Kevin Bolduc ’99 from SAC reported that SAC is slightly redefining its roll and is helping fund events with other groups. Medha Kirtane ’00 thanked Kevin for SAC’s good use of Goodrich for great concerts.

Ami Parekh ’01 of the Calendar and Scheduling Committee reported that fewer profs have been requiring nightly sessions this year. Anh Nguyen ’99 asked Ami and the scheduling committee to encourage profs to give more exams after reading period, and Lloyd Nimetz ’01 concurred.

Suzanne Carrier ’01 reported that the Campus Environmental Advisory Committee is asking Office Services to use recycled paper and is seeking remedies to food and packaging waste in dining halls and the snack bar. The committee is gauging student concern over pesticide use on campus, especially on playing fields. Also, they’ll be involved in the execution of the science and performing-arts centers.

Melina Evans ’00 of Sankofa, the step team, sought $705 for the PE-credit-garnering group’s activities this year. Jan Postma ’99 made an enlightening analysis worthy of an economics major, and Eric Soskin ’99 followed up with a motion to give the group less expensive, lower-quality canes in an effort to save money. Matt Bryson ’99 pointed out that Council should be trying to save money, for it has dispensed liberally over the past few weeks. Bert Leatherman ’00, Todd Stiefler ’00, and Erin Troy ’01 spoke up for Sanfoka, pointing out its popularity and the quality of its performances. After lengthy debate, Sankofa got the professional canes Melina sought. While they were more expensive, the canes will last several years. Medha Kirtane ’00 asked Sankofa to get poster money from the dance department, and her motion saved the Council $25. The total package passed 19-4-0.

Tom Grant ’00 of the Chamber Singers asked for $292.50 for a trip to Wesleyan. But his request was cut to $118.50 by a vote of 15-7-0 because the Chamber Singers went $174 over budget on its New York trip. The group may be able to make up the loss by using a cheaper carrier than J.T. Bus Lines.

Bert Leatherman ’00, in response to the initial report on class size from the Committee on Educational Policy, sought feedback on whether class size is a general problem or one restricted to certain departments. Todd Stielfer ’00 pointed out that the administration’s focus seems to be on specific classes being overenrolled, while most students think the College is overenrolled as a result of admission decisions. Nishant Nayyar ’02 said that the Freshman Council discussed a feeling among almost all freshmen of general disappointment about classes being too big.

Liz Lee ’01 reported on recent input sent to opinions@wso.williams.edu. There was a complaint about the loud music (and P.A.-broadcast poetry, which makes reading textbooks a little confusing) in Goodrich while the coffee bar is open. John Rivera-Dirks ’99 suggested smaller speakers be placed at the coffee bar if the coffee bar wants to play music to create a lively aura. George Anthes ’00 reported WCFM might provide a CD of palatable music for the coffee bar to use during its hours. Peeling paint is another issue the Goodrich committee is working on. Another student e-mailed the Council asking for the equipment room in Chandler to be open for weekend warriors. Check next week’s minutes for follow-up on these ideas.

Kate Ervin ’99 announced an all-NESCAC meeting for student-government members and other students, like the members of Williams’ NCAA Advocacy Group, from across New England. The agenda will include discussion of the NESCAC presidents’ policy restricting post-season play and formation of a coordinated effort to seek change. Also, the NESCAC student governments will talk about ways to work together on other future endeavors.

Jan Postma ‘99, belly growling, relayed more high-powered economic thought — this time, on how to improve food quality at Williams, which anecdotally lags way behind the food at some other similar schools. Jan proposes inviting Marriot or a similar corporation to bid for our food providence. Alternatively, Jan proposes a system where students pay for the meals they eat but do not buy meal plans. Erin Troy ’01 said some market forces would induce responsiveness to students, but she added that Dining Services is already pretty receptive to feedback. There emerged a general resentment that students have to subsidize Dining Services because of required meal plans. Jan plans to lead an effort on campus to raise the issue to prominence.

In members’ open time, widespread gripes sprang up over sky-high fines at the reserve desk in the library. Matt Bryson ’99 will try to bring the charges back down to earth. Lloyd Nimetz ’01 reported progress in getting easier access for all students to Spencer Art Studio. Liz Lee ’01 brought announced that substance-free housing surveys are coming out later this week. In other news, thanks to Phil Swisher ’01, the schedule for the College Council’s bus service to airports is coming out in a few days. Watch your mailboxes. Kristin Sullivan ’01 wondered about the mysterious camera (or stray bottle?) in a tree along Tyler’s driveway. After wishing Sydelle Ross ’99 a happy birthday, the Council, filled with curiosity over the Tyler mystery, wrapped up the meeting and embarked on a field trip to the remote ends of the earth to investigate the phenomenon.

And now I’m off to Tyler to climb that tree and grin at the person on the other end of the camera. J