Student Affairs Committee 

The Committee on Student Affairs monitors and reports on all aspects of student life at Dartmouth College to both the Alumni Council and, through the councilors, to the alumni body. At each of its meetings, the committee has the unique opportunity to meet with, and have extensive dialogue with, several student leaders from both the undergraduate and the graduate student bodies regarding current “hot topic” campus issues.  Recent issues explored have included: fostering and maintaining alumni–student connections  (Guide to Student–Alumni Connections); social spaces on campus, and athletics. Leaders from the Student Assembly also report out and join the discussion at each meeting. The committee consists of a representative from the Dartmouth College administration (committee secretary), and members of the Alumni Council.

Report from the 203nd Alumni Council, December 1-3, 2011 

The meeting was called to order by the committee chair, David Wagner ’99, who introduced the newly appointed dean of the College, Charlotte Johnson. Dean Johnson gave a brief summary of her journey to Hanover and opened the floor to questions. In learning mode, Dean Johnson asked for councilor input to better understand what, as dean of the College, she is stewarding. A general discussion commenced of what makes Dartmouth, “DARTMOUTH,” and why our alumni have such a strong affinity for the College. It was determined that there is an amalgamation of intangible factors that creates an almost palpable energy on the campus and among its alumni. A combination of the College’s isolated location, formidable weather, and unchanging traditions establishes bonds among its undergraduates that are unbreakable. These bonds are renewed every time Dartmouth alums interact with one another or make their personal pilgrimages back to campus. Dean Johnson is excited about the openness of Dartmouth to reach outside of itself for the best ideas and to innovate. One example she cited is the Learning Collaborative on High-Risk Drinking that President Kim spearheaded to better understand drinking on college campuses and to lessen the harm it causes.

Following Dean Johnson were reports from both the Student Assembly (SA) and the Graduate Student Council (GSC). SA President Max Yoeli ’12 and Vice President Amrita Sankar ’12 gave a summary of the many SA initiatives and committees. SA initiatives have helped to further manage alcohol usage on campus, including installing sober monitors at parties and distributing pocket cards that explain student rights. Another SA initiative focuses on diversity and community affairs by providing funding for events that bring together disparate groups on campus. The focal point for SA thus far has been helping to introduce the new dining plan to students; literature has been produced detailing how the new dining plan and schedule work as well as tips on proper and effective usage. The GSC reported on its continued growth and efforts to unify the graduate student population into a cohesive community. Acting President Wesley Whitaker ’12MALS reported on an increase in funding for six of the 15 graduate student groups. The GSC is continuing to work on establishing both dental and vision insurance for graduate students. The GSC has also increased its communication and online presence by revamping its Facebook and Twitter presence as well as developing an iPhone app. Other GSC initiatives include securing additional graduate student space, working with public transit to explore opportunities to adjust schedules to be more student friendly, and promoting events and gatherings to foster greater cohesion among the graduate student body.

The meeting concluded with a presentation from the Dartmouth Humanitarian Engineering program (DHE). DHE members Ted Sumers ’12, Alison Polton-Simon ’14, and Zach Losrodo’10, ’11Th, gave an inspiring and motivational presentation about their experiences in Africa. DHE focuses on bringing sustainable and affordable technology-based solutions to communities in need. Their engineering projects aim to improve personal health, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance community well being. Recent projects have included Pico-Hydro, which provides small-scale, efficient energy to villages through hydroelectric turbines and cook stoves and introduces efficient stoves and cooking technologies to communities that still cook in homes with open flames. More information on DHE can be found on its website, www.thayer.dartmouth.edu/dhe.

Report from the 202nd Alumni Council, May 19–21, 2011 

The agenda included the following items.

1. Update on student life from Sylvia Spears, acting dean of the College:

• Greek letter organizations on campus;

• Dartmouth Health Improvement Program initiatives: SEMP revisions, Green Team, mini grants, Safe Ride program, Harm Reduction program, additional weekend programs, initiatives regarding sexual assault; and;

• National College Health Improvement Program.

1. Update on new dining plans by David Newlove, director of dining services:

• Transition from a la carte dining to a hybrid “all you care to eat” (AYCTE) program and flex-dollar program with emphasis on the AYCTE component; created a 20-meal-per-week plan with cost that fits into the financial aid package; still fine-tuning the meal plan number for upper classmen.

1. Sustainability panel with students Laura Coyle ’12 and Nick Devonshire ’11 moderated by Rosi Kerr ’97, director of sustainability, discussed student-initiated sustainability programs (Big Green Bus, Pop-Up Bike Shop, internship programs, Earth Week, DOC trips) as well as the Sustainable Living Dorm.
2. Update from Graduate Student Council President Marcella Lucas with handout (handout also provided by the Undergraduate Student Assembly).
3. Election of our vice chair for the next academic year: Lou Spelios ’95.

Report from the 201st Alumni Council, December 1-4, 2010

The Student Affairs Committee met from 7:30 to 9:30 am Friday, December 3, 2010. There were several items on the agenda:

1. Dean of the College Sylvia Spears covered the recent reorganization of the dean of the College division, including the creation of seven associate dean and director positions within the division. Several of the associate deans and directors were introduced at the meeting. Dean Spears emphasized various goals of the reorganizational plan, one of which is to make the dean of the College office more user friendly and to eliminate duplication of services.

