Comments on: The Student Union’s Transparency Problem http://innermostparts.org/2008/05/06/the-student-unions-transparency-problem/ A blog about Brandeis University, progressive politics, and the spirit of Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis on the campus today. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:33:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Eric Alterman http://innermostparts.org/2008/05/06/the-student-unions-transparency-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-842 Eric Alterman Wed, 07 May 2008 22:32:08 +0000 http://innermostparts.org/?p=257#comment-842 Nelson, I'm glad you brought up the issue of executive session. I did not witness any Senate first-hand this year; however, in my time on senate last year I can recall maybe 2-3 executive sessions the entire YEAR, at least one of which was standard procedure (exec. senator elections). I think the frequency this past year must have been due to the personality of the senate and/or the particular issues that came up. Even still, 1/3 of meetings is a really surprising amount, and I can't quite imagine it. It definitely contrasts with my memory and image of the senate as a very open body. Next year, we will achieve the openness I remember and hopefully go beyond it. -Eric (Senator '09) Nelson, I’m glad you brought up the issue of executive session. I did not witness any Senate first-hand this year; however, in my time on senate last year I can recall maybe 2-3 executive sessions the entire YEAR, at least one of which was standard procedure (exec. senator elections). I think the frequency this past year must have been due to the personality of the senate and/or the particular issues that came up. Even still, 1/3 of meetings is a really surprising amount, and I can’t quite imagine it. It definitely contrasts with my memory and image of the senate as a very open body. Next year, we will achieve the openness I remember and hopefully go beyond it.

-Eric (Senator ’09)

]]> By: Gideon Klionsky http://innermostparts.org/2008/05/06/the-student-unions-transparency-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-841 Gideon Klionsky Wed, 07 May 2008 19:24:03 +0000 http://innermostparts.org/?p=257#comment-841 That's an idea. Representation that takes into account what constituents want? That’s an idea. Representation that takes into account what constituents want?

]]> By: Asher Tanenbaum http://innermostparts.org/2008/05/06/the-student-unions-transparency-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-840 Asher Tanenbaum Wed, 07 May 2008 18:49:59 +0000 http://innermostparts.org/?p=257#comment-840 I would like to correct two assertions Nelson has made. First, there were a number of Senators to oppose moving into Executive Session during the impeachment discussion last semester of the Secretary. The main Senators opposed to it were myself, Andrew Brooks, Tania Kupferman, and Justin Sulsky. I have opposed moving to Executive Session several times but we never receive enough votes to oppose the move. Second, I don't recall ever moving into Executive Session to discuss free speech rights of clubs. I have always erred on the side of having open sessions unless convinced otherwise before the meeting that it is something that the University administration is discussing and doesn't want to be public yet. Openness is certainly the key to a trusted government and I have done as much as I can to make the Student Union open. I completely agree with Nelson that more is needed, especially from the Executive Board - which Senators have constantly complained is very opaque for as long I have been in the Senate. I would like to correct two assertions Nelson has made.

First, there were a number of Senators to oppose moving into Executive Session during the impeachment discussion last semester of the Secretary. The main Senators opposed to it were myself, Andrew Brooks, Tania Kupferman, and Justin Sulsky. I have opposed moving to Executive Session several times but we never receive enough votes to oppose the move.

Second, I don’t recall ever moving into Executive Session to discuss free speech rights of clubs.

I have always erred on the side of having open sessions unless convinced otherwise before the meeting that it is something that the University administration is discussing and doesn’t want to be public yet.

Openness is certainly the key to a trusted government and I have done as much as I can to make the Student Union open. I completely agree with Nelson that more is needed, especially from the Executive Board – which Senators have constantly complained is very opaque for as long I have been in the Senate.

]]> By: Avi http://innermostparts.org/2008/05/06/the-student-unions-transparency-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-839 Avi Wed, 07 May 2008 06:03:26 +0000 http://innermostparts.org/?p=257#comment-839 personally I find the lack of transparensy troubling. While i understand the union's desire for candor in their discussion I feel that students have a right to know what goes on in their union at all times. Perhaps hopefully the Union will if they want to close session let in a certain number of non involved students to their meetings while still keeping out the press. In this way the student union while being able to discuss important matters would be able to get student input to truly reflect the will of the students personally I find the lack of transparensy troubling. While i understand the union’s desire for candor in their discussion I feel that students have a right to know what goes on in their union at all times. Perhaps hopefully the Union will if they want to close session let in a certain number of non involved students to their meetings while still keeping out the press. In this way the student union while being able to discuss important matters would be able to get student input to truly reflect the will of the students

]]> By: Lev http://innermostparts.org/2008/05/06/the-student-unions-transparency-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-834 Lev Tue, 06 May 2008 23:14:06 +0000 http://innermostparts.org/?p=257#comment-834 Welcome Nelson! Welcome Nelson!

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