SJB to shut down all Eclectic events this semester
Wesleying just received the following e-mail from Alex Chaves '12 on behalf of Eclectic Society:
Recently Scott Backer and the Student Judicial Board has informed the Eclectic Society that all events, lectures, gatherings, and shows will be canceled and prohibited at Eclectic due to a “House Hosting Restriction” through April 30th, with the exception of the weekend of WesFest for pre-frosh.
These charges are being made over noise complaints during one night last semester. As a society we are distraught; if this Hosting Restriction is to remain, it will mean that NO EVENTS will be able to occur at Eclectic for the remainder of the semester. We as a society feel that the exception for WesFest indicates that the administration is more interested in creating the appearance of student life for prospective students than actually supporting student culture.
This ban includes a Das Racist and Ponytail concert, an STI testing day, lectures by Lynn Owens and Patricia Clough with the Sociology department, a college in prison fundraising event with Bro-zone, along with many other events. Many students outside of the Eclectic Society have worked hard to plan these beneficial events, and we as a society want to provide a space for them. We feel that these charges will do great damage to the Wesleyan student body, and will undermine the purpose of Eclectic’s presence on this campus.
Eclectic is asking you, the student body of Wesleyan, to help support us in lifting these charges and maintaining the planned events over the course of the semester (events we all were looking forward to). We will be distributing a petition for this Hosting Ban, please sign. We feel that Eclectic makes a positive contribution to the intellectual and artistic atmosphere of Wesleyan’s campus and this punishment is overly harsh. We have tried to provide Wesleyan with fun and stimulating events that improve student life at Wesleyan, please support us in continuing this tradition.
Please join us in appealing these charges,
The Eclectic Society
So, I'm conflicted. On the one hand, in my experience, the SJB tends to be pretty fair. When they dish out harsh punishment, it's usually justified. Minor violations really are given warnings. Without further details about the violation that led to this punishment, I'd be hesitant to sign a petition.That said, this totally sucks for the entire campus. Some of the proposed events benefit the whole community in remarkable ways - the free STI testing is an obvious example, but so are the academic lectures and cultural events. (Patricia Clough? As a soc major, can I just say, that's AWESOME.)
I know we at Wesleyan tend to get very angry very quickly, but I urge Wesleying's readers to channel that frustration. Instead of getting angry at the administration/SJB without knowing the facts, let's try to find a way to react calmly, while still appreciating the fantastic events Eclectic throws every semester, and finding a way to help Eclectic continue doing so.
[edit 12:30am] Anna Wiener '09 wrote a letter on AuralWes that clarifies what Alex wrote, and has more information about where to find the petition to sign. Definitely read that.
[edit by Sheek, 3/3, 2:15 pm] An online petition is also up, sign it!
119 comments:
The violation was over noise complaints that occurred on a single night in December. Do you think that warrants the cancellation of countless shows, parties, lectures, exhibits, etc? Does that warrant the SBC losing thousands of dollars previously allocated to student groups putting on events?
Yeah because the email from the head of eclectic has no motivation to stretch the truth behind the reason for this decision, right?
In other news, fuck eclectic. I've had it with their absolute disrespect for the entire community and their bullshit "events."
If that's the case, and that's the whole story, then no. But I don't feel comfortable that that's necessarily the whole story without hearing from people other than Eclectic members. It seems really fishy to me that this punishment would result from one party's noise violations. If that's true, that seems pretty fucked to me.
Unfortunately, I don't think the SJB talks about their cases, which are all confidential and stuff :(
No truth was stretched and Alex isn't the head of Eclectic. Other people, (yes, even some non-members, believe it or not!) enjoy the concerts and parties immensely, even if they don't personally like the members. It's easy to get righteously indignant about "hipster assholes," but consider that Eclectic is the primary (and very easily arguably best) free venue and space on campus. So they make noise sometimes. Sorry. So does the rest of campus. Sign the petition!
@ 11:42:
"disrespect for the entire community and their bullshit 'events.'"
i'm sorry but what the FUCK are you talking about?? because people dress a certain way that instantly equals disrespect for the community? there are events at eclectic three nights a week in order to prevent the rest of us from committing suicide from boredom. please. explain what is so offensively bad about a place that provides you and everyone else with free entertainment. please.
and mad joy, those are the facts. they actually did punish us over noise complaints.
eclectic has be rowdy more that once this semester. seriously guys. i'm going to miss some of their events, but a lot of their shit gets out of control.
@11:43 anon, cool it asshole. Sorry some boys wear tight pants.
Lots of Eclectic's events ARE out of control. It's undeniable.
Still, I think we all need to hear from SJB before getting too militant about whatever position we take, like Mad said.
Things like lectures, STI testing, public service, etc. shouldn't be shut down, surely...
