Student Senate

Minutes: Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Speaker: Robert C. Van Schoyck
Clerk: Steven Druckenmiller
Floor Leader: Andrew Acree
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: GSA Room, Blackmore Library

I. Call to Order

Speaker Robert C. Van Schoyck called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM in the GSA Room of the Blackmore Library

Senators Present

Acree, Bachus, Barnd, Bowman, Bravard, Burton, Callahan, DeArdo, Druckenmiller, Duffy, Ensley, Fry, Gunnoe, Harmon, Harris, Hudson, Martini, Meyer, Meyers, Smith, Tornero, Turney, Van Schoyck, Williams, Winston, Wong, York, Zakrzewski

Senators Not Present

DiIonno

Devotions

Senators Bowman and Callahan gave a special audio devotion in memory of the events on September 11th, 2001.

II. Public Comment

No Public Comment Given

III. Committee Reports

Academic Affairs Committee –Sen. Chris Burton, Chair

• Senator Harmon is looking into Honors Housing, its success and the development thereof.
• The Committee is investigating College Bowl, who will be available to run it and possible dates and times.
• Looking into Music Sharing and Downloading on campus
• Looking into Map Initiative that was started last year
• The first General Education Committee Meeting is on 9/18, and the Committee is hoping to have a member there.

Multicultural Affairs Committee –Sen. Kris Wong, Chair

• The Committee has a bill on the docket tonight concerning CURVE
• Attempting to start Cultural Art Program to have diverse art placed in the Campus Center

Student Interests Committee –Sen. Eric Bowman, Chair

• Established Meeting Times
• Working on issues that were raised during the Student Government Retreat

Student Life Committee –Sen. Shane Gunnoe, Chair

• Had a meeting with Don Miller and Fred McKinney concerning the installation of basketball court in between the Campus Center and Schaaf, specifically in Schaaf Lawn. Don Miller will be presenting the idea to the Master Planning Board for finalization of the location. An estimate of the cost will be give on October 2nd.
• The Committee is forming a Task Force to consider new applications for Student Organization Rooms. The Task Force will also consider distribution of limited space among the several existing Student Organizations with rooms

Finance, Planning & Development Committee –Sen. Daniel Meyers, Chair

• SB 100 (Version 15.0) is on New Business for the night. Sen. Meyers asks that we consider the handout budget that is distributed, not the one in the agenda.
• The Committee has been unable to meet as a whole.
• VP Aungst is setting up Subcommittees on Auditing the Finances of the University and on Facilities Issues.

Judiciary Committee

• Speaker Van Schoyck announced to the Senate that this year’s Judiciary Committee will be Sens. Acree, Burton, DiIonno, Fry, and Martini

IV. Subcommittee Reports

Curriculum and Undergraduate Faculty –Sen. Candi Harmon, Chair

• Investigating language issues, with Sen. Harmon looking into the cost of hiring a Latin professor and Sen. Zakrzewski working on adding a modern-day language to the curriculum of the University
• The Subcommittee is hoping to meet with Dr. Karkowski about the Honors Program this year

Educational Support –Sen. Andrew Acree, Chair
Investigating:

• More computers in the Computer Labs
• Universal Desk issues
• The possibility of an anti-virus program on campus
• Continuing to ensure that classrooms meet standards.

International Student Affairs –Sen. Kerrie Turney, Chair

• Sen. Smith met with ISA

Minority Student Affairs –Sen. Jennifer Ensley, Chair

• The Subcommittee met on 9/9
• Highlights CURVE bill on docket tonight

Campus Ministries –Sen. Emily DeArdo, Chair

• Designed two campus ministries surveys, one as a general survey and one for religious leadership. These surveys will be distributed by the end-of-month.

Environmental Concerns –Sen. Beth Fry, Chair

• Established a meeting time
• Talked to Don Miller about the Recycling Task Force

Commuter Concerns –Sen. Branden Meyer, Chair

• Met with Don Miller concerning the flyers that various commuters have posted concerning SG’s alleged “seizure” of their lounge.

