SITSA

Minutes of the SITSA Meeting Dated April 30, 2010
Time: 12h40 pm
Venue: Boyce Building
Meeting Chairperson: Brittany Smith

1.Updates:
It was stated by the chairperson that Tony Drapelick wanted to know who would be present for the Open House on May 7th and could not attend SITSA. All representatives were asked to send an email out if they thought they would have to miss the meeting.

ISAP’s report involved that the international students would take part in the “Race for a Reason,” in greater numbers. They had organized a T-shirt and the process was about to finish.

Brittany announced that the minutes from previous meetings were sent to the blog with some changes made where necessary, and that they were open for viewing to all in the communities.

Brandon’s matter on the inclusion of people of color in the faculties and administration was still tabled. Brittany had handouts, but the matter couldn’t be discussed without Brandon. So, it was agreed to wait until Brandon availed himself.

SITSA members were given a sheet to check if they would be available for the times and days, in preparation for an evening meeting to be scheduled depending on the response by the members.

2.Adam Goldberg presented a fund request for $250 on behalf of the Band for transporting the band from Martha’s Vineyards. Voting was to be done as the last thing on the agenda.

3.Brandon gave a brief explanation of his case to lay a foundation for the people who had not been present at the beginning when the matter was tabled.

Barbara clarified that she knew why there was no diversity coordinator.

There was a consensus that there was a need to have a diversity coordinator to address relating to what Brandon hinted. That meant, as one of the presenters emphasized, the diversity coordinator would address among others polarized racial issues and tensions like it was done in one of the local high schools. Still on the diversity coordinator, one concern was the relation that that position would have in the SIT infrastructure.

The discussion furthered and it was said that the main issues that should receive immediate attention needed to be highlighted and attended to.

The following was the procedure to be followed: An initial letter should be forwarded with add-ons from other communities, as well as from individuals.

Closing the matter, Brittany showed the role of SITSA in tackling matters and that the association was open to suggestions, as long as submissions would be made. She also stressed that SITSA was ready to support all the communities. However, SITSA would the concerned to organize and submit something on paper for discussion and then, endorsement.

Brandon concluded that he would like to have the matter addressed and that there should be freedom to serve without being pointed.

Matthew hinted that the matter would need to be categorized into continuing conversation, synthesizing all the idea from the student body and the thoughts of diversity coordinator and/or committee be nominated.

It was confessed that there were time constraints, but there was to be a concrete, positive description before SITSA could endorse the final letter.

The letter would be revised and the document be submitted to SITSA by the next week. Votes would be conducted thereafter.

Brandon wrote his email address on the board (blee1911@yahoo.com), in case people had anything to add onto the final letter SITSA would receive.

4.The $250 request for the band was granted.

5.Any Other Business:
Other requests were postponed.
Jason announced that SITSA still had $1848.29 prior to the request that was just approved.

Emails would be sent about the evening meeting.

Brittany asked if people would rearrange and see what day(s) would suit, especially those where the majority of SITSA would be available. Brittany stated that the meeting would last for 1-1.5 hour. The venue for the evening meeting was Matthew’s place. Matthew gave verbal directions and would still email it to the rest.