Here are the facts:
1. Every member of Eclectic was SJB'd last semester
2. The house is on probationary status as a program house
3. There have been frequent noise complaint violations within the span of the past month.
It wasn't over just one party
To clarify, that's members living in the chapter house
Most of the trouble eclectic gets into is on nights where large campus wide parties are thrown. As the house does not belong to the society, Psafe is able to ramble through the house whenever they feel like braking up anything. If there is one excessively drunk person, who needs medical assistance (has yet to be an eclectic member) the rap is on eclectic for throwing a fun party. Frats are safe because they own their houses so whatever crazy stuff happens there can only be interrupted or by police which basically never happens. Eclectic is a valuable space for all people on campus to use. I think the impact of the loss of Eclectic as not only a venue and party house, but as a cultural entity on this campus, is being vastly vastly underestimated. People can say fuck eclectic this and that, if you don't like it and have a personal reason. DON'T GO! Do not try to ruin something valuable to a lot of people because of a petty personal vendetta. It's as simple as that. I'm not a member but I'm close to a few of them. For those of you who would like to have eclectic around for no other reason than you had fun at the sex party or at a live show, or you like MGMT or BEAR HANDS or BOY CRISIS, sign the petition and KEEP ECLECTIC ALIVE!!!!!
SHUT DOWN BETA
they can't shut down Beta - they're unaffiliated with the university
SHUT DOWN DKE THEN
"bullshit events?"
shut up. i've seen some of the best shows of my life at eclectic over the past two years. plus if you actually read the post, the issue isn't the kids in eclectic or even events like sex party-- it's that the best venue for student activities on campus of all kinds is being given the shaft.
in other news, fuck the SJB. yes, enforcement of the code of non-academic conduct is generally important, but they're only a voice for the administration to execute their policies under the guise of "peer evaluation." they have no sense practical sanctioning. (yes, embittered over an excessive sanction I received, and rightfully so.)
successful troll is successful
lets just take over mocon and throw shows there.
Shutting down all events for the rest of the semester doesn't just punish Eclectic, it punishes the entire campus.
Eclectic is unmatched as a consistent venue for events at Wesleyan. If this is how the SJB plans to sanction them for whatever infractions were made, it shows pretty poor foresight - there's no benefit for anybody in this ban. I'm sure there are other ways to sanction an organization when it gets in trouble.
Wait for more facts if you want, but unless you're a total shut-in on weekends, sign the petition.
Look -
Wake up please. The SJB, for all we know, may not fully know what they are doing - look at the the SBC, which is decidedly NOT flush with cash at the moment - the SBC is struggling to cover its long term commitments to the various print organizations and clubs and groups and everything else it has to pay for - how would you like to see Ostrananie or any valuable student organization that receives SBC money go down the drain because we bankrupted it with an administrative boo boo?
Clearly there are some consequences that are a bit beyond the scope of the administration and the SJB right now. The fact that these kinds of punishments are being thrown around this casually is more or less proof positive that nobody is thinking about what is going to happen if you use a blunt instrument when you need tweezers.
And also, on behalf of the members of Eclectic, temporarily lifting the restrictions on the society during Wesfest in order to provide any kind "normal" picture of student life at Wesleyan is misleading to prospective students. It is also insulting to the members of the society, whose contributions to the school are apparently being selectively appreciated and showcased when it is to the benefit of the school. I would respectfully urge the SBC to take note of this.
HS
Let's get drunk, eat dinner at Usdan, instigate food fights and vomit in protest!
FUCK SCOTT BACKER
yeah fuck the SJB; puppetry is never cool. but my question - as someone who is currently serving a 10 hour community service sanction - is what happens if they eliminate it entirely?
then our cases/violations go directly to MPD or, at the very least, the administration.
have some brains, folks. SJB is bad but the alternatives are worse.
Actually, if they eliminate eclectic entirely the house gets turned into dorms as it is Wesleyan property
Eclectic better watch their asses
11:56pm is wrong. Not even close to every member of Eclectic was SJB'd last semester, and many members have clean records. Get facts straight before slandering peers, pls.
12:14 -> 11:57
@ 11:56
You're missing the point. Yes, parties hosted at eclectic are associated with noise complaints. But maybe the SJB doesn't realize it's not the house that is responsible, it's the hosts. I know of one host who was prohibited from having more shows for a semester b/c they all had violations. That's the way to handle this. Shutting down the venue is like closing down a public square because some dudes decide to piss in the fountain. I don't care what eclectic members do; they're not the ones hosting the events.
Also who the fuck are you to say that eclectic members have all been sjb'd? No one has access to that information, unless Scott Backer is writing on this. If he is, dude needs to get a life.
Thanks to Madjoy for remaining and advocating for a calm response. Regardless of one's position on this, you have to admit that outrage only encourages your opposition in all but the most extreme of cases. It's easier to change decisions by working with the authority rather than by getting on their bad side, unless you want to completely overthrown them to begin with. Which isn't gonna happen here, so take it easy and work through dialogue. A calm response is not akin to selling out, regardless of what Wesleyan has taught you. Inaction is akin to selling out. Disciplined responses accomplish sustainable change. Rash reactions break positive momentum.
I know this is important, but take it easy.
12:17
SJB members from last semester know that too
-Scott Backer
Is anybody listening? If you punish Eclectic, then Eclectic has PAY ALL THE BANDS WHO AGREED TO PLAY THERE.
That's a lot of money, (7k? 10k?) and it is gonna come out of your student activities - it's your ass, so pick a side.
