Minutes for September 8th 

Student Senate Home > Get Informed > Minutes > Sept. 8, 2005

Opening  & Reports

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

President Holmes called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. by the Senate Clock.

Roll call 

Guests:

• Emilie Mihal

• Nicole Nagel - Advocate

• Katie Flock

Proxies: 

• Nick Fredrickson - Zuzanna Czapiewska

• Erin Dodds - Mike Obach (1/2 of meeting)

• Temie Giwa - Jermain Maygo Okondo

Approval of the Agenda   

• Welle/Braddock - Unanimous Approval 

Approval of the Minutes  

• Welle Randhawa - table to next weeks meeting - pass

Public Hearing

Jake Ellefson

• The odor in the 1st floor men's bathroom is really bad of B.O.

Amy Peeters

• When I was in the 2nd floor of the library, I left my backpack at a table, and when I came back, water from a leaky ceiling had dripped into it.

Grace Pugsley (by written note)

• "A student came to me with a complaint that this student had a meeting set up with Pres. Holmes and Pres. Holmes did not show up."

• "There was talk about the board outside of the Underground saying 'Couple's night: opposite sex couples only'  (something along those lines, ask Welle)  I believe if this is true Student Senate should address this issue, maybe through Campus Affairs or Cultural Diversity or maybe have Senate or President Holmes write a letter to the Advocate about this issue."

Schwegel

• Can we deal with it during this meeting?

Welle

• It has already been taken of.  It wasn't meant in that way- last year they had many people grabbing a random person so they could get in at half price.  The director of the union is tracking down who wrote it so she can explain the problem to that employee.

Giwa

• Bees around campus are "crazy"

Ascheman

• I received a suggestion from a pregnant mother who wants a future mom's parking spot.

Peeters

• On some buildings on campus, the exit door is on the right, and sometimes the exit is locked, and sometimes the entrance is locked.

Welle

• I will direct that to Todd Stugelmaier

Cailao

• MacLean handicapped door is not working.

Nick Fredrickson

• Parking issue- I put together a plan for car pooling lot to encourage students to carpool.  This will come before Senate.  There has been a 10% increase in tickets in the beginning of this year alone for over $8,000.  I have a list of all the tickets issued this year.  Some students are carpooling, some are not.  We could refund $95 to the people that carpool.  I spent 45 minutes with Vice President Crockett and and Cindy from parking on this.  There are 2,226 parking spaces on campus.  I looked at what other schools do in Chicago, Alaska, and Florida.  I tried to figure out what would fit students and their needs. 

Peeters

• Can the entire senate be allowed to see the list of parking violations? 

Wiese

• It might compromise security to do so.

Fredrickson

• We had $70,000 in parking violations last year.  At Concordia, the have about $10,000 in tickets, although their situation is not comparable.

Mihal

• I saw a sign advertising two Greek associations that listed the letters and stated "The only Greek you need to know."  I disagree because a few minutes after that, I helped a guy who wrote a paper on a Greek tragedy and pronounced "An-ti-go-ne" as "Anti-gone"

• I have a teacher who handed out a syllabus that was only a schedule.  No policies or even contact information.  He seemed annoyed when I asked for that.  It is ironic because he is a lawyer, and I thought they wanted everything in writing.

Holmes (asking Advisor Wiese)

• Is there a syllabus standard, and where would that be?

Wiese

• There is a standard- ask VP Midgarden or Associate VP Strong.  Academic Affairs is willing to help, but must know the name of the professor so they can pass this onto the dean of the college.

Holmes

• Sylvia Mitchell approached me and said her advisor retired and there was no transition to the new advisor.  Is there a policy for that?

Wiese

• Go to VP Midgarden, I am not sure what the policy is on that.

Lien

• There should be direct deposit slips be sent out with award letters.

Holmes

• Letters are no longer sent out.

Braddock

• The form can be found online under the financial aid page under online forms.  That is where I got mine.  (This link will take you directly to the form- fill it out and turn it in to get your aid a week earlier next time -EM)

Reports

Advisor Wiese

• Future moms and others with ideas on parking should go to the parking committee.  Anyone can attend the meeting or request to speak.  The parking committee is the recommended body on campus.

• The work on the library has started.  It is "noisy, dusty, and dirty" and will take another month or more.

• The "11th street saga" (road construction) has been delayed because of rain and other things.  The contractors say they should be able to open one lane shortly.  In the MacLean/Owens/Bridges drop off area, a pipe broke and this disturbed the construction a lot.  The contractors want to use all the heavy equipment they need to before they open back up 11th street to make it easier and safer. 

