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2022 Minutes

January 2022 Lawrence Committee Minutes

On Thursday, January 13th, 2022 the Lawrence Committee held its regularly scheduled committee meeting. The following are the minutes of that meeting.

TL;DR

  • We have a new channel on the GSG slack to help with misdelivered or missing packages
  • We’re planning three events for the semester: a bonfire at the end of January, a Chinese New Year lantern festival in mid-February, and a bike safety event during Grad Student Appreciation Week. Stay tuned for updates!
  • Washing machine repairs have been delayed due to supply chain issues, but Facilities is monitoring the current machines to ensure they stay in working order.

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Minutes

  • The committee confirmed dog poop bag dispensers were refilled
  • The Committee discussed a year-end summary of the Lawrence Garden — problems and solutions for 2022. The committee:
    • Noted the amount of unplotted space in the garden (> ⅓ of garden space) and discussed using some of this extra space to carve out a walking/hangout space.
    • Discussed excessive weed encroachment. Many volunteers helped out at the beginning of the 2021 gardening season, but as the year went on, volunteers dropped out.
    • Thought about ways to make the garden more welcoming to the broader community
      • Possibly send an email out as people move into Lawrence in the spring
      • Have a sign for the garden
      • Move the lock from the garden front gate to the toolshed
    • Discussed opening up the garden space to the Karin Court community. Jessica will email the university administration about this.
    • Decided a sign for the Garden would come out of the Lawrence Committee annual budget.
      • Liz will look into the university printing services and keep Facilities in the loop, ensuring facilities can later post the sign for the committee.
      • Liz will share the quote with Deepen before making the order. It should be between $30 and $80.
    • Looking into getting building services involved in maintaining the garden. Liz will discuss obtaining a lawnmower with Kevin and contact building services.The university may say no to a gas-powered mower. 
    • Setting up a greenhouse. Liz will look into this and share it with the committee.
  • The committee has created a new channel (#lawrence-mis-missing-deliveries) on the GSG slack to help with misdelivered or missing packages. If you’ve lost a package, remember to report it to the carrier first.
  • Shovels for winter
    • The committee has asked for 20 shovels and will monitor the rate of loss. These shovels should be put out within a couple of weeks.
    • Label the shovels and put a sign next to them (in each building lobby)
    • Hassan will add info to the website on shovels, if/when they are acquired.
  • Laundry signage
    • Josh will send out a draft of the signage to the committee soon
  • Continued frustration about broken washing machines (bldgs 10, 14)
    • Supply chain issue with some replacement parts for broken machines
    • The company that maintains the machines will now come weekly to make sure the existing machines are still working. Area coordinators are in buildings daily.
  • Replacing laundry markers
    • Josh will replace laundry markers two at a time (instead of putting them all out at once). Cost was four for $5.
  • Constitution rewriting
    • The committee is working on a major revamp of the constitution. Please email the committee if you have any suggestions or comments related to the current constitution.
  • Website revamp
    • The committee is working on redesigning the Lawrence website.
    • The UX is tentatively finalized. Hassan will try to get the basic structure down by the start of the semester (the 24th).
    • Please email the committee for any comments or suggestions regarding the website. This would be tremendously helpful.
  • The committee is working on getting clearer wayfinding signs for Lawrence buildings.
    • Michelle formally shared the info from the committee’s auxiliary meeting, but no response yet.
  • Golf balls
    • Jessica created a new poster and new reporting link and will share it with the committee for more feedback.
    • Hassan will receive links from Jessica and post it to a relevant place.
  • There will be a bonfire event towards the end of January
    • There will be some live music but otherwise remain covid safe.
    • Kristin is currently working on the logistics of getting the fire permit etc.
    • Possible dates are Jan 28 with Jan 29 as the rain date. We will notify the community with more details once the dates are finalized.
  • The committee is also planning a lantern festival to celebrate Chinese New Year on February 13.
    • Food + drinks have been approved
    • International spouses are also invited; the event received a funding of $350 from Access, Diversity and Inclusion Office. 
  • The committee is also exploring the options for a bike safety event during grad student appreciation week
    • Safety talk followed by free light sets handed out
    • Bike maintenance
    • Fun ride (easy route)
  • The committee has secured a Google Workspace.

In attendance

  • Michelle
  • Hassan
  • Liz
  • Kevin
  • Deepen
  • Josh
  • Shree
  • Jessica
  • Kristin
  • Anastasia