Minutes for Jan. 26th

Student Senate Home > Get Informed > Minutes > Jan 19th 2005

Opening & Reports

(No statements are direct quotes unless specified by quotation marks.)

President Cailao called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. by the Senate Clock.

Roll call

Guests:

• Erin Hepola

• Jake Elefson

Approval of the Agenda

Unanimous Approval

Approval of the Minutes

Minutes approved with one objection.

Public Hearing

Cailao

Hastings and Chivetta will be presenting at the end of today's meeting.

Obach

Note to new senators, we will be having a meeting for OMO in order to discuss the student sponsor ad campaign.  What this is going to be is a series of campaign flyers, displaying the face of either a current dragon or a former dragon. The flyer's will state, "I am ____ I have acomplished _____ and I am proud to be a dragon."  We need people who will be good candidates. Our objective is to show that people in Moorhead are doing well and are proud to be dragons.  For example I have a good friend who is now doing movies, and has been very successful post graduation.  It would be wonderful to use his picture. Other examples of good candidates are, single mothers and people that have been, or are currently serving in Iraq.

On a non official note, Goodnight and Goodluck is showing at the fargo theatre tonight. Anyone is welcome to come along.

Brown

A student has expressed to me a need for more recycling bins.

Randhawa

The person in charge of that has been sick for several weeks.

Brown

I believe the student meant that there need to be more visible recycling bins overall.

Reports

Advisor Wiese

I attended the board of trustees meeting on Wednesday. All of the tuition requests were approved including the increase of 9.5 percent.  There was a clause stating that if something were to happen with the finances of the state of MN, that the board of trustees decision regarding the 9.5 percent increase, could be altered.  If that were to happen it would not occur until June.  Also, Governor Pawlenty has left out the NE part of MN in terms of his list of priorities. The refurbishing of McClean was number 6. We were very happy to hear that the chancellor had ranked it that high. We believed that it would be considered by the governor. The fact that it was not was highly disappointing.  We will be making more of an effort to bring bonded money to refurbish McClean this next term.

Last week at Cabinet we discussed an on campus minimum wage increase to 7 dollars per hour.  We would appreciate any opinions you may have about that.  As tuition and faculty contracts have increased we think it is appropriate to increase the minimum wage.

No questions on the report.

Justin Schwegel (Treasurer)

- SABC has set rough allocations for academic/co-curricular sub-group.

- Budget at 3,425.24 discretionary

- Turn your receipts into my mailbox.

- Please pay for T-shirts.

- Do not use senate phone for personal long distance calls.

Braddock:

Does MSUSA subsidize any of our long distance phone use?

Schwegel:

I don’t believe so.

James Cailao (President)

Greetings Senators.

I hope that you’ve all had a productive week.

For those of you who plan on attending SABC, please note that I’ve sent you a several emails forwarded from JJ concerning materials to review before this weekends conference. I will also be sending you the final email this evening. These emails directly involve issues we will discuss during our conference, please be familiar with them.

There is a Washington D.C. sign-up going around as well as the MSUSA Textbook Campaign sign-up.

The nomination for Vice-President will be presented to Senate tonight for appointment by the Senate.

We will begin the interview process for an MSUSA Campus Rep the beginning of next week.

Committee Chairs E-mail me your meeting times and locations.  I will be checking to ensure all committees are meeting and members attending. Also, each committee should develop at least 3 goals to bring to Senate for next meeting. If you don’t, then you haven’t had a productive committee meeting. This is where the majority of work needs to be done. Our meetings can best be used to fine tune and perform progress checks on the work of the committee’s. When someone stands for a public hearing, be alert and aware of the issue. If it falls within your jurisdiction, take note and take action. I don’t micro-manage. I expect you all to be competent, reliable, and hard-working Senate members. Your reports, which must be emailed to the Secretary, will allow everyone to be aware of the issues you are working on.

New Senate members: Be sure that you are filling out an office hour slip by the end of each week. This report details the work you did during your office hours and committee meetings. If you do not fill out a sheet you will be charged with 2 absence points.

The schedules have been passed around, office hours are assigned, be completing your office hours.

