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Trustees approve gender-neutral housing, Cowles apartment plan

Wind turbine proposal received favorably, but not voted on

by Nikoloz Sakvarelidze

When Grinnell trustees showed up in the Forum South Lounge last Thursday, they were met by Eli Zigas '06 and Emily Stiever '09, who gave them plastic pinwheels and an appeal to support their proposal for a campus wind turbine. The idea, a successful student initiative, was sponsored by Free the Planet (FTP).

Over the weekend, the trustees expressed support for the wind turbine proposal, but cited a need for further economic study in tabling it. They also made a number of other key decisions. Student Affairs' gender-neutral housing proposal was approved, as were the plans to convert Cowles Dining Hall into apartment-style housing. The trustees also were informed about a rise in student wages that had previously been enacted.

Stiever and Zigas presented the prospects of the Wind Energy Initiative. Their presentation called for the college to build a power-generating wind turbine that was both "economically feasible and environmentally friendly." The students also emphasized the benefits for Grinnell's image. "The project will have a payback in social capital which includes positive public relations, community enhancement and alumni development," according to FTP's report on the issue.

The trustees expressed support for the project, but did not approve it. Further research will be done about the economic implications of a campus wind turbine before anything is decided.

SGA and Student Affairs presented a gender-neutral housing plan to trustees on the weekend. According to SGA President John Bohman '06, even though there was not a huge demand for the gender-neutral housing in the college, the plan would reinforce the college's commitment to openmindedness. The trustees did not vote on the proposal, but according to Bohman, that wasn't necessary. "They didn't vote no, so it kept going," he said, adding that the trustees needed to be informed about final proposal but that the administration would implement it.

The trustees approved a revised plan to build new housing in Cowles Dining Hall, which will be left empty with the opening of the Joe Rosenfield '25 Campus Center. The plan called for renovation to create apartment-style housing. A previous plan had been rejected in September at the board's last meeting because of high cost, but the college received a new bid at a more acceptable price.

The trustees were also told about the recent rise in student wages to account for inflation since they were last set. This is set to be enacted for next year and no vote was needed.

In the meeting with students last Thursday, trustees fielded many questions about tuition hikes. According to the trustees, the college's tuition needs to rise because the college is too dependent on its endowment for spending. Giving by Grinnell alumni is low compared to other colleges of Grinnell's size.

Trustee Bob Barr '57 assured students that the reason for the tuition rise was the increase in college costs due to inflation and the rise in salary for faculty and other college employees, which secure high quality of education and services in the college. Further, Mr. Barr emphasized that the college was providing the students with exceptionally generous financial aid. This, as the Trustee Thomas Barrett ?97 said, made up almost 50 percent of college costs.

-additional reporting by David Montgomery

Sidebar: Trustee Actions

Last weekend the Board of Trustees met in the Old Glove Factory and took action on a number of issues. Here's what they did:

Voted to approve a revised plan to convert Cowles Dining Hall into apartment-style housing

Heard a presentation about gender-neutral housing, and allowed it to move toward implementation by the administration

Expressed support for a proposal from Free the Planet to build a wind turbine on campus to generate power. They did not approve the project, however, calling for further review of the economic implications instead

Discussed tuition with students at an open forum last Thursday night

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