Vol. 46, No. 2 Feb. 22 2016
The Pine Press
Editorial Dearest SHC Members, This issue is a labor of love. It features a lot of coop silliness, commemoration of the two less important holidays but, most importantly, information about the two fabulous SHC members running for President of the SHC. Please read each letter carefully and, if possible, attend the Skillshare Spectacular this Saturday, which will feature both candidates making their speeches. There are also several pages about practicing consent and being a white ally, which reflect some of the Executive Committee's thoughts regarding these two issues. There has been much discussion in the esteemed houses of the SHC about these two issues, and hopefully this work will continue as we build and expand our community solidarity. In Solidarity,
Jessica M. Sietsema, Editor
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Table of Contents 4
Caption This!!!
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Animal Residents of Hedrick
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How Phoenix House Celebrates Feb. 29th
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What Consent Can Mean
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Join the SHC Sustainability Group!
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Howland House Recipes: Black Bean Burgers
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Tips and Tricks for a Co-op Kitchen
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Vestian House Recipes
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A Belated St. Valentine's Day from the SHC
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Coop Demographics by Meghan Hurley
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Tips for Being a White Ally
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Skillshare Spectacular! February 27th at Vesta Co-op 12pm: Potluck ft. Jim Jones, SHC Patriarch 1pm: Presidential Speeches 2pm: Workshops! (see FB for info)
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Presidential Introduction
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Candidate: Connor Meston
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Candidate: Jessica M. Sietsema
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Caption This!!!
Send all captions to pinepress@msu.coop
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Animal Residents of Hedrick One of my favorite things about coop life is the right to enjoy our fuzzy friends with no additional cost. I personally feel that animals are truly one of the best things this world has to offer. Here at Hedrick house, we are very lucky to have 3 animal companions: Khaleesi, Oswald and Heidi. Khaleesi is aptly named as she is the queen of the house (in a nice way though). This pretty kitty enjoys hanging out in the plantroom looking out at all the sights our view of Collingwood has to offer. Oswald, or as his friends call him Ozzy, can be found sprawled out in pretty much any area of the house including anyone’s beds. The two kitties get along fairly well, but every once in a while a throwdown commences. These are usually started by Khaleesi and ended by Ozzy the Prince of Darkness. Our third animal resident is Heidi the Hedrick Hedgehog. I am the fortunate one to own this prickly pet. She is quite the interesting creature and the closest thing to a PokÊmon I will ever own. Enjoy the beautiful collage of our beloved derpy animals that bring us joy each and every day!
<3 Emily Rowland
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Cool things to do on February 29th that you can remember for the next 4 years By: Phoenix Haus
Be born - Logan
Leap frog - Bobo
LC Go on a tour with my brothers John Pretend it’s St. Patty’s day, (because I used to mix up those days) Lidia
Poop while smoking K2 Sarah Fentin
Get married w/o getting in trouble for forgetting your anniversary (hehheh) Sharkbait(hoohaha)
Treat yo self; bday suite Issebel Ringing
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Reminisce about ...Are you sure? what you did on your last Feb. 29th... Drink beer Fatso Everything backwards Mo Presidential candidate education day T Swift Trip on shrooms Go to class wearing pants inside out Buy another cat (number 4) for my parents Alonsbro Write a whole book Travel somewhere new Dragon
SYD, CLEAN MY TANK
Benicio
Getting ready to go to the Grand Canyon!! Lex Why the fuck is this a thing? Aliens must think we track time so weird. Ben Dover
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What is consent? Consent is an agreement that people must make if they want to have sexual contact (or any other form of contact, really). The issue of consent can be a complicated and ambiguous area that must be addressed with clear, open, and honest communication. Keep these points in mind if you are not sure consent has been established: All partners need to be fully conscious and aware. The use of alcohol or other substances can interfere with someone’s ability to make clear decisions about the level of intimacy they are comfortable with. The more intoxicated a person is, the less they are able to give conscious consent. All partners are equally free to act. The decision to be sexually intimate must be without coercion. All partners must have the option to choose to be intimate or not. All partners should be free to change a “yes” to a “no” at any time. Factors such as body size, previous victimization, threats to “out” someone, and other fears created by other systems of oppression can prevent an individual from freely consenting. All partners clearly communicate their willingness and permission. Willingness and permission must be communicated clearly and unambiguously. Just because a person fails to resist sexual advances does not mean that they are willing. Consent is not the absence of the word “no.”