Sen. Kim McCauley is up for removal next week due to points from absences.

I attended SABC, UPBC, and ATF this week.  We also had a meeting regarding SAFR to review the budget proposals before we meet tomorrow morning.

SABC is continuing to review budget allocations for student organizations.

SAFR is continuing to review budget proposals for use by student activity fee dollars.

UPBC is continuing to review Work Plan Initiatives, including academic building renovations.

ATF is reviewing and developing policy, as well as the Social Norm campaign and FM/HESS

Braddock

I cannot make the higher education summit meeting. If someone would like to come in my place please get in touch with me.

Jennifer Costley (Secretary)

• Did minutes

• Did attendance

No questions on the report.

Emilie Mihal (Special Projects)

 ( Passes out handbook created at the last meeting of last semester)

At last meeting of last semester, I ask for this.  It ties in with what I am going to talk about.

Okay, so if we look at the 2^nd page it may look familiar. This is a work plan.  I think we should come up with a similar document. What are our goals, how will we accomplish them?

Please take a few minutes to ad some goals that you think would be good for Senate to look into.

No questions on the report

Committee Reports

Committee on Committees (Chair Obach)

Attendance

• Obach (Present)

• Haken (Present)

• Bliss (Present)

COC has dual function as we are also coordinating the retreat.

-Retreat: So far the tentative dates for the retreat are either February 17-18 and February 24-25.  I am looking for input regarding good locations for the retreat.  If there are any issues with the proposed dates please let me know. 

- COC: We filled several seats.  Note to new senators if you are not yet on a committee please take care of that.  The President asks that all senators be on one committee.  I myself am on TFOC.

-Printing:  It has been discovered that some majors use a great deal more paper than others.  The school is proposing that students be allotted a certain amount of printing and if they surpass that amount then they will be billed.

Schwegel

How will this be inforced?

Obach

Other campuses have a pod next to the copiers, once the student has gone over their allotted amount of printing, a bill is sent to the business office.  It is a real big problem on campus.  However, once implemented the average student will not be effected.

Cailao

How much paper will students be able to use without charge?

Obach

A rough estimate would be about 500 sheets per person.  We are looking for a cost effective solution.

Morse

Doesn't our computer fee cover that?

Obach

Some people take advantage of the that fee.

Ohren

Would that fee be transferred into cents per sheet?

Obach

Yes.

Wiese

Yes, your fee does cover all of that. We want to preserve that fee and keep it as low as possible.  In number of people continue to take advantage of it, then that resource can be used up, resulting in an increase of the fee.  Most students will not notice the difference. 

Oni

Is this only limited to department printers?

Wiese

The software that we are looking at would work for all printers on campus.  But, there is the option of departmental.  Some faculty members appreciate that because it can track professors as well.  It can quickly and easily identify those abusing the privledge.

Obach

Anyone with other issues regarding this, please come and talk to me.  We are still in the exploration phase.

Campus Affairs (Chair Randhawa)

Attendance

• Randhawa (Present)

• Bard (Present)

• Ellsworth (Present)

• Wagner (Absent )

Report

- Bookstore:  The bookstore manager met with a CA member regarding extending the hours.  It was found that the hours could not be extended.  Also students were unable to charge they're books to financial aid because the overage checks needed to be sent.  The manager is willing to meet with senate if there are any questions or concerns in regards to this.

- Printing on campus:  A CA member checked the printing process of 10 on campus computers.  It was found that all were working in proper order.

- Heating/Cooling in Lommen 94:  The problem is infostructure, meaning that the cost is some 300,000 dollars.  The school just does not have the funds to correct that at this time.

-Wellness Center:  The Wellness Center webpage now reads correctly.

Mihal

This weeks attendance says that Senator Wagner was present at your committee meeting.  Did he attend the meeting?

Randhawa

No, I amend my earlier statement regarding attendance.

 Cultural Diversity Rep. (Oni)

Attendance:

• Weber (Present)

• Vrtis (Present)

• Oni (Present)

Guests:

• Wilson-Mattson

• Ellsworth

- We were thinking of changing the name from "Cultural Diversity Committee" to "Diversity Awareness".