• In UPBC, we found out that the FTE is down 2.3% for a few different reasons.  Last year's graduating class was 8% larger than usual.  We are also down in new freshmen by 100 students.  MSUM made a request for a 7.5% increase to the chancellors office, but they capped increases to 7%.  When we did our budget last year, we planned on a 7.5% increase in tuition, so we lost that .5%.  Students are taking fewer credit hours.  This really affects student fees.   This $300,000 to $400,000 deficit caused by lower tuition increase and students taking fewer credits will cause us to put that much less in reserve.  We had planned to put $600,000 (or 1% of the budget) into the reserve.  We will have tuition discussions sooner this year.  Another concern is that the expect cost of fuel going up.  The campus is heated by natural gas, and the gas company has indicated that there will be a $270,000 to $400,00 increase.  There is very little increase in state appropriations. 

• I will again be teaching PDPE 268 Beverage Management.  You must be 21 or older to take this class.

• The chancellor has been going through policies to make revisions.  Ones of interest to students include 3.8 Student Grievances, 3.6 Student Conduct, and 3.1 Student rights.  These were released to MSUSA leadership.  These policies are very student focused and will eventually become system policies.

Questions and Answers:

Braddock: Will the reserve take a hit?

Wiese: Not as of yet, but there will be $300-$400,000 less going into the reserve.

Fredrickson: Can we use alternate fuels or perhaps electricity to heat the campus?

Wiese: We purchase natural gas & fuel oil- the steam that results is what heats the buildings on campus.

Braddock: Will the drop off area change at all?

Wiese: The change will be minor.  Mclean will be remodeled and that will be staged there (the contractor will put there equipment, offices, and dumpsters there -EM).  Sidewalks will be better slopped, and landscaping will be minimal until after the remodel.

Holmes:  The .5% tuition increase that did not happen, will that be absorbed by the reserve?  And, can we get additional state appropriations?

Wiese: We won't be able to put the full 1% of the budget towards the reserve, which is the goal of the president. We have received all the appropriations for this year, and next year will be $48,000 more.

Holmes: Does state appropriate on our fiscal year?

Wiese: Yes, the state gives it to us year by year.

Holmes: Are policy changes mentioned before marked as edited?

Wiese: Yes.

Holmes: I would like a copy.

Braddock: How many openings are there in the Beverage Management class?

Wiese: 14 as of this morning.

Giwa: Will we get students from Hurricane Katrina?

Wiese: It is being discussed in the chancellor's office.  There are certain legal limits that state university's can't overcome.

Cailao: When is the Beverage Management class put on your bill?  And if we do get another food service provider besides Sodexho, do the current employees stay?

Wiese: After the first night of class I turn in a list of students that were there.  I think this is when you get billed for the class.  In the Request for Proposals, we require that new vendors offer employment for 90 days to current employees.

Justin Schwegel (Treasurer)

• Budget stands at $3448.11

• SABC Meeting is coming up

• I miss Grace terribly!

Questions and Answers:

Fredrickson: I put a note in the box for Rugby to find out the practice times, and I see it is still there.  When are practices?

Schwegel: Practices are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5pm.

James Cailao (Vice President)

• Will be administering ARS for those Senators who need to take it (newly appointed and newly elected)

• Will begin attending various comm. meetings

No questions were asked of VP Cailao

Billy Holmes (President)

• On this day in 1974, US President Gerald Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon of any crimes against the US.

• It's been a great week in the Senate office

  • I listened in on the most proactive Senate committees I've ever seen; keep up the great work; we have a lot to do!!!!

  • I've also seen people working hard during their office hours

    • Please make sure that you fill out an office hour slip so Secretary Pugsley can keep accurate attendance.  If you don't fill out a slip you will likely be marked absent.

  • During your office hour there is plenty to do.  I know TFOC needs some help formulating taxi date.  I believe Senator Ellefson or Chair Welle will have instructions on the front desk.

• Mihal and I attended UPBC this morning to begin work on the FY07 budget (FY07 means fiscal year budget that runs from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 -EM).  President Barden discussed some concerns with prospected declining enrollment.

  • MSUM has to kick up its marketing strategies and tap into demographics.

• I attended the Wellness Center (or what ever name it is currently going by) discussion with VP Cailao.

• I refined the appointment process and left an outline of the process in your mailboxes.  Please ask me questions about this if you have any.

• One note on mailboxes... Please remember to check your mailboxes.  I and others use those to communicate with notes or leave materials.  Please do not use them as a storage unite.  We can find a file folder or bind for you if necessary.

• Please remember to mention concerns in Public Hearing.

• Some of you many have noticed my editorial in today's Advocate.  I felt a prompt response to the situation was in the best interest of this body, the student body, and MSUSA.  If you have any questions about this letter, please ask me.

• Last week I met with Al Breuer, Paul Dustin, and Jeese Rock concerning the Sustainable Campus Committee (formerly the Green Fee Task Force) which deals with the Green fee.