All partners are positive and sincere in their desires. It is important to be honest in communicating feelings about consent. If one person states their desires, the other person can make informed decisions about the encounter.
Consent means…
Consent means YOU ARE NEVER ENTITLED. Consent means communicating. Consent means hitting on them before they’re drunk. Consent means knowing your own boundaries and asserting them. Consent means asking if they want to be touched, and how. Consent means stopping whatever you’re doing if they say so. Consent means asking “Is this ok?” or “Do you like this?” throughout the experience. Consent means never assuming that just because they had sex (or a specific sex act) with you before, they want to do it with you again. Consent means being responsible. Consent means not punishing them because they won’t have sex with you. Consent means paying attention, and stopping when you realize something is wrong. Consent means many different things to different people. Consent means enjoying yourself and your partner(s). Consent means more than what can be defined on one page.
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!
Join the SHC Sustainability Group! This newly founded committee, developed by VP of Facilities Carley Pagels, invites any and all SHC members (or allies) to join together, brainstorm, and work towards making our co-op system more sustainable! The group is tackling issues such as defining sustainability and developing projects that include topics like recycling, composting, and the use of energy efficient light bulbs and reusable grocery bags, to name a few. Want to know how you can help? The SHC Sustainability Group is kick-starting their committee and is in need of people to help in researching & developing short, educational blurbs to be distributed throughout the SHC on the following topics: • • • • •
Energy efficient light bulbs The wastefulness of plastic bags Recycling in East Lansing Sustainable food Infrared imaging technology (to locate sources of heat loss in our houses)
If you are passionate about the environment, money & energy saving practices, and would like to transform our co-op system into a model for sustainability, get involved and join the SHC Sustainability Committee! For more information and meeting times and locations, "Like" the "SHC Sustainability" page on Facebook! (or contact facilities@msu.coop).
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Howland House Recipes An excerpt from Julianne Lake’s Table for 24 Black Bean Burgers (Level: Intermediate) (20 people) 3. Sauté onions and ½ of the garlic in olive oil for 5-8 minutes, or until golden. Burger Ingredients 4. If using oats (which I highly recommend you • 10x 14.5oz cans of black beans (Low Sodium, do, they are healthier, cheaper and have if possible) more fiber than breadcrumbs and will bind • 2x 14.5oz cans of corn (White, if possible) the burgers together better.), pulsed in food • 4-8 yellow onions, diced (depending on size) processor or use mortar and pestle until they (should be about 6 cups) have the consistency of breadcrumbs. • 8 cloves (not bulbs) of garlic, minced 5. Sprinkle onions and garlic, rinsed corn, • 4 cups of oats (or half oats, half pulsed oats (and/or breadcrumbs), and breadcrumbs) tomato paste into bean mixture, until well• 1 small can of tomato paste blended. • 1 small can of enchilada sauce 6. Pour over eggs and enchilada sauce. Mix • dashes of cumin, chili powder, salt, and well. pepper 7. Sprinkle bean mixture until lightly covered • 6 eggs (uncooked) and scrambled together with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and • 20 whole wheat buns or Kaiser rolls turmeric to taste. You should probably use at least 1/4 cup of cumin, with much less chili Toppings powder and turmeric. Mix well. • 6-8 ripe Avocados 8. Using a bun as indicator of how large, form • Mayonnaise mixture into patties, slightly larger than the • 1 lime or 2 tbs of lime juice circumference of the bun (as they may • A block of mild white cheese (Like Monterey crumble and shrink slightly). Each patty Jack, enough for 20 people) should be about ¾ to 1 in in thickness. You • Greens (kale, spinach, lettuce) for topping can form thicker patties, but they will take much longer to cook. Bake at 375F for 30 Directions min or until middle is mostly dry and outside 1. Drain, and rinse black beans well. Sprinkle is crispy. with salt and pepper. Mash with a fork or 9. For the last 5 min of cooking, add sliced potato masher in a large casserole dish until cheese to allow for it to melt over burger. only about ¼ of the beans remain intact. 10. Serve Burgers on buns with greens, avocado Spread evenly in dish. slices and spicy mayonnaise. 2. Bake beans at 225F for an hour on center rack. This is an important step as it will Spicy Mayonnaise reduce later cooking time by evaporating • 1 cup Mayo excess water in the beans. Take out and • 4 tbsp. Sriracha or other hot sauce allow to cool for at least 15 min, folding and • 1 tbsp. of Lime Juice mixing occasionally to release heat and Mix ingredients well. steam.
