ASR General Meeting
February 11, 2008
TOPICS
-Book Store UpdateDora Amador: I wanted to meet and do a Q and A and see what is out there. What do
want to see, what you think we should carry and give some information. We have been
here for a year and a half. I have been in the business for 20 years. We have been
working with Rice and Texas Tech. I was a student, went to school, worked at the book
store, and paid my way through college. I know both ends of the story. As for Trinity, I
have been happy. We have given $120,000 this year in Buy Back. When I was a student I
liked buying used books. What I was disappointed in is refunding. Students are using us
as a library. Some people who cannot buy new books and need used books but they are
not available. Just like you, we are trying to calm down book prices. We could have CDs,
Access codes, packages. My next step is going to the faculty senate. As a publisher rep, it
is our job to sell the book. My returns this year were $80,000. How does that affect me in
the future? Well, I will not order the full set for professors because you are not buying
them. Our margin on a textbook is only 25 (%?). If they sell it to me for $25, I sell it is
for $27-28. The funds go back to Trinity. The money you guys make goes to scholarships
and stuff. How many knew that?
Senators: Some
Dora: We also donate. There is so much that goes around. What can we do? I can’t beat
Amazon because, well, why be here? Some students come to me crying because they
bought the wrong book off of Amazon. We want to be part of the community. We want
to be able to sell more used books. The difference between the books this semester was I
gambled and bought some used books and hoped professors would adopt them. And they
did. What do you think we should do? I am hoping we can advertise and stuff.
Nat: I think faculty senate is a great idea. When a new textbook comes out the older
edition loses 95% of its value. Professors really need to think about the older editions. I
think it depends on the professor and you should talk to them.
Cesar: I have been here for a while. My professor said that he is making a packet and I
think he is going with CDs now. I think more faculty should be made aware. Are
royalties cheaper?
Dora: The royalties are more expensive. Some people have made mistakes so there was a
huge lawsuit. You can also download textbooks online.
Rob: You said it was a problem that people buy used books online and then getting
refunds. I think you should not allow people to return used books that they sell.
Chantal: I ended up dropping a class this year and I buy used books so I would not be
able to return it?
Dora: Our refund period is usually only a week. This semester I did a little more than a
week. I may rethink this next year. It frustrates me that student A can’t have a certain
used book because student B bought it and then later returned it. We also bought a lot of
different clothes and supplies.
Adam C: It seems like there is a lot of confusion with students about the Barnes & Noble
relationship. People are unhappy because they think it is a huge corporation to suck the
money out of them.
Dora: Some colleges actually do that. 25% is your country standard. So, by contract I
can’t go any higher than that. Some of the books actually cost me $100. I had one store
that we brought in $8 million. My profit was negative because we had to pay the bills. So
I really want to answer your misconceptions. The next thing I want to talk about is theft.
Dora: It is so much to go to this school and you do that. We will prosecute. The last thing
stolen was a Paris calendar. Do you know how easy it is for me to find out? I did have an
interview with the Trinitonian about it. Someone told me to put a sign outside.
“Shoplifters will be prosecuted.” But I don’t want to do that.
Cesar: What kind of items were stolen? Some of the things are big. What about laser
tags?
Dora: They are expensive and labor intensive.
Pam: Just wondering, do you guys think we should put up a sign.
Rob: I think if you make a sign it would be a good idea to make it university related.
Dora: Can you give me an example?
Rob: Like suspended or expelled.
Cesar: Like the bookstore would reserve the right to refer you to student conduct board.
Dora: Right now we will prosecute. As to how it will be handled…
Dean Tuttle: I think referral to student conduct board is a good one. You don’t want to
say that it’s a pack of gum and you don’t refer them.
Nat: Back to used textbooks, maybe you can ask them, confront them. Ask them if an
older edition can be used.
Dora: Actually starting next semester that is what will happen. I like that idea.
Alicia: With Nat, I think selling back old editions is better. It is real frustrating for us.
Dora: We increased the buyback. We have been doing better than Rice. They only gave
back $20,000. Stop by and talk to us.
Charlene: We know you are busy so you can e-mail us.
Pam: It seems like the discussions keep coming back to making professors aware. And
you are going to the faculty senate so we would like to help. We like making resolutions
so we can help you.
Dora: Thank you. Just shoot me an e-mail if you have a question.
-BudgetPam: $8444. I think we are getting another allocation soon. I don’t know when but I will
find out.
-Sophomore College UpdateDean Tuttle: Did you know Dr. Lee was coming tonight? She was observing student
conduct board tonight.
Senators: What a NICE surprise.
Dean Tuttle: I feel like because of my dual role it would make you uncomfortable. I
would be happy to step out.
Pam: I feel like everyone wants you to hear it. I could be wrong.
