Minutes for Mar. 9th

Student Senate Home > Get Informed > Minutes > Mar 9th 2006

Opening & Reports

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

President Cailao called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. by the Senate Clock.

Roll call

Guests:

• Beth Connor

• Judy Strong

Name	Mtg	Com	OH	Tot
Ascheman, Landon	X	X	U	2
Bard, Dave	X	X	X	0
Bliss, Kendall	X	X	X	0
Braddock, Chris	E	X	X	0
Brown, Jessalyn	X	X	X	0
Cailao, James	X	-	X	0
Costley, Jennifer	X	-	X	0
Elkin, Nicki	X	X	X	0
Ellsworth, Alex	X	X	X	0
Haken, Shauna	X	X	X	0
Hepola, Erin	X	X	X	0
Horn, Steven	X	X	X	0
Lovcik, Mikan	X	X	X	0
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	U	X	2
Rapp, Joseph	X	-	X	0
Schwegel, Justin	X	-	X	0
Short, Niles	X	U	U	4
Vrtis, Brian	X	U	X	2
Weber, Jered	X	U	X	2
Wiese, Warren	-	-	-	0
Wilson, Katy	-	-	-	0
Wilson-Mattson, Leigh	X	X	X	0
Young, Katie	X	X	U	2
Zeiher, Laura	X	X	X	0

We have quorum.

Approval of the Agenda

Bard moves, Elkin seconds to approve the agenda.

No discussion

Motion passes

Approval of the Minutes

Brown moves, Haken seconds to approve the minutes.

No discussion

Motion passes

Public Hearing

Beth Connor

There were a few changes made in the meal program.  We changed the any 90 meals to 120 meals.  That works to about one meal a day which is a better break to the student.  One meal a day is a welcome option- flexible, but not wasteful.  The dragon dollars is going from $150 to $300.  Freshmen have to buy a meal plan.  This is because when we are billed for meal plans, we have a sliding scale for the number of contracts for the next week.  For every change of ten students means a 4 to 6 cent each meal increases.  When we have 1400 contracts, that can add up to a lot of money.  Dragon plans changes the buy in because dragon plans don't count towards the sliding scale.  So the dragon plan then subsided by others.  Sodexho needs $460 to break even on the dragon plan, but we thought that would be too much, so we went to $300 for the dragon plan.  Room rates are only increasing for inflation.

We plan to break ground this May or fall on Kise.  It will take up to four months to do.  We will have five different restaurants with a few redundancies- the menu and food options will be a bit different.  This will let us have different sections open different hours.  "Meal plans will change as a result of that."  Once the new facility is in, everything changes.  Students will be able to redeem dragon dollars everywhere.  This will give many options for students.  This has been planned for the last four and a half years. 

Morse

What about freshman off campus?  Can they buy just a dragon dollar plan?

Connor

I am not sure.

Mihal

Do students find Go Moorhead wireless service a value?

Connor

There are 15 or 20 rooms in Snarr that don't get service because of the layout of rooms.  Go Moorhead has been very responsive to trying to solve the problem.

Hepola
I don't have service in my room (in Snarr).  I see the stations being moved around.  Perhaps they could be secured?

Connor

Perhaps.

Bliss

Students who have the 21 meal plan can't get 21 meals.

Connor

I know; that was brought up in the meeting (TFOC) yesterday.  I wrote that myself, and I just didn't think about it.  It is only every other week that a student can get 20 meals.  Every other Sunday there is brunch, yet two meal options are still offered. 

Ascheman

Go Moorhead is bad in the dorms, and good on campus, while the on-campus wireless is good in dorms but bad on campus.  I thought I'd put that out there.

Connor

I am a bad technician.  It may have to do with bandwidth and other things that affect speed.  I will try to learn to understand to explain it to you.

Weber

It has been reported to me that there has been some racial discrimination in some jobs on campus.  I was told that some offices on campus do not hire students with heavy accents.  Also it seems that the middle eastern students work the bulk of the graveyard shifts.