- We are also planning on promoting cultural diversity.  So we are working on setting up a booth to tell people more about diversity.

- Senator Weber is making a poster that will tell people more about the time and date we meet.

- Chair Wilson-Mattson is also working on finding out if diversity awareness program can be added into the FYE program.

- We are also working on ways that cultural diversity committee can become a standing committee.  So if anybody has any ideas please let me know.

No questions on the Report

Legislative & Internal Affairs (Chair Wilson-Mattson)

Attendance

        -Ascheman (present)

        -Zeiher (present)

        -Wilson-Mattson (present)

        -McCauley (not present)

Report

- Corrected Delta Mu Delta.

-Looking into a voting place on campus.

No questions on the Report

Marketing (Chair Brown)

Attendance

• Short (Present)

• Ludden (Present)

• Brown (Present)

Report

- We discussed the spring banquet.

- I received an E-mail about the student savers club.  The cards will be arriving in February.

- Sweatshirts have been ordered and will be here in roughly two weeks.

No questions on the Report

Tuition & Fees Oversight (Chair Elkin)

Attendance:

       - Elkin (present)

       - Morse (present)

       - Ohren (present)

Guests:

       - Haken

       - Braddock

Report

- Volunteer for Mihal: Senator Morse

-SAFR Report:  Hendrix History

        - To get to MNSCU limit of $102, will have to cut their budget by $5.

        - $8.35 per credit ... $50.10

        - Wellness center fee is to increase from $55 to $65 in the fall.

        - As well as an additional $10 the year after with a 3% increase every 3 years after FY08

- SABC Report: Went through the Academic/Co-curricular Allocations.

           - We are attempting to increase the general reserve.

           - SABC budget was sent to SAFR but, has not voted yet.

           - Attendance policy was passed (look to minutes 9/19/05)

- Goals: TFOC- Work with marketing to increase student awareness/involvement

           - set a limit for fee increases ... 5%?

- Senate- Complaint box

           - Green fee...direction

           - No one knows who are

                 : tables

                 : button/nametags

Cailao

Thank you Elkin for taking on those issues.

Campus Safety Committee (Braddock)

CS has not done anything yet.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Motion SP06-5  ( VP Selection Committee )

Mihal

Once we were appointed we received applicants and interviewed all.  We had to choose someone and so we did.

Ascheman

Can we elaborate as to why this particular candidate was chosen?

Obach

What we don't want to do is perhaps effect anyone.  There were positive and negatives to each candidate.  We weighed the pros and cons, which took over an hour.  When it came down to it Braddock was just a few more positives. There were three wonderful candidates, two of which were very experienced.

Ascheman

Can you name some of the positives?

Obach

Both candidates were experienced.  Both were also familiar with parliamentary procedure.

Randhawa

Who were the other candidates?

Mihal

Leigh Wilson Mattson and another student that is not present.

Randhawa

Is this a privacy matter?

Cailao

In absence of their written permission, yes.

Obach

The factor is in interest of the committee.  We don't want to push away someone that can be an asset to Senate. 

Elkin

What is the procedure in which we are doing this?

Cailao

In absence of the constitution of the president picking, I decided to form a committee to interview the candidates.  From those interviews they have selected their nominee.  We will treat it as if I selected that nominee.

Elkin

Can we suspend the rules?

Cailao

Same format as any.

Elkin moves/Braddock seconds to suspend the rules for discussion.

Unanimous Aye

Ascheman

Can we have the candidate stand up as any regular candidate would?

Braddock

I come tonight to seek your approval.  As Vice President I think I would do an excellent job.  I look forward to serving with all of you.

Bard

Will you continue as chair of CS?

Braddock

Yes.  I don't think that President Cailao has time to manage each senator, I think that the Vice President is intended to deal with smaller issues, that are not as crucial to the whole.  I would like to help everyone.

Randhawa

Are you going to designate orders?

Braddock

There are some situations in which orders will be given, however I have no intention of micromanaging.

Bard

Can we debate motion?

Elkin

What previous positions or roles would help you fulfill this position.