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Tips and Tricks For a Co-op Kitchen 1. Always opt for more food than less. Extra portions can be saved as leftovers, and you know someone out of N people will be looking for something quick/free to eat. You can also avoid the panic of not having enough for everyone. 2. Not everyone will like all of your meals all of the time. Just like family dinners at home, there’s going to be a few of us that are completely disgusted by Brussels sprouts. Instead of trying to accommodate everyone, meet in the middle. Some people are picky eaters and don’t like certain veggies while others only want to “eat clean”. Plan to have discussions at a house meeting early in the year/semester about what people expect or want out of their house meals, and repeat this dialogue as necessary. 3. If you aren’t sure of a recipes, run it by your cooking partner (if you have one!). They might bring up an important point about its difficulty or expense. 4. If it’s on the entrée section of a nice restaurant, it probably isn’t in the budget for a co-op. Ceviche, while a nice thought, isn’t what most people are looking to spend rent money on. 5. Start earlier than you think. If the recipe says it’ll take an hour and a half and you want it to be ready at 7:00, don’t start at 5:30. You’re working with more ingredients — chopping more vegetables, prepping more cooking materials, etc. Add about 30 minutes, then add another 15 for any snags you might hit along the way. 6. If you’re really not familiar with a recipe or it ingredients, take some time before hand to do some research. Watching a YouTube video is a great way to learn how your food should look every step of the way, and can help you avoid missed steps. 7. If you aren’t sure of how it tastes, ask a housemate. There are usually a few of them loitering in the kitchen, anyways.
- Howlandia
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Pillsbury Pizza Bubbles Ingredients 1 1 1
can (7.5 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (from 4-can pack) cup pizza sauce cup shredded mozzarella cheese or pizza cheese blend (4 oz) Additional pizza sauce, if desired
•
Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
•
• •
Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Separate dough into 10 biscuits. Cut each into quarters; place in medium bowl. Stir in 1 cup pizza sauce to coat. Spoon biscuit mixture evenly into dish. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown and center biscuits are no longer doughy. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Cut into squares; serve warm with additional pizza sauce for dipping.
Jade Tip: Add yellow, red, or green peppers, and black or green olives for vegetarian options as well as pepperoni or ham for meat lovers. Mix it up! - Jade Taylor-Diaz, Vesta House ——————————————————————————————————————— Want even more flavor? Then become cornstalk and
GET SHUCKED ON
DONNIE’S CORN Do you want Donnie’s Corn to melt the faces of guests at your next cooperative event?
Contact any Vestian for more information.