Wiese

There was an on campus policy last year in which a director was named to coordinate that document.  There are efforts being made by the admissions office in order to get students of color in there.  I just caution that before claims of racism are made that someone talk with the director.  An effort is being made to increase the job availability.

Haken

Something needs to be done about the puddles of water that continue to collect on campus.  There are some between Holmquist and Dahl.  There is also a large inconvenient puddle in front of the library.

Elkin

I suggest little bridges.

Bard

I believe that the ROC rents canoes, so we could look into that...

Hepola

I have a friend on crutches.  This problem has been a big issue for her.

Young

It is because we don't have a hill.

Reports

Advisor Wiese

-President Bardon has accepted the meet and discuss change of date.

-Also various projects have created parking issues especially around Ballard.

-I attended the conference on under represented students.  One thing discussed was the chancellors plan fee for changes in diversity.  They have drafted a new definition that is more inclusive beyond just ethnicity.

-I am appreciative of any feedback you might have.

Justin Schwegel (Treasurer)

(No report)

No questions on the report

James Cailao (President)

Ascheman

What is the deal with the alcohol task force trophy's?

Cailao

Concordia has an alcohol Olympics in which trophy's are made out of alcohol containers.

Ascheman

If someone is 21, and exceptionally cool and still lives in the dorms, are they in violation of the rules if they have one of these trophy's?

Wiese

This is something that you may consider asking at the meet and greet.

Elkin

When is the TOCAR training?

Cailao

Senate as a whole can go to a training session from 6-11 pm.  Dinner will be provided at this session.

Chris Braddock (Vice President)

-This week I attended SABC.  I would have attended UPBC but I had to drive to St. Paul to catch a bus to Washington DC with a few other senators (we're probably in Wisconsin right now).

-I contacted Mark Strand, chair of the Mass Comm department, to ask him to speak with an adjunct professor who scheduled a class for the night of Precinct Caucuses.  He was very gracious in agreeing to deal with that situation.

-I went on a telephone procurement excursion with Mihal wherein we spoke with three different departments to obtain more old school bell ringer phones for the office.  There will now be phones located on S.P.A. Mihal's desk, the President's desk, the Vice-President's desk, and the front desk, in addition to existing locations.  We're going to turn on only one phone's ringer so when someone calls nobody wets their pants.  Beyond the details I've just given, I've put Mihal in charge of making it all happen, so talk to her if you want something done differently.

-I had a discussion with Al Breuer about the Sustainable Campus Committee.  Mr. Breuer voiced some concerns to me about the structure and operation of the committee.  I discussed those details with President Cailao, Chair Obach and Advisor Wiese and I'll be passing on the information I've obtained.

-This summer I will be participating in the first MSUM Student Success Summer Institute with President Cailao.  There have been three teleconferences scheduled for this semester, and I can't attend any of them.  One of them was today, which I couldn't attend because I'm on my way to the East Siiiiiide.

-I entered the Senate office Monday morning and was greeted by a smell I can only liken to that of a festering corpse.  I'm not blaming anyone, but I think on Fridays we should all make an effort to dispose of our uneaten food in Union City so it doesn't wait in the Senate office all weekend for the GMWs to throw it out Monday morning.  It was not a pleasant experience, and I want to spare all of us that horror in the future.

-I realize it may be somewhat disingenuous to say this in a report that someone else is reading, but I want to remind all of you that you can come to me with any problems you may have.  This last week I've asked several people to give me a quick critique of my performance thus far as vice-president, and I'm afraid some individuals misunderstand my role.  The president/vice-president dynamic James and I have worked out is that I am responsible for personnel issues.  Apparently some have seen my efforts so far as an attempt to "take over", and I assure you that is not what I'm trying to do.  I have a boss, and much of what I do is a result of directives from him.  That being said, I do not want to micro-manage anything or anybody.  However, if jobs aren't getting done, it is my responsibility to step in and make sure they get done.  I will do that as diplomatically as possible, but please understand that time doesn't always allow for me to be the big sweet cuddly teddy bear you've all come to know and love.  Therefore, if anyone has any concerns about how I do my job, please tell me.  If nobody tells me they have a problem with what I'm doing, I'll probably never know they don't like it.  I try to be very approachable.  Perhaps a candy dish on my desk would help.  I don't know.  Like a shepherd to his flock, I am committed to protecting all of you and making this job fun at the same time.  I will also do my best to incorporate the criticisms I've already received and will surely receive in the future.

