Minutes 10/06/2015 Last week’s minutes passed. 10 yes 6 abstained. Voice Your Voice begins Financial Aid: ­financial aid packages: how are they decided, are family situations taken into account? ­first year job opportunities: students who are eligible for work study but are not offered jobs that work with their class schedules ­funds for books/winter clothes etc. should be need based and included in the honor code. ­more questions on forms for assistance ­adas should get first pick for new apartments because their situation was dramatically changed last year ­appeal process should be consistent for each student General forum: ­making smith a tobacco free campus? Dining and Housing: ­more widespread cultural representation for food ­more gluten free options ­kosher houses: rsvp? who has swipe access ­vegetarian dining hall in each area of campus ­vegan dining hall ­more protein options for everyone ­more chicken ­recycling bins everywhere ­specialty housing (trans housing now) ­how can we make sure that trans women are safe in their houses? ­dining hours...weird (why is cushing only open for 45 minutes?) ­staggering hours, some houses open earlier some later Health/Mental Health ­people shouldn't have to wait three weeks to see a therapist. we need more therapists. ­disability services and therapy services should have better communication ­multicultural training for therapists ­med leave is handled poorly. They should be prioritized before housing first years ­health insurance ambiguity ­pregnant students. they should not be told to transfer as a policy Ada/Transfer: ­Housing is a huge crisis: why are adas not told until july whether they have housing or not? ­Healthcare for adas. how can we make it more inclusive? ­more housing options for adas, smith partnering with northampton property owners ­point person for strategic planning google doc with all the responses is being made (Note for Marge Litchford: department reception: include offices as well (i.e health services representative goes and has blurb for students, global studies, etc.) anna and julia student life and … propose that committee heads automatically go to the meeting 4 committee chairs so the rest would be general senators election will be general , any senator or committee head can run julia anna zara katie w emma traci