An online petition to lift the ban on social events at Eclectic is up. Here’s what you’re signing for:
The Eclectic Society has recently been informed by Scott Backer and the Student Judicial Board that all events, lectures, gatherings, and shows taking place at 200 High St. this semester – including those already scheduled – must be canceled due to a “House Hosting Restriction.” Backer and the SJB have made one exception: WesFest weekend. We feel that in eliminating Eclectic as a campus-wide venue, these restrictions threaten to eliminate an integral campus space necessary to foster the creative and intellectual energy upon which Wesleyan prides itself. We will be appealing this mandate this week and hope that wide student support will help the case.
In signing this petition I declare my support for the Eclectic Society’s efforts to overturn the House Hosting Restriction in order to maintain all previously-scheduled events for the duration of the semester.
If you’re somehow resentful of Eclectic, be clear about the distinction between your sense of schadenfreude and the seriously negative impact this ban will have on life at Wesleyan. Shutting down all events taking place at Eclectic for the rest of the semester doesn’t just punish Eclectic members, it punishes the campus as a whole.
Eclectic is unmatched as a consistent venue for events at Wesleyan, and you’ve got to understand the benefits of having it available as a public space for students even if you don’t personally attend these events .
And if you do appreciate live music, just look at this sad, sad list of events from Aural Wes and note how many are potentially no longer happening:
UPCOMING EVENTS
The SJB should really consider other ways of sanctioning those students responsible for the infractions that led to this restriction, which aren’t detrimental to the greater student body.
Read Aural Wes editor Anna Wiener ’09‘s impassioned plea to students here. Paper petitions will be distributed all week during meal times at Usdan, but be sure to sign the online one as well.
Judging by the interest expressed by readers in the previous post, we will easily get 1,000 signatures over the next few days.
Online petition to lift the ban on social events at Eclectic.
Fuck. I wanted to see Mice Parade.
Fuck. I wanted to see Mice Parade.
THANK YOU 6:52–not an SJB member
THANK YOU 6:52
–not an SJB member
6:52…….”f it wasn’t for your actions, or inaction, bands, students, the campus in general wouldn’t be faced with this mess.”LISTEN.. whoever wrote this should be ashamed of themselves. Do you understand that eclectic members open their house to the campus at large every week? Is that not something to be appreciated? Are you seriously upset at the society for ruining the fun you might have at their house? You are honestly pathetic. How would feel if the administration told you that you weren’t aloud to have form of social gathering in your residence. This was probably written by a member of the SJB board who is attempting to justify their stupidity. If it isn’t I have no respect for you whatsoever.
6:52…….”f it wasn’t for your actions, or inaction, bands, students, the campus in general wouldn’t be faced with this mess.”
LISTEN.. whoever wrote this should be ashamed of themselves. Do you understand that eclectic members open their house to the campus at large every week? Is that not something to be appreciated? Are you seriously upset at the society for ruining the fun you might have at their house? You are honestly pathetic. How would feel if the administration told you that you weren’t aloud to have form of social gathering in your residence. This was probably written by a member of the SJB board who is attempting to justify their stupidity. If it isn’t I have no respect for you whatsoever.
@4:51″That’s what the official notice said, apparently. Maybe, just maybe, this event is being allowed to continue because the contract was already finalized, and not because it happened to fall during WesFest?”That sounds like it makes sense.
@4:51
“That’s what the official notice said, apparently. Maybe, just maybe, this event is being allowed to continue because the contract was already finalized, and not because it happened to fall during WesFest?”
That sounds like it makes sense.
Why are students only frustrated with the SJB? For such a serious punishment there must have been a serious “crime”. Eclectic, be more transparent about the SJB’s accusations. If it wasn’t for your actions, or inaction, bands, students, the campus in general wouldn’t be faced with this mess. I’d really like to sign your petition, but I trust the judgment of the students, professors, and administrators of the SJB. Please release more information so that there’s a clear idea of how this all went down.
Why are students only frustrated with the SJB? For such a serious punishment there must have been a serious “crime”.
Eclectic, be more transparent about the SJB’s accusations. If it wasn’t for your actions, or inaction, bands, students, the campus in general wouldn’t be faced with this mess.
