Students at the meeting expressed concern that the statement failed to address a number of issues relevant to undergraduate life at Dartmouth.
The statement seems to highlight the expansion of Dartmouth's graduate programs, but neglects the undergraduate experience, Will Hix '12 said.
The statement lacks any mention of the Greek system, Dave Imamura '10 said, which is an important topic to acknowledge because social life largely revolves around the College's Green organization. The Greek system should be taken into consideration in the search for Dartmouth's next president because undergraduate social life has been a source of controversy over the course of College President James Wright's tenure, Imamura said.
Bode said the search committee has discussed the Greek system, and added that it is an issue presidential candidates will have to address.
The statement should refer to extracurricular activities, Cory Cunningham '10 said. Student-run activities have defined his Dartmouth experience much more than academics, he added. Cunningham is a member of The Dartmouth Business Staff.
In addition to discussing the College's presidential search, Bode outlined her plans for enhancing alternative social spaces and announced that the Assembly will have an advising role with the new Alcohol Management Policy.
The Assembly also passed legislation that provides $730 to the nonpartisan student organization Vote Clamantis to fund transportation of students to the polls on Election Day next month.
The mission of Vote Clamantis is to remove bureaucratic obstacles that often keep students from voting, Jessica Guthrie '10, president of Vote Clamantis, said. She also emphasized the importance of getting students to polls regardless of their political affiliation.
"We don't care who you vote for, we just want you to vote," Guthrie said.
Guthrie said that approximately 2,500 Dartmouth students are expected to vote in the general election.
Student body presidents from a number of Ivy League schools have pledged to help out in similar registration drives, Bode said.
Other upcoming Assembly efforts include an alternative-space party in Hovey Grill and legislation for a student-faculty programming fund. Members of the Assembly presented the possibility of starting a Dartmouth Dining Services delivery service, a program that has been initiated twice in the past ten years without success, Rebecca Hellerman '11 said.
Bode highlighted recent Assembly accomplishments, including ZimRide -- an online Facebook application which facilitates carpools between members of Dartmouth's Facebook network -- and Brunobooks, an online tool that allows students to access book lists and find discounts.
