The Brandeis Campus Life Committee, composed of students and staff representing several major groups and departments on campus, met for the first time on Oct. 8 to identify struggling areas of campus life in an effort to improve those areas.Student Union President Jason Gray '10 and Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer discussed last semester and over the summer the idea of bringing many people involved in various sectors of campus life together to create a "more fluid and essential relationship between student leaders and staff leaders in the student services area," Sawyer said. He added that the students on the committee are aware of the issues because of their connections to different campus organizations.

Gray and Sawyer finalized the committee at the beginning of this year. At the first meeting, staff leaders from Residence Life, Athletics, Student Affairs, Student Life and Student Activities met with Gray, Senator for the Class of 2010 Rebecca Wilkof, Union Director of Community Development Ryan McElhaney '10, Union Director of Executive Affairs Jess Blumberg '09, Union Director of Communications Jamie Ansorge '09, Student Events Director Ilyssa Adler '09, International Club President Leon Markovitz '10 and member of the Union Office of the Treasury Justin Kang '09.

Gray said that in the past, the Student Union addressed social and campus life issues by talking to parties who were involved separately, but this method was repetitive and less effective than having everyone meet together.

Gray said that at each meeting, which will probably occur every three weeks, committee members will choose three topics to discuss as a group. Members will then break off and "delve more deeply into the meat of these issues," which could include collecting data and research for the next meeting on Nov. 19.

Gray said the topics for the next meeting are room selection for Ridgewood, whether space on campus is being utilized appropriately and whether there is enough transportation for students and staff on and off campus.

Sawyer said the committee may invite Director of Public Safety Ed Callahan to discuss issues with transportation and will invite other relevant staff members throughout the year.

Sawyer explained that space, such as rooms and theaters for programs and events, is not always assigned effectively and that the committee could look at specific Registrar and Conference and Events policies and make sure they are consistent.

In terms of room selection, interim Residence Life Co-director Jeremy Leiferman said the committee can determine whether campus groups besides Residence Life can help facilitate the room selection process, although those discussions have not yet happened

Another agenda item for this year is a discussion about whether the University's alcohol policy is the best one possible.

Student Activities Director Stephanie Grimes explained that Adler has attended events with beer gardens and can see the challenges related to serving alcohol. She can report any challenges she has seen in the past or sees this year during events to the committee. The committee can then work with Student Activities, Public Safety and Aramark to address these concerns.

Adler stressed that because Student Events focuses on students' social life, which permeates many other aspects of campus life, it is important for Student Events members to hear feedback from students and administrators on the committee regarding these events.

Sawyer stressed that the committee is a work in progress and will take time to "find its rhythm." He said the committee hopes "to identify deal-makers and deal-breakers with issues that come up." He said he expects some disagreement but hopes that staff can adjust their practices and students will have to develop an understanding of why certain things are done in a particular way.