Minutes for Mar. 2nd

Student Senate Home > Get Informed > Minutes > Mar 2nd 2006

Opening & Reports

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

President Cailao called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. by the Senate Clock.

Roll call

Guests:

• Deb White

• Judy Strong

Name	Mtg	Com	OH	Tot
Ascheman, Landon	X	X	X	0
Bard, Dave	X	X	X	0
Bliss, Kendall	X	X	X	0
Braddock, Chris	X	X	X	0
Brown, Jessalyn	X	X	X	0
Cailao, James	X	-	X	0
Costley, Jennifer	X	-	X	0
Elkin, Nicki	X	X	U	2
Ellsworth, Alex	X	X	U	2
Haken, Shauna	X	X	X	0
Hepola, Erin	X	X	X	0
Horn, Steven	X	X	X	0
Lovcik, Mikan	X	X	U	2
Ludden, Tami	X	X	X	0
Mihal, Emilie	X	-	-	0
Morse, Stephanie	X	X	X	0
Obach, Mike	X	X	X	0
Ohren, Jennifer	X	X	X	0
Oni, Kemi	X	X	X	0
Rapp, Joseph	X	-	X	0
Schwegel, Justin	X	-	X	0
Short, Niles	X	X	U	2
Vrtis, Brian	X	X	X	0
Weber, Jered	X	X	X	0
Wiese, Warren	-	-	-	0
Wilson, Katy	-	-	-	0
Wilson-Mattson, Leigh	X	X	X	0
Young, Katie	X	U	X	2
Zeiher, Laura	X	X	X	0

Approval of the Agenda

Unanimous approval of the agenda

Approval of the Minutes

Unanimous approval of the minutes

Public Hearing

Deb White and Judy Strong speak on the University Reaccredidation process.

Ascheman

I am pleased to hear about the forums.  It is great when students are able to attain information as well as ask questions.  I also noticed focus groups mentioned.  Many professors are able to discuss these types of things but

students are rarely given the chance.

White

There will be data gathered at the forum.  We would specifically want to have some students at the forums. If you are involved in those forums then you are able to give your input.  We would also like to have students involved in the planning.  We would love to put students on these committees, doing so would give students a more active role in how these types of things are decided.

Strong

It would be nice to have two students on each committee.

White

If you have any suggestions to get students to be a major part of this please let us know.

Ascheman

What processes are you going through other senate?

White

We began last semester.  We have been talking to Becky Boyle about getting information through student forums.  We also plan to do interest surveys in several classrooms.

Cailao

I would definitely utilize student active in student organizations.  It is probably the students that are already involved that will help you the most.

                                           ***

Ohren

The CA building has no rug in there.  It is really slippery especially when you have to walk right up the stairs.

Lovcik

The Ect shop is always out of Marlboro Lights.  The girl working there confirms this.

Wilson-Mattson

A girl came up to me in a full leg cast and said she was unable to get a disabled parking pass from the parking office.  The offices complaint was that she did not have a doctors note.

Braddock

I will make it my personal vendetta to fix it.

Ascheman

If you walk by the ect shop you will see the same security guy standing there, not doing anything.

Schwegal

The ect shop is very secure.

Elkin

A concerned student relayed to me that she had almost had an accident as there were no tampon dispensers in the women's bathroom.

Morse

Some students have expressed to me that they are having trouble with one of the math professors. How do I go about addressing that?

Cailao

You would start with the chair of the department, then the Vice President, then President Bardon.  Please follow the chain of command.

Hepola

A student reported to me that meal exchange is often inconsistant.  One day you can get one thing and the next day you cannot.  Meal exchange seems to vary according to who is working at the time.

Schwegal

The 21 meal a week plan...On Saturday and Sunday Kise is only open for two meals, making it very difficult to consume 21 meals.

Reports

Advisor Wiese

No report

Justin Schwegel (Treasurer)

(No report)

No questions on the report

James Cailao (President)

Greetings Senators,

This week has been incredibly busy with Mid-Terms, and I hope you all are managing well. My report tonight is extremely brief:
1. There are several Senators up for removal tonight. In order to preserve fairness and consistency, anytime an individual accumulates 12 or more absence points, I must bring them up for removal. Please be sure that you submit your reports, attend all your committee meetings, attend your office hour, and submit your office hour slip by Friday, otherwise your points will add up quickly!
2. MSUSA Intern Joe Larson wanted me to let you all know that he is still in need of volunteers for Precinct Captains to work durig Caucus night on March 7th.
3. Please review the Housing Budget that was submitted last week. Beth Conners will be at our meeting next Thursday to answer any questions you may have.

Bard

Where do we get information on being a precinct captain?

Zeiher

Talk to me and I will set you up.

Chris Braddock (Vice President)

It's been a slow week. I've taken all my mid-terms and most of the committees I'm on have completed the bulk of their work.

I'm going to amend the departure time for DC yet again. Most of the participants either want to leave at 9am or don't really care, so we'll be leaving the union at 9am on Thursday, March 9.