Braddock

In high school I was part of a student organization.  I was secretary and president.  After high school I operated my own business.  I also served as administration assistant for campus security.

Zeiher

Why are you the best candidate?

Braddock

I would never say best, however I believe I am a good candidate.  I know a lot of people in the administration.  I am old enough to know how to talk to them and young enough to rap with you guys.

Executive Session

Motion Carries

SP06-6 ( Executive )

Obach moves/Haken seconds to suspend the rules in order to question the candidate.

Ellefson

I resigned last semester and am now back up for business industry.

Obach

What previous experience do you have?

Ellefson

I served on senate for a year and a half.

Randhawa

If senate was a bicycle what part would it be.

Ellefson

The brake, because I don't move to fast.

Elkin

Why did you choose to leave.

Ellefson

The leadership was unpleasant.  Throughout Christmas break a few things changed.  I prefer not to be micromanaged.

Haken motions/Bliss seconds to move into executive session.

Motion Carries

SP06-7 ( Executive )

Bard moves/Randhawa seconds to suspend the rules

Unanimous Aye

Hepola

I am a freshman this year.  I was involved in student council all through out high school.  I would like to get involved again.

Obach

Can you tell us about your past experience?

Hepola

I was in student council from 7th grade through graduation.  I began as the Secretary and moved up as Historian and then Vice President.  We ran blood drives and worked with homecoming.  As far as problems I see on campus, I think that the alcohol abuse is a big one.

Bard

Where are you from?

Hepola

Hutchinson

Randhawa

If you were part off a book, what part would you be?

Hepola

I guess I would be the end because, I bring good things...

Elkin

Have you had a chance to look at the committees on campus.

Haken

What is your major?

Hepola

Elementary Education

Mihal

How did you hear about senate? Also what do you think senate could improve?

Hepola

I was looking on a webpage on how to get involved on campus and I found the senate webpage.  I think senate needs to improve its advertising , getting it out there that there is a senate and the things that they do.

Zeiher

How do you see yourself as an asset?

Hepola

My past experiences.

Weber

Have you seen the negative media attention? What do you think of it?

Hepola

That it is unfair

Ascheman

The student body elects people into senate.  What would you do to get people nominated as well as get them to vote?

Hepola

I would advertise better. I would want to let everyone know what student senate does and that they are willing to listen.

Obach moves/Randhawa seconds to move into executive session

Motion Carries

Booth moves/Brown seconds COC nominations

Unanimous Aye

SAFR: Ohren and Braddock

SABC: Lovcik

ABC:   Joe Larson

Enrollment Mgmt: Ludden

Accreditation Steering: Ellsworth

Obach

Those are the nominations I am seeking a unanimous approval

Unanimous aye

Motion carries

Contractor's Presentation (Hastings and Chivetta)

Wiese

Eric Cocker is here from Hastings and Chivetta and will be giving a presentation on the new Wellness Center.  After the presentation there will be time for questions and comments.

Contractor

Hello, how many of you are from each class? Sophomores and Freshman if you stay here you will get to use this facility.  Seniors you will not get to use it but thank you for being a part of it.  Juniors, you can watch is be built, but you will not be able to use it.  Alright, thank you for having us here tonight.

Now lets move into a discussion of the plans.  The building is slightly larger than 30,000 square feet. The entry to the new Wellness Center will be very accessible from either direction on campus.  C lot will lose a few parking spaces in order to accommodate the building.

There will be no labs or classrooms in this new building.  Instead there will be locker rooms, a fitness center, and a climbing wall.  Students will have to show ID to be admitted. Within the building there will also be offices for the staff, a two court gym, and a two and a half story space.  There will be a divider curtain so that students will be able to utilize both courts at the same time.  There will also be a group exercise room for instructor led fitness classes. 

The building will contain many windows facing 14th street.  We have built the gym so that later as the campus grows we can add additional activity spaces.

The upper level of the gym will have customer services desks, weight rooms, 3 distinct spaces for cardio vascular, free weights and strength areas.  They each have their own zones in the new Wellness Center.  There will be a suspended jogging track on the second level.  It is about 14 and a half laps to the mile.  If we expand the building the track can be expanded as well. The windows surrounding the building will allow those using the equipment to look out the windows as they work out. It will also help to bring in as much natural light as possible.