Residence Life –Sen. Chris Williams, Chair

• The Subcommittee conducted lighting inspections, and looked around at outdoor light fixtures to determine quality issues.
• Inspecting microwaves and shower quality issues in dorms
• Looked at issues concerning dorm room computer lab issues, such as the nonfunctioning thereof

Student Activities –Sen. Brad Hudson, Chair

• SB 102 is on the docket for tonight
• The Subcommittee is going to be sending a letter to Student Organization Presidents
• The Subcommittee is also looking to reform the packet for new Student Organizations
• Also looking at reviving an SG grant to new Student Organizations

V. New Business

• Senator Meyers introduced Senate Bill 100, asking everyone to consider changes that he highlighted
  • Speaker Van Schoyck opened the floor to debate
  • Senator Harris exits the meeting at 8:00 PM
  • Senator DeArdo moves to close debate
  • The motion is seconded by Senator Gunnoe
  • The Clerk calls the roll concerning closing debate
  • With 25 in the affirmative, 1 in the negative, debate is closed
  • Senator Acree moves to approve the bill by unanimous consent
  • The motion is seconded by Senator DeArdo
  • Senator Smith objects
  • The Clerk calls the Roll concerning the approval of SB 100
  • The Bill is passed 25-1
    
• Senator Wong introduces Senate Bill 101
  • Senator Wong makes a change to Section 4 to read:
  • “Section 4. That the request for funds total in the amount of $156, to fund for refreshments (cookies and punch) at the meeting.”
  • Senator Turney moves to close debate
  • The motion is seconded by Senator Bowman
  • Senator Turney moves to close debate by unanimous consent
  • The motion is seconded by Senator Martini
  • Debate is closed
  • Senator Turney moves to approve the bill by unanimous consent
  • The motion is seconded by Wong
  • The Clerk Objects
  • The Clerk calls the Roll concerning Senate Bill 101
  • The bill passes 18-8
• Senator Hudson introduces Senate Bill 102
  • Senator Hudson adds Sens. Bowman, DeArdo, Duffy, Meyer, Tornero, Turney
  • Senator Druckenmiller motions to propose an amendment, called Section 11, reading: “That if the allocated funds are not exhausted by October 31st, 2003, they will be reallocated to the General Fund”
  • The motion was seconded by Senator Smith
  • Senator Turney moves to close debate on the amendment
  • The motion is seconded by Senator DeArdo
  • Senator Turney motions to close debate on the amendment by unanimous consent
  • The motion was seconded by Senator Harmon
  • Debate is closed on the amendment
  • Senator Gunnoe moves to approve the amendment by unanimous consent
  • The motion is seconded by Senator DeArdo
  • The amendment is approved
  • Senator Turney moves to close debate on the bill
  • The motion is seconded by Senator Fry
  • Senator DeArdo moves to close debate by unanimous consent
  • The motion is seconded by Senator Turney
  • Debate is closed
  • Senator Meyers moves to approve the bill by unanimous consent
  • The motion is seconded by Turney
  • Senate Bill 102 is approved

VI. Announcements

• President Freeman describes this year’s T-shirts and says that they will be in by Homecoming (10-03-2003). Also details in which events SG will be participating at Homecoming.
• Speaker Van Schoyck asks that everyone serves his or her office hours. He also explains that the directory and minutes will be in everyone’s boxes by the end of the week
• Senator Burton requests that everyone consider faculty members for Faculty Resolutions. Nomination forms are in the SG office. He also asks that everyone consider friends or associates that may be interested in serving one of the fourteen appointments Academic Affairs is charged with filling.
• Senator Acree informs that the Judiciary Committee is sending out letters this week to those who were nominated for the open Senate seat, and states that if anyone has any other candidates in mind, please submit those names to him.
• Senator Turney “asks” everyone to attend Wicked Wednesday.
• Senator Bowman motions to adjourn the meeting
• Senator Turney seconds

VII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 PM