At its Wednesday meeting, the RISD Student Alliance followed up on reports from student representatives about their meetings with department heads and addressed concerns about money spent on dining services.Department representatives reported varying success in efforts to obtain 24-hour studio access. Printmaking Department Head Andrew Raftery and the Department of Public Safety have confirmed that seniors in the department will have 24-hour studio access, Departmental Representative Noah Breuer RISD '04 reported."The printmaking seniors all got together and convinced our department head that we needed 24-hour access to our own studio spaces, and since there is only 13 of us, she took care of it, and Public Safety has a list with all of our names on it," he said. Department of Painting Representative Mike Anderson RISD '04 said students should be made aware of the option to apply for 24-hour studio access. "I think we need to send out a mass e-mail to all students with the link to the form used on the Intranet to apply for extended studio hours. Most people don't know that they can take advantage of that," he said.Claudia del Castillo RISD '06, representative to the Illustration Department, said she was looking for other illustration majors to help her work on issues such as 24-hour studio access and studio space for sophomores. Department of Apparel Design representatives reported that they met for the first time with their department head, Mary Kawenski. "Funding for student shows had never been discussed before, so it was a good start," said Christina DiFabio RISD '05.Furniture Department representatives met with Department Head Rosanne Somerson to discuss the possibility of arranging a new five-year furniture program culminating in a Bachelor of Fine Design degree, as opposed to a Bachelor of Fine Arts. At least a year would be needed to approve the plans for accreditation, the representatives said.Department of Graphic Design representatives met with Department Head Nancy Skolos this week to address concerns about senior shows and portfolios, Departmental Representative Joe Gebbia '04 reported. Two weeks ago, in light of upcoming budget cuts, the Alliance formed a committee to look into the possibility of inefficient use of funds in the dining halls."The council of the dining hall is very open to suggestions from students about their operations," said Alliance Assistant Treasurer Danielle Buckley '07.Five students joined a new committee to work on the design of the 12th-floor student space in the 15 Westminster Street building. The 12th floor will replace the Tap Room as a gathering space for students, although large amounts of window space make the floor less versatile than the Tap Room in terms of displaying art works or screening films."We are trying to find students excited about reorganizing the space and carrying the project into the next year for this committee," said Alliance President Suzannah Park '05.Habitat for Humanity in Providence is looking for RISD students to get involved in the building of two houses on Putnam Street on Saturdays, said Alliance Recording Secretary Amy Fitzgerald '06.