Obach

Will there be basketball hoops on each side of the two gyms?

Contractors

Yes, there can be.

Randhawa

Will there be glass or pipe railing surrounding the suspended track?

Contractor

Glass is expensive and hard to maintain. Generally we use metal, but I wouldn't call it pipe.

Elkin

What exactly will be happening to the parking?

Contractor

The parking will be reorganized just west of the building, we will be losing maybe ten spaces overall.

Elkin

Do you know if that is specifically for this building?

Contractors

A lot of them are specifically from Ballard.

Wiese

Keep in mind that we still have plans in mind for a parking lot west of this building.

Schwegel

What are the dimensions for the three rooms?

Contractors

Approximately 4000-5000 square feet.

Schwegel

Is that for each individual room?

Contractor

I am not sure what it is for each individual room but, I can find out.

Cailao

Can the bottom courts be transformed into a multi use room?

Contractor

Sure, you have the ability to consider it as wood, but they also make sports courts now that you could do in a space like that.

Cailao

So the walls are constructed so that they can be easily removed for expansion?

Contractor

Yes, the far wall is typical for that type of expansion.

Randhawa

How close is the building to 14th street?

Contractor

Roughly 35 feet.

Ellsworth

Is it very close to Ballard?

Contractor

It will be close but there is enough room.  There will be a lit walk way through there.

Randhawa

The entrance on the north east corner, is it north east or west facing the entrance?

Contractor

North

Short

Do you provide the weight machines?

Contractor

Yes, we provide the equipment

Short

Will there be martial arts or boxing areas?

Contractor

Typically in the free weight area there will be speed bags and kick bags. Overall there will be three times more equipment then is currently in our Wellness Center.  There will be 50-60 pieces of cardio equipment which is a significant gain.

Haken

The walkway between Ballard, will that be safe?

Contractor

It is a fairly direct path, not very long.  There are probably similar areas on campus now.  It will need to be lit but, I believe it will be safe.

Bard

How far does this bring us along in the process?

Contractor

About 1/3 through the design process, construction time for this building could be 12 months to 14 months. It will definitely be a year to 18 months maybe longer.

Wilson-Mattson

Later in years, if we want to do skywalks will that be possible?

Contractor

The building is not specifically set up for that.  We could set up a 24 hour vestibule from Kise to the residential area.  It was not on the budget and not in the plan but we have allowed for it in the future.

Points for the Good of the Order

Mihal

Lots of good ideas, congratulations to the mover, the returnee and the newbie.

Braddock

Tuesday January 31st is the state of the union watching party, which will be held in the senate office.  I would like to thank you all for the opportunity. I am looking forward to having a strong MSUSA from this campus.  I am looking forward to us really leading MSUSA.

Obach

A reminder to everyone, SABC passed as a committee something senate proposed, an attendance policy for all committees.  Committee chairs were coming to us saying that people were joining committees for resume purposes and then not attending.  We need students on these committees, if you are not there you cannot give input.  What SABC is passed an attendance policy . So if you have issues, let me know and we will find someone to take your spot and find you a new committee.

Cailao

-I believe we are pointed in the right direction in terms of solid

-goals.  Thank you everyone who signed up for DC, Lobby day, and the text book campaign. 

-Good questioning on the VP candidate and congratulations to the new senators. 

-Thank you to the Vice President committee for hard work and thank you for all candidates that ran for Vice President.  I expect to see big things.

Announcements

Brown

I nominated Mihal as student leader of the month.

Braddock

-The informal tradition of watching movies Fridays around three will not happen this week.

- March 8th there will be a reading on the library porch, history students can come in and do a reading.  If you would like to read please contact me after the meeting.

Obach

-Don't forget the OMO meeting.  We are still on time to catch the 8:30 "Goodnight and Good luck".

Elkin

There is a job fair in the cities February 24th.  It is 15 dollars for registration.

Adjournment

Braddock moves/Randhawa seconds to adjourn

Adjourn at 7:20