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(Further analysis to follow in the March 7th Issue of the Pine Press)
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Guidelines for Being Strong White Allies Adapted from Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Social Justice by
Paul Kivel
WHAT KIND OF ACTIVE SUPPORT does a strong white ally provide to a person of color? Over the years, people of color that I have talked with have been remarkably consistent in describing the kinds of support they need from white allies. What People of Color Want from White Allies
“Respect us”
“Listen to us”
“Find out about us”
“Don’t make assumptions”
“Don’t take over”
“Stand by my side”
“Provide information”
“Don’t assume you know what’s best for me”
“Resources”
“Money”
“Take risks”
“Make mistakes”
“Don’t take it personally”
“Honesty”
“Understanding”
“Talk to other white people”
“Teach your children about racism”
“Interrupt jokes and comments”
“Speak up”
“Don’t ask me to speak for my people”
“Your body on the line”
“Persevere daily”
Basic Tactics
Every situation is different and calls for critical thinking about how to make a difference. Taking the statements above into account, I have compiled some general guidelines. 1. Assume racism is everywhere, every day. Just as economics influences everything we do, just as gender and gender politics influence everything we do, assume that racism is affecting
Copyright 2006 by Paul Kivel
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www.paulkivel.com
your daily life. We assume this because it’s true, and because a privilege of being white is the freedom to not deal with racism all the time. We have to learn to see the effect that racism has. Notice who speaks, what is said, how things are done and described. Notice who isn’t present when racist talk occurs. Notice code words for race, and the implications of the policies, patterns, and comments that are being expressed. You already notice the skin color of everyone you meet—now notice what difference it makes. 2. Notice who is the center of attention and who is the center of power. Racism works by directing violence and blame toward people of color and consolidating power and privilege for white people. 3. Notice how racism is denied, minimized, and justified. 4. Understand and learn from the history of whiteness and racism. Notice how racism has changed over time and how it has subverted or resisted challenges. Study the tactics that have worked effectively against it. 5. Understand the connections between racism, economic issues, sexism, and other forms of injustice. 6. Take a stand against injustice. Take risks. It is scary, difficult, and may bring up feelings of inadequacy, lack of selfconfidence, indecision, or fear of making mistakes, but ultimately it is the only healthy and moral human thing to do. Intervene in situations where racism is being passed on. 7. Be strategic. Decide what is important to challenge and what’s not. Think about strategy in particular situations. Attack the source of power. 8. Don’t confuse a battle with the war. Behind particular incidents and interactions are larger patterns. Racism is flexible and adaptable. There will be gains and losses in the struggle for justice and equality. 9. Don’t call names or be personally abusive. Since power is often defined as power over others—the ability to abuse or control people—it is easy to become abusive ourselves. However, we usually end up abusing people who have less power than we do because it is less dangerous. Attacking people doesn’t address the systemic nature of racism and inequality. 10. Support the leadership of people of color. Do this consistently, but not uncritically. 11. Learn something about the history of white people who have worked for racial justice. There is a long history of Copyright 2006 by Paul Kivel “Guidelines for Being Strong White Allies”
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www.paulkivel.com page: 2
white people who have fought for racial justice. Their stories can inspire and sustain you. 12. Don’t do it alone. You will not end racism by yourself. We can do it if we work together. Build support, establish networks, and work with already established groups. 13. Talk with your children and other young people about racism.
Please send comments, feedback, resources, and suggestions for distribution to paul@paulkivel.com. Further resources are available at www.paulkivel.com.
Copyright 2006 by Paul Kivel “Guidelines for Being Strong White Allies”
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www.paulkivel.com page: 3
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Hello! My name is Daniel Newton and I’m the current President of the Student Housing Cooperative. On March 1st, we will open voting for a new president of our organization. Their term will begin May 1st, 2016 and end on the same day one year later. Our co-op is unique in that our president takes a very active role in two separate spheres of influence. On the one hand, the President works with the Board of Directors and helps ensure that our organization is governed fairly and equitably according to policies set forth by the Board. Leading and inspiring these volunteer board members is not an easy task, but it is one to which our president must be very dedicated. Within meetings, the President must also be capable of moving conversation efficiently - allowing for everyone to give their legitimate insight while at the same time ensuring that discussions are informed and based in fact (as opposed to uninformed, emotional responses). On the OTHER hand, the President holds an important role in the operational activities of the SHC. Operations of our co-op can include anything from setting an annual budget, assisting in the planning of a new member orientation, lending staff a hand in the office, determining the best way to advertise ourselves to prospective members in the community… the list of operational tasks goes on and on. Operationally, the President is primarily responsible for representing the SHC when dealing with external entities that we encounter in a variety of capacities: local government, fire and police departments, local charities, other co-ops, and any other organization with whom we conduct business. Working as chair to the executive committee, the President receives operational reports from all vice presidents and the corporate treasurer: taking care to make sure these VPs (and their respective committees) feel supported by offering assistance when necessary. In the pages that follow, I’m pleased to say that you’ll find two exceptionally qualified candidates running for this position. What’s that? You haven’t heard of EITHER of these people? It’s certainly possible, we have over 200 people living in our homes! Just follow these steps: Read these incredibly well-written letters of intent and resumes INFORM YOURSELF FURTHER: talk with housemates, message both candidates directly if you have a pressing question, bang on their doors at 2:00 in the morning so you know they’re home! Attend the skill-share slated for this weekend! This first event will kick off this Saturday at noon in the hallowed halls of Vesta house (505 MAC). In addition to a handful of awesome speakers and workshops, both candidates will be given time to speak and answer some questions asked by me. Okay ignore the last half of #2 For goodness’ sake go to the skill-share. Learn. Grow. You get out of this experience what you put in. Thanks for reading.
