just want to thank you.  I want to thank you for telling us how you pushed to teach another class within the English department this year.  I want to thank you for telling us that we were right to protest.  I want to thank you for supporting us and being there when we needed you most.

We couldn't have done this without your support.  You've shown us the light.

Thank You!

Thank you everyone that supported the WE ARE SALEM protest today.  We got the attention of Dean Barr and President Pauly.  We are now going to talk directly to Dean Mac as soon as we gather all our complaints together and prioritize them.  We do have the power to create change.

Keep up the great work, Salem sisters!

Also:
**Come tonight to see the new candidate for the dean position.  We will be meeting in Bitting lobby at 8:30pm.  Hope to see you there.

Protests Today!

WE ARE SALEM

What the event is about:

• We are protesting because we are tired of having so few choices when it comes to classes.
• We are protesting because we are not willing to watch our professors leave or be fired.

What to do:

• Skip class if possible (if not, then that's okay - also, email your teachers)
• Wear Salem College Colors

Where and when:

• Meet at the kiosk at 1pm
• We will march to Salem Square at 2pm
• We will have class on the square from 2pm-4pm

FREE MEALS PROTEST

What this event is about:

• We are protesting against certain groups that are allocated money from the student activity fee from eating out on the money we are required to pay every year.

What to do:

• Bring posters or just show up and support us as we protest before the Town Hall Meeting outside the FAC at 4pm.

Student Activities Fee - The Receipts

Sunday, April 10th, 2011 (today), there will be a meeting in Babcock basement at 9pm discussing where exactly our money is going.  This will be the time to ask questions and debate whether you think free meals for club members at your expense is acceptable or not.

Also, if anyone has recording devices, you should bring them.  Cameras, audio recorders, etc.

Update on "Free Meals for Club Members at Your Expense"

For the original article, please click here:  http://rantsandravesforsalemcollegestudents.blogspot.com/2011/04/free-meals-for-club-members-at-your.html

A CAB representative by the name of Jane Wetherholt was willing to give me information after I posted my blog, here are the questions I asked her:

"Jane,

Before I begin, I want to just point out that almost everyone is missing the point of the blog post. What I was attacking was the use of our money for free meals by ALL group members under the student activity fee. The reason I put CAB and SGA into the blog so much was because you were the groups giving me the most answers, while everyone else was very hush hush.

Also, if you want to give me and [name deleted] information about CAB, that is wonderful, but all of the Salem students want to know. I'll ask you some questions and then I can post the answers on my blog so more people are aware. Also, you should email it out to the students. We want specifics. We know you do the dances, but what else, specifically, do you do?

Here is what I need answered:

1) Why does CAB get a corporate card?
2) What funds the corporate card?
3) Do you get money from the student activity fee AND a corporate card? Are they two separate things?
4) What is the limit per person per meal?
5) How many times do you go out a year?
6) What specifically has CAB done this past year (like, were you behind Lori Ostulund coming here or was that another committee?)
7) Why do we have to pay to get in the dances?
8) Is there ever money left over? If there is, where does it go?
9) Who gets to regulate how much money you spend? Can the students access your receipts?

Thank you for your time. If you want to meet in person, I can see you at nine o'clock on Sunday when I meet with SGA. However, I would prefer you give me written answers to the questions so I can post them correctly on my blog. Thank you."

This is what the CAB representative was willing to give me:
"I am happy to give you information and I would be more than willing to provide every Salem student with the same. I will be attending the meeting you mentioned which will take place on Sunday and I have also heard that there is a forum planned and I as well as Sarah Carter will be there to present CAB's financial statements to you and anyone else who wishes to hear and to know.

