The 2001-2002 Student Assembly concluded a successful year last night, recognizing members and presenting awards as next year's Assembly, to be headed by Janos Marton '04, continues to take shape.
Outgoing Student Body President Molly Stutzman '02 said she was pleased that this year's Assembly had "focused on both the big issues as well as smaller, more tangible items," referring to initiatives that have tackled topics ranging from undergraduate teaching to a new wake-up call service.
Marton, who appointed himself summer chair of Assembly at a recent meeting, has already begun planning for the coming term.
The summer chair of the Assembly is not a position often held by incoming presidents, who are typically rising seniors as opposed to second-year students beginning their sophomore summer.
The wording of the Assembly constitution "is very clear," Marton said. "Unless [the student body president] doesn't want it or is off campus he or she should take the position."
Foremost on the Assembly's agenda for the start of the Summer term will be the recent revelation -- made by Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman -- that campus publications will be barred from distributing in dormitories once the new door-locking system is in place.
"It will be one of the first issues we tackle this summer," Marton said, hoping that the Assembly could find allies both within and outside of the College to fight the decision.
At a meeting last Thursday, the incoming Assembly passed a resolution requiring that freshman members serve on the communications committee as well as one other committee during their first year with the organization.
The resolution -- the new Assembly's first -- was intended to address a recent shortfall in fully staffing the committee, Marton said, and to encourage newly-elected cluster representatives to maintain contact with their constituents.
"It will be good to have the representatives accountable to people that just elected them," Marton said, noting that the committee typically oversees such activities as putting up posters and sending out campus emails.
Highlights of the current Assembly, headed by Stutzman, include the Fall term approval of the Undergraduate Teaching Initiative -- a wide-ranging, multi-part plan for enhancing the quality of instruction at the College -- the final component of which was released just last week.
The year also saw the creation of the diversity affairs committee, the newest addition to the Assembly, while numerous student services -- including the use of DASH in vending machines -- were established.
The Ivy Council, teetering on the brink of dissolution during Winter term, was brought to Dartmouth in April in a move that breathed new life into the organization. Other achievements included the acquisition of Tom Dent cabin for student use and a number of awards recognizing superior undergraduate teaching.
At a recent meeting of the new Assembly, executive members -- representing a mix of Assembly veterans, returning members and newcomers -- were appointed for the coming year.
Jonathan Lazarow '05 will succeed Aly Rahim '02 at the helm of the academic affairs committee, while Diana Thai '04 will head student services. Amit Anand '03, a former vice-presidential candidate returning to the Assembly after a brief absence, will lead the student life committee. James Joun '03 will continue to manage the newly-created diversity affairs committee, and Stella Treas '05 will take over at the head of the communications committee. Stepping in to lead the student organizations committee will be Sally Newman '05, a new arrival to Student Assembly.
"I think the executive team is a pretty good mix of experiences," Anand said, adding that he had strongly identified with Marton's campaign platform, which he said was similar to his own of a year ago.
"When he won it was an exciting opportunity to come back," he said.
Newman, an Assembly newcomer who has been involved with environmental organizations on campus, viewed Marton's win as a "great chance to get SA involved in environmental issues."
David Hankins '05 will serve as secretary, while Steve Koutsavlis '05 was appointed treasurer.
Steve Zyck '04, Marton's campaign manager and current Assembly secretary, will serve as vice chair for the Summer term, though Julia Hildreth '05 will assume vice-presidential duties in the fall.