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Connor Meston 616-607-4102 / notsemronnoc@gmail.com Local Address: 127 Whitehills Dr, East Lansing, MI 48823 Permanent: 1230 Park Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417 Education Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; Class of 2016 • Bachelor of Arts, Social Relations & Policy • Coursework includes: Public affairs, environmental ethics, intergroup relations and public policy, writing and research, sociology, statistics, and economics Grand Haven High School, Grand Haven, Michigan; Class of 2012 Experience Freelance Petitioner; Nov 2015-Present Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan – Volunteer Coordinator; May 2015-Nov 2015 • Coordinated petitioning resources for volunteers in the Greater Lansing Area Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center – Banquet Server; Jan 2015-May 2015 MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities - Janitor; Aug 2012-Dec 2012 • Maintained living, learning, and eating spaces on South Campus • Provided technical assistance and furniture moving service to dormitory residents Lawn Care; Self Employed; June 2010-July 2012 Affiliations MSU Students United Organizer; Oct 2013 – May 2014 • Goal: Form a student union to advocate on behalf of students to the university board • Promoted consciousness of campus issues (sexual assault, student debt, etc.) MSU Sierra Student Coalition; Student Groups Coordinator; Sept 2012 – May 2013 • Petitioned support from the local community for a more sustainable campus • Specialized in social media advocacy against unsustainable practices MSU International Relations Org (Model United Nations Team); Sept 2012–Mar 2013 • Debated current issues in international politics and economic development Blue Lake International Youth Symphony Orchestra; Violist; Summer 2011 European Tour Grand Haven High School Symphony Orchestra; Viola Section Leader; Sept 2011 – May 2012 Skills Computer: Social Media, MS Office, Excel, and PowerPoint, Google Drive and Maps Language: Second year college competency in Spanish; limited exposure to German Honors & Awards Dean’s List, one semester James Madison College Spartan Challenge Scholarship National Honors Society Will provide references upon request
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SHC Letter of Presidential Intent After long and persistent thought and consideration of my abilities, I, Connor Meston, seek election to the office of the President of the MSU Student Housing Cooperative for the 2016-17 term. Going all the way back to my first co-op discoveries through my visits to Ferency and New Comm, I have been consistently fascinated by the complex cultures of the SHC. To this day, I see potential in each house to be a supportive and creative space where learning happens both through academics and concrete person-toperson relationships. I have a strong commitment to see our houses maintained, improved, and expanded upon as an ongoing legacy of the sacrifice and vision that created them. In this letter, I hope to lay out my own qualifications and vision to ensure greater cooperation, communication, and consent within our organization. Looking to my past, my everyday actions draw upon my experiences in many environments. My work experiences have involved a combination of retail, janitorial, and food service jobs. This experience has easily formed the foundation of effective management skills by helping me to understand the basics of what it takes to maintain an organization and its finances. Coupling my work experiences with my studies for a B.A. in Social Relations & Policy has done me well in developing a detailed understanding of sociology, economics, and policy. I expect to do well in my ongoing analyses of SHC policies and operations with this background. This has also helped me to develop a firm commitment to the collective benefits to be gained from living in cooperative housing over traditional apartments.
