Working Group on Immigration presents updates
Associate professor of education Soo Hong, representing the Working Group on Immigration, presented updates to Senate on Monday. The group has been working on protecting students from the effects of the executive orders on immigration that have been signed during the Trump administration. President Johnson created the group, which is comprised of faculty, students and union members, in Feb. 2017. The group’s goals are to respond to the needs of students regarding new immigration regulations and advise senior members of the College on the best course of action. Hong emphasized that it is important for the Wellesley community to stay informed about pertinent issues. To aid this effort, the group has created a website for news and events on immigrations. Information can be found on the Information on Immigration Policies page of the Slater International Center website at https://www.wellesley. edu/international/immigrationpolicies. Hong also informed Senate about the group’s clinic and its availability. Students and other community members can talk to representatives from the clinic in person, over the phone or on Skype. The group is working on making online features available in Spanish as well as English. Finally, on Thursday, March 1, there will be a town hall meeting and breakout groups to foster engagement and awareness in the Wellesley community.
Dr. Robin Cook-Nobles presents spring updates for Stone Center
Next week, on Wednesday March 7, Wellesley will host the annual Fresh Check Day event from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. in Tishman Commons. The event, which advertises “a mental health check-in with interactive booths, free food, prizes and more,” is sponsored by Counseling Service; Student Life; Wellness Outreach Committee and other organizations. The event will feature a petting zoo and face painting, among other attractions. The event will act as a day for students to learn about depression and suicide awareness while participating in fun and relaxing activities. Director of Counseling Services Dr. Robin Cook-Nobles also updated Senate on the addition of a new waiting room and office space in the Stone Center. Finally, Dr. Cook-Nobles called for the formation of a diverse student advisory board of five or six students to better understand student experiences.
Social Life Committee presents three initiatives to improve campus life
Last semester, Senate formed an adhoc committee to investigate student perspectives on campus social life and find ways to improve areas which they and students find lacking. The committee, co-chaired by executive senators Crystalina Guo ’20 and Huzaifa Ejaz ’20, has spent the last semester looking at underutilized spaces on campus than can be reappropriated as communal, social spaces. Their three initiatives include repurposing old space, improving the Peter Pan bus system and clarifying policies for use of common spaces. However, the committee has found that repurposing old spaces can incur costs that are not feasible. Even refurbished, these spaces may not pass safety regulations and cannot be used as common spaces. Likewise, although the committee worked towards cutting costs for students taking the Senate Bus, currently $3 per token, a price decrease is not possible, so the committee has moved towards implementing an online token or rewards system for riders. Finally, the clarification of policies on use of common spaces has been undertaken by the committee. Previously, many students were unaware of the formal process to host a party or social event in common spaces.
