Hunched over a keyboard typing out emails, Jamal Motlagh '06 looks like any other Princeton student stealing a few moments to catch up with his friends.
Not too many students, though, send messages to "smt@princeton.edu" — that's President Tilghman's address — and not too many have to simultaneously deal with questions about a "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" study break shouted from the other side of the room as they type.
As president of both the Quadrangle Club and the Inter-Club Council (ICC), Motlagh must balance a commitment to the life of the Street with a responsibility to the entire University community.
"He understands the ways in which the clubs and the University interact," said Dean of Undergraduate Student Life Maria Flores-Mills, who has worked extensively with Motlagh over the past weeks.
Motlagh is the primary "liaison for voicing concerns and facilitating interaction" between the eating clubs and the University, Flores-Mills said.
The basic responsibilities of the ICC president include organizing a weekly meeting of the 11 club presidents and keeping in touch with various administrators about happenings on the Street.
Katie Daviau '06, ICC vice-president and Colonial Club's president, said she trusts Montagh's leadership.
"He understands the importance of the eating clubs to the social fabric of Princeton," she said.
Motlagh, though, has a greater vision: he hopes to reshape the eating clubs' image and improve their relationship with the University.
"I hope that people will look at the Street and the eating clubs as an open and friendly place, not a bunch of wild and exclusive institutions," Motlagh said.
First Weeks in Office
Motlagh said that his first few weeks in office have been "hectic but very rewarding."
"It's been fun seeing what opportunities are open to me and thinking of ways in which I can help the Street and the University," he said.
Motlagh was well acquainted with the role of ICC president before starting his term. The past two presidents of the council, J.W. Victor '05 and Cory Sanders '04, also served as presidents of Quad. Motlagh counts them both as friends.
"We're the only people who understand the kind of pressures the ICC president deals with on a day to day basis," Victor said.
Victor was responsible for pressuring Motlagh, who was initially reluctant, to run for ICC president.
While Motlagh knew he wanted to be Quad's president "since signing in his sophomore year," he said he promised himself then that he would not run for the presidency of the ICC.
However, Motlagh says he's now thankful that Victor convinced him to change his mind.
"I've been in touch with a myriad of people who I wouldn't converse with or work with normally," he said.
The opportunity to meet new people has compensated for the work, including the huge volume of emails and questions that have come his way since taking office, Motlagh said.
In addition to serving as ICC president, Motlagh is also a captain of the men's water polo team and an avid video game player.
Those who know him best describe Motlagh has friendly and laid-back — a characterization he embraced.
"I like to take it easy," Motlagh said, as he slouched back in his chair.
Rob Hazan '06, Quad's technology chair, said Motlagh is "easy going but dedicated."
Bigger Vision
Behind his relaxed personality is a clear vision to improve the eating clubs' image on campus.
"He is a student having a fantastic experience with the eating clubs who wants to see the eating club aspect of University life continue into the foreseeable future," Flores-Mills said.
Motlagh considers the clubs "a place to house and encourage upperclass communication, where the bonds of friendship are born that outlast our tenure here at the school."
He said that the administration and many students perceive the eating clubs negatively.
"The lack of information and misinformation about the clubs is one of the major reasons why students that are admitted to Princeton do not attend," he said.
He hopes to solve this problem by publishing an eating club guidebook for prospective students. Motlagh's predecessor Victor prepared a preliminary guidebook last year.
"He laid the groundwork for me to finalize this project," Motlagh said.
In addition to creating an eating club guidebook, Motlagh hopes to tackle upcoming issues for the eating clubs.
He said he is committed to making the transfer to the four-year college system as smooth as possible.
Accordingly, Motlagh has been active on the 'Taskforce for Dining and Social Options in the Residential Colleges.'
"I think coming to a consensus on the cooperation between the four-year colleges and the clubs will be a great way to create a better relationship with the University," he said.
Motlagh also wants to expand financial aid options so that all students can afford to join an eating club. There is a $2,000 difference between the costs of the dining hall and the average eating club, he said.
"There is a problem when many students cannot freely choose their social experience due to financial deficiencies," he said.
Motlagh is looking into increased University or alumni funding to help support this initiative, but he cautioned that progress would be slow.
"This is huge project," he said. "And one that probably cannot get changed overnight."
Administrative Cooperation
Motlagh said he hopes to work with the administration as much as possible.
"Dean Flores-Mills has been an amazing resource to me," Motlagh said. "She has helped me ease into the transition of being the ICC president."
Moreover, Motlagh remains dedicated to the Prospect Initiative, a pilot program in which each eating club agrees to host one Alcohol Initiative event every semester, Flores-Mills said.
"Motlagh has been a wonderful ally in asking peers to commit to dates and increase options," Flores-Mills said.
Motlagh hopes to meet with Tilghman in the near future to discuss the "bigger issues on the Street."
"I want to tackle the problems of diversity and exclusivity together," he said.
Read More
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
Effort to restore chapel’s pews slowly progresses
Ben GoldstonHead carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Head carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Metals, molecules, and medicine: chemical biology’s influence on health and sustainability
Aanya KaseraChemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.
Chemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.