I’d really like to sign your petition, but I trust the judgment of the students, professors, and administrators of the SJB. Please release more information so that there’s a clear idea of how this all went down.
^whoops, not april 19th. but that saturday of wesfest.
^whoops, not april 19th. but that saturday of wesfest.
@4:51–looking at the wesfest schedule for 2009, (http://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/admit/wfsaturday.html) it’s pretty clear that this is the event that they are talking about:Saturday April 19th09:00 PM – 01:00 AM Alumni Music Extravaganza ft. Francis and the Lights, Das Racist, Acrylics, and See/Saw!This will be a dance party night to remember, featuring three successful Brooklyn-based Wesleyan alumni bands and one current student band. Not to be missed for fans of MGMT!Location: Eclectic House (200 High St), Ballroom “not to be missed for fans of MGMT”… this is an event directly meant to show off wesleyan’s music scene is. a music scene that is effectively being CRIPPLED by the restriction.
@4:51–
looking at the wesfest schedule for 2009, (http://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/admit/wfsaturday.html) it’s pretty clear that this is the event that they are talking about:
Saturday April 19th
09:00 PM – 01:00 AM
Alumni Music Extravaganza ft. Francis and the Lights, Das Racist, Acrylics, and See/Saw!
This will be a dance party night to remember, featuring three successful Brooklyn-based Wesleyan alumni bands and one current student band. Not to be missed for fans of MGMT!
Location: Eclectic House (200 High St), Ballroom
“not to be missed for fans of MGMT”… this is an event directly meant to show off wesleyan’s music scene is. a music scene that is effectively being CRIPPLED by the restriction.
its the SJB, not the administration, 4:41, that made the decision. any admin input is purely speculativemaybe they still want the prefrosh to have a good time?
its the SJB, not the administration, 4:41, that made the decision. any admin input is purely speculative
maybe they still want the prefrosh to have a good time?
If the decision does not get overturned, then eclectic should definitely refuse to hold a party on wesfest. If the administration wants to ban eclectic parties, then they shouldn’t use an eclectic party as an example of how fun Wesleyan is.
If the decision does not get overturned, then eclectic should definitely refuse to hold a party on wesfest. If the administration wants to ban eclectic parties, then they shouldn’t use an eclectic party as an example of how fun Wesleyan is.
i would be surprised if the admin pulls another fire safety on us by sending out a vaguely worded statement and then going, “whoops, we didn’t mean it THAT way, dumbasses”fuck the administration, fuck scott backer
i would be surprised if the admin pulls another fire safety on us by sending out a vaguely worded statement and then going, “whoops, we didn’t mean it THAT way, dumbasses”
fuck the administration, fuck scott backer
sign the petition please!!-non-greek, non-eclectic
sign the petition please!!
-non-greek, non-eclectic
Here is the notice Eclectic’s house manager received in his mailbox yesterday, explaining what it would mean for Eclectic to be on “disciplinary probation”:”200 High Street as a venue for performances, gatherings, parties or any events is restricted through April 30, 2009. This restriction will be lifted to allow the previously contracted event to occur at 200 High Street during accepted candidates’ weekend.”Hope this clarifies things a bit, though the wording is vague.
Here is the notice Eclectic’s house manager received in his mailbox yesterday, explaining what it would mean for Eclectic to be on “disciplinary probation”:
“200 High Street as a venue for performances, gatherings, parties or any events is restricted through April 30, 2009. This restriction will be lifted to allow the previously contracted event to occur at 200 High Street during accepted candidates’ weekend.”
Hope this clarifies things a bit, though the wording is vague.
3:41pm, you’re incorrect. The wording of the hosting ban says “performances, gatherings, parties or any events”, and only specifically makes an exception for events affiliated with “accepted candidates weekend” i.e. WesFest. If the SJB and Backer are backing down on that broad a ban now – which they haven’t officially told us – it’s most likely because of student pressure due to posts on Wesleying and Aural Wes.Even if they back down, that still allows the SJB and Backer to arbitrarily decide what kinds of student events are worth preserving and which aren’t. What makes a lecture more valuable than live music? What about the effort and funding put in by students who organize those shows, members and non-members?Thank you to everyone for your support. Keep it coming!