The most disturbing part of all this is the disrespect that some of you have shown to your fellow students. Whether or not you personally enjoy the events at the eclectic house there are people on this campus that do like them. To condone the SJB's overblown sanctions is to deny your fellow students their right to choose how to have fun.
Eclectic is the only space on campus that attracts such varied events (concerts, lectures, art shows, parties, etc.) If we as a community lost that then what would be we left with? The society acts as an important student run organization... this is one place where the administration isn't pulling the strings and thats worth a whole lot here, inside the Wesleyan bubble.
I wasn't SJB'd last semester...
-eclectic member
I can't believe people aren't taking this seriously. You might not like some kids in eclectic and that's fine, but that place is an integral part of this campus. We need to stand up to maintain their presence at Wesleyan, because lets be honest their isn't a whole lot going on at this school.Lets not be idiots here, I know for a fact that most members of the society WERE NOT Sjbed this semester. Eclectic has been more then generous with their space during my time at Wesleyan and this is the price they pay? You have to be kidding me.
Hey -
If Eclectic wasn't such a group of asshole pricks, would the community be so apathetic? Enjoy the taste of humble pie. Nobody who's not already in Eclectic already comes to see the bands, anyway, and when we do you do your best to make us feel unwelcome.
So up yours
i think 32 comments are proof that the community is NOT apathetic. and yep...eclectic has 275 members who often fill their shows to capacity
"because lets be honest their isn't a whole lot going on at this school"
wow, words just fail me to properly convey how much is wrong with that statement. all I'll say is if you really think that's the case maybe you aren't aware that there are tons of events that go on every day that don't take place at eclectic.
Ya, seriously fuck the administration. Students need to have fun on this campus. Boring Wesleyan = Declining enrollment = Wesleyan down the drain. Yes, there is the code of academic conduct, but that has to be applied leniently. Sign the Petition if you want Wesleyan to continue the dynamic and creatively free environment that it is.
"wow, words just fail me to properly convey how much is wrong with that statement. all I'll say is if you really think that's the case maybe you aren't aware that there are tons of events that go on every day that don't take place at eclectic."
WOW, I wasn't aware that Middletown was a happening place. In fact now I realize that nightlife here is comparable to what I may find in a metropolitan are. You've made me realize the countless opportunities available to me during my free time on this campus...house parties, Olin, Mamouns, did I already mention house party?
FREE ECLECTIC MOTHERFUCKERS
students need to learn to have fun while being respectful of others. its really not that hard a concept.
also, with 10,000+ applications this year your doomsday vision of wes down the drain seems a bit... completely out of touch with reality.
Whoa, I want to clarify that I think Eclectic (both as a Society and as a group of individuals) is awesome, that they throw a lot of the best events on campus, and that it clearly doesn't make ANY sense to punish the whole campus by taking away great events people put tons of hard work into that benefit everyone. But I also think it's important to be constructive instead of just angry.
I still really doubt that there weren't prior violations and warnings that contributed to this punishment - that one single party's noise complaints would possibly lead to a ban on all house events. Like, I just can't understand how any rational board would come to that decision, and the SJB is just a group of students and generally pretty rational.
I definitely support a petition to allow events to be hosted at Eclectic as long as it doesn't demand that Eclectic not be punished whatsoever (I honestly have no idea what kind of punishment they deserve, if any; I wasn't at the sjb hearing).
Punishment? They probably got caught with a keg once or twice, Big fucking deal. Beer and noise complaints shouldn't warrant this kind of punishment!
Eclectic:Too big to fail?
ever since Scott Backer came the SJB has become harsh as fuck on things like this. he wants to mainstrain wes, that guy doesn't give a fuck about students.
By "all eclectic members were sjb'd," the or clearly meant all members living in the society house , which I believe is true
Not true at all, I have not been SJbed this semester and neither have the majority of the kids in the house, there are a few exception though
-Resident member of eclectic
Yeah definitely absolutely not true. Who the fuck makes this shit up?
George Clinton save Eclectic House!
Eclectic is my favorite venue on campus, and is actually home to some really sweet and awesome people. I have never felt unwelcome there.
-non-member
Pissed jeans is supposed to come. For that reason alone, eclectic's gotta stay open.
there's a tree in front of eclectic?
All in all, no matter what the case may be concerning charges against the society, it is absolutely true that the school excepted the punishment for the weekend of Wesfest. This, to me, is by far the most embarrassing and insulting decision of the lot and in general, I would look at this exception as a very clear indication of where administrative and SJB allegiance lies and why every student should either support full revocation of the restrictions or (if you really hate us and your fellow students as much irl as on the web) full enforcement, including the banishment of events during Wesfest. Pre-frosh deserve to know exactly 'what' Wesleyan is/is becoming before coming here. A decision less resolute is idiocy verging on maliciousness.
-Yale Yng-Wong (Eclectic member)
holy shit this school sucks
sign that petition yall
1:41- this school doesnt suck. stop being so flamboyant.
the SJB made a bad decision, that's all.
but yeah, sign that petition
i think this is part of a larger administration goal of eliminating all student run spaces on campus. reslife wants to take over the westco cafe too. its fucking absurd, i think we need more student run spaces, not let reslife control everything that goes on here.
the issue is about more than just eclectic, its about students controlling our campus and our entertainment, and not letting the administration decide what can happen where and when.