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Beyond the work environment, I have consistently sought out involvement in extracurricular organizations since high school. This has led me to push for the implementation of sustainable practices in both my high school and here at Michigan State. I have also advocated for greater awareness of student debt and discrimination here in East Lansing. With these organizational experiences, I have developed my capacity as a leader, a listener, and a liaison in pushing for greater group action, communication, and interaction with the greater university community. While I cannot claim to have all of the answers in addressing the issues I am concerned with, I have learned from the assessment and reassessment of my opinions via the analysis of various arguments’ finer details. As a result, I hope to make well-educated decisions that draw upon input from others and provide for the common good of all current and future SHC members. Since I moved into Bower in January of 2015, my responsibilities have changed significantly as I have become progressively more involved with the SHC. First, I did little besides take care of our house recycling center and a minor cleaning job. Then, in March, I swapped cleaning for cooking to solve a dispute between my housemates. At the beginning of the summer, I took over as Bower’s Board Rep and filled in the position as Membership Officer while a housemate of mine went on Study Abroad. In this capacity, I became familiar with Membership Committee meetings and the various tasks associated with the officer position. As the summer came to an end, I worked with my house Interim Coordinator to manage moveouts and move-ins. Starting in the Fall Semester, my housemate returned as Membership Officer, but I took on a new role as the SHC representative
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and Vice Chair of the University Student Commission; a group intended to bring together various high-profile student and community groups with city staff and university representatives to make policy recommendations to East Lansing City Council. In my continuing capacity as a University Student Commission representative and SHC Board Rep, I’d like to note a few things these experiences have taught me. The USC has exposed me to the major concerns that various groups have (anything from sexual assault to restrictions on rental properties) concerning city politics and the student population. Also, as Vice Chair, I have had to facilitate a number of meetings when the Chair of the USC has been absent. I expect this experience to directly translate into greater awareness of East Lansing affairs when representing the SHC and better facilitation of Board and Executive Committee meetings. As a Board Rep, I’ve done my best to communicate with my house by reporting on Board deliberations and policy changes. With ongoing changes to a Policy Governance model in the SHC, I brought the concerns of my housemates to the table as new policies were hashed out through a weekend-long process that finalized our commitment to the new model. From this experience, I have learned to thoroughly consider multiple interpretations of various policies critical to the operations of the SHC. I have also had the chance to observe President Dan Newton and the rest of the Executive Committee make recommendations to the Board. I continue to take note of their insights and channel their enthusiasm as I seek to become President.
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In a number of other ways, I have shown my love for cooperatives through my commitment to my own house. I have rarely missed a meeting and I have even facilitated some of them. I have been supportive of Bower house potlucks and the Consent Workshop held here last semester. Whether it’s tightening a loose screw on the basement banister or cleaning up trash around the house, I truly feel like I have a stake in the maintenance of my house. This spring, I have volunteered to manage Bower’s garden and pioneered a crop voting system to ensure that every member of the house will have a stake in what’s grown while limiting food waste. Some of my experiences will undoubtedly speak for themselves, but in the end, I’d like to point out what living in a cooperative means to me. Most definitely, it means a bit more than I first thought and my understandings can be clarified differently by anyone who’s experienced a cooperative lifestyle. First of all, I believe it means being actively involved a community. The scope of this community can range both near and far from home, but most importantly, this involvement depends upon being supportive of others and recognizing the good to be found in networks greater than what’s possible through one’s own actions. Being active requires democratic involvement in one’s house with concern for others and thus goes beyond just stating one’s opinion. Secondly, I see support for the future of cooperatives as key for co-op living. This, at minimum, requires one to let others know of his/her/their own cooperative experiences. One can also talk more about other cooperatives in the area such as the East Lansing Food Co-op (ELFCO), the Lansing Bike Co-op, or even something as simple