Pam: Raise you hand if you are intimidated by Dean Tuttle.
Dean Tuttle: Just call me back if you need me.
Dean Tuttle steps out of the room.
Pam: If at any point you feel uncomfortable just tug your ear. It will be really
unanimous.
Chantal: Use a safe word. Piano….
Nat: I was just thinking about this. My sister is a sophomore. She does not like it. What if
next year reslife takes a poll based on this. I think people worry that nothing could ever
change that.
Dean Tuttle: The assessment is part of the fabric of what we do. I wouldn’t put a year
limit on it. I think it needs a couple of years for us to fully assess it.
Nat: I thought that I need some specific statute of limitations. If you think about it, we all
change in 2 years of college. So this can’t fade through people’s minds.
Travis: I think if it only took one year for a trial so why would we need 2 years?
Dean Tuttle: All along the task force had said that the recommendation was for
implementation in the original report. We were looking to see if there was anything to
stop us from implementing it full steam ahead. We need to be able to see students run
through the full course, freshman year, sophomore housing and upperclassmen.
-Story of BobJD: We are here to present to you about the premier. We are happy to say it was a
complete success. It was well received. Why are we back here? The issue here is…John..
John: The first thing is the first run did not go all the way. The second thing is people
who were not able to come the first time.
JD: We are not thinking something big. We just want to put it out at Northrup basement.
We want $100 for promotion. We want to reach trinity students and people outside in the
San Antonio area.
John: We got Nicki Young, head of a small production company. She loved the
screenings and wants to support us.
JD: The 29th is the major premier. It would be 5:30 and 7:00pm.
John: The 5:30 is for people who were here on campus so they don’t leave. 7:00 is for
the larger San Antonio community.
Pam: Did you guys use all the FOUND money we gave you?
JD: That is FOUND and this is Story about Bob.
John: Those people are using that money legitimately. I talked to the producers.
Pam: Did you try TIGER?
John: We tried but they ignored us. I know the order of things is to go to them but they
have not replied.
Pam: Anymore questions for Bob?
Cesar: So they are not doing the Moonlit movie thing this year. I was thinking if we
could do a tie-in. I think it is a cool Trinity tradition.
John: When has it been?
Britni: It has been usually a Monday or Thursday in April.
Cesar: I think it would be more successful because you guys do a good job of promotion.
Pam: For moonlit movie, what is the cost for us? Do we just have the equipment?
Britni: What we have done in the past is provide the food. Copyright stuff is usually
$500-4600.
Pam : You guys want to look into that?
John: Sure. We will discuss that. Thanks.
-BACK TO SOPHOMORE COLLEGEPam: I think we should think about passing it next week.
Pete: I think we wanted feedback before we finalized it.
Nat: You guys have all good ideas in here. I think it would be great if it could be in half
as many words.
Adam T: Basically it starts out saying we agree with s. college but we have reservations
regarding the limitations of it. We think that first and second year living are different.
The resident mentors for the freshman does well for them. The sophomores don’t need to
be weaned as much as freshman class. A big thing is making a choice. I think 30% of
seniors travel abroad. I think it only leaves one semester for you to be able to do what
you want to do. Pete and I both found that there is too much variability in experiences in
1st and 2nd year. I think there is a lot more to take into then to say Freshmen were happier
than sophomores. With those things in mind, we say we like sophomore college but we
don’t like the absolute limitations.
Pete: If people have questions on it…
Dean Tuttle: I don’t want to debate you.
Pete: I recognize that we don’t have all the information in front of us. What made the
first year experience so great was it was a drastic change from living at home. The fact
that you have all that freedom is better. It skews the results of the surveys.
Dean Tuttle: I think you conveniently dismissed the sophomore slump data. The data the
task force looked at is national. We are trying to create more enthusiasm for it. You have
data from people you talked to, which you think balances this data? Seven years ago a
task force said the sophomore and junior level is lacking. We hear from juniors and
seniors that they want more freedom. Making it is mandatory misses people who do not
go into these kinds of things and people who would benefit the most.
Nat: I think it is just the fact that it is mandatory. Probably a lot of us ran into the
sophomore slump. The only thing we are worried about is it is mandatory. What if the
default was sophomore housing? It would allow the people who legitimately want to live
like juniors and sophomores.
Patrick N: Is housing based on credit hours or the number of years you have been here?
Dean Tuttle: It is all based on semesters.
Patrick: So even though I am a junior now, and it is my fourth semester, I would have to
live with sophomores.
Dean Tuttle: Yes
Adam C: I think it is important that for everyone in this room, it is an absolute. The
program isn’t really a permanent absolute. I think if it ends up tanking there is no way it
will stay. I think we need to consider the future as much as we are considering now.
