As requested by Ethan Plunkett ’00, Council approved (19-1-0) $195 for Dancing Folk to host a May 8 contradance and to purchase some books to train members on the art of contradancing and calling. Sam Young ’98 suggested the books be kept in a public place like Sawyer so that they endure for posterity. Julia Goren ’01 is forming a campus band to perform at future contradances.

After lengthy debate over whether the request would crush the Council financially, the Council approved the $25 sought by David Ramos ’00 of the Mad Cow, Williams’ new humor magazine, for publicity to announce the online magazine when it is complete (18-2-0).

Decsribing the activity as "the Anglophile sport of using a bat and a ball," Amish Shah ’00 sought recognition for the new cricket club. In its usual manner of fine British graces, the Council approved the request by a vote of 19-1-2.

Also recognized was Prism, a co-ed a cappella group. Thanks to the lovely voice of Heather Hatcher ’01, who presented the request, the Council recognized Prism (20-1-0).

A new philosophy club sought recognition. Ziverai, a name which means nothing according to Clay Stein ’00, (what is meaning?), plans to host student-only discussions on tough questions. In a pensive Ziveraiesque monologue, Ivan Calabuig-Williams ’99 thought profs should be included for breadth, but Clay, with the defense of Ned Sahin ’98, countered that Ziverai is seeking a dynamic created by student discussion alone. Council recognized Ziverai (19-2-0).

Since the Council was scheduled to discuss the issues of the Committee on Diversity and Community, SPARC came to the forefront. Several Council members questioned the value of SPARC workshops in their current incarnation. Some said there was too much pressure to attend the workshops; others harped on the length and the early—morning scheduling of the meetings. Ben Finholt ’00 suggested that the workshops be replaced with some fun entry activity. Ami Parekh ’01 thought the SPARC bonding was superficial because the workshops are so early in the year that people don’t know each other well enough to discuss freely.

Jordan Dubow ’99 of the Student Health Advisory Committee reported that the health center, concerned about liability, indeed plans to turn certain patients away, sending them on to the hospital if their ailment could progress to something a nurse couldn’t treat. Concerns were raised about the privacy of students who formerly would have been admitted to the health center but now will be taken to the hospital. Jordan also reported that AIDS tests may now cost students $5 due to budget crunches. The Council was amazed to hear this since, under Mac Harman and Amanda Cowley’s leadership, the Council had made it very clear that continuing free AIDS testing was of utmost importance. Kate Ervin ’99 pledged to ensure that the tests remain free. On a brighter note, the health center does not plan to cut the number of beds, according to Jordan, though Kate said this was contrary to information received from President Payne. Regardless, the definite good news is that the health center is attempting to cut back on the wait!

Kate Ervin ’99 reported that the administration thinks Williams’ financial aid packages are generous enough that the college doesn’t need to match the new policies of Princeton and other ivies, which only count income, not savings and equity, in estimating how much parents can pay. Bert Leaterman ’00 said claiming that Williams’ packages are generous enough doesn’t help people who don’t receive financial aid here but might under the Princeton formula. Bert and several other Council members — Ami Parekh ’01, Julian Fang ’01, Amish Shah ’00, Eric Soskin ’99, and Alan Wong ’00 — felt strongly that Williams should consider the Princeton policy. They plan to meet with the financial aid department.

Ivan Calabuig-Williams ’99 mentioned that, despite requests from the College Council, the phones in Jesup still lack tone dialing so that voice mail can’t be accessed there. Ivan pledged to make a personal visit to Jesup to follow up on requests already put in by Sheraz Choudary ’00 and David La ’01.

Liz Willmott ’99 stated that the Lecture Committee is finalizing plans for next January’s inspirational series on… failure! Groups can get funds for guest lecturers on any topic from Yolanda Rucker, the student activities intern on the second floor of Hopkins.

Matt Bryson,’99, Liz Lee ’01, Jan Postma ’99, and Amish Shah ’00, perhaps in cooperation with SAC, are developing a regional calendar of events of concerts and the like from Albany to Amherst. So if you want to party with Amherst (gasp!) look for more information soon. Also, thanks to the suggestion of Johanna Kolodny ’01, expect an e-mail address to submit regional events to the calendar.

Get this! B & G is going to cut the sod off Baxter lawn and roll it up to make way for a pyro-inspired bonfire during Spring Fling. After an evening of must-be-21 drinking (fenced in!) and lots of loud music around the fire, B & G will unfurl the sod and return Baxter lawn to its original pristine state. Many thanks to organizer Ned Sahin ’98 and the town forest warden, who plans to get down at the party too. Want to help with diesel rags and huge timber? E-mail Ned at 98nts.

Opinions@wso guru Liz Lee ’01 reported several requests:

--call-in take-out to cut down on the snack bar line (John Rivera-Dirks ’99 on the case)

--soft pretzels in the snack bar (Lloyd Nimetz ’01 drooled over this one)

Will Slocum ’99 reports the faculty are seriously questioning the merits and the level of rigor of Winter Study, though no actions have been taken. We’ll keep you posted.

Bert Leatherman ‘00

Secretary