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as the variety of credit unions and local businesses in the area that do more to benefit local people. Finally, cooperative living depends on giving back to the co-ops we’re living in. Understanding that our individual houses were established through tremendous effort from their original founders is critical to this principle. Giving back doesn’t have to mean donating money to the SHC or leading a huge effort to build something for your house. Oftentimes, this can be as simple as spreading the word about others’ efforts to bring people together or providing constructive input when people seek to improve upon the resources of the SHC. Whatever giving back really means, I believe it generally depends on us fostering an environment where co-opers can bond with one another and improve upon the co-op as it provides for the everchanging needs of its members. With these personal principles of cooperative living in mind, I would now like to devote this section to the goals I would like to accomplish in seeking election as President. First of all, I commit myself to all presidential responsibilities as laid out in Article VIII of the SHC Bylaws and Section 5.02 of the SHC Code of Operations. In fulfilling my duties as president, I would seek to follow our governing documents to the best of my ability. I also wish to be receptive to suggestions for policy and operational changes as the SHC adapts to an ever-changing membership. In convening meetings necessary for SHC governance, I intend to communicate as best as possible with staff, Board Reps, and fellow members of the Executive Committee. I also hope to provide as much advance notice of dates, times, locations, and agenda items as possible so as to encourage greater input in our process of governance from members at all levels of the SHC. Finally, I seek the
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position of President so that I may work as closely as possible with the EC to ensure the active and democratic functioning of SHC Committee Meetings. Beyond the procedural goals I have laid out, I also have developed a strong vision for the SHC’s greater potential. In my capacity as President, I would work closely with the Executive and Grievance Committees to develop proactive procedures for responding to emergencies on a case-bycase basis concerning anything from fires to sexual assault to discrimination. In addition to this, I would like to work with those in the Membership and Education Committees to promote the further development of Consent and Anti-Oppression Workshops for both the general membership and house officers to ensure greater safety, inclusivity, and support for all members of the SHC. To encourage greater general awareness of cooperative living and make it more accessible to the community, I hope to work closely with the Vice President of Membership to devise a social media campaign for the SHC. While I see the above ideas as most important for the betterment of the SHC, as President, I would also seek to expand the organization’s resources available to its members. I hope to make it as clear as possible to all members who should be spoken to relating to different types of concerns that may be raised. I would like work with the EC to make members aware of as many resources, on and offline, as possible concerning a range of topics including, but not limited to: Mental health, substance abuse, consent culture, gender & sexuality, financial literacy, debt, legal help, nutrition, home maintenance, cooperative history, local food-buying guides, and a variety of resources concerning sustainability such as
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gardening, composting, and recycling guides. Awareness of community organizations like the MSU Legal Clinic, the Allen Neighborhood Center, and the Listening Ear is also important to achieving this goal. In my final considerations of my potential role as SHC President, I hope to promote a strong culture of ownership within the organization. Saying this, I feel that every member of the SHC is capable of capturing a sense of their own power as a member of a democratic organization. No one should have to feel peer pressured into taking actions against their own will and everyone should feel a sense of community support. We should not feel judged by our actions that affect none but ourselves. We should feel comfortable in supporting a variety of events that bring us together as coopers and members of the Greater Lansing community. Most of all, we need to recognize that we are all still learning to navigate the world around us and account for a certain level of forgiveness in our daily actions, as we are all prone to making mistakes while discovering what it means to live together in the co-ops we call home.
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Jessica M. Sietsema 420 Evergreen Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823 616-558-5681, jmsietsema@gmail.com
EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
August 2016
Honors College, GPA: 3.67/4.00 Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Commended Finalist, 2011 Martin Benjamin and Bruce L. Miller Award, 2013 Sexual Assault Program Volunteer, 2016
E XP E R I E N C E Student Housing Cooperative, Inc. The Student Housing Cooperative serves ~300 student members each year in East Lansing and provides democratic and affordable housing services. I have been a member-owner since May 2012. Corporate Secretary, Board of Directors May 2014—April 2015 Active Board member. Ensured Executive Committee and Staff compliance with internal operating codes and facilitated Executive Committee meetings. Vice President of Education May 2015—April 2016 Executive Vice President May 2015—April 2016 Internal operations, membership education, and strategic planning. Participated in hiring decisions for three (3) full-time staff positions. Led Board training and New Membership Orientations, and planned social events for the cooperative. Led a committee of fourteen (14) volunteer members. Tutor, MSU Department of Philosophy Jan. 2013—April 2015 Tutored students in Philosophy classes. Primarily tutored Philosophy 130 and 330 (Informal and Formal Reasoning), analyzed and critiqued student papers. Team Supervisor, Turfgrass Information Center Feb. 2012—April 2015 Managed data entry and performed record quality control for an academic and professional turfgrass/sports utility database, a unit of the Michigan State University Libraries. Wrote documentation, constructed archive websites (e.g. http:// archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/golfd/), and worked extensively with library cataloging systems, Microsoft Office and Adobe Suites. Created 5,398 and modified 26,842 total database records out of ~250,000 and rising. Co-supervised a team of 3-6 student workers.