I mean canceling lectures because theyre taking place in a house that has had noise complaints is completely absurd and clearly not relevant to whatever was claimed to be the problem.
so i say lets liberate eclectic, and the westco cafe. lets take over mocon and use it as a student space.
our campus, our lives.
I 100% back Yale's response. The exemption is really insulting. The school only organizes "fun" on its own accord for prefrosh and then leaves the rest of the school to flounder for the rest of the year.
Eclectic was a response to a really apathetic administration and a completely out of touch residential/social staff.
yeah, great sloganeering. now if only the people in eclectic weren't such arrogant jerks...
sorry if i sound like the voice of the administration but honestly, i don't like the people in eclectic one bit and i could care less what happens to their club
2:14, do you know any eclectic members or are you just basing you r opinion on stereotypes?
2:14, who the fuck are you? do you realize that their "club" puts on the vast majority of social events on campus, and then turns the other cheek while killjoys like you badmouth them behind their backs and drunken assholes damage their property? take your spite elsewhere.
Honestly, you hold your stereotypes (which are just as discriminatory as real stereotypes, when you really think about it) for Eclectic members, but the majority of this school is GOING to sign this petition, and I doubt is going to stand for this. Because honestly, there are too many truly intelligent, socially-conscious individuals to let this stand. If this stands, I would be disappointed in the students here.
I've hung out at Eclectic very very few times, and the random members I've met seemed like pretty cool people. Sure they've got the pretension and the generalizations, but thats what happens to all frats or societies.
And you know what? They also throw (imo) best fucking parties I've been to on campus. And some of the best music.
I'd much rather go there and brave the faint (or pungent, depending on your senses) scent of hipster elitism then go to DKE or Beta and deal with the level of Bro-osity, for lack of a better term.
Anyways, fuck the SJB and the idiot students would made this unfair decision. We can not let this stand, for so many already mentioned reasons.
Hi. I am basing my views off of my personal experience interacting and living with many of them over the past several years. I am not indulging in empty stereotyping, let me assure you.
As for your assertion that eclectic puts on the vast majority of social events on this campus, that just shows what an empty high school hierarchical-type social scene you believe in. You're snobs, and thankfully yours is not the only game in town. I've somehow managed to go to parties, get drunk and do drugs, and fuck without ever having been to eclectic, the sex party excepted.
There's a huge campus population out here that doesn't attend your concerts and really doesn't give a shit at all about you. You clearly don't know or give a shit about us, because you think that all campus social life is channeled through your society.
It doesn't.
Have fun with all of your problems. Like I said before, I don't care what happens to eclectic. I'm not actively wishing you ill, but I'm not rooting for you, either.
what's eclectic?
sorry, *isn't. I know you'll attack my poor grammar before too long.
please email wsa@wesleyan.edu to let them know that you are unhappy with the decision and why...
The school is shutting down every venue one by one. First the Westco cafe, then eclectic. It is impossible for the shows to be picked up by other venues. psi u will not do 3 shows a week. We are fucked if we like bands
As a member of Eclectic since the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I am thrilled that we can still encourage such lively debate over the de/merits of skinny jeans - go well with everything, tear easily in the crotch after Thanksgiving - and the general threat of hipster arrogance! I thought those days were over! And to think, 56 comments all within the span of three wee little hours! Go Wes! You are still entirely weird!
What I will offer, partially in respnse to a fear raised by "Mad Joy," is my sincere appreciation to Eclectic for handling this situation sensitively. A petition is not incendiary nor a brash response to an institution's punitive and irrational ruling. Nobody's trying to firebomb the Scott Backer's Office. People are just going to write a few Wespeaks and demand a recognition of all the real good that Eclectic does on this campus. Eclectic members rallied immediately - under the new leadership of the graceful, and gosh-darn beautiful Marshall Ball, the efficient and sparkly house manager Pedro Ventura, the venerated veteran prez Samuel Ottinger - and held an emergency meeting tonight. They plan to fight this with diplomacy and solidarity. Whether or not Eklektos are liked by the general population remains to be argued over in ACB thread after ACB thread for eternity. (Think of it as our gift to you). But no doubt every person on this campus has used Eclectic's space at some point or the other; a space in some people's home that was loaned to you. I wasn't present at the meeting tonight due to an all-nighter that demanded a whiskey shot and a warm pillow this evening, but I will be in Usdan with a petition tomorrow at lunch. This campus needs Eclectic (MGMT = 22% rise in admissions, duh). But more than ever, we need something to argue about! How many more Argus articles offering a cost-benefit analysis of a sumer semester can I take? C'mon, Wesleyan! School in the summer?!?! Let's get interesting! Fight the Power.
Love,
Sara'o Bery
Eklektos Floreat
2:14
For someone criticizing Eclectic members for being arrogant jerks... well, I have a pot and a kettle here and they're both black...
Your writing comes across as very confused and contradictory. I don't think anywhere in this stupid discourse did an Eclectic member state how important THEY are. The entire argument being made is in consideration of the people booking/attending events and shows which will now be canceled.
