MCSG President Michael Barnes ’06 was unexpectedly missing at the first meeting of the new Legislative Body (LB) on Tuesday. In Barnes’ absence the meeting became an impromptu debate over need-blind admissions between need-blind advocate William Sentell ’02 and President Brian Rosenberg, who supports a proposed change in the policy.

Barnes, who was supposed to deliver a State of the Campus address, said that his unexpected absence was not an “ideal scenario” for him, but claims that he made a conscious decision to miss the meeting.

“The speech couldn’t be had because it wasn’t ready…it wasn’t right,” Barnes said. “It is a difficult question to answer: What is the state of the campus?”

Barnes said that his State of the Campus Address, which he now plans to give on Oct. 12, is completed and in “better shape.”

Rosenberg said that Barnes had invited him to address the meeting briefly about upcoming opportunities for students to discuss the need-blind issue, and that he was not forewarned of Sentell’s presence.

Sentell ’02 was not on the agenda but a motion quickly passed giving him time to speak. Sentell read a two-page letter that he had emailed to several MCSG members earlier in the day and distributed to all those present at the meeting. The letter castigated President Rosenberg for his support of a move from a need-blind to a need-aware policy as proposed by the Resource Planning Committee report.

Sentell encouraged students to become involved in the need-blind admissions debate and to voice their opposition to President Rosenberg.

“The Administration does not want a public debate about this issue…public debates are too messy, especially when your proposal involves creating an affirmative-action program for wealthy applicants,” Sentell said. “This issue is not about the financial survival of the college. It’s about our priorities as an institution and our willingness to find creative solutions.”

Sentell stated that a group of students has already gathered over 400 signatures in support of need-blind admissions last week, and that the website he has created, www.needblind.com, has had over 900 hits in the past two weeks.

“Macalester has a long history of progressive policies. But rarely were these policies dreamt up on the third floor of Weyerhaeuser. Rather, they were born in the dorm rooms, the classrooms and the dining hall,” Sentell said.

Sentell accused President Rosenberg of continuing “to muddy the ethical waters with talk about our ‘moral responsibility’ to build prestige and pedigree while he downplays the proposal’s real flaws.”

President Rosenberg spoke after Sentell, noting that he wasn’t prepared to respond to “questions or accusations.”

Rosenberg said that he hopes to encourage student participation in debating the need-blind admissions policy, and noted two important things for students to keep in mind as they discuss the issue.

First, Rosenberg said that students who wish to participate in the debate must inform themselves of the college’s finances and the proposed alternative so that they can speak intelligently and support their arguments with valid information. “It is critical that anybody who wants to engage in this debate does so with knowledge,” he said.

Second, Rosenberg said that students who are opposed to the RPC’s financial aid proposal should be proactive and propose alternative ideas for discussion.

Rosenberg pointed out the difference he sees between resistance and leadership. “It is easy to stand outside and throw bricks…it is harder to come inside the house and engage in a debate,” he said.

He said that students and faculty will have the opportunity to voice their opinions at need-blind admissions “fireside chats” on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18.

Rosenberg reiterated that the only critique he does not appreciate is the refusal to discuss the issue. “ It is never a mistake to talk about interesting and challenging subjects or raise something that is challenging…you can take whatever view you want, but the more difficult the issue is, the more important it is to talk about it,” he said.

Seth Scholterrbeck ’06 said that Rosenberg spoke with composure and grace.

“I appreciated his tone and his willingness to speak with students. I was encouraged about the prospects of a debate and that he is open to suggestions,” Schlotterbeck said.

Turck LB representative Alex Flores ’08 agreed with Scholterrbeck that Rosenberg spoke eloquently, especially considering Sentell putting him on the defensive. Flores said that even without preparation, Rosenberg still “made valid points that we should be educated about the debate before becoming involved.”

But, Flores said, the opportunities to become well informed about the history of the issue at hand are diminishing as the forum and debates quickly approach. Flores said that he still plans on reading the RPC’s 72-page report but feels like more time could have been allotted for students to learn about the issue.

LB representative Paul Swartz ’08 agreed that it is important to know what the other side is saying. “I believe in need-blind admissions only in principle, not because of the facts. I want to learn more about both sides…once I understand the issue well I will be able to influence others.”

Barnes said that some found Sentell’s comments inappropriate. “Sentell’s remarks were personal attacks on President Rosenberg and at least three executives have written remarks back expressing disapproval,” he said. He said his now-finished State of the Campus speech responds to the remarks that Sentell and Rosenberg gave at the meeting.

Brian Lindeman ’88, a former MCSG President who is currently Director of Financial Aid, also spoke at the meeting. He said that Barnes had asked him to deliver some anecdotes from his experience in student government.

Lindeman spoke of his presidency and MCSG funds distributed to student organizations in the late 1980s. Lindeman said that in the spring of 1989 MCSG sent 250 students to Washington D.C. for a pro-choice rally during spring break. He said that this decision was met with opposition from some students who felt it was inappropriate for MCSG to publicly align itself and contribute to one side of a controversial issue.

Tuesday’s LB meeting was held outside on the grass between Weyerhaeuser Chapel and Old Main. MCSG Vice President Cara Haberman ’06 said that the decision to hold the meeting outside was part of a broader effort to make school government more accessible to students, which was one of Barnes’ campaign promises last year.

Doty LB representative Hillary Mohaupt ‘08 said she thought having the meeting outside was a good idea in theory, but not after dark. “It was too dark. If the meeting were at four [instead of eight p.m.], it would have been much nicer,” she said.