MiddBrief Community Council

Author: Hillary Hall

The Community Council held a brief
meeting on Feb. 17. After all members approved the minutes, Co-Chair Antoinette
Rangel '09 introduced new member Lizzie
Horvitz '10 to the rest of the group. Horvitz, an environmental studies major, called her new position an exciting opportunity.

The first motion, brought to the table
by Acting Dean of the College Gus Jordan,
concerned a change in the handbook language concerning alcohol citations.

"We're trying to insert discretion
where possible," Jordan said, referring to
the simplified policy, which draws attention away from students who receive some citations over the entire course of their time at Middlebury and instead towards those who receive several over a short period of time.

"A vast majority of students would
like there to be a more rigorous approach
towards students who are disrupting the
community," said Director of Health and
Wellness Education Jyoti Daniere, a member of the committee behind the changes. "If you can't drink differently, maybe this
isn't the place for you."

All members, with just one abstention,
approved bringing the policy alteration to
President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz and his staff. Daniere and Dean of Wonnacott Commons Matt Longman will present the changes to the Board of Trustees in the coming weeks.

The Council next moved on to a vote
regarding the Judicial Board. Associate
Dean of the College Karen Guttentag asked
Council members to approve a more efficient selection board and process. As of now, there are two boards that evaluate candidates for Judicial Board positions -
Guttentag suggested reducing that to one to
save time and energy. All members of the
Council approved the motion to allow Guttentag to enact this change. Additionally, Cordelia Ross '09 and Assistant Professor of Spanish Juana Gamero de Coca volunteered to represent the Community Council on the selection board.

This vote concluded official business
for the Council. To wrap up the meeting,
members discussed their goals for the coming semester. Ross mentioned improving
the lighting on campus, while Rangel suggested bringing back Bookstore Manager
Robert Jansen to discuss the new business.