3:41pm, you’re incorrect. The wording of the hosting ban says “performances, gatherings, parties or any events”, and only specifically makes an exception for events affiliated with “accepted candidates weekend” i.e. WesFest. If the SJB and Backer are backing down on that broad a ban now – which they haven’t officially told us – it’s most likely because of student pressure due to posts on Wesleying and Aural Wes.
Even if they back down, that still allows the SJB and Backer to arbitrarily decide what kinds of student events are worth preserving and which aren’t. What makes a lecture more valuable than live music? What about the effort and funding put in by students who organize those shows, members and non-members?
Thank you to everyone for your support. Keep it coming!
Scott Backer should respond to Wesleying. I know you are reading this, please respond to the situation.
Scott Backer should respond to Wesleying. I know you are reading this, please respond to the situation.
word. the eclectic society's letter & the aural wes post seem to be the most definite/informative/non-anonymous pieces out there. I'm inclined to believe that for now, unless you are scott backer???!
word. the eclectic society's letter & the aural wes post seem to be the most definite/informative/non-anonymous pieces out there. I'm inclined to believe that for now, unless you are scott backer???!
@3:17, 3:41until we hear otherwise, i’m taking alex chaves and the eclectic society’s word for it over anonymous speculation.
@3:17, 3:41
until we hear otherwise, i’m taking alex chaves and the eclectic society’s word for it over anonymous speculation.
@3:29You are incorrect. 3:17 was right. The STI testing and lectures would not have been affected by the ban. Eclectic seems to be either misled, or misleading others.
@3:29
You are incorrect. 3:17 was right. The STI testing and lectures would not have been affected by the ban. Eclectic seems to be either misled, or misleading others.
@ 3:17,The STI testing was definitely affected. (and I would guess the lectures too)also, Anna's post said "The Hosting Ban on events at Eclectic is due to noise complaints from one night last semester." That's where the 'singular event' thing comes from. For some good news though, the STI testing has been rescheduled at Psi U! Thanks to Psi U (and ADP & 200 Church, who were also ready to offer their space). It's great that other campus groups/spaces were so ready to pitch in. I'm still rooting for Eclectic's woes to get resolved, though. Free STI Testing11:00 am — 3:30 pmThursday, April 9th, 2009@ Psi U
@ 3:17,
The STI testing was definitely affected. (and I would guess the lectures too)
also, Anna's post said "The Hosting Ban on events at Eclectic is due to noise complaints from one night last semester." That's where the 'singular event' thing comes from.
For some good news though, the STI testing has been rescheduled at Psi U! Thanks to Psi U (and ADP & 200 Church, who were also ready to offer their space). It's great that other campus groups/spaces were so ready to pitch in. I'm still rooting for Eclectic's woes to get resolved, though.
Free STI Testing
11:00 am — 3:30 pm
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
@ Psi U
From my understanding Eclectic’s probation was not due to any singular event. Backer and Co. simply put Eclectic on probation because of the sheer number of “social gatherings” that violated some sort of school law. The SJB ruling will probably only limit Eclectic’s ability to throw parties and other social events… the STI testing and lectures will probably still be conducted.
From my understanding Eclectic’s probation was not due to any singular event. Backer and Co. simply put Eclectic on probation because of the sheer number of “social gatherings” that violated some sort of school law. The SJB ruling will probably only limit Eclectic’s ability to throw parties and other social events… the STI testing and lectures will probably still be conducted.
Oh, and along the same vein of ‘information is power!”, continuing to offer specifics on what events would have happened, the costs on other people, (i.e., the musician who already bought a plane ticket to come play), reasons other spaces aren’t suitable replacements, etc. is important too. I’m sure the Eclectic kids already know that, just offering my thoughts cuz I’m super sad about all the stuff that isn’t going to happen now.
Oh, and along the same vein of ‘information is power!”, continuing to offer specifics on what events would have happened, the costs on other people, (i.e., the musician who already bought a plane ticket to come play), reasons other spaces aren’t suitable replacements, etc. is important too.
I’m sure the Eclectic kids already know that, just offering my thoughts cuz I’m super sad about all the stuff that isn’t going to happen now.