If you really support this or really don't care (remember, many NON (potentially nice) eclectic students are implicated in this) I would not be surprised that you ride with a crew that obviously thrives on misanthropy and outsider status. Please stop conflating anyone who defends Eclectic with being a member and please stop trying to treat Eclectic as a 'scene' when the doors at every event are wide open to everyone as far as I can tell.
If any house should be under consideration of losing their status it should be Alpha Delt (ADP). They have the nicest house on campus and they don't do shit in terms of make social life flourish (outside their own weird dungeon craphole of a social circle). Eclectic does wayyy more for a far greater number of students than ADP. They should lose their house for not doing enough to promote social life on campus, and Eclectic should be praised for making this school an enjoyable place to be at. Whether you like their parties/people or not, they at least create the feeling of a vibrant open social life and community, something ADP does the total opposite of. It seriously pisses me off when they put the chalk boards in the living room to section themselves off when the rest of us are waiting to be seated at the S&C or waiting for take-out because there is no sitting space outside the dining hall. And that is just something petty. When was the last time they had a party open to the whole campus? When was the last time they brought in great musicians and artists, and helped promote Wesleyan artists and musicians outside campus? Whether you like it or not, (and I am not an eclectic member, nor do I even really like the society much) Eclectic really helps export the Wesleyan brand. ADP does shit for the school. Next time I hear people from outside schools and universities talking about a party or concert that happened at ADP, then I'll stop harping. Eclectic does far more for this school than y'all think
ADP hosts tons of events. Just because they're not all parties or concerts doesn't mean they don't contribute to school social life; in fact, they diversify it.
Let's NOT turn this into a frat-bashing party. Please.
3:22-- You know, as much as you complain about us sectioning off the living room (which we only do because we can't deal with the cleaning it would require every day, sorry), ADP does supply the S+C for everyone, which I think is doing shit for this school, and takes a lot of work on the part of the membership.
Also, as 3:28 says, we do hold a lot of events, including open dance parties, not to mention hosting student shows. And we pour a lot of money into student groups around campus.
Also, we own our house. So sorry, no one is taking it away anytime soon (nor will our program housing status go away--we throw enough events for that, anyway).
That said, Eclectic also provides a really valuable space for the campus, and holds a lot of good programs and events, and this is a really odd decision. I mean, I could understand (though not necessarily agree) if the decision was focused on not allowing them to throw loud event at night, since that is at least related to the infraction. But the STD testing and lectures? That’s ridiculous (not to mention seems to screw them over in terms of program house status…).
And it really sucks that this also punishes people who have no relation to eclectic/whoever else was throwing the loud parties there, but were planning an event for this semester.
There’s no reason for this to turn into an argument about who “deserves” to have their house taken away. IMO, no one does. Why should we be advocating putting a limit on ANY student-run space? You might not even notice the events we throw, I might not often go to Eclectic concerts, but the more variety, the more vibrant this campus will be.
--ADPer
4:04 - excellent point, let's keep this productive for the entire student body.
No one seems to realize that this entire situation was prophesied many years ago. Have we all forgotten the solution? The only way to stop the shuttering of eclectic is to throw a campus-wide rager, then george clinton's tour bus will break down on high street and eclectic president jeremy piven can convince he and pfunk to play. If enough people come, they can use the cover charge money to bribe the administration.
It has just been proven that the 60-odd trolls who consistently use the ACB are the same 60-odd trolls who consistently leave comments on Wesleying.
Eclectic is a critical campus venue wherein kids can get drunk and touch each other. The wesfest exception is startlingly ridiculous and should be cleverly, ironically, and ostentatiously flouted and protested. Luckily, the house in question is full of people who work very hard to be clever and ironic.
Lastly, Scott Backer needs to be confronted with the hollowness of his existence.
I'm not a member of Eclectic and I don't have a single friend in Eclectic, but I have been to a few of their shows and they have been some of the most enjoyable of my nights at Wes. Eclectic puts together some really cool events and was part of the reason I chose Wes. They really add something to the culture of Wesleyan, and whether or not you go to their shows/lectures, you should respect that.
If Psi U were being shut down all semester for a noise complaint, I'd want to help them out even though I've only been there a few times. If any student organization were being shut down, I'd want to help. I don't understand why the students aren't automatically together on this one.
If Eclectic is shut down, there will most likely not be free STI testing this semester. My group runs the program and we don't really have time to find another location. If you want free testing, make some noise.
Seems there are a few interesting ideas to sort out from this lively discussion:
- find alternative sites to host committed appearances
- boycott WesFest
- honor diversity
Best of luck...and I hope yall stick around long enough to get yer diploma ;-)
- FossHill Fossil
Also, even if you guys hate every member of eclectic on a personal level, you have to understand what this conflict represents. Im not the biggest fan of eclectic members, but I understand that this is just another example of the administration attempting to destroy all purely student run activity on this campus. It is another attempt to eliminate the weirdness from wesleyan in order to strive for the endowment and ranking of a Williams and Amherst. If Roth thinks that is what brings up admissions he is wrong, it is things like parties and music that kids come here for. This is a good opportunity for the student body to let the administration know that they are not doing their job, and that we have more of a say than they think.