1) CAB does NOT get a corporate credit card. As part of the Student Activities office, Brooke Barber has a corporate credit card. 
2) This corporate credit card is funded by the Student Activities office, Dean Barr, and, I'm sure, the business office. If you would like more clarification on how this works, please contact Dean Barr or Brooke Barber as this is the limit of my knowledge.
3) Our funding is our allocation from the Student Activity fee. This is located in its own separate account and we, specifically CAB's Treasurer, have authorization to access it to pay for our events. At times, it has been necessary to use Brooke's corporate credit card (i.e., ordering things online). In those cases, the expenditures are refunded from CAB's account back to Student Activities.
5) Each CAB Executive Board goes out twice, at most three times, for a working meal during their term. In the case of this Exec Board, we have gone out three times: once to Macaroni Grille, once to Panera, and once to Ichiban. In the past, CAB's Exec Board members were work-study students and were compensated as such. Now, we are compensated with three working meals paid for by the Student Activities office as a thank you for the hard work we do. These meals were cleared by the Dean of Students. Additionally, a standard part of using a corporate credit card is having to justify your expenses and turn in receipts. Brooke Barber would have had to fill out an expense report for every single purchase on the card and have it cleared by the Business Office. If an expense is not cleared, she would have to pay for it out of pocket. I'm sure that Brooke can provide you copies of those receipts and expense reports detailing those dinners. CAB has had additional working meals, but those meals could not be cleared by the Business Office and we paid for them ourselves.
4) Brooke has never told us that there is a limit per person per meal. That being said, I will be discussing with her whether there should be a limit. Perhaps this was justified by the fact that CAB does not order t-shirts for its members and has to work events rather than fully enjoying them. I will keep you updated on this matter and let you know what we decide. However, I will also tell you that I don't feel that the members of CAB abused their privileges in any way. As college students, we've been conditioned to eat cheaply, even when the meal is being paid for by someone else.
6) During this board's term, we planned Spring Cocktail 2010, Fall Lawn 2010, Semi-Formal 2010, and Formal 2011. These events took up the bulk of our time, resources and energy. Additionally, we hosted Grocery Bingo in the Refectory every SGA Tuesday (a free event). At the end of last year, we co-hosted Stress Fest (an event on Reading Day of Spring Semester) with SGA and the Off-Campus Association. SGA and CAB split the cost of renting an inflatable obstacle course, OCA had tie-dye and CAB hosted karaoke in the Refectory during the midnight breakfast. We will probably be hosting a similar event at the end of this semester, but as I am outgoing president, I won't have as much a hand in planning that. CAB also has the opportunity to plan other social events. In the past, there have been what are known as Mystery Trips where people sign up and get on the bus and go to an unknown location. We discussed planning such a trip or another additional event, but ultimately decided that we would focus our energy and resources on the four main events and Grocery Bingo. Because of that decision, we have more money left in the account to give next year's CAB a head start. On Wednesday (04/06/11), the outgoing and incoming CAB boards met to discuss Spring Cocktail and the upcoming year. The incoming board has already discussed additional events they would like to put on, including mystery trips and more on-campus social events. They have a goal to have the first two major events of the year (Fall Lawn and Semi-Formal) entirely planned before this summer, which will allow them to have more time to plan these additional events.
7) There are two dances which students must pay to get into: Semi-Formal and Formal. Spring Cocktail, the third dance, is free and so is Fall Lawn, though I would not strictly categorize it as a dance. The reason students must pay for Semi-Formal and Formal is because of the additional costs that are incurred in hosting an event off-campus. The tickets do not pay for these costs; rather, they earn us back some of the money we've expended and keep us from going in to debt. I will say that one of the things I regret most about my term is the raising of the formal ticket prices to $20. This was a mistake. I have heard many comments about the price and have heard of many people who could not attend because of it. I can only say in my defense that my perception was skewed by the fact that I come from a position of privilege, which I am sure is a very poor defense indeed. I also regret that I had to come to that realization instead of knowing it beforehand. I tried to offset this by having many more opportunities for students to volunteer than would be available normally. However, CAB's first priority is making these events accessible to all students and I believe my efforts fell short of . This is another issue that I am confident the new board will tackle. I know that they will come up with a solution that will make each event affordable for the students and keep CAB debt-free.
8) As stated previously, there should be money left over each year, though the CAB board of 08-09 did not (through no fault of their own). The past two years I have been on CAB, we have had money left in our account at the end of the year. This money is used for expenses before the fiscal year begins and the student activities fee is allotted to campus organizations. Since Fall Lawn happens in the second or third week of school, this leftover money is used to pay deposits on bands and staging equipment. We still have Spring Cocktail left to plan and pay for, but I know that we will have a solid budget after those costs to help pay for Fall Lawn.
9) There is a system through which all allocated organizations use to track their expenditures. First, all receipts are given to the Treasurer. The treasurer organizes these receipts and fills out a report. This report is approved by organization's advisor (in this case, Brooke Barber). These reports are sent to the business office, who approve or deny the expenditures and/or reimbursements. Each month, the treasure of an organization gives all receipts and reports to the treasurer of SGA who oversees the expenditures of all clubs which are allocated money out of the students activities fee. All of these expenditures are also received by the Executive Financial Board who approve and can also question expenditures, as well as decide that certain organizations are receiving too much money from the student activities fee. This is my understanding of the system. For a more detailed explanation, I would suggest you talk to the Treasurer of SGA, Kim Wisen, or a member of the Executive Financial Board. At this moment, Sarah Carter and Brooke Barber are finalizing this Exec Board's financial statements and will have them ready for your perusal if you so desire. We will be ready to present them to the student body as well. I have asked that it be ready for Sunday's meeting.

