It was another episode vof big money and hot gossip at College Council. Stephanie Frank ’01 of the Culture Counter, a magazine she helped start last year, sought $4,000 from the Council for 2 of the 4 issues she hopes to print. Stephanie pointed out that Amherst and Swarthmore both have publications that publish even more issues. Jan Postma ’99 and Matt Bryson ’99 amended the request to $2,000, an amount more in line with what other publications have received. The amended budget passed 24-2-0.

Ethan Plunkett ’00 and Julia Goren ’01 of Dancing Folk told of their group’s success last year, including well-attended contra-dances and trips to Greenfield. In response to the group’s request for $1920, Matt Bryson ’99 suggested that the group use Lasell or the field house for dances since the Congregational Church is expensive to rent. Will Slocum ’99 and John Rivera-Dirks ’99 asked why the group needed books and CD’s since Council bought them last year. Ethan and Julia cited their group’s ever-expanding membership and band size. Jan Postma ’99 questioned the need for two dances close to each other in January and February. Liz Lee ’01 said that many people benefit from the dances sponsored by the group, and her opinion carried the Council to a vote of 23-3-1.

Subbacultcha, a new music magazine, came seeking some startup money. Brock Read ‘01, John Morrison ’01, Krzys Piekarski ‘01, and Charlie Mahoney ’01 showed off their snazzy new website at http://members.xoom.com/subbacultcha/. Council was so impressed with the e-zine that Eric Soskin ‘99 wondered why it was necessary to fund a paper version. But Subbacultcha wants to get some readership momentum, and that takes paper print. They hope that music labels will take notice of their great work and contribute to the cost of future issues. Council was really impressed by the work the guys had already done on the magazine, and approved $1430 for the music review.

Liz Hoover ‘01 came seeking $750 for the upcoming pow-wow being sponsored by Indigenous Voices of the Western Hemisphere, a group she helped start. Grins spread quickly when Liz mentioned that she’ll probably raise enough money to pay the Council back. The allocation passed unanimously.

Chuck Hagenbuch ’00 spoke on behalf of a group of people who wrote to opinions@wso.williams.edu to protest the Goodrich manager’s salaried status. Dean Wanda Lee explained how the Dean’s Office arrived at Ryan’s salary. She focused on the Goodrich manager’s job being so nebulous and taxing. It would be too difficult to ask Ryan Mayhew ’01, the building’s manager, to keep track of his many and here-and-there hours. Erin Troy ’01 suggested that Ryan try to keep track of his hours so that the Council can see if his compensation is accurate. Ryan offered to try, but responded that it’s really difficult to keep track of his time, because he does so much behind the scenes. Eric Soskin ’99 pointed out that Goodrich is one big student-run business, and in that sense, a salary is appropriate. Bert Leatherman ’00 suggested that next year, Council split up the manager’s job among several students earning no more than students on financial aid can earn. Chuck agreed, and he pointed out the many people on campus that do similar work on a volunteer basis. Consensus emerged that next year, or even next semester, Council should re-evaluate giving out such a big job to one person — for the manager’s sake and for fairness’ sake. Will Slocum ’99, who stood by the manager’s salary, complimented Ryan on all his dedication to the building’s success.

Carrie Ryan ’00 solicited feedback for the Safety Committee. She’s working on getting an outdoor light at West and student parking at Goodrich.

Cathy Warren ’99 brought good news from the Winter Study Committee: rejected applicants for off-campus independent Winter Study projects will be notified that they need to pick a Winter Study class before Winter Study registration starts. On a more morose note, rewrites of rejected proposals will no longer be accepted. This news elicited groans from the Council. John Rivera-Dirks ’99 asked Cathy to encourage the committee to publish model proposals. A winter-study fair to publicize the "99" opportunity was a hot idea too.

Liz Lee ’01 reported on the Committee on Undergraduate Life. The CUL wants feedback from frosh on First Days (01ecl). Jan Postma ’99 objected to the dry-campus policy during first days. (His pack of 21-year-olds got fined for having alcohol at their own party!) Todd Steifler ’00 and Matt Bryson ’99 concurred. Class size is an issue that the CUL will be addressing with the Committee on Educational Policy and the College Council. Also, there’s a survey coming out to see if students want a substance-free house on campus. Concerns were raised about unfairness in the housing draw and segregation of students.

Goodrich again took the floor as an issue. Manager Ryan Mayhew ’01 promised that midnight basketball in Lasell is a coming benefit of Goodrich, which is connected to Lasell. Since Ryan was seeking feedback (reach him at goodrich@wso.williams.edu), Bert Leatherman ’00 objected to the resource room being locked in a few weeks to be accessible only to leaders of student groups. He thought it wasn’t in most students’ best interests to close the room. Ryan and other Council members said that the room’s original intent — to be an office for student groups — ought to be upheld. The coffee bar’s prices are breaking the bank for Dave Walfish ’00. He’d like to see some cheaper vittles.

On the happy note of vittles, Council adjourned. Come see us at 9:00 Sunday night upstairs in Goodrich if you have something for the College Council to address next week.

Bert Leatherman ’00

CC Secretary