Senate Beat Demands Absurd and Decadent Sums of Money

Highlights: Statement on Title VI Settlement, affinity group meeting Friday, special election coming up, some FinComm allocations. 

Student Body President Andrew Happy ‘27 convened the Senate Public meeting at 4:11pm. Happy reported that the Presidential Council on Campus Climate (PCCC) met and is hoping to host more dialogue sessions after last week’s session, focused on issues salient to the community. The Legislation Committee has finally gotten their meeting scheduled. The Student Committee on Academic Policy and Planning (SCAPP) met last week and discussed AI policy proposals from the Committee on Academic Policy and Planning (CAPP) meeting. 

Student Body Vice President Taylor Barth ‘27 then reported that the search for a VP of Institutional Diversity had a great kickoff meeting. He also said the Admission and Financial Aid Committee is meeting on September 30. The International Student Services (ISS) liaisonship has its first meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 8. 

Senator Sam Kuo ‘28 reported that the Student Committee on Diversity is hosting the first ever affinity group meeting on Friday, October 2, at 7pm in Vollum 120. Affinity group signators are asked to attend.  

Senator J.R. Wallingford ‘27 reminded students that special elections are coming up, and to be on top of election details if you are interested in running for Senate. 

Senator Maya Gutierrez ‘27 reported that the Library Board is finding a time to meet. Title XI and VI coordinator Christy Martin is still on vacation, so the Title XI and VI committee cannot meet with her. 

Senator Magdalen Miller ‘29 reported the Art Collection and Murals Committee and the SHARE committee are still finding times to meet. The CSO liaisonship is planning its second meeting with Community Safety Director Carl Peaster. Miller asked students to reach out to either her or Happy with any relevant concerns they would wish to be discussed in that meeting.  

Senator and Parliamentarian Manoel Pereira Lopes ‘28 reported that he is looking to schedule meetings with Art Collective and the Health and Counseling Center (HCC). He also has a draft of the constitution ready, which is ready to undergo legal review. He reminded students that the constitution will hopefully be ready to be voted upon by the student body next week. 

Senator Alastair Budd ‘27 met with the Computing Planning and Policy Committee (CPPC) to talk about AI and campus life, including updating the sanctions for student misconduct especially in regards to digital sanctions. The HUM 110 Committee was also planning to meet on September 29. 

Assistant Treasurer Enzo Lawrence ‘28 also reported for Head Treasurer Bella Reyes ‘27, who was absent. He said that the Reed Union Committee is having its first meeting, and Renn Feyre Czars have been hired. Lawrence is also working to restore the Senate website with Calder McQueen ‘29, the website liaison. On Reyes’ behalf, he reported several allocations from the Finance Committee (FinComm). The Bonsai Club asked for $10,000 and was given $725. The ASL Club asked for $1272, and was given $659. Low SES Collective asked for $1,319, and was given $934. Quiz Bowl asked for $26,822, and was given $84. SCODE asked for $831, and was given $831. 

Vice Treasurer Al McKee ‘29 had nothing to report. 

Senator Quinn Capper ‘28 asked students to contact Senate with concerns related to Commons before Friday, when they are meeting with Commons Board. 

Senator and AppComm Co-Chair Stella Greer ‘29 had nothing new to report. 

AppComm recommended Renata Akeed ‘28, Oscar Bjorklund ‘28, Aruni Hussain ‘29, Barbara Plakhtii ‘29, and Erika Spencer ‘28, for Renn Fayre Czars.  The Renn Fayre Czar recommendations passed 12-0 with two abstentions.

Kuo then presented a statement, cosigned and authored by the entirety of Senate, addressing the recent Title VI settlement with the ADL and Brandeis Center:

“Last Tuesday, the Office of Institutional Diversity hosted a community dialogue on free speech and hate speech at Reed. It was clear that the event was in response to the Title VI settlement, which has muddied the waters on what pro-Palestine expression and sentiment will be protected in the future. While there is a disconnect between Senate and the administration on the Title VI settlement, there has been an even larger disconnect for the student body. Two weeks ago, Senate met with (Karnell McConnell-Black, Vice President for Student Life) and Christy Martin (Title VI, Title IX, and 504 Coordinator) to discuss the implications of the settlement, from this meeting and speaking to current students, we feel it is important to share what we learned and what we didn't learn from these conversations.

 “First, all policies from the settlement will be in place for at least three years. There is no changing any language in the settlement agreement until 2029. Second, it was the Board of Trustees that negotiated and approved this settlement. There was no communication from the trustees to the student body or Senate except to inform us after they had reached an agreement. Third, Senate was concerned about Reed's decision to hire an independent consultant who will be selected with the guidance of the ADL and Brandeis Center. Reed has expressed that these exterior organizations would only be part of a larger process in determining who to hire. Fourth, Senate was also concerned over what the college's definition of anti-Semitism was, especially given that the settlement states under Term 11, Reed will consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism. The extent to which this will be applied remains ambiguous. Reed has not provided Senate with an official definition for either anti-Semitism or Zionism. And finally, under Term 18, Reed College will begin providing annual educational programming that is focused on recognizing and combating anti-Semitism with the consultation of the ADL and Brandeis Center. 

“We are still unsure where this funding is coming from and when these training sessions will begin. If you are looking for more information, there is a FAQ on Reed’s website under the resolution agreement section. Ultimately, there is still so much more that needs to be clarified to the student body and the Title VI committee and IX committee, which is Maya, Enzo, and myself, will be working around the clock to get answers as to what speech and actions are protected at Reed.” 

Senate Public was adjourned at 4:24pm. Senator Sima Fasihi and Head Treasurer Bella Reyes were absent. All other members were present.