2. Professor Gregg Fairbrothers ’76 of the Tuck School of Business gave an excellent presentation on the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network (DEN), which he founded in 2000. The purpose of this program is to work with students, faculty, researchers, and alumni to support entrepreneurial initiatives by providing advice and resources for these individuals. He brought two student entrepreneurs with him who outlined their entrepreneurial endeavors and how the DEN helped facilitate their ideas.

3. Eric Tanner ’11, president of the Dartmouth Undergraduate Student Assembly, gave a report outlining the assembly’s activities, which included school spirit initiatives on “big game” days this fall, as well as input into the Ledyard swim dock closing this past summer. Marcella Lucas, chair of the Graduate Student Council, spoke about her organization’s role in improving the Dartmouth experience for graduate students, which includes health and dental insurance needs, social venues, etc. 

Report from the 200th Alumni Council, May 20–22, 2010: 

Daniel Bryant ’91 opened the meeting and had committee members introduce themselves. Student Assembly president Frances Vernon ’10 and incoming president Erik Tanner ’11 then provided an update. There are four committees within the Student Assembly: Academic Affairs, Diversity and Community Affairs, Student Life, and Student Services. Current topics/priorities of the Student Assembly include the continuing need for alternative social space (for events such as the successful “Party in the Collis Caf-A”), alcohol policy, and keeping the lines of communication open between President Kim and the students. The Graduate Student Council (GSC) president, Ting-Lan Tina Chang, also provided an update. Recent achievements include creating the possibility of a Dartmouth clinic that would provide an in-house dentist to address the need for dental/vision insurance; the hosting of cross-campus events (with undergraduate student groups, DMS, Tuck, Thayer, and the Dartmouth Institute), which continue to be successful; the start of a weekly e-newsletter to highlight upcoming events to grad students; and the election of the GSC Executive Board.

Next J.B. Daukas ’84 presented an update on the Committee to Support Greek Letter Organizations. The committee conducted surveys, toured houses, and held discussions with senior administrators as part of its research to determine the current state of Greek letter organizations and provide recommendations to make sure they endure and thrive. Through this research, it was determined that the organizations need help to survive long-term. The conditions of the houses are a large concern: The buildings are old, many other students use the houses for social opportunities, there is excess waste of beer cans and cups, and the houses are not treated properly by the students who live in them. J.B. provided the committee’s recommendations, which include enhancement of alumni and faculty involvement in the houses, increased student accountability, retention of professional cleaning services, development of fundraising/capital campaigns; and expansion of the number of sororities with housing.

Next on the agenda was an athletics update by Bob Ceplikas ’78, acting athletics director. Bob reviewed the effects of the $16 million departmental budget cut, varsity and club sports highlights, events attendance, student-athlete community service efforts, the dedication of Red Rolfe Field at Biondi Park, and the Wearers of the Green. He then introduced Bob Cormier, the new men’s basketball coach. Coach Cormier thanked the committee, gave a brief background of his career, and prioritized his goals on improving the men’s basketball program.

Sylvia Spears, acting dean of the College, then addressed the committee. She provided information on the divisional restructuring implementation and the new dean of the College functional structure, which includes campus life, student support services, athletics, health service and safety and security. Sylvia also explained the pilot of the Organizational Adjudication Student Board Pilot Project and the Student and Alcohol Harm Reduction Committee to develop and implement evidence-based initiatives that reduce the prevalence of dangerous drinking on Dartmouth’s campus. Also in attendance to help answer questions were interim associate dean of the College, Harry Kline, and acting director of judicial affairs, Nate Miller.

Lastly, the committee unanimously approved Norm Sylvester ’58 and David Wagner ’99 to be vice co-chairs. Daniel Bryant ’91 will be retiring as chair, and Axel Grabowsky ’60 and Susan Hess ’81 will be the incoming co-chairs.

Report from the 199th Alumni Council, December 3–5, 2009: 

The meeting opened with an introduction of committee members. Then followed a Student Assembly presentation by Frances Vernon '10, president, Student Assembly; Cory Cunningham '10, vice president, Student Assembly; and Tina Chang, president, Graduate Student Council (GSC). Tina explained the role of the GSC and that they are working on hosting social events (for all grad students), a dedicated graduate student center, vision and dental insurance for graduate students, improved Advance Transit scheduling, ID cards and discounts for spouses, and a career fair catering to grad students.

Frances reviewed the role of the Student Assembly and talked about current topics the assembly is addressing, such as an "alternative" social space, the Organizational Adjudication Committee, and the current alcohol policy.

Then followed a panel presentation by student-athletes Matt Dinger '10, Men's Rugby Club; Margaret Smith '10, varsity women's basketball; Dan Markowitz '11, varsity men's hockey. The athletes talked about why they chose Dartmouth, how sports play a role in their Dartmouth experience, their respective team's performance, and future plans. This presentation was followed by a briefing by Bob Ceplikas '78, acting director of Athletics. He provided an update on the scope of the athletics program, the varsity sports programs, the priority of rebuilding the football program, the high participation of athletics among undergraduates, physical education and recreation programs, club sports, important considerations regarding the athletic department's budget, alumni giving information, and the costs of the various programs.

