CORSO Meeting
May 6th, 2008
Mintues

Attending: Christian Brockman, Jay Kim, Matt Kennedy, Kathryn Benesh, Tal Kopan

I. Sodalitas Presentation/Q&A
A. Presentation
1. We don’t want to limit the group to just publication
2. We’d like to have a more informal forum for ideas
-include publications, but also a blog, meetings, study/discussion groups with writers, readers and professors
B. Q&A
1. Why have your own publication if emphasis is on fostering community? It’s difficult for publications to get funding.
-it’s very difficult for undergraduates or anyone to get published, particularly if you just have a brief idea or discussion-starter; there’s just no forum for it
2. Would you benefit more from an academic or publications advisor?
-an academic advisor would probably be more helpful, but crossover is possible too
C. Discussion
1. This sounds like a fantastic idea for undergraduates
2. It isn’t CORSO’s job to deny RSOs based on difficulty of future funding
3. Individual student goals/desires vs. student life improvement?
D. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED

II. Oeconomica Presentation/Q&A
A. Presentation
1. Majority of group’s time would be devoted to research, working with faculty
2. RSO used to exist; economics department has asked for a revival
3. Most of what we do is interact with professors, have seminars/workshops
5. This is explicitly different from publications about consulting/finance; more about theoretical research and topics less commonly taught/studied
6. UChicago should be a center of such activity, with its economics reputation
B. Q&A
1. Is this research in itself or for the end goal of publication?
-right now it’s research for its own sake
-we expect to publish, but it isn’t the main focus
-department likes to see examples of undergraduate research
2. What sort of publication would you see down the line?
-at most twice a year, since it’s a journal with a small base
-old group published and ~80 page academic journal
3. Will you be working with the economics department to find other publishing outlets for students?
-department already does that to some degree, but there are few/no undergrad publication opportunities
C. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED

III. RSO Applications
A. Chicago Public School Support Network
1. Comments
-support for students from CPS who come here
-sponsorship of schools for recruiting purposes
-specific programming? New contributions? Already a lot of different existing outreach programs
-appears to be tied to overall University recruiting initiative
-do they really need RSO funding? – social instead of community service?
-would it be better as a subset of the admissions office or OMSA?
-doesn’t seem like the best way to create a support network
-maybe we should discuss this with Wallace
2. Motion to approve RSO: (3-1,0) PASSED
B. UChicago Maya
1. Comments
-they would be a unique addition
-this would be more technical/competitive than just about fun
-if they have enough participation there’s no reason to stop them
2. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED
C. Stop, Drop, and Raas
1. Comments
-any current members can change by-laws, not just officers?
-another competitive dance group
2. Motion to approve, with recommendation to make amendment process more democratic: (4-0,0) PASSED
D. SDS
1. Comments
-how is it different from other social justice groups?
-it’s a national organization for radical social change; specifically not about electoral politics
-anything about nonviolence? Considering history of organization
-can’t deny based on political/social beliefs
2. Motion to table, pending more information from group: (3-1,0) PASSED
E. Management of and Investment in Colonies and Resource Operations (MICRO)
1. Concerns
-Invite us to the LAN parties!
-Order of the Blistered thumb?
-Incorporate all video games?
-Related games
2. Motion to table pending more information: (3-1,0) PASSED
F. Cotton Gin
1. Comments
-concerns that it is not unique from other creative writing publications
-the group could just write, and then submit to other groups
2. Motion to deny RSO status: (4-0,0) PASSED
G. Reading Novels Out Loud
1. Comments
-Just funding for food?
-Are the by-laws complete?
2. Motion to table, pending resubmission with bylaws: (4-0,0) PASSED
H. Colleges Against Cancer
1. Comments
2. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED
I. COUCH
1. Comments
-sounds similar to Woodlawn Initiative, Puppet Posse
2. Motion to deny RSO status: (3-0,1) PASSED
-Note: If you would like to reapply, we would like to hear about the differences between your group and groups that sound very similar.