The Truth About Dining

Fellow Denisonians,

There have been a wide variety of problems that folks bring up when they talk about dining services on Denison's campus. Many of those concerns were discussed at the Open Forum I organized in Senate on September 15th of this year. After this Senate session was held, I had a conversation with Ronnie Hintz, Director of Purchasing and Administrative Services, who handles the contracting with our current Dining Services provider, Sodexo. What I found was that many of the concerns that students had were actually not necessarily grounded in truth; most of them, in fact, were rumors. I have therefore compiled three rumors about dining services on campus, and then I have addressed them with the facts. Enjoy!

Rumor #1: You cannot order non-Sodexo food for Denison events.

It is not exactly clear where this rumor started, but even the DCGA student government was operating under this policy. In truth, this policy only applies to Curtis Dining Hall, Huffman Dining Hall, the Welsh Hills Room, and the first floor of Slayter. What is necessary, though, is that the alternative caterer provide proof of insurance to protect Denison from any liability; any vendor that accepts short order forms possesses this insurance (list can be found here).

Rumor #2: The contract is already set for the rest of our time at Denison, so there is nothing we can do change dining.

Though the contract is set for four years, there are annual renegotiations that allow us to have influence on the quality and price of service should the student body mobilize behind this issue.

Rumor #3: Students have no input in the contracting process.

The Student Dining Committee participates in an annual focus group that Sodexo uses to cater to student needs (no pun intended). To ensure that Sodexo serves us what we want to be served, we must ensure that the members of that committee are both passionate and qualified so that we can see real change in dining quality on campus.

There are certainly many issues that DCGA can affect concerning dining on campus, but it is important first to set the record straight. Sustainability, pricing, variety, and taste are all issues worth persuing, and I intend to work with the Dining Committee to ensure that we have committee strong enough to effectively represent the student voice.

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA Senator, Class of 2011

A Conversation with DCGA Past

Fellow Denisonians,

Sometimes looking at where you've been helps you see where you're going. Today I had such an opportunity when speaking on the telephone with Bob Dold Jr., who served as DCGA President in 1989. Though he served before most Denison students had yet been born, his memories of the student government dealing with problems with excessive drinking on campus and with a Greek life system run rampant provided interesting context for our own current issues. Though certainly student life has been radically different since the fraternities were forced to vacate the teardrop, alcohol is still commonplace on our campus with students frequently shuttled to and from Licking County Memorial Hospital with alcohol poisoning. This issue is one that must continue to be addressed by the next president, and I believe that the Medical Amnesty Policy proposed in the Campus Affairs Council as well as Keg Licensing and Registration will improve the health and safety of Denison leisure activities and will address this pertinent problem.

Former DCGA President Robert Dold Jr., '90

We also spoke about campus programming and facilities. One notable difference was Lamson Lodge, which was a pub during Dold's time at Denison. As President, I would like to see life brought back into lodge, creating a committee to look into facilities and furnature that could re-outfit the lodge, making it a place where students felt comfortable lounging. In programming, we mentioned DDay, which was once a day on which classes were canceled and a massive party was held on the North Loop. I would like to ensure that DDay is funded the funds it needs to do its tradition justice. As the the oldest DCGA event still in existence, it is one root onto which we must hold.

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA Senator, Class of 2011

Redefining Trustee-Student Relations

Fellow Denisonians,

Sparked by a recent Denisonian article, I sent an e-mail to friend and newly elected Recent Student Trustee Romero Huffstead asking for ideas about interactions between the student body and the Board of Trustees. Just today he responded sharing my desire to forge a strong and meaningful relationship between the DCGA student government and the Board of Trustees.

Recent Student Trustee Romero Huffstead, '09

Currently, there are monthly telephone conversations in which the DCGA President and the Recent Student Trustee update each other on the business of their respective group and share ideas for upcoming campus projects. Trustee Huffstead also stated plans of expanding this conversation to include more representatives of the DCGA, which is a plan that I support. Further, I would like to publicize the content of those conversations to incorporate the student body at large into the discussions.

I would likely use this blog to publicize talking points of the conversations, though I would also happily speak with members of the Denisonian news staff, the WDUB news staff, and the Bullsheet. Theoretically, conversations between the DCGA President and the Recent Student Trustee take the place of conversations between the Denison student body and the Board of Trustees; with strong publicity, I know I could well represent my side of the table.

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA Senator, Class of 2011

The MuSAAC Coalition: Bringing Together Athletes and Musicians

Fellow Denisonians,

What do Denison musicians and athletes have in common? I found out yesterday, while I had the privilege of speaking with Denison Student-Athlete Advisory Council (DSAAC) President Dan Crawford.

Student athletes, said Crawford, have had difficulties with class commitments that extend beyond the times listed at registration. For example, many labs will extend past 4:20pm, when they are stated to end. This forces students to choose between completing their lab assignments and attending their practices on time.

As an active member of the music department, I know that this has also posed a problem in certain Denison music ensembles -- specifically the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra. These ensembles have rehearsals that start at 4:30; therefore, they fall victim to this same problem of professors not following their own syllabi with regard to times.

"The focus of student life," reads the fifth line of our mission statement, "is a concern for the whole person." By making the sciences incompatible with music and athletics, Denison is not only putting students in an unfair position, but it is neglecting its mission and failing as a liberal arts institution. Students should be encouraged to blend a science major with participation in a sport or ensemble, not denied the opportunity.