I hope that this has answered many of your questions and more. If anyone has further questions, they may contact me via facebook, e-mail or phone. I would rather my personal information stay off the internet, so I would ask that you not post it on your blog, but I believe you have my contact information and you may forward it to interested individuals as you fit."


-Jane Wetherholt

Again readers, you decide.  I know how I feel about this information.

Dean Selection

As most know, two deans at Salem College have left.  However, there is a process currently going on to select a new dean for the campus.  The first candidate has already had a question and answer session with some Salem students.  But there are two more question and answer sessions coming up for two more deans.

Next Candidate:
Tuesday night the 12th, Bitting lobby, at 8:30pm

Final Candidate:
Thursday night the 14th, Bitting lobby, at 8:30pm

Also, there are student evaluation forms available to let administration know exactly how we feel about the deans.  My understanding is they will be distributed.  The kiosk and the banner above the refectory all have to do with finding a way to choose our own dean.  Also, the flyers slipped under doors in the dorms contain important information about the cause.  Your voice matters!  Let the administration know.

WE ARE SALEM!

Salem College students, how do you feel about the current amount of classes offered?  So many classes conflict, departments conflict, and there are some majors that don't even have classes offered for them (i.e. race and ethnicity).  Do you want to stand up and speak about change?

We want:

Professors

Classes

Options

PROTEST WITH US!!!!!!

When: Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

The plan:
1pm Meet at the kiosk
2pm Start marching towards Salem Square
2pm-4pm Class in the square

What you need to know:  We want to make a point to skip classes.  What's the point of going if we can't even graduate on time?  If you absolutely cannot skip then do not skip.  We are fighting for the professors too, please let them know this.  We encourage you to email your professors and let them know ahead of time.  We ARE Salem so let's work together.  Without us, there is no Salem.  Without our money, Salem shuts down.  So wear Salem College colors and represent our institution!

Slogan:
I am Salem

Free Meals for Club Members at Your Expense?

Salem College Students, do you know where your money is going?  Have you ever been concerned the few documents you receive on your finances from Salem aren’t telling the whole story?  Does it ever appear that the drying ink on your bill statement doesn’t seem to hold all the answers to what your money is funding?  Do we just accept this every day, without question, because we are too afraid to cause controversy and find the answers?

Who are we afraid of?

We as a student body have every right to know where every dime of our money is going.

The issue: Where exactly is our money going when we pay the “Student Government Fee”?

The argument: We as a student body don’t know and want to know.

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I have no animosity towards individuals and/or groups here at Salem College.  I am solely focusing on the issues at hand and seeking solutions for those issues.  Also, Salem College students should talk directly with SGA members, CAB members, Dean Barr, and any others involved to receive all sides of the story.

The Student Government Fee is a $215 fee that every student must pay every fall term of every year that they are enrolled at Salem College.

(For more tuition and billing information please visit: http://www.salem.edu/parents/parents-of-accepted-students/tuition-and-billing/?searchterm=student government fee)



Theoretically, this money goes to select groups (as in, not all the organizations) on campus to improve the atmosphere and the community on campus for the students of Salem College.  However, most do not have any inkling of where there $215 is going.

