Public Safety really needs this funding

Last night was the last CCSC meeting with this CCSC board as we know it. Before you get all nostalgic and cast those votes tomorrow, Joe Milholland, loyal CCSC fan regardless of who’s on it, brings you the latest CCSC business. 

On Sunday night, the Columbia College Student Council discussed a resolution that would change the way Public Safety charges for student events. Useantor Jared Odessky, who presented the resolution to the council, said it aims to implement an algorithm that would calculate the cost of an event. If Public Safety wanted to spend more money for security at event than what the algorithm calculated, the extra cost would be covered by an outside fund rather than a student group. Odessky described this as a “content-neutral” pricing system.

The resolution comes after student groups complained about being charged more by CPS for controversial events. There is a fund for CPS security at student events, but, for expenses over $600, groups have to apply, often after the fact, to get the security costs covered by the fund, and funding does not always come in.

Student leaders have been trying to deal with this issue since at least last year. This school year, the admins re-established a CPS advisory committee required by state law and composed of one-third students, one-third faculty, and one-third administrators. However, the committee only met once at the beginning of the second semester, and, according to Odessky, CPS dominated the discussion at the meeting for most of its time.

CPS admits that they charge more for controversial events, but they justify their actions by saying that the increased security is necessary at controversial events. Mariam Elnozahy, the current Vice Chair of SGB (the student governing board that oversees activist groups), mentioned that an event by the Caribbean Students Association was hampered by CPS expenses.

Class of 2018 President Ezra Gontownik asked about the event review process and excessive safety fees. Specifically, he was worried that students would be funding for over-charged security costs. Odessky admitted that CPS acts a business unit where they are both the customer and provider. Elnozahy mentioned that this has been an issue for a while but that the proposal was a “realistic” and “grass roots” effort to improve the situation. Elnozahy noted that public safety fees can change suddenly even if a group reviews the costs well in advance. Usenator Marc Heinrich mentioned that the security costs will ultimately come out of students’ pockets anyway.

On the subject of funding the costs, Odessky said he didn’t know where the funding will ultimately come from.

The council voted on the proposition. 25 supported it, one opposed it, and two abstained. Odessky’s goal for this resolution is to get undergrad student council support and then send it to the senate.

The council also discussed a possible survey administered to outgoing seniors. According to VP of Communication Abby Porter, the survey is to gather data to drive policy debates. She noted that the idea had been driven by ESC’s VP of Communication. The survey asked students questions about their mental health and how many classes they took.

Several council members criticized the nature of the survey. Student Services Rep Chris Godshall found it “highly inappropriate” for the survey to ask students about how many sexual partners they have had. CCSC President Peter Bailinson and several others criticized the limits of the multiple choice questions on the survey. Several council members also questioned why it should only target seniors and how the survey would reach a population outside the council members’ friends.

Porter said the survey would be sent out to student groups. She also emphasized it would be shorter than the quality of life survey and have a quicker turn around.

Bailinson asked the council whether they where in favor of giving out any survey to the seniors. 17, a majority, said they were in favor.

Updates:

• Student Services Rep Charles Sanky is looking into disability services on campus, especially in light of the limited campus access due to the talk by the Afghan President.
• Bailinson met with deans from the Fellowships Office to talk about the fellowships issues brought up by the council.
• Bailinson also said that the Lerner Space Advisory Committee is considering changing the printing room on the first floor into bookable space or a casual lounge.

Off your high horse via Shutterstock