Assembly Business

30 May 2004 – On Tuesday 25 May 2004, the Assembly of The New School met for the annual business meeting.  With the wit and charm of the President to keep matters on track, the gathered members of the Assembly were able to accomplish everything on the agenda, with one exception.  Among the highlights of the evening were the appointment of two new members to the staff for next year, and the election of two new “permanent” members to the Assembly.

First-Year Staff Member approved.

John Detwiler’s election to staff was confirmed for next year, bringing a fresh face to the School.  To be appointed to staff, a candidate must visit the campus for at least one week; be elected by the School Meeting; and be approved by vote of the Assembly.  John, a recent graduate of Miami University in Ohio, visited for one day in January 2004, and then came for a week in mid-March.   John followed up on his visit with emails and a proposal that he be elected as part-time staff.  The School Meeting discussed his appointment with him by telephone and elected him at a Special Session of School Meeting on Tuesday 18 May 2004.  This put John on the slate of staff members submitted to the Assembly for approval at the business meeting.

The gathered members of the Assembly interviewed John by speakerphone.  John responded for over an hour to questions ranging from the details of his history to his understanding of The New School.  During the deliberations before the vote, the consensus of the meeting seemed to be that John would have some surprises as he came to know the School better, but that he was intent enough on exploration that he would be a stimulating member of staff.  John is experienced in music, having studied and performed on piano and with various brass instruments.  During his visits to the campus, John demonstrated an interest in rigorous conversation.  He also showed the essential knack for equality with students.

John was approved by a healthy margin of votes:  seventeen for, one against, and two abstaining. 

Since the meeting, John has accepted his appointment.  He will be coming to Delaware sometime in August, and will be with the School for the start of the new school year on 7 September 2004.

A second Tri-Stan elected.

A second new addition to staff comes with a familiar face.  Tyler Hetherston has been a student at the School for the last five years.  Everyone knows her as the intent pixel artist, insistent enforcer of quiet in the main house, and designer and occasional model of elaborate and playful fashions.  Tyler was elected by School Meeting to be a “student-staff member” for next school year.  Tentatively, this position of “student-staff member” has been designated “tri-stan,” in honor of Tristan Fariss, who was the first to invent the position with his election two years ago.  Tristan was reappointed as a tri-stan for the coming year as well (17 for, 2 against, 1 abstaining).

Tyler answered extensive questions about her intended contributions in aid of the staff, and how she planned to accomplish them, while continuing to pursue her activities as a student.  Tyler pointed out that Desiree Mitchell, our long-time artist in residence will be on sabbatical next year, and therefore will not be spending much time in the Art Room or helping with the Art Corporation.  Tyler offered to take up the role, which Dez habitually took, of being helpful as students explore the use of art materials and seek suggestions about how to accomplish different effects in their art works.

The gathered members of the Assembly approved Tyler’s election:  fifteen for, four against, and one abstention.  She will take up her new role as a tri-stan in September.

Staff Appointments.

With less novelty, the following re-appointments to staff were also approved for next year:  Full-time Staff Members:  Melanie J. Hiner (20,0,0), Joe Roach (20,0,0), Diane Cannon (20,0,0), John Hiner Jr. (20,0,0); and Part-time Staff Member: Don Franklin (20,0,0).

Thera is leaving – for a while.

Unfortunately, Thera Ailanthus, who has volunteered as a staff member this year will not be returning next school year.  Thera is a diplomate of the School.  She volunteered as staff this year, as she returned to the area temporarily to visit her mother and the School.  She will most likely be returning to Vermont this summer.  She hopes to return at sometime in the future, to spend another spell with us as a member of staff.  She believes it will be interesting to note how her perspective changes as she returns from time to time, with several years of experience outside of the School between each term on staff.  It has certainly been interesting talking to her and getting to know her again this year.  She will be missed while she is out exploring the wilds of New England.

Regular business.

Other business tended to at the meeting included approval of the calendar and spending plan for next year, and the election of the officers of the Assembly.  The following persons were re-elected to an additional one-year term:  John Hiner III, as president, Melanie J. Hiner, as secretary, and Diane Cannon as treasurer.  These votes were by acclamation.

Preservation of a tradition sought.

One item that was not resolved at the meeting was a proposal by Jen Wallace that a new Assembly position be created to coordinate Sketti Dinners during the school year.  Jenn has done yeoman’s work over the last two years coordinating these regular social events for the members of the School.  Sketti Dinners are full-course, informal meals hosted on the campus about once every six weeks during the school year.  It is a chance for families to relax together, relieved of the stress of cooking, and for members of the School Assembly to get to know one another in a social setting.  This is a popular and important tradition.

Since Jen is unable to take on the coordinator’s role for this coming school year, she was eager to insure that the mantle would be taken up and the tradition preserved.  This goal was universally approved, but the means of accomplishing it were less certain.

After discussion of the issues, this matter was referred to the School Meeting for action. 

Honorary membership granted to two additional friends of the School.

Finally, the meeting ended on an appropriately cheerful note.  A motion was made from the floor to elect Norma Closs and Carl Closs honorary members of the Assembly.  If approved by the required two-thirds majority, this action would allow the Closses to remain permanent members of the Assembly, even though their son, Eric, is standing for diploma this Spring, and will be attending St. John’s College in Annapolis Maryland this Fall.  Honorary members are permanent, non-voting members of the Assembly. 

After discussing the several ways in which the Closses have been and are likely to continue to be true “friends of the School,” the motion was approved unanimously. 

Norma and Carl join Kass Sheedy, Karen Ames, Mike Burwell, and Ginger Burwell as honorary members of the School Assembly.

Adjournment.

At about 11:15 PM, the business meeting completed, the Assembly adjourned.  We will convene again to consider this year’s diploma candidates at the Special Meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday 8 June 2004.

John Hiner Jr.