November 14, 2006 Minutes

Tuesday, November 14, 2006
4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Leung Gallery

Members: President Simmons, Brenda Allen, Russell Carey, Beppie Huidekoper, Christopher Bull, David Cutts, Penelope Dennehy, Barrett Hazeltine, Joachim Krueger, David Sheinberg, Elmo Terry-Morgan, John Gillis, Robert Klaber, Lauren Kolodny, Mark Ramadan, James Gagnon, Matt Lease, Chung Nguyen, David Margolius, Stephanie Birdsall, Geoffrey Greene, Tovah Reis, Kisa Takesue, David Bloom, Sarah O’Dowd, Guy Sanchez, and Emma Simmons were in attendance. Provost Kertzer, Katherine Bergeron, John Cassese, Stephen Foley, Emma Tai, Neel Shah, Dorothy Hitt, and David Kanig were unable to attend.

The minutes of the October 17, 2006 meeting were approved.

Beppie Huidekoper, Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration, began by introducing Harold Ward, chair of the Advisory Committee on Corporate Responsibility in Investing (ACCRI). She summarized the Social Choice Fund discussion from the September 12, 2006 BUCC meeting. Professor Ward gave an overview of the membership and charge of the ACCRI. He also gave examples of previous recommendations made by the Committee. Professor Ward presented the recommendation of the ACCRI on the type of Social Choice Fund that Brown should establish.  The Committee recommends a fund that is proactive – that selects investments based on their potential to promote a social good – such as one with an environmental emphasis. Ms. Huidekoper explained that the administration is prepared to provide its support should the Corporation approve the establishment of a Social Choice Fund. She concluded by summarizing the recommendations of the administration on how the Fund should be administered.

The Council voted unanimously in favor of a motion supporting the Social Choice Fund recommendation as presented at the November 14, 2006 meeting.

Russell Carey, Interim Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services, gave a presentation on undergraduate housing. He reviewed the percentage of undergraduates that Brown can currently house as compared to its peers, 80% and 90%, respectively. Mr. Carey outlined three undergraduate housing goals. One is to increase the percentage of students who live on campus to 90%. The second is to enhance the living experience. The third goal is to build housing that is attractive to juniors and seniors.

Sheila Bonde, Dean of the Graduate School, addressed concerns about graduate student support and the matter of tuition for master’s students that were raised at the October 17, 2006 BUCC meeting. There was discussion among and questions from members of the audience and the Council. Dean Bonde encouraged any student who had concerns, comments or questions about their support to come see her during her office hours.

Due to time constraints, the opportunity for members of the Brown Community to address the Council was deferred.

The next meeting of the Brown University Community Council will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in Leung Gallery, Faunce House.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Pincince
Secretary of the Brown University Community Council