Patrick F: I agree. I think it is a very ambitious project. I understand that making it
mandatory takes away from the independence. I like the idea that it could work. So when
people come to Trinity they become happy later on. I don’t think the administration
wants to make sophomores miserable. What can we do to make this it better? I like this
idea. I think it makes Trinity a great school because we are trying new things.
Chantal: For me, I think if you make it optional, people who live in sophomore housing
wanted to be there. This year I lived with a junior. When you do allow it to be optional, it
would create a better community. I didn’t go through a slump. You get the upperclassmen
perspective if you can live with upperclassmen.
Cesar: The sophomore college has been supported. So, what about the junior/senior
residents?
Dean Tuttle: I think that people move off campus. I think we want to simulate it as much
as possible.
Cesar: I think that the creation of Sophomore College creates another college,
junior/senior
Pete: I don’t think it will tank or fail. I think it is successful if it was a choice. The
options presented were such good ones. Had it been in Prassel, I would not have picked
it. The choice of roommates and suitemates was really good.
Dean Tuttle: It depends on what is at the end of the reservation.
Pete: The options people are giving to sophomore college is good. I think when you
choose to be in this community you will be happier. The programs, I think are awesome.
I think if the programs are in the dorms seem to work very well. I think you can still offer
those programs whether or not they are in a community hall or not.
Nick: I was wondering if there are or success in other programs. What have been the
results and what were they?
Dean Tuttle: The only one is Colgate. They have added curricular things, like first year
seminar. I don’t think we are doing that yet but they are like us.
Milana: To be honest, when I first heard about it I thought it was horrible. I think they
did not read the whole thing. As a sophomore by the time you get there, it does not add
anything. I feel people are rebelling because they see the word mandatory. Maybe the
sophomores do not realize it right now. It would have better options of rooming with your
friends.
Pete: Do you know the numbers of students who had a roommate in mind and did not get
to live with them?
Dean Tuttle: We accommodate the roommates but we sometimes have problems with
suitemates.
Adam C: Everything I have heard was, the issue for them wasn’t the fact that it was
mandatory. It was the dorm selection.
Pete: I think athletes and people will be angry if they lose Prassel.
Dean Tuttle: The transition years are the hardest.
Adam C: People were saying it is the nicer dorm. As an upperclassmen, giving it to a
sophomore would be unfair.
Adam T: To wrap it up, this is by no means concrete. We will consolidate and cut out
things. We can bring some common ground.
Adam C: I just want to hear Dr. Lee’s take on this thing.
Dr. Lee: I ask the same question that you are all asking. It is because your constitutents
interested so you are talking about it.
Adam T: I think we are elected to represent the student body.
Dr. Lee: I think when you are younger, when you look back on your college years, it was
a seamless experience but the national data shows it works. Having the higher education,
research institutes says something is going on in the sophomore issue. When they talk
about the trinity experience, they talk about the residential experience. What I hear from
staff, i.e. counselors, I ask what the students are worried about in therapy. Sophomore
year there is a lot of anxiety. When faculty, parents, and alum have noticed this, I say
why not. I think it is innovative. I think everyone is watching and everyone is scared. If it
was set in stone I would not have given the green light. I think the task force wanted to
take a risk. The risk was calculated and intelligent.
Nick: I was just wondering, would it be possible to not have it mandatory. Can we have
like applications if people wanted to live with upperclassmen.
Dean Tuttle: It is feasible? I don’t know. I don’t know if we want to spend that much
time on a few exceptional cases. The way my staff feels that they have a mandate from
this group. So…no.
Dean Tuttle: As your advisor, I do think the resolution can be a lot shorter. I don’t know
if you need to put in all the extra details.
Pam: ok, everyone next week, e-mail adam and pete.
-BenchmarkingPam: lets talk about benchmarking next week.
DISCUSSION AND VOTING
-Adam Money-
Pam: Adam wanted money for the pool table. Dean Tuttle said it is reslifes job. So,
Adam also wanted money for more RAM.
Adam C: What we have is 256 little gnomes running and $80 would give us 512 little
gnomes. I don’t know the exact processor speed right now. I feel that if we get it out of
the way it would be better.
Travis: I motion to give Adam as much money for as many little gnomes he needs.
Second: Patrick
All in Favor of Travis’ Stupid Motion: 2
All Opposed: 12
All Abstaining: 0
Cesar: I think we should amend it.
-MOTIONCesar: I move that ASR allocates $100 to update RAM.
Patrick: Second
All in favor of Cesar’s amendment: 12
All opposed: 1
All abstaining: 1
The motion passes.
WHAT’S UP?
-QEP T-Shirts-
UPCOMING EVENTS
Next Meeting: February 18, 2008
Love, Labor, Loss Film, February 13, 2008
Pam embarrasses Adam and Pete, Not Soon Enough
-END OF MEETINGMonday, February 11, 2008, 10:23pm