This past Monday, on April 4, 2011, at 10pm, a meeting for the Legislative Board members was held.  The purpose of the meeting was to vote on a new dollar amount each group would receive per student.  All Salem College students were invited to attend.  The meeting was to take place in the Library Assembly Room.  The email for this event was sent out the day before at 3:14pm.

According to one student, there was a better turn out than there normally was.  Even so, the room consisted of two columns of three rows of chairs.  Not all the chairs were occupied but most were.

The SGA members began with attendance.  Some members showed up a little late, but with plausible excuses.

Next, SGA members broke down what money was going where.  CAB appeared to have the highest amount of money per student.  After questions the Legislative Board approved the budget unanimously, advancing it onward for the student body to vote on this upcoming Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at 4pm at SGA town hall meeting.

The next day, an email circulated containing this information:

"Dean Barr,

  I have an issue that I need addressed immediately.  I learned last night during a meeting with the Leg board and SGA members that our student money is being used irresponsibly and uneconomically.  Tuition and Room and Board here at Salem is high enough as it is each year and adding another $250 dollars for a student to pay is quite a burden.  However, there has been a great deal of unrest amongst students on campus about this fee.  The unrest is due to the fact that we as students have no idea whatsoever where this money is going.

  A student at Salem college informed me last night before the meeting that almost all of the groups here at Salem that have direct funding from this $250 dollar student fee will use this money to eat at restaurants like Panera, etc. to have their meetings.  First and foremost, why is my hard earned money used to buy a meal ticket for a group member that I may not know or support?  Second of all, who is regulating this other than the SGA treasurer?  I also learned that, although some groups have a "limit" on how much they can spend for food, none of the groups were willing to give me their price "limit" other than SGA, which was $10 dollars a person.  Please explain to me why we as students who do not hold a leader position amongst these select groups do not also get to eat out on this money?

  The above unnamed student also informed me that CAB had no limit whatsoever on how much food they were allowed to get and most of them would buy one meal and then another one to take home.  This is irresponsible and unacceptable.  I confronted a CAB current member as well as the newly elected Vice President for next year and they told me that they were allowed to get their meals from [name deleted]'s corporate card and that it wasn't from the $250 fee.  This is also unacceptable, because that is still the student's money that is funding [name deleted]'s corporate card.  Also, CAB barely does anything anymore.  All of the dances they put on still cost us almost $20 to get into, when they should be free with the $250 student fee.  Also, what else does CAB do?  I ask because the events on campus that I see [name deleted] at are severely lacking and I am not the only person who feels this way.

  In conclusion, I am saying that we as a student body are extremely unsatisfied.  If it weren't for that unnamed student I would have never known about these meetings taking place at expense of the students.  These groups are supposed to support and improve student life at Salem.  If anything, right now, they are not living up to these standards.  I truly and honestly feel like I am being used and stolen from by members who expect me to pay for their meal tickets as a forced "thank you" for all their "hard work".  I strongly suggest that monthly statements be emailed out to the student body so we know where our money is going.  This is unacceptable.  Please help.  Something needs to be done before we vote this Tuesday.  The students unwittingly trust their money to people who are abusing it and who try and justify the abuse.  These people need to be held accountable, now.

Thank you for your time and understanding."

-By Student Who Will Not Be Named for His/Her protection

This particular email had a couple deans, the president of the college, the head of the financial aid office, and several others, including students, CCed.

Dean Barr responded promptly back with this email:

"Dear [Student Who Will Not Be Named for His/Her protection],

Thank you for your message today. You raise some really important questions about the student activities fee and the SGA budgeting process that we know absolutely need to be addressed. This year's SGA executive board is aware that students report they know little about the student activities fee allocation process, thus they are actively trying to make this process more transparent by providing students with more detailed information about student groups' use of money and inviting you to participate in open forum discussions.

I will defer to Mary Lynn Paulson, SGA president, to provide you with some important information about how SGA will be disseminating explanatory information and inviting students to engage in this process in the coming week.