-Psi U brother
whoever wrote that article is fuckin retarded. Since when is the sjb usually fair? what kid would sign up to get other students in trouble on behalf of the administration.
Thank you, Psi U 10:44.
I don't see how anyone can let their "I hate eclectic" sentiment override their understanding that ONE OF THE LAST LARGE CAPACITY STUDENT-RUN SPACES ON CAMPUS IS SHUT DOWN. Even if you don't go to shows or the sex party or whatever, pretty much all we had left was Eclectic, the WestCo Cafe (which is always on the verge of being shut down anyway), and less frequently, Psi U/ADP. This compounded with my anger at Usdan being being advertised a "student center" when it obviously not designed as such means I am pretty furious right now. Plus, you've got to admit that making an exception for Wesfest is fucked up. I understand that the University needs the space for WesFest events, but one of the things that most attracted me to Wesleyan as a prefrosh was this sense that here was a place where students have the freedom to be creative and passionate and, yeah, sometimes crazy or silly. To maintain and project that image for one weekend for the sole purpose of luring prefrosh to matriculate is disgusting.
Anyway, I emailed the alumni listserv. I am sure there are many of us will support you.
wow 10:44, that was about the most ignorant comment ouf of the 76 so far. why is everyone so fucking paranoid about being like Williams and Amherst? we are Wesleyan, and will never be like them. the admin isnt out to "sterilize" us, and how does shutting down eclectic increase the endowment? we're fucking poor compared to them, and I highly doubt closing eclectic will someone cause money to rain down.
let's think for a sec... westco cafe and eclectic were where VIOLATIONS of RULES occurred. if rules had been followed, there would be NO ISSUE. people break rules (including drugs out in the open when fire safety comes) and expect no consequences. welcome to real life, where there ARE rules, and CONSEQUENCES for their being broken.
I agree the punishment is a little harsh, but jeez, why does the Williams Amherst argument always come up?
plus, ever think barack obama drove up admission #'s?
PRESS CONFERENCE PLEASE SJB.
THIS WILL RADICALLY ALTER CAMPUS LIFE, AND YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN YOUR DECISION TO THE CAMPUS TO KEEP TRANSPARENT.
- m'11
the SJB made the decision... the STUDENT judicial board. it's impossible to tell how much influence the admin had, if any, on this decision.
it's possible that the SJB made the WesFest exception, so you know, like, the prefrosh could have a good time. eh?
and like 11:10 said, lay off the paranoid Wil/Amh shit
it was a noise complaint/house hosting mistake. basically the event was too loud so it was shut down. then noise kept on coming from the house but from people's rooms. why should eclectic as a house be punished for decisions made by individuals?
the sanction was not reflective of any alcohol or drug violations. it was a noise complaint.
You know what, fuck the Keep Wesleyan Weird tag. Nothing against KWW, but this isn't an issue of taking away "weirdness". This is beyond that. There is nothing weird about wanting spaces that are run by students. And you know what, if you're shit-talking because you hate Eclectic as a society or have beef with society members, you're probably one of those people who always complains about campus being too cliquey or too segregated. Can we look beyond "Eclectic" and "not-Eclectic" for a second and come together as Wesleyan? We ARE the university. Make it ours again.
Also, SJB members are appointed by previous SJB members, advisers, and the WSA. They are not voted in by the student body and their decisions are in no way representative.
11:10, sjb hearings have no transparency. they are, in fact, supposed to be confidential.
that said, this is still fucked up
@ Sara o'berry
"This campus needs Eclectic (MGMT = 22% rise in admissions, duh)."
You need to recognize that Eclectic needs this campus, especially at this point. Your attitude of entitlement does not promote solidarity.
@ 3:22:
FUCK YOU. STAR AND CRESCENT RULES.
-Eclectic Member
Sara O'Berry- You are not helping eclectic's case. That was an unbelievably self-righteous and self-congratulatory post. MGMT is not the cause for a 22% rise in admission. No way. Are you also demeaning the "56 comments in three hours"? Most of these are supporting eclectic, or at least debating the decision. Try and be a little more condescending. Comments like yours make me understand why people would not support the society because of the members.
yeah! sara o'berry = regina george.
Fight for your right to pary-- see Pissed Jeans!
His name is Sara'o Bery. Not Sara O'Berry. He's not a white Irish chick. Moreover, his post was tongue-in-cheek.
Please, relax. Sara'o wasn't demeaning anyone. He was just poking fun at the situation and being self-deprecating.
11:28 AM:
11:34 AM:
he was joking...nobody in their right mind (even Sara'o) would think that MGMT raised student applications %22. That is ludicrous and I forgot how many people here have absolutely no sense of humor/are ready to take offense at anything, and what a buzzkill it is.
If I see the petition, I'll sign it.
The decision really ought to be overturned, and if it's not, my sense is that students should ensure that the campus is buzzing with activities every weekend, but take a cue from the SJB and make an exception during WesFest.
I commute, so I don't have a huge stake in this. I've never attended an event at Eclectic, and the fact that I probably never will does not obscure the fact that shutting down student space is an ineffective way to punish violations of the student code of conduct. Community service assignments for those who actually violated the rules (as suggested by a prior commenter) would be more appropriate.