  • There is some confusion in the committee.  I will chair the committee temporarily.  I'm seeking a co-advisor partnership for the committee; Someone adept at business and someone environmentally savvy. 

  • Please ask me any questions you may have about this committee.  If you would like to serve as a member, please talk to Chair Obach and apply online.

• Looking for someone interested in chairing the Marketing Committee since Chair Booth plans to resign next week. 

  • If interested, please talk to me after we adjourn.

• Keep up the great work!

Questions and Answers:

Schwegel: Can we get hard copies of the Wellness Center proposals?

Holmes: Yes

Schwegel: When has the Green Fee Committee met? 

Holmes: It hasn't met yet.

Welle: Will Burger King or Pizza Hut be altered?

(directed to Wiese): No, it will not, but Subs'n'Sweets may be.

Braddock: Are they still planning on closing 14th Street for the Wellness Center?

(directed to Wiese): That will not be allowed by the city

Peeters: Will the rest of the stay as it is?

Holmes: Yes

Mihal: What will happen to the playground?

Holmes: I am not sure

Mihal: Why do we need more facilities?  Isn't that redundant?  Do our changing demographics show that we need this?

Holmes:  That is an interesting point.  At any age, people like to be fit.

Schwegel:  Could it help stem declining enrollment?

Holmes: Could be a billboard for MSUM.  We are a suit case campus.  The city is working on a Student place that could help keep people on campus

Welle: Isn't Hendrix supposed to be temporary? Why change it now?

(directed to Wiese): Hendrix will stay where it is- it is budget driven.  What we currently have is nice- parking, location, and design is good for staff and students.  So we can put that one million towards the other fitness center.

Peeters: Is the wellness center an addition to the current fitness center?

Holmes: No, all the fitness center would be moved over to the new center.

Wiese:  We have a three year lease with an option to purchase.  We plan to have Nursing move there, as well as Speech, Language, and Hearing.  MSCTC would also use the space.

Peeters: Do we have access to the entire building right now?

(directed to Wiese): It is vacant and not up to code so not all of it can be occupied.

Peeters: So if we choose not to use it, that money would be moved where?

(directed to Wiese): Equipment was purchased as part of the plan to move it over here when we have a new fitness center.

Peeters: Do we own the equipment?

(directed to Wiese): Yes

Grace Pugsley (Secretary) (by written note)

• I am not here, you probably can figure that out on your own!

• But I am currently on my way to the Harvest Fest in Geneva, MN.

  • Wish me a safe drive!

  • I will be thinking of all of you while I'm out there listening to Wookiefoot!

• I finished the minutes from the 25th, but it just won't work for me!

  • I had many technical problems with the minutes from last weeks meeting.  Grr.

• Remember to fill out an office hour sheet EVERY WEEK!

• Send me your reports!  All chairs, Campus Rep, CD Rep, and Exec members must send me their reports!

• Thank you to SPAM, Pres. Holmes, and myself for doing reports A+ for all of us!

• Everyone else, you have been warned! I've been nice up to now.... but soon the lack of reports will begin to anger me, and mean, self absorbed Secretary Pugsley will come out! (MNStateSecretary@yahoo.com)

• Obach, although he may seem innocent, has been invading my Secretarial Territory! (putting signs on my cubby space!) I'm not sure how I feel about that! Just kidding... I love you Old Man Obach!

• I am going to begin a little recycling program in the Student Senate office... so please let me know if you would be willing to help me set that up!

• I am going to try and assemble a group of people (on my own) to go and clean up the section of Interstate that our Senate is supposed to clean!  I want to do this sometime next week!  Please help me do this!  It will give you good karma!  Le me know please by Tuesday if you can help.

• Everyone give Mihal a round of applause for filling in for me! (pause for their applause ... feel free to take a bow!)

• Quote of the week!

  • It's very hard to take yourself too seriously when you look at the world from outer space - Thomas K. Mattingly II.  Apollo 16 Astronaut

• Have a great meeting!

• Remember to miss me!

Emilie Mihal (S.P.A.M.)

• Attended Last week's Senate meeting

• Update Senator Profiles online

• Updated the University Committee Application

• If you are the first senator (or Campus Rep or CD Rep) that tells me the phrase, "Archimedes Revenge" to prove that you read the minutes, I will give you five dollars.  This offer does not apply to officers of senate, the secretary of senate, or anyone else.  This offer expires at five pm on Thursday, September 15th.

• Get your profile sheets in to me if you haven't already.