One item of note: The SGA student activities fee is $215 (rather than $250 which I believe the amount that students have been quoting), and SGA has worked hard not to raise the fee for a number of years. The allocations to student organizations change from year to year (within this fee amount) based on rationale presented to the Executive Finance Board for review, which is voted on by the student body at a spring SGA meeting.

In the past, students have not raised many questions about the SGA fee allocations or the use of student fee money, but given the state of the economy, it is responsible for you to ask questions, and I know that SGA is encouraged that students are finally becoming more involved in this process.

Sincerely,

Dean Barr

P.S. I also am aware that the Committee on Community has put this item on their agenda (student activities fee allocations) and may soon be announcing a forum specific to this topic.

--
Krispin Barr
Dean of Students
Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
krispin.barr@salem.edu"

What do you think?  Is it right that groups should eat out on the money entrusted to them by the student body to improve the Salem Campus and provide opportunities for the students?  Is there any proof that anything is being done?

Here are some things to consider before you make your decisions:

The Salem Honor Code:

"Salem College is a community of honor.  I will show respect for my community by behaving with honesty, integrity, and civility.

As a responsibility to my honor community:

1. I will show respect for my classmates and faculty by maintaining honesty in my academic work and refraining from cheating.
2. I will show respect for my community and peers by maintaining integrity and honesty in my daily life and refraining from stealing and lying.
3. I will show respect for faculty, staff and members of the administration by maintaining civility and refraining from disruptive and abusive language and behavior.

I acknowledge that I will be held accountable for my decisions and behavior, and I will accept the consequences of my actions.  In choosing Salem College, I pledge to uphold the principles of the Honor Code and will cherish and guard its traditions."

--(verbatim from the Student Handbook, emphasis mine)

SGA Club Description:

"Student Government Association (SGA)

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the means by which you as students govern yourselves and to uphold Salem values such as maintaining a high level of conduct, creating a spirit of unity and developing a sense of individual responsibility and adherence to the honor tradition at Salem..

Membership is open to all traditional-age students; non-traditional age students may be involved as non-voting members.

Student organizations within the SGA include:

• Honor Council
• Legislative Board
• Interdorm Council
• Executive Board"

--(verbatim from the website http://www.salem.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations, emphasis mine)

CAB Club Description:

"The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is responsible for sponsoring diverse social and entertainment programs both on and off campus.  These programs include parties, special events, dance and entertainment that bring diverse types of performances to campus.  Also, the Campus Activities Board is responsible for Fall Lawn, Semi-Formal, Formal, and Spring Cocktail events.  Elected students form the CAB Executive Board; however, all interested students are encouraged to become members of the General Board."

--(verbatim from the Student Handbook, emphasis mine)

Current Population of Salem:

"Salem's total enrollment of 1,100 includes traditional college students (all women), adults enrolled in the graduate-degree programs in education as well as men and women ages 23 and up who take courses through the Fleer Center for Adult Education." (verbatim from the website http://www.salem.edu/about/fast-salem-facts)

The Math:

1,100 students X $215 Student Government Fee = $236,500 budget for SGA to divide amongst selected groups.

You decide!

Additional Information:

• **Student Run Protest** - Students, do you disagree with group members buying meals using your money?  Protest at the SGA town hall meeting this Tuesday, April 12, at 4pm!  Let everyone here your voice.  We will be holding posters displaying our disgust for the abuse of our hard earned money.  We will meet outside the FAC at 3:50pm.  We are forced to pay the $215 dollar fee, but we are not forced to be quiet about the irresponsible use of our money.  Please support us!  For questions, comments, and concerns, please contact me at leeann.holmes@salem.edu.
• You are allowed to ask to see the receipts of the clubs purchases at any time.  Contact the SGA president or treasurer to set up an appointment.  You cannot directly access CAB receipts the transactions are placed on a corporate card...

Please post comments!  All topics are up for debate!  Thanks for reading.

UPDATES:

"Hi, again, [Student That Shall Not Be Named],

I received an update from Mary Lynn tonight and understand that she is coordinating a meeting so that members of SGA exec and CAB can provide correct information and answer any questions students might have about rumors they've heard about how money has been spent. I am grateful to her for doing that because I re-read your email tonight and realized that many of the things you have been hearing are so from the truth and perhaps have been exacerbated by the Salem rumor mill.