I don't think it matters whether the administration had any influence in making this decision--if they get the impression that not overturning it will cause more headaches for them than overturning it, I think that the appropriate pressure will be applied.
How do we make it not worth their (the SJB and/or the administration) while to uphold the event prohibition at Eclectic? I don't know, but non-participation in WesFest might be a good place to start.
dear 11:56,
i've never been sjb'd. false accusation.
If there's one tng the administration really cares about, it's getting "prefrosh" to actually decide to come here. WesFest is a time when the want to show how vibrant and exciting this campus is(hence the exception of the ban for WesFest) If they learn that a large enough percentage of student body wants to boycott wesfest, AKA not show perspective students a good time, this decision will be flipped very quickly.
ONLINE PETITION. Please sign.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/overturn-eclectic-house-hosting-restriction
I preface my comment with the following statement: I appreciate Eclectic, spend a decent amount of time there, and genuinely think that they are providing a service to the campus community.
That said, what I've heard from members of the SJB and those that have spent time around the Society is that the noise complaints were merely the icing on the cake. Eclectic's had a number of failure to comply's and other unfortunate, but preventable, run-ins with PSafe. It's true that other houses have noise complaints. It's also true that they respond to them swiftly and respectfully. The SJB does not have some sort of vendetta against Eclectic. There's no way that Eclectic can justify asking for special treatment in the adjudicatory process. Since when are they exempt from the disciplinary procedures that everyone on campus is subject to?
So I've read through every comment, and I'd like to through my support behind boycotting WesFest.
I'm not entirely sure what the consequences of such an action might be, and as a senior it really doesn't matter to me.
What is important is that we show solidarity. Eclectic, ADP, Psi U, Beta, and DKE--we're all much more similar, and dependent on each other, than we realize. Fifteen years ago, we had ten fraternities on campus. TEN. Now look at what the administration is doing.
Whatever we do, it needs to be a cohesive act from all student groups and the entire student body. I don't really care about Keep Wesleyan Weird, nor do I care about making us more like Amherst and Williams.
I care about Wesleyan being what the students want it to be, and right now it seems like we're in grave danger of losing that.
So, Eclectic--this is your show. How can I help? I'll sign a petition to reverse the charges, and if that doesn't work I'll support boycotting WesFest. In times like these, we need to learn to stick together.
--Psi U, '09
eclectic parties get out of hand because a lot of crazy wesleyan students go and eclectic takes the hit. i'm not a member, i don't hang out there, but they throw bangin parties. so come on guys, for the sake of your own social lives .... let's do something about this.
WESLEYING, PLEASE PUBLISH THE PETITION LINK AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE MAIN ARTICLE!
1:21
I, for one, am not in solidarity with you.
- Greek
It says right on the SJB's site that you can appeal a ruling on the basis that the punishment was inappropriate or excessive.
That should be the first course of action, not a mass public uprising...
If this has already been done.. please carry on.
Ever since the Douglas Cannon was courageously liberated from the Eclectic Society, its been downhill for them...
We are in the process of appealing the ruling but this is all very conveniently timed with Michael Roth out of town for the week and Spring Break around the corner.
I meant in no way to undercut Eclectic's efforts. I was sleep-deprived and a bit inebriated and thought this thread needed some levity. My assertions of Eclectic's superiority were entirely tongue-in-cheek and I do not want that to hold this back. I assumed a level of familiarity, camaraderie and wit and was mistaken.
This ruling hurts more than just Eclectic as has been stated here ad nauseum. To define the SBC and SJB as student organizations entirely ignores the coercive element of power when granted to a chosen few and just how persuasive an institution like Wesleyan can be. This was a decision made by students, yes, but influenced by an institution in a move that (imo) was brash. The exclusion of Wesfest events from this ban should be getting more attention. It reeks of deception and speaks directly to the manipulation of student groups on campus by the administration for their needs. They should be ashamed of themselves and you should, as a Wesleyan student, sign this petition already:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/overturn-eclectic-house-hosting-restriction
Humbly, Sara'o
1:07, Eclectic is not interested in special treatment, we are interested in treatment that is fitting for the responsibilities we take on as a student group, and gaining support from the administration for our role on campus rather than constant adversarial treatment by the latter. Certainly, an on-campus house that hosts as many events as Eclectic will have some SJB's and noise complaints, but it's important to keep in mind that in the eyes of PSafe and the SJB, we are responsible for both member and non-member events. This isn't about special treatment or leniency. We're willing to do community service to make up for the noise ocmplaints, but we aren't willing to sacrifice our role as a free venue for students!
Back in the day, the president of DKE was also an Eclectic member... funny anecdote.
I'm not sure how things run now but when I was a student (WSA member and Eclectic resident) program houses were required to hold social events for the campus to have program house status. This was frustrating when as a house, you'd hold a service for the community and the house would get trashed and Eclectic would receive the bad rep - even though it wasn't a party sponsored by the house. The overwhelming number of events are situations in which the house is loaned to other groups.