As President, I would use the Academic Affairs Council (see Faculty Governance, Article III, Section A) to push this issue within the administration. If necessary, Dan Crawford and I can mobilize student athletes and musicians to apply further pressure to ensure that courses are completed within the time limit allotted.

If you have more information about this issue or would like to provide feedback, please do comment. I will certainly look over any and all suggestions. Thanks!

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA Senator, Class of 2011

And We're Off...

Fellow Denisonians,

The campaign started off last night when the clock struck 12:00am, and my campaign staff and I were hard at work developing the signs you see around campus in various locations. Special thanks to all the extra helping hands that made last night's poster posting session possible! Additional thanks to Amy for providing the following pictures from the evening!

David, hard at work, sketches out the letters for "Eric 'Harry' Brisson for President" with machine-like precision.

Katie models her newly completed campaign sign, now up on display in the Curtis Hall entrance!

The fruits of our labor! All that is left now is the posting!

David, Andrew, and Matt plaster my face onto a wall in Slayter Student Union!

Atanu, Amy, Faith, Alanna, Matt, and Ryan of my wonderful East Hall campaign staff give a "thumbs up" to the camera! Thank you guys so much for making Day One a success!

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA Senator, Class of 2011

Announcement

Fellow Denison Students,

I have an important announcement to make: I am running to represent you as Student Body President. You may know me through the various campus activities in which I have been involved, but regardless of if you do or don’t, I appreciate you taking the time to read my platform below.

My primary goal in 2010 is to optimize student incorporation, ensuring that the student government truly is operating as the students' government. To meet this goal, I have a three-tier strategy:

1.) Capitalize on Available Technologies
I have already created the DCGA Updates mailing list, to which nearly 300 constituents have subscribed. In my term, I would like to see this number increase to include 700 constituents – one third of the student body. With this many students receiving updates on the projects and policies of the student government, the student government’s decisions could better reflect the needs and desires of the student body.

In addition to the mailing list, I have also created this blog, entitled the DCGA Fireside Blog (see "Introducing the DCGA Fireside Blog"). If elected president, I will use this blog to keep the student body up-to-date on student government issues. Additionally, the blog can be used to post polls that can survey the student body on student issues. This blog will better incorporate the student body at large in the decision-making process.

Finally, I would like to continue improvements to the DCGA website (dcga.denison.edu). I have already proposed a DCGA Bylaws amendment that would require the webmaster to hold weekly office hours to update the DCGA online archive of agendas, minutes, and resolutions. This should improve the transparency of our organization and, further, should hold the student Senate accountable to the student body.

2.) Coordinate Publicity with Student Media
As president, I would use my relationship with student media to ensure that students are informed about the discussions and proposals taking place in the student Senate. Having served as WDUB 91.1 Business Manager and Denisonian Copy Editor (as well as being a long-time Bullsheet reader/submitter), I could ensure that the student body remained informed about student government issues.

3.) Provide Opportunities for Community Input
As DCGA Rules Chair, I put together the Open Forums that discussed campus dining issues and campus facilities ideas. I would like to continue these into the 2010, assisted by cross-promotion with other publicity resources. In addition to these forums, the DCGA Fireside Blog also provides an opportunity for feedback in the form of comments and polls. Finally, I would also like to hold office hours every week in Slayter Union. I feel that these actions would incorporate the student body into the Senate policy developing process.

This action plan, which I call "Keeping the Student Government the Students' Government," is by no means the entirety of my platform; indeed, it simply will restructure the role of the president to allow me to serve the student body more effectively.

I will continue to post more information on other issues, but know that this is the focus of my campaign. I feel that by effectively incorporating the student body, I place myself in a much better position to pursue the "legitimate needs and desires of the student body" as the DCGA Constitution asks.

If you have any feedback or suggestions concerning any of the ideas listed above or any others that are later presented, please do not hesitate to comment. That is, after all, the entire purpose of this blog.

Enjoy campaign week!

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA Senator, Class of 2011

Introducing The DCGA Fireside Blog

Fellow Denison Students,

Quality communication is essential to the success of any organization, and the Denison Campus Governance Association is no different. While great strides were taken during the 2009 Senate term, there are still fundamental problems of communication that will need to be tackled in 2010. Efforts such as the DCGA Updates listserv have met some success, but still many students are aware of neither their role in the student government nor the projects and policies their representatives are implementing.

In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the first in a series of radio talks that helped hold the United States together throughout the Great Depression and World War II. These talks were known as the "Fireside Chats." Initially, my idea was to create a similar radio program to update the campus weekly; however, since radio does not draw the same audience as it did over half a century ago, it is decidedly prudent to use a medium more convenient for exceptionally busy Denison students. It is from this that I derived the idea for this blog.

The DCGA Fireside Blog is easily accessible and can be easily incorporated into the DCGA website, and it could be constructed so that any DCGA Representative can publish updates. It also allows for comments, which provides a simple feedback mechanism. It is also accessible by student media sources, and could improve the quality of DCGA coverage. Essentially, it provides a vehicle of communication that can directly connect students to their representatives.

It is my hope that this blog will play a strong role in better incorporating the student body at large into their governing body. Better incorporation of the student body into student governance is not only a gain for the student body at large, but it empowers student representatives also. A student Senate that can speak for the student body holds real power. After all, the students are still the primary source of funding for the university; let's make the administration work for us.

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA Senator, Class of 2011