Also, regarding your questions about what CAB does and how they spend their money, I would encourage you to make an appointment to speak with Brooke [Barber] directly, and she could invite members of the CAB board, because they work extremely hard throughout the year to provide an enormous amount of programming, much of which students may not realize is being sponsored by CAB. I am confident they would welcome the opportunity to address your concerns about CAB and the programming they sponsor throughout the year.

I wanted to be sure you knew as well that Brooke is very conscientious about spending any budget money on food for CAB, and meals she has paid for are associated with training and planning sessions that require an exorbitant amount of time together in meetings. I imagine that most students have no idea how much work they do throughout the year, and the meals are a small token of our appreciation for their hard work.

Sincerely,

Dean Barr"

"Hi [Student That Shall Not Be Named],

At dinner tonight, you raised some valid questions about how organizations spend their funding. I agree that it is important that students know how the money for the student activity fee is allocated. Hopefully I should be able to answer your questions, but if you need clarification on allocations or any additional information, please let me know. SGA is also working to continually raise awareness among Salem students about how Student Activity Fee is used. In addition, the Committee on Community is planning a forum  about clubs, attendance at events at Salem, and allocations of funds in the Salem community. This is being planned with the hope of receiving valuable feedback that will help increase feelings of inclusion and understandings of how money is being spent.

It is difficult for a club or organization at Salem to abuse funding: there are several forms of oversight that ensure responsible handling of finances. Any money taken out of an organization's account must be approved by a faculty sponsor before the withdrawal can be processed. The faculty sponsor will typically ask questions about the intended use for the funds. Next, someone in the business office must process the request for funds, and update the account of the organization in the computer system. Any time money is deposited or withdrawn, the account is updated in the computer. At the end of each month, the Director of Student Activities emails all of the Presidents and Treasurers of organizations that receive money from the Student Activity Fee a copy of their monthly financial statement.

 All organizations that receive money from the Student Activity Fee are required to submit a monthly financial statement to the Executive Finance Board. The EFB meets once a month to look closely at each of these monthly financial statements. Not only do they check the receipts that are provided, but they also look at the information on the monthly financial statement to double check that every dollar has been tallied and recorded. In short, all expenses of any club or organiszation need to be documented and justified. If an organization has any missing receipts or has a fund discrepancy then they can (and will) have their account frozen.  So, if an organization goes out to Panera for a meeting, your fellow students that serve on the EFB know about it. When a group does make a purchase with food, the EFB does look at the receipts and does hold the group accountable. The EFB must approve of the expense before the reimbursement of funds to any individual or organization.

 The SGA Treasurer and the Executive Finance Board work closely with all student groups when making allocations from year to year, in an effort to make sure that the Student Activity Fee helps current students. For the past several years, the SGA of Salem has not increased the Student Activity Fee. Any changes in the student activity fee relate to the amounts different organizations receive. The decision to increase or decrease funds for a club or organization relates to how that group has used its funds that year, the fundraisers they have attempted, and the contributions they have made to the campus.

 The EFB and faculty advisors were set in place to ensure checks and balances so that leaders on campus do not abuse their positions, or the money entrusted to them by the student body. As I said at dinner, I would be more than happy to meet with you in person to answer any questions you (or others) may have. Leaders on campus have gone out to dinner once or twice a year as an extension of a training program or as a meeting associated with the extensive work they do, spending hours in planning sessions and working to develop programs and events on behalf of the student body, and they are always held accountable for how they spend your student activity fee.

I truly appreciate your dedication to Salem, and how funds are used to enhance the experience of the student body. You said that you were not interested in leadership positions like the Executive Finance Board, but that you just had an interest in how your money is spent. I promise that there are others leaders on campus, and in the administration, who care about what you have to say, and who will go out of their way to listen and make sure your voice is heard. I am sorry that you have felt so ignored for two years; the fact that you have continued to speak up is a testament to your character. I am certain that I am not alone in affirming how lucky Salem is to have such a determined and impassioned individual on her campus.

 Mary Lynn Paulson

SGA President"