-I would like to see the Friday Senate movie continue, but attendance has been low.  If the time doesn't work for some people, please let me know.  If you don't like the kinds of movies we watch, please let me know.  We don't have to choose exclusively from my library.  I say all this to segue into the idea that we as Senate need to socialize a little more.  An after Senate meeting fun event is something everyone talks about and wants to see happen, but nobody steps up and does anything about it.  I believe if ideas or direction came from Exec or chairs, it would seem like we were ordering you to have a good time.  I don't think a Committee for the Forced Recreation and Enjoyment of Senate's Exclusive Company (actual title I would pick) would help either, so I would like to see a few vanilla senators take the initiative to plan some fun for us.  I wanna hang out with you guys, because you're pretty cool, no matter what those darn KMSC kids say.

-A big thank you to Kendall and Mihal for helping clean the office on Monday.  I hope everyone (myself included) helps keep the joint a little cleaner.

-Schwegel took me to Ice Cream + for cheap hot dogs.  He wasn't kidding, that place is a monster bargain.  They have a pretty decent ice cream selection too.  I recommend a Senate outing.

-I will now end this Billy Holmes-esque epic length VP report.  Enjoy your Spring Break.  I hope you all come back refreshed and ready to legislate like champions.

Word to your moms,

 

Jennifer Costley (Secretary)

• Did minutes

• Did attendance

No questions on the report

Emilie Mihal (Special Projects)

I have been going around to each campus.  I have been to four and I need to hit two more.  I will not be at the next meeting.  Also I suggest that you all come to the dinner after the meeting.  It is difficult to get to know people without attending the dinners.  Also I caution you from voting yes on the Together MN motion.

Committee Reports

Committee on Committees (Chair Obach)

No Report

Campus Affairs

Attendance

      Bard

      Ellsworth

-Rental housing task force being put together.

-Hamilton says ok.

-CA still needs to contact CA about floor mat.

Cailao

We are still looking for a Campus Affairs chair.

Ascheman

While in St Cloud I wandered into internal affairs and heard of a needle disposal for diabetics.  That might be something for Campus Affairs to look at.

Lovcik

I have worked on that before and it is in the works. Al bruer has been trained to take care of the needle disposal.

Cultural Diversity Rep. (Oni)

No Report

Ascheman

What are your opinions on the new terminology?

Oni

Change to Diversity instead of Cultural Diversity.  I think the survey really backed that up.

Elkin

Together MN is probably not an issue for senate himself however maybe CD could talk with them.

Legislative & Internal Affairs (Chair Wilson-Mattson)

Attendance:

      Wilson-Mattson

      Zeiher

      Ascheman

      Lovcik

Guests:

      Braddock

      Obach

-Braddock proposed Standing Diversity Committee Amendment.

The Diversity Committee shall be responsible for promoting all aspects of student diversity on campus.  Neither the chair, the committee, nor the Student Senate may exclude a group from representation by the Diversity Committee.  Diversity on our campus enhances a student's experience and helps strengthen our community.  The Diversity Committee will be actively involved with all diverse activities that take place on campus, providing the same level of Student Senate support available to any student on campus.  Members of the Diversity Committee will attend meetings of diverse student organizations at least once per month.  The chair of the Diversity Committee will also sit on the University Diversity/Affirmative Action/  The president of Student Senate will oversee this committee.

-This issue has been brought up Fall of 05 and Spring of 05

-There is currently one member of the UCD/AA

-Require chair, member or only strongly suggest for attendance to UCD/AA

Modified to member of CD to attend UCD/AA

Will ask Oni to attend to the next meeting to discuss the resolution

Zeiher

When will the meeting be?