Sylvia Spears, acting dean of the College, then gave a presentation on current issues and what is being done about social space, social event management procedures and the new advisory board overseeing those procedures.

Then followed a presentation from Mike Lewis '11 on "Blitzes, Texting, and Facebook: Social Media and the Dartmouth Experience." This was a research project that dealt with communications before and after the introduction of cell phones, Blitz, social networks, etc. The full video can be found here: http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/digital/videos/ITdoc.html.
 

Report from the 198th Alumni Council, May 14–16, 2009:

The first session consisted of comments by Dean Tom Crady. We next had presentations from representatives of the Undergraduate Student Assembly and the Graduate Student Council, followed by question-and-answer sessions. Next was an athletics update from outgoing Athletic Director Josie Harper and incoming interim Athletic Director Bob Ceplikas ’78. Following Josie’s and Bob’s remarks, a framed certificate of appreciation was presented to Josie by the committee on behalf of the Alumni Council.  We then heard from a panel of students, all members of the Hill Winds Society, on a variety of topics.   

The last 20 minutes of the meeting were devoted to committee business. The committee decided that we should continue the past practice of selecting as vice chairs two first-year committee members, who will become co-chairs in their third year on the council. The committee then elected Axel Grabowsky ’60 and Susan Hess ’81 as co-vice chairs.

Report from the 197th Alumni Council, December 4–6, 2008:

The committee meeting focused on the topics of alcohol use and policies on campus; a report on the fall athletics results and student-athlete anecdotes; and current affairs on campus. This session featured presentations from dean of the College Tom Crady, director of Athletics Josie Harper and senior associate director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brian Austin, the Graduate Student Council, and the Undergraduate Student Assembly. Additionally, we had student panels on the topics of alcohol, social spaces, and athletics.

Tom Crady shared his observations from his first year at Dartmouth and reconciled them with his experience at and interactions with other institutions. He has found that Dartmouth has drinking rates and alcohol use similar to peer institutions; the current alcohol policy is confusing and not well understood; the Committee on Standards (COS) is seen as draconian; and fraternities control most of the student social spaces, with very different rules than national sororities, causing gender inequity. His recommendations to deal with these issues include (1) a revised COS policy, including that first-time alcohol offenses are treated educationally, not judicially; (2) an updated alcohol policy that lifts many restrictions and pushes more responsibility to the organizations hosting parties; and (3) removing the restriction that sororities must be associated with a national house.

Members of the student panel (Rem Browne ’09, Miesha Smith ’09, Ann Rittgers ’09, Frances Vernon ’10, Jeremy Seidling ’09) spoke about their experiences on campus and took questions from the committee. Through this discussion we found that college alcohol policy and New Hampshire alcohol law were not well understood by most undergraduates, though student leaders tend to know these rules and laws much better than the general student body. Students find their own scene on campus, and non-drinkers find social lives outside of Greek life, which does overshadow the rest of campus life. The Good Samaritan policy is widely used and students do not fear repercussions when seeking help for a student who has had too much to drink.

Josie Harper and Brian Austin spoke about campus athletics. Some important points included that 80 to 85 percent of the student body participates in athletics or outdoors programs, we have great new facilities with the Biondi baseball complex and Floren Varsity House, and there are 34 varsity and 34 club sports. Dartmouth athletics are stronger than ever, though some programs are in a building phase, such as the Dartmouth football team (0-10).

Members of the student panel (Andrew Dete ’09, football captain; Shannon Bowman ’09, women’s ice hockey captain; Kate Schmidt ’09, figure skating captain) spoke about life as a student-athlete, their interactions with their teams, and how athletics enhanced their Dartmouth experience. Andrew spoke passionately about sharing the disappointment with the 2008 football season on the field, but highlighted his strong bonds to the College and his teammates. Shannon talked about her excitement for the upcoming winter campaign and how amazing it is to share the ice with national and international stars. Kate spoke about the legacy of women’s figure skating at Dartmouth (five straight national titles!) and how that helped seal her decision to come to Hanover.

Brad Demay ’10Adv spoke as president of the Graduate Student Council (GSC), which represents 700 arts and sciences graduate students. The GSC addresses concerns of the graduate student body, including housing, social events, and transitions to the Upper Valley. The primary focus of the GSC this year is to obtain better health care for students. Specifically, the group would like to obtain dental and vision coverage, which many peer institutions provide in some form.

Molly Bode ’09, Student Assembly president, and Nafeesa Remtilla ’09, Student Assembly vice president, reported on SA, which provides services to and advocates for undergraduate students. This year SA is primarily concerned about President Wright’s announcement that the College would reduce its operating budget by $40 million. SA wants to ensure that student voices are heard in the process. To this end, SA is collaborating with Palaeopitus and class councils to gather student input on what undergraduates feel is essential to their Dartmouth experience. Two examples of services that the SA introduced this year are Bruno Books (used textbook online search engine) and Zimride (online carpooling board).