Campus Affairs (Chair Randhawa)

Attendance:

• Randhawa

• Maurina

• Lien

• Bliss

• Men's restroom in the lower level of CMU was reported as having a rank smell

• Asked about recommended Campus Affairs nominees for committees

• Spoke to CMU nightly manager about the restrooms

• Toured CMU

• Madara - Facilities and Grounds

• Kendall - Bookstore

• Justin - Student Conduct Committee

• Omar - Parking, SAFRC, SABC

• Student complaint about flower bed north of the Library (Square bench area)

• Decided Madara will talk to Todd about facilities and grounds

• Student complaint about missing "Excuse mess" signs after school started and parents were gone.

• Complaint about Hagen Hall construction

• Discussed projects "Personal pet projects"

• Madara discussed her personal project for the year.

• Other members to identify pet projects.

Questions and Answers:

Who can you talk to about the bathroom?

Randhawa: We will talk to the GMW and will try to put air fresheners in.

Committee on Committees (Chair Obach)

Attendance:

• Chair Obach

• Lieutenant  Braddock

• Sergeant Dave Bard

• Enforcer/Ambassador Zuzie Czapiewska 

• Each committee member was assigned to oversee certain campus committees.

• The initial COA will include contacting chairs for any updates and reappointing those members returning from last semester. 

• Members will begin contacting chairs ASAP, and report back next meeting. This can be completed during one’s office hour(s).

• We also completed the list for returning appointments

Questions and Answers:

Will you be bringing people up for appointment?

Yes

Legislative & Internal Affairs (Chair Wilson-Mattson)

Attendance:

• Wilson-Mattson

• Landon Ascheman

• Britta Trenbeath

(Report submitted by Ascheman)

• Call in Day is Sept. 205 about HR 609 bill in the house.  We passed around the sign up sheet, 3-4pm is still open. (Everyone needs to sign up for an hour)

• Discussed National Text book day Sept. 28th and are taking recommendations for activities.

• (W-M Report) We brainstormed ideas for "Textbook Action Day." 

• Peter will be doing training in the office after the meeting on Thursday(9-15-05)

Questions and Answers:

Fredrickson: About books- I called around and Chicago has a program where older student give their books to newer students. Maybe publishers will take notice.

Peeters: Do faculty decide what books to have?

(directed to Wiese): Academic Affairs would have that information.

Cailao: There would be a circulation problem if we continued to use the same edition of a book- the publishers don't sell them after a while, and some students choose to keep their books.

Randhawa: I can explain the book situation to anyone outside of the meeting.

Marketing (Chair Booth)

Attendance:

• Chair: None

• Peeters

• Chaudry

• Deutz

• No Report (All members Unexcused)

Tuition & Fees Oversight (Chair Welle)

Attendance:

• Adrian Welle

• Ellefson

• Smolley

• Vrtis

• No Report (All members Unexcused)

Questions and Answers:

Ellefson: If people have a problem with the taxi cab program, it is hard to provide answers or seek resolution with out contact information

Cultural Diversity Sub Committee (Chair Oni)

Attendance:

Questions and Answers:

Holmes: Please recruit diverse people for Senate

Oni: Okay

MSUSA Campus Rep. (Schmit)

• Spoke with Chair Wilson-Mattson about Legislative and Internal Affairs

• Discussed "Textbook Action Day."

• Discussed National Call in Day

• Finished MSUSA dinner, and completed conference room setups

• Continued to set up times to meet with FYE classes

MSUSA Cultural Diversity Rep. (Oni)

Taxi Cab Program (Ellefson)

Election Board (Chair Mihal)

• If you currently hold a residential seat, your term will be up at the end of this semester.  You can tell if you are residential if you are holding a dorm seat or a off campus seat.  To have your seat next semester, you must win the election.  To win elections, you must file for elections.  Filing starts in about a month and a half.  It will be announced during meetings.

Old Business:

Motion to remove from the table to approve the minutes from August 25th, 2005. (Welle/Braddock)

Discussion:

Welle: We need to approve the minutes

Braddock: Yield

Motion passes

Motion to move to approve the minutes from August 25th, 2005 unanimously. (Welle/Braddock)

Motion passes unanimously.

Motion to remove from the table to confirm the appointment of Vanessa Deutz. (Welle/Braddock)

Motion Passes

Results: 13 Y, 6 N, 1 A

with 19 votes, 13 Y are needed to confirm

Vanessa Deutz is confirmed.

New Business:

Motion to approve unanimously all COC apointments.

Appointments are as follows:

Bookstore Committee

Jolene Thorne

Kellie Meelhause

Kendall Bliss

Comstock Union Committee

Dustin Switters

April Swinson

Dave Bard

SABC

Omar Randhawa

Mike Obach

Aaron Shreve

Emilie Mihal

Grace Pugsley

SAFR

Billy Holmes

Brittany Fosse

Travis Maier

Dustin Switters

Student Tech Fee