Mattson

Wednesday at 8:30 pm

Marketing (Chair Brown)

Attendance:

      Horn

      Brown

-Things are on a roll.  Name tags are being looked into as well as comment boxes or some sort of box.

-The banquet is on a roll as well.  At the next meeting there will be a vote on food.  The choices are, Little Italy, BBQ, High Roller or we can make our own buffet.

Cailao

Have you found a photographer?

Brown

Jay is busy so I am still working on that.

Tuition & Fees Oversight (Chair Elkin)

Attendance:

      Elkin

      Morse

      Hepola

      Ohren

Guests:

      Beth Connor

Housing

      Brunch on Sunday's

      -21 meal plan really 19/20

      Dragon Dollars

      Meal exchange vs declining balance

      Kise renovation will be surveying students.

Possible Changes:

      Increasing block plans

      Open 24 hours

      Flexibility in options/Variety.

Campus Safety Committee (Vice President Braddock)

No Report

MSUSA Campus Representative (Senator Zeiher)

No Report

Elkin

Hopefully there will be new students attending this time.  It may be beneficial to have some sort of info packet.

Zeiher

Lobby day or the delegates assembly?

Mihal

Can you go to one or the other or both?

Cailao

Transportation to both would be costly...Costley.

Bard

Would there be separate transportation to both?

Zeiher

This year we are just meeting with Legislature. It will be smaller than in the past.  We will meet with the delegates from our area however, if you are from another area such as Bemidje and would like to meet with your representative you may.

Election Committee (Chair Young)

No Report

Mihal

What positions are up for re-election?

Young

Academic and Executive.

Cailao

That was an excellent poster.

Old Business:

New Business:

Motion SP06-30 (Executive)

Lovcik

Good marketing tool, people can see that we are fun.

Elkin

We need something people will want to come and talk about.  It could be organized into different issues.

Young

Have you considered doing it online?

Ascheman

Can we get Beef's Madonna hot tub picture in there.

Elkin

Perhaps an optional back photo page for those with a particular interest in that sort of thing.

Mihal

I took pictures of us talking about this motion for the scrapbook.

Motion Carries with 1 abstention.

SP06-31 (TFOC)

Elkin

We tried to air some concerns regarding the 21 meal plan. Overall she has done what she cane and was very open to suggestions.

Mihal

Do you feel that they have taken students needs into attention?

Elkin

Yes.

Mihal

I meant residents needs.  I am interested to hear what Erin thinks of this.

Oni

I don't think they do.

Elkin

If there are specific concerns I am more than happy to pass on this however, the budget is good.

Mattson

Did she act on the things you asked her about?

Hepola

She has already looked into 21 meal plan.

Motion Carries with 1 abstention

Points for the Good of the Order

Ascheman

I feel a need to apologize to Senate regarding a motion we passed a few weeks ago.  I did not have a chance to full research the motion and as a result of that motion an at large member left office.  Apparently there was some miscommunication.  MSUSA did not have the same story as we heard.  There may or may not have been previous incidents with this person and so I wanted to make my apology known.

Mihal

This is my Survey of Engagement.  I have made a secret box for your filled out surveys to be placed in.

Young

Please don't send me vote for me facebook groups.  I am not allowed to join them.

Elkin

There was a motion missing tonight but it will be back after the break.

Weber

Be prepared, its a good one.

Announcements

Brown

I hope everyone has a good break.

Bard

I am coordinating history day March 20th and need some volunteers.  It will be like a science fair with free T-shirts and food.

Rapp

April  19th-22nd I will be in an on campus stage show.  If you are a good student and a good dragon you will be there..

Mihal

There will be dinner directly after the meeting.

Rapp

I was appointed to campus affairs so please talk to me directly after the meeting.

CA

Will have a brief meeting after the meeting.

Adjournment

Brown moves/Weber seconds to adjourn the meeting.