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February 2016 Dearest SHC Members, In my four years as a member of the Student Housing Cooperative, I have watched the organization grow in parallel to myself. As President, I would take a more proactive role in continuing this evolution. I found my self within the walls of the SHC. When I joined the SHC in 2012, I was lost. Coming out of a closeted K-12 Christian school as an LBGT womyn was isolating. I truly didn’t know how to be. But in Hedrick House, I began to live. The cooperatives provided an oxygenating sociality without which I would have suffocated. Slowly, I began to know myself, to share myself with others, and to recover. This restorative possibility is a profound strength, and it is my hope that the SHC continues to support its members in becoming healthier, happier humans. The SHC is a counter-capitalist economic institution in the shadow of the University. In providing affordable, democratic housing to students in East Lansing, it provides a service without which most of us would be very different. Both within our houses and in the broader Cooperative, members are empowered to democratically participate in decision making processes and in the labor of the cooperative. We serve on the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Operational Committees, and in volunteer capacities. As CEO of the Cooperative and the Chair of the Board, the President is in a uniquely powerful position to represent, advocate for, and implement the needs of the Membership. If elected as President, I would work diligently to ensure that the Cooperative supports the health and safety of the Membership. Attending university is stressful,
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especially in these postmodern times. Our Cooperatives survey results indicate that a majority of students work at least 10 hours, in addition to their substantial coursework. I look to build up the nourishing capacities within each of our houses by mandating facilitation, consent, and anti-oppression trainings. In February, I completed a 40-hr. Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention training, which has taught me to better respond to cases of crisis resulting from sexual trauma. It is with this skill set that I work to build stronger support systems for survivors of sexual assault. I would also strive to encourage organizational transparency. Members often express confusion over financial operations and confusion regarding our maintenance and development schedules, and I see this as fundamentally an issue of miscommunication - the Executive Committee and Staff have failed to adequately communicate the mechanisms by which we make decisions and how these decisions are carried out. In my role on the Executive Committee, I have attempted to improve communication to the membership, and would like to build on this work. Diversity is an issue within the Cooperative. While most of us would hope that we are inclusive of LBGT persons, I know from personal experience that this is not always the case. Further, we are pathetically White. By building in anti-oppression trainings, it is my hope that our houses become safer. Further, we need to actively move toward communities of color and ask in what ways our Cooperative can help fulfill their needs. Without this, our claims of affordability and inclusivity are meaningless. This is a long process, one that our coops worked seriously on in the 1970s and throughout our history, and one that we must continue to work whole heartedly for throughout the life of the Cooperative.
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As a Board member for the 2014-15 term and the Vice President of Education for the 2015-16 term, I have hands-on experience with the operational backend of the SHC and believe this has prepared me for the Presidency. I have worked deeply with the governance structure of the SHC and supported the move towards a Policy Governance model. In my tenure, we have hired a new Executive Director and Member Services Coordinator, and are now looking for a new Financial Manager. I continue to seek out training in all aspects of the Cooperative movement, having attended both NASCO Institute and it’s Staff and Managers’ Conference. Cooperative development is a likely aspect of my future career path, goddess willing, and I will graduate May 2016 with a BA in Philosophy. This would allow me to focus my principal attention on the needs of the Cooperative for the 2016-17 term. It is my hope that the SHC continues to be a place of safety, of growth, and of inclusion. As President, I would work diligently towards these goals, actively listen to the Membership, and expand the representation and participation of the SHC within the community. Thank for reading and sincerely participating in this election process. In Solidarity, Jessica M. Sietsema
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The Pine Press is a publication of the Student Housing Cooperative, Inc. All inquiries can be directed to pinepress@msu.coop