Any updates on Anna’s comment over at Aural Wes expressing reluctance to offer more information due to ‘potentially antagonizing the sjb’ and possible confidentiality issues?I understand why the SJB is confidential. However, if Eclectic is looking for the whole campus to get behind them, the more transparency, the better. The number of responses clearly demonstrate the student body is willing to organize and mobilize behind this. With more information, the campus response will be more effective. Without it, it may turn into a vague rant of frustration towards the sjb. If it really was only one night of noise complaints, then the restriction seems very, very disproportionate and disappointing. In that case, I think we should be kinda outraged and pursue some policy changes, possibly working with the WSA and the SJB.If it was multiple events, complaints, probations, and second chances leading up to this, okay. Be up front about it, and then our tactics should be focused on specifics. For example, arguing for individuals to be disciplined instead of the whole space, pushing for some events to be approved through a more rigorous process, or calling out the administration/sjb on arbitrarily deciding that recruiting prefrosh is more important than sti testing. The only quotes I could find in the student handbook that pertain to confidentiality seem to indicate it’s at eclectic’s discretion. “Student judicial records are confidential and are available only to persons who have permission from the student.”As someone who really enjoys events at Eclectic, and appreciates that its members offer up their personal living space to make cool things happen here, I’m definitely down to fight this. I just think the more information available, the more successful recruitment of supporters will be, the more persuasive our arguments will be, and the more (hopefully) effective we will be at achieving change.
Any updates on Anna’s comment over at Aural Wes expressing reluctance to offer more information due to ‘potentially antagonizing the sjb’ and possible confidentiality issues?
I understand why the SJB is confidential. However, if Eclectic is looking for the whole campus to get behind them, the more transparency, the better.
The number of responses clearly demonstrate the student body is willing to organize and mobilize behind this. With more information, the campus response will be more effective. Without it, it may turn into a vague rant of frustration towards the sjb.
If it really was only one night of noise complaints, then the restriction seems very, very disproportionate and disappointing. In that case, I think we should be kinda outraged and pursue some policy changes, possibly working with the WSA and the SJB.
If it was multiple events, complaints, probations, and second chances leading up to this, okay. Be up front about it, and then our tactics should be focused on specifics. For example, arguing for individuals to be disciplined instead of the whole space, pushing for some events to be approved through a more rigorous process, or calling out the administration/sjb on arbitrarily deciding that recruiting prefrosh is more important than sti testing.
The only quotes I could find in the student handbook that pertain to confidentiality seem to indicate it’s at eclectic’s discretion.
“Student judicial records are confidential and are available only to persons who have permission from the student.”
As someone who really enjoys events at Eclectic, and appreciates that its members offer up their personal living space to make cool things happen here, I’m definitely down to fight this. I just think the more information available, the more successful recruitment of supporters will be, the more persuasive our arguments will be, and the more (hopefully) effective we will be at achieving change.
This ruling is an utter travesty. Eclectic is crucial in creating Wesleyan’s unique social and artistic atmosphere. Scott Backer and the SJB should be ashamed.
This ruling is an utter travesty. Eclectic is crucial in creating Wesleyan’s unique social and artistic atmosphere. Scott Backer and the SJB should be ashamed.
also, i would update mad’s previous post with a link to the petition as well, because a lot of people are being directed there.
also, i would update mad’s previous post with a link to the petition as well, because a lot of people are being directed there.
sheek, here’s a simple code to make a top corner banner:http://www.liewcf.com/blog/archives/2006/09/easy-css-top-corner-banner/here's what it looks like:http://www.exploding-boy.com/images/banners/banners.html
sheek, here’s a simple code to make a top corner banner:
http://www.liewcf.com/blog/archives/2006/09/easy-css-top-corner-banner/
here’s what it looks like:
http://www.exploding-boy.com/images/banners/banners.html
Thank you for posting this, Ashik!Even if you signed the petition in Usdan today, please also sign the online petition. The more we can document student and alumni support, the better.
Thank you for posting this, Ashik!
Even if you signed the petition in Usdan today, please also sign the online petition. The more we can document student and alumni support, the better.