My guess is that this is still the case. Essentially, Eclectic gets punished for events they aren't even hosting and which also results in the house being damaged. The kind of ridiculously absurd, Catch-22 bullshit that only the Wesleyan administration could pull off.
Our jeans were looser back then,
Wes '02
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.
http://eclectic.wesleyan.edu/calendar.php
Eclectic calendar. Take a minute and look at just how many events stand to be canceled.
Another point: if this isn’t repealed, every student who has signed a contract with a band to play at Eclectic this semester will bear the burden of the band’s entire fee. This is huge. That means that the SJB's decision is also causing individual students, many of whom are entirely unaffiliated with Eclectic, to incur huge debts. It’s fiscally irresponsible, indiscriminately malicious and straight up unfair.
2:53- its not the administration that decided this... it was the STUDENT judicial board.
they kept wesfest events so the prefrosh could have a good time, not because a hypocritical administration wanted to put up a false veneer
5:00,
Do you know how the SJB works? How its members are elected? Who oversees it? The standards by which they abide? Whe created those standards?
Dont be so naive.
For this magnificent, campus-wide, raging party to save Eclectic, why not throw it over WesFest? Rally the pre-frosh... most of them won't have chosen what school they'll attend yet, and Wes can't really afford to piss off a bunch of kids who are deciding whether or not to send in deposits.
Also, no stalker, I'm a pre-frosh and I'd feel some combination of rage and betrayal if I partied at Eclectic in April and then arrived on campus only to be told that the society's in deep shit with the SJB/Administration and has mad restrictions on what events they can hold and when.
hey 5:24- members of the SJB are chosen by the current SJB, an advisor, and the WSA. yes, the wesleyan STUDENT assembly.
not the administration.
they are advised by faculty. again, not the administration
Having just read through this beast of a conversation:
One of the more troubling things going on here is that people feel a right to have fun. Like it's some privilege. Comments like, "You're shutting down Eclectic for noise complaints? There's noise everywhere on campus!" makes me want to spit out some kind of motherly, "If everyone jumped off a bridge" line. I think that if there are rules broken, consequences are appropriate. Get over it.
The issue is the third parties who get screwed, other groups who need the space/money/whatever. Shouldn't the SJB, as part of the solution, come up with alternatives that not leave the rest of us spending our weekends masturbating?
If Eclectic gets in trouble, that's what it is. But the rest of us can and should be resourceful, smart, and forceful enough to find other outlets.
Seriously, let's take the punishment like adults. If we fucked up and were too rowdy, then we get punished for it. That would be normal at any other school. We're kidding ourselves when we say it was "one noise violation" that ticked off the SJB.
Student groups who are *not* Eclectic and were just using their space can, I'm sure, find other outlets as 7:36 said. Some things have already been successfully rescheduled.
^^^
IT WAS A FUCKING NOISE COMPLAINT. YOU'RE A HUGE DOUCHEBAG. THE PUNISHMENT DOES NOT FIT THE CRIME.
I don't understand why people are making such a big deal about the fact that eclectic is being held responsible for events thrown by non-members. They get to decide who can use the space, and implicit with that power is a (legal) responsibility to ensure that it is used safely and properly. To apply a legal standard, the only possible way Eclectic could try to avoid responsibility would be if they were unaware that the events were violating rules, a ridiculous claim, and even if it was made successfully it still wouldn't automatically absolve them of responsibility. The fact that Eclectic was aware that third parties were making noise (or doing anything else illicit, I don't know the particulars) in their space, and did not stop it, makes them liable for the third party's actions.
If we want to make such a big deal about how students are adults and deserve to be treated as such, we need to live by the rules of the adult world.
This is not just about eclectic. for the people advocating shutting it down as a venue for the rest of the semester, that's automatically killing one of the MAYBE 3 (if that) large-sized venues on campus. to bring bands to campus, and maintain a flourishing musical community within campus, these venues must remain active.
the options, if eclectic (the venue) is shut down for the rest of the semester, is that either there will be far fewer concerts on campus, or bands will try to book spaces like the Bayit, DKE basement, 200 church, and house parties (or their basements), which can not hold the capacity that Eclectic can. Bands brought to campus will be lesser-known, perhaps weaker acts, and the quality of live music at wes (something that people might take for granted, but is in fact astounding - try seeing this much free live music at any other comparable college, or even one 10x as large) will take a serious hit.
This is ridiculous. It's a shame how tight the administrative grip on the student body's neck has gotten over the past years. To take away one of the most important venues on campus and restrict the actions of a house for noise complaints is too much.
Also...scott backer can suck one. I've dealt with him, and he's a lying, deal-cutting, administration-teat-sucking soulless guy who is not looking out for the students' best interests (which is the goal of a university, is it not?) but is instead more focused on simply getting people into trouble.
sign the friggin petition. fight for your right to party.
Give them a bail out!
let's hear Eclectic come out with the SJB details. if they wont fess up and publicly release the accusations, how can we be sure the punishment is unfair? what is Eclectic hiding?
SJBs are administered to single students, not to an entire society. This is clearly an issue of getting individual release rights. Maybe people don't want their names all over the internet associating them with with disciplinary action. Has anyone considered that?
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