After a slow start, the Student Assembly managed to end Fall term free of the infighting customary to past Assemblies and also accomplished several of its goals -- the most significant being a request of the administration to revamp advising policies.
"The [Assembly's] leadership has made a decision to work together," said Dean of Student Life Holly Sateia. "It's been real positive."
Early in the term, the Assembly focused on organizing itself, which delayed the completion of other projects.
"We've been meticulous," Assembly President Jim Rich '96 said. "At the same time being ambitious about the goals we set and the projects we established."
The Assembly spent the first half of the term inducting its new members and passing minor amendments to its constitution, which it drafted last spring.
While it hammered out its constitution, the Assembly delayed projects like Student Advantage cards and dining guides. The cards offer discounts at several businesses and the dining guides list menus of several local restaurants.
In past years, the Assembly distributed the Student Advantage cards and dining guides to students during Registration, but last term, students received the cards and guides months later.
But students registering last fall received College Promo-Packs and had the opportunity to sign up for Hanover Green Cards at discount prices.
The cooperation between the two profit businesses and the Assembly caused a stir among the Assembly's executive committee, centering around Brandon del Pozo '96, who objected to the arrangement.
Del Pozo was then the vice president of academic affairs, but he resigned in October because he said he could no longer afford the time commitment that his position demanded.
Also in October, the Dartmouth Community learned of the suicide of Philip Deloria '96. Rich worked with area coordinators to organize a candlelight vigil on the Green to help students cope with the tragedies.
In November, the Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Administration overhaul the current system of undergraduate advising. Rich drafted a letter addressed to the Committee on Organization and Policy in which he stipulated that students were dissatisfied with advising options.
The letter cited past research done by the Assembly regarding students' dissatisfaction with advising and offered some suggestions on how to improve the system. Rich petitioned for increased training for advisors and for a system insuring that faculty members who advise are enthusiastic about helping students.
The Assembly also passed a resolution denouncing the rash of homophobic incidents of vandalism that struck the campus last term.
Assembly Vice President Kelii Opulauoho '96 said at the time, "The gay community is outraged ... This is not to be tolerated."
The next week, the Assembly passed another resolution announcing its support for making the temporary Latin American and Caribbean Studies department a permanent part of the curriculum.
As vice president of student services, Assembly Vice President Meredith Epstein '97, organized discounted bus rides to Boston and New York City for students seeking a cheaper way home for Thanksgiving.
Vice President of Administrative and Faculty Relations Laura Bennett '96 orchestrated open lunches for President of the College James Freedman and Dean of the Faculty Jim Wright.
To finish off Fall term, the Assembly voted down a proposed constitutional amendment that would have made presidential and vice presidential candidates run together on a ticket.
The first Assembly meeting of the term will take place tomorrow night.
