Here we are: the Senate, the Dean of Students, the Assistant Dean of Students and more students than have probably ever showed up at a regular senate meeting were together in the Gowen Room. Either the CBS Monday night lineup isn’t what it used to be, or students have concerns. CTQ knows which, since NEIL PATRICK HARRIS IS THE MAN!

Attendance: 53 in the gallery (including the last batch of six committee aide nominees), plus the regulars, plus the senators.

Tonight’s meeting — showdown? Melee? Administrative mixer? — started with Speaker Kierstin Hughes asking the guests for formal introductions.

DB: “I’m Dean Burns.”
DL: “I’m Dean Levy.”
Hughes: “Thank you.”

The conversation circled on changes: If you advertise for a party that also means it has to be registered regardless of attendance. If more than three registered alcoholic events run simultaneously, each one afterward costs $160 in Security fees. In case you forget how to count to four, here’s a good refresher. LEARNING IS SUPER FUN!

A lot was said (check the minutes, appreciate the work of Dep. Speaker Dan Cohn), but overall, everybody got what they wanted. Students got to interrogate the deans. The deans got to show they communicate. The senate got an apology for previously poor communication. Gallery observer and former Senator Patrick Chase got to do snaps again. The only major loser was the Office of Communications, which no official seems to take advantage of when it actually matters.

For the record, CTQ could’ve written a great e-mail to students. All you need, really, are sweet links.

There was really only one low point in the affair. Projects & Services Co-Chair Alissa (A-LEE-sa) Brill made a suggestion about how the new registration policies may deter parties from happening, increasing pressure on Quad houses that remain open. Burns decried that as baseless, and then attacked an exceptionally hardworking, intelligent student’s opinion for two minutes, including the assertion that, “if fraternity presidents have an issue with something, then they should be the ones addressing me.” TACTLESS.

The deans were thanked for their time, and after a recess the meeting actually started following the approval of six new aides. Cohn learned a valuable lesson about attendance taking (don’t forget the freshmen). He still hasn’t received that prize, though. DO-IT!

Treasurer Andrew Flack (FLACK ATTACK!) noted $1900 in supplemental funding given to No Jackets Required for musical stuff, which some senators said was too much. MO’ MONEY MO’ PROBLEMS!

P&S noted that five aides were assigned to study academic advising. Also, the Parking Division is uncommunicative and full of, well… ask Weissmann. WASH OUT THAT MOUTH!

Sen. Brookstein then brought the drama with a motion to overturn a ruling by Policy & Review denying full SA status to Louvre, a competitive dance group. The senate heard Louvre’s executives out, and thanks to the wonderful interjection of Weissmann, CTQ avoided ANOTHER executive session.

In the debate, Sen. Dennis Nave said it first and best: “There’s no reason this group doesn’t deserve to exist… This group looks phenomenal.” Imagine whether or not anyone snapped. Actually, Sen. Casey Slone might have put it better: “Some guys banging on drums and 14 or so girls dancing to it — I think that’d be really cool to watch.”

Not everyone was pro-Louvre, but the ensuing argument showed a lot about conduct unbecoming of a legislator.

CTQ isn’t a senator, but hours spent watching C-SPAN as a teen (we had no friends, so “Washington Journal” filled the void) taught us that being in government requires a certain decorum, as the post-Joe Wilson debate demonstrated. Dedicated, talented students put Louvre together, and whatever some might dislike about the group, at least one of them showed it sickening disrespect. We hope never to see it in the future.

Incidentally, Louvre won the measure with a 14-4 vote and is now S.A. recognized.

It’s going to be a long week, and since fall break is next Monday, CTQ gets to rest. But we might make up what would’ve happened. You never know.

Adjourned!