Good work everyone at the retreat. I had a lot of fun, and Travis Reese will forever feel uncomfortable because of a certain comment about facial hair.

Please come to me with any problems or concerns you have. TFOC is winding down, so they don't distract me anymore.

Seriously, come talk to me. My corner is lonely sometimes.
 

Jennifer Costley (Secretary)

• Did minutes

• Did attendance

No questions on the report

Emilie Mihal (Special Projects)

No Report

Committee Reports

Committee on Committees (Chair Obach)

-I went through the spreadsheet today.  A lot of people who had volunteered for committees have been neglecting to fulfill their roles.  The spreadsheet is now much more accurate.  There is now a copy of the spreadsheet that I may show you and you may show other students who come into the office.

Bard

Can I ask about OMO?

Obach

Funny question, we got nothing.

Campus Affairs (Chair Randhawa)

Attendance:

         Randhawa

         Bard

         Ellsworth

-CA contacted Doug Hamilton, we are still working with him to find about if the apartment survey can be handed out.

-Planetstudents.com was discussed.  CA will look into it for more housing ideas.

-More maps being put on campus.

Cultural Diversity Rep. (Oni)

-We discussed the international student insurance policy.

    One of our ideas is to possibly change the insurance company to blue cross blue shield.

-We also talked about FYE diversity training.  Chair Wilson-Mattson emailed the lady in charge and she said that it is included but different professors basically do whatever they like.  So we are now coming up with topic ideas that could be presented to her.

-Also we talked about ways to educate organizations about diversity.  We are trying to figure out the organizations to invite and ways to plan this.  Again if you have any ideas please let me know.

Legislative & Internal Affairs (Chair Wilson-Mattson)

Attendance:

        Zeiher

        Ascheman

        Wilson-Mattson

        Lovcik

-Constitution

Art II  Sec I

      Add C removal and appeal of advisor

Art II Sec 4

      Add

      "Any person who qualifies as a MSUM student is eligible for election in accordance with the following conditions."

ART II Sec 3 Sub A

      Remove

      "The five geographical districts shall be elected at the end of the fall semester and the five academic division districts and the graduate representatives shall be elected at the end of the spring semester.

Marketing (Chair Brown)

No report

Braddock

How much would it cost for our plus one?

Brown

Between 9 and 13 dollars.

Schewgal

Where is the banquet at?

Brown

The Marriot.

Tuition & Fees Oversight (Chair Elkin)

No report

Obach

What day is the 3-4 meeting?

Ascheman

Wednesday.

Campus Safety Committee (Vice President Braddock)

No Report

MSUSA Campus Representative (Senator Zeiher)

No Report

Cailao

How many people are comfortable knocking on doors?

Oni

You are going around by six so many will be at dinner?

Zeiher

It would be disruptive to knock on their doors and it would not get our point across.

Ascheman

How much are you going to irritate the people by knocking on doors?

Elkin

I think our campus rep has researched this and knows what is best.

Bliss

If we are going to put them on doors why not just put them in the mail boxes.

Bard

If people have questions about what we are handing out we can answer them.

Braddock

I have never lived in dorms.  I understand Laura's point but, part of our job is to educate students on our campus.  Sometimes you have to do the dirty work, the unpleasant things.

Zeiher

I don't think this has anything to do with dirty work.  We are not not knocking on doors because we don't want to do it.  I have lived in dorms, and it is not pleasant when people come and disrupt you. 

Ellsworth

I think knocking is a bad idea.  It is pretty much these students bedrooms, it is an inconvenience.

Cailao

We are going to write this up as a motion.

Zeiher

In regards to dorm stuffers, I often find it more personal if things are placed on the doors.

Election Committee (Chair Young)

No report

Elkin

Do you have a committee put together.

Young

I have names from the last meeting.

Ascheman

When can people start applying for the positions?

Young

March 20th.

Old Business:

Braddock moves/Obach seconds to bring to the table discussion of transportation to the caucuses.

Wilson-Mattson

Bussing to Caucuses allows students an easy way to get to the caucuses.

Schwegal

The cost for two vans will be 15 dollars a day plus 48 cents per mile.

Cailao

We could have the motion read that it is not to exceed 50 dollars.

Randhawa

Last week we tabled this motion because we did not have enough information.  Did anyone make any contacts, what was the outcome?

Wilson-Mattson

I have had at least three students express interest.

Lovcik

Several professors have made it extra credit.

Elkin

If you are going to vote to table the motion than it is probably your responsibility to ask about it.  I think this a fanatic motion.

Ascheman

Make sure that the word gets out to students.  I do not know if the marketing comes out of the fifty dollars.

Obach

The reason that we tabled the motion was to see if two vans were really necessary.  We were trying to cut costs to see if there was enough personnel. We did ask for some hard numbers.  I do not think we got those, but I do not want to shoot down a good idea.

Schwegal

The best way to advertise this is to announce it in your classes.

Motion carries with two abstensions

New Business:

Motion SP06-27 (Executive)

Braddock

This is something that got born out of a meeting we had at the beginning of last semester. In October tri college put together a tri college panel Shared Value Statement.  There were three statements generated from that work, this one is that was agreed upon by everyone.  This is supposed to be ground breaking, we will be the first student group to create this type of thing.  I am told that there will be a lot of media involved with this.

Cailao

MSUM is represented by res life, greek life, athletics, peer health and Student Senate.

Ascheman

So basically the statement says that we are good people and we do good things in the most general way possible.

Braddock

The way this thing worked is students from four institutions got together and wrote down ideas.  We put these ideas on the wall, we all chose two phrases that we felt solved the issues.  The people running it took the statements that got the most votes.  A month later we all got a statement back, not written by students but made from the ideas students gave.  It is nothing we shouldn't do, but it is more led by tri college then it is independent students.

Obach

As everyone remembers this last year has not been that great for students.  If we don't pass it, it could have negative repercussions.

Elkin

I agree with both previous speakers obviously this should be passed, but I do not see massive groundbreaking media love following it.  It could be a mission statement for any campus.  I do not see it as being of much value.

Wilson-Mattson

How is this being presented?

Cailao

As a student collaboration process.

Motion Carries with several abstensions

SP06-28 (Bliss/Brown)

 Unanimous aye

Motion Carries

SP06-29 (Exec)

Braddock

If we are not going to knock on doors than I don't think we need all of us.

Schwegal moves/Bard seconds to suspend the rules.

Ascheman

Did someone get a count of the people?

Cailao

I trust everyone and I think you should too.

Motion carries with 1 abstention

Bard moves/Haken seconds to open up COC nominations.

Obach

COC has two nominations tonight.  Tracie Sand for SCC and Senator Weber for STFRC.

Unanimous approval

Bard moves/ Weber seconds to close COC nominations.

Cailao

Anytime a senator reaches 12 points they are eligible for removal.  Exec moves that Jake Ellefson be removed.

Randhawa

Do we know why he never showed up?

Elkin

Were  you able to contact him about resigning?

Braddock

We never heard back from him.

Motion carries

Cailao

Chair Randhawa is also up for removal tonight.

Randhawa

I talked to Cailao.  I haven't been filling out office hour or completing those hours.

Elkin

What is the format for this?

Cailao

We may question the candidate.

Randhawa

Last year I had difficulty getting things done.  So Billy made a deal with me, suggesting that I just do an hour a week, not necessarily in the office.  So I have been continuing with that this term.

Elkin

I find it hard that you can do your job, considering you are often late and are unable to hear what goes on in public hearing.

Randhawa

I have only been late twice now, and when I am going to be late I always talk to President Cailao first.  Also everything that comes up in public hearing is noted and I do follow up on it.

Elkin

You often leave meetings during that time.  When you do that you are unable to ask questions.

Randhawa

I have never left a meeting and gone any place.  I don't think that I should not be able to go to the bathroom on occasion.  I don't see any reason to get approval for restroom rights.

Obach

I believe this sets a bad example.  I thought you were at 12 points but 20 is ridiculous.  In addition it has come to my attention that your committee has met with out you present on occasion.

Randhawa

I was sick once and out of town once.  I was going to come back but I was unable to get home in time.  I have only missed two.

Braddock

How many points would he have if office hours were subtracted.

Cailao

8

Horn

Being a new senator.  I believe that Chairs need to be responsible.  For me seeing someone with that many points suggests that the higher up you get the less you are required to do.

Brown

I think its crap that you did not do your office hours.

Elkin

There are many senators who spend a great deal of time in the office.  Your office hours are meant to keep the office open to students as well as to do committee work.

Ohren

After you noticed how many points you were gaining did you make an effort to contact Cailao.

Randhawa

I wasn't aware of how many points I had. I missed last weeks meeting due to illness but ask that Senator Ellsworth try and find me a proxy.

Motion carries

Randhawa

I hope we can all be friends, no hard feelings please.

Cailao

Note, if you are close to absence points take care of it, that sucks.

Points for the Good of the Order

Braddock

Verbal diarrhea .  I have had a few requests for the friday senate movie.  Also many of you have half of your points.  If you are close to points please contact me.

Obach

One thing struck me.  This was the best public hearing thus far.  The debate on the motions was very good.  On another note dirty work is not always easy.  James's suck comment was right on.

Elkin

I was very impressed with how the former Chair left.  I am really proud of my TFOC members for speaking in public hearing.

Cailao

I just realized why we have and advisor.  On another note Pacey and Joey kissed. Dawson doesn't know yet, but when he does know he won't do anything about it.  Dawson's Creek 8 am in the Senate Office.

Also I hope I do not convey my own position when I bring forth these motions.  Even if a motion does pass the discussion of it is still in the minutes.

Obach

Senator Ohren now has a nick name. So start calling her "gobbles".

Announcements

Brown

That Dawson's Creek business is no joke.

Elkin

When you get to the point where the series ends let me know.  I never saw the ending.

Lovcik

Apply today for homecoming coordinator!

Adjournment

Schwegal moves/ Brown seconds to adjourn