Download application here. Applications can be turned in to the Office of Student Life (ATTN: Tamara Rice), 1st floor, Johnson Student Center.
Introduction:
Since its resettlement, Occidental College has preserved a legacy of architectural and scenic beauty. Nestled among the desert hills, Occidental’s lush foliage and classic design (inspired by famed architect Myron Hunt), have allured students from across the globe. For decades, Occidental’s aesthetic appeal has retained prominence amidst Liberal Arts institutions nationwide. Yet where Oxy excels in professional maintenance and design, it lacks in student driven enhancements. More specifically, Occidental is bereft of artistic projects inspired and developed entirely by students. Throughout campus, countless walls and student spaces are devoid of aesthetics and unattractive to passersby. These spaces serve a functional purpose, yet they remain austere and need improvement. This deficiency is evidenced most saliently in Residential Halls and specific student spaces; namely areas in the Marketplace and Library.
In efforts to remediate this deficit, ASOC Senate proposes the permanent creation and subsidization of a Campus Beautification Endowment. Both this program and its financing will be supported by ASOC to foster student administered campus art. Prior to approval, these projects will undergo an extensive review process to ensure timeliness, financial feasibility, design suitability, and congruence with existing edifices. Accordingly, ASOC Senate is confident student projects will doubtless enhance campus aesthetic and cultivate artistic talent among students. Finally, the Campus Beautification Endowment must not be construed as a critique of current architectural/landscape practices at Occidental. Rather, this fund is intended to mitigate a decided lack in student art and supplement an already impressive campus design.
Campus Beautification Endowment; Section I- Committee Structure and Roles:
The Campus Beautification Endowment Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members whose term shall not exceed the period of one (1) academic year. All committee members shall be appointed and confirmed by ASOC Senate on the basis of their Government capacity (Senate Officials), artistic experience and knowledge, or affiliation with the building/structure designated for beautification. In accordance with the aforementioned criteria, the specific composition of this committee shall include two (2) appointed members of ASOC Senate, one (1) appointed faculty member of the Occidental Art Department, two (2) appointed student members, and one (1) member representing the building selected for artistic enhancement (A member of the Occidental Architectural Review Committee will also serve on the Campus Beautification Endowment Committee when applicable).
The Campus Beautification Endowment Committee shall be charged with reviewing, approving, and revising all applications prior to final authorization. If the committee approves the final application by a minimum two-thirds majority vote, said application will be submitted to the Facilities Manager and Dean of Students. Pending approval from the above parties (Facilities and Administration), the Campus Beautification Endowment Committee will appropriate needed funds and monitor project development to ensure compliance with the applicant’s stated timetable. Only upon the successful completion of a project will the committee reconvene for subsequent projects. Ultimately, this process will ensure committee members remain focused on the quality and timely execution of one (1) project before undertaking another. Moreover, the diversity and representativeness of the Campus Beautification Endowment Committee conforms to the Mission Statement and guarantees projects will receive broad community support.
Campus Beautification Endowment; Section II- Endowment Financing and Appropriation:
To ensure the Campus Beautification Endowment is sufficiently capitalized, the petitioners of this proposal (Patrick McCredie, ASOC President, Joellen Anderson, Sophomore Class Senator & Alison Dempsey, Internal Affairs Director) request ASOC Senate approval to transfer $3,500.00 from ASOC BUDGET LINE ITEM 686-00 (ASOC Discr. Fund) into a new fund designated as ASOC Campus Endowment. Once this fund is exhausted, it will not be replenished until the succeeding academic year.
This reallocation will provide capital for initial start-up fees to purchase supplies including but not limited to paints, paintbrushes, palettes, painter’s tape, sealer, water buckets, tarps, lighting equipment, ladders and cleaning supplies. However, members of the committee shall not be responsible for purchasing this equipment. Rather, the first individual (or group) to submit an application will be granted a higher allocation (not to exceed $1,000.00) to purchase said supplies. Upon completion of the first project, the Campus Beautification Endowment Committee shall requisition all start-up supplies for redistribution to subsequent projects. Therefore, future applicants will not be allocated grants exceeding $750.00 given the provision of supplies from prior projects. Additionally, if applicant groups are requesting grants, their membership shall not exceed five (5) individuals and personal stipends shall not exceed $150.00 per project.
Campus Beautification Endowment; Section III- Application Process:
Pursuant to requirements listed on the Campus Beautification Application (See Addendum- Application for Campus Beautification Mural) applicants must first complete a detailed rendering of the proposed mural, list its dimensions, and identify its exact location on campus. As indicated by the application, only mural mediums are eligible for endowment grants. Secondly, petitioners must submit a budget delineating individual expenditures and including individual stipend rates. Thirdly, applications must provide a clear and manageable timeline indicating how the project is to proceed, division of labor (if said project involves multiple members), and the artistic background of each participant. And finally, applications must offer a compelling description of how their project will benefit and beautify the campus. Should every facet of the above criteria be satisfied, the project will receive committee approval and be forwarded to the Facilities Manager and Dean of Students for final authorization.
Campus Beautification Endowment; Section IV- Community Impact Assessment:
This endowment not only benefits the physical appearance of Occidental, but will have profound impacts on students who receive endowment grants. This program aims to promote the talents, creativity, and artistic yearnings of student’s campus wide. While Occidental gains a portfolio of professional murals throughout campus, students benefit from the artistic outlet provided by this fund and can use these accomplishments to demonstrate their ability should they apply to graduate programs. In summation, the advantages of the Campus Beautification Endowment are many and its long-term impact is undoubtedly promising.