Spring Break
Group will address campus life issues
by Anya Bergman
News | 10/21/08
Posted online at 3:27 AM EST on 10/21/08
The Brandeis Campus Life Committee, composed of students and staff representing several major groups and departments on campus, met for the first time on Oct. 8 to identify struggling areas of campus life in an effort to improve those areas.
Student Union President Jason Gray '10 and Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer discussed last semester and over the summer the idea of bringing many people involved in various sectors of campus life together to create a "more fluid and essential relationship between student leaders and staff leaders in the student services area," Sawyer said. He added that the students on the committee are aware of the issues because of their connections to different campus organizations.
Gray and Sawyer finalized the committee at the beginning of this year. At the first meeting, staff leaders from Residence Life, Athletics, Student Affairs, Student Life and Student Activities met with Gray, Senator for the Class of 2010 Rebecca Wilkof, Union Director of Community Development Ryan McElhaney '10, Union Director of Executive Affairs Jess Blumberg '09, Union Director of Communications Jamie Ansorge '09, Student Events Director Ilyssa Adler '09, International Club President Leon Markovitz '10 and member of the Union Office of the Treasury Justin Kang '09.
Gray said that in the past, the Student Union addressed social and campus life issues by talking to parties who were involved separately, but this method was repetitive and less effective than having everyone meet together.
Gray said that at each meeting, which will probably occur every three weeks, committee members will choose three topics to discuss as a group. Members will then break off and "delve more deeply into the meat of these issues," which could include collecting data and research for the next meeting on Nov. 19.
Gray said the topics for the next meeting are room selection for Ridgewood, whether space on campus is being utilized appropriately and whether there is enough transportation for students and staff on and off campus.
Student Union President Jason Gray '10 and Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer discussed last semester and over the summer the idea of bringing many people involved in various sectors of campus life together to create a "more fluid and essential relationship between student leaders and staff leaders in the student services area," Sawyer said. He added that the students on the committee are aware of the issues because of their connections to different campus organizations.
Gray and Sawyer finalized the committee at the beginning of this year. At the first meeting, staff leaders from Residence Life, Athletics, Student Affairs, Student Life and Student Activities met with Gray, Senator for the Class of 2010 Rebecca Wilkof, Union Director of Community Development Ryan McElhaney '10, Union Director of Executive Affairs Jess Blumberg '09, Union Director of Communications Jamie Ansorge '09, Student Events Director Ilyssa Adler '09, International Club President Leon Markovitz '10 and member of the Union Office of the Treasury Justin Kang '09.
Gray said that in the past, the Student Union addressed social and campus life issues by talking to parties who were involved separately, but this method was repetitive and less effective than having everyone meet together.
Gray said that at each meeting, which will probably occur every three weeks, committee members will choose three topics to discuss as a group. Members will then break off and "delve more deeply into the meat of these issues," which could include collecting data and research for the next meeting on Nov. 19.
Gray said the topics for the next meeting are room selection for Ridgewood, whether space on campus is being utilized appropriately and whether there is enough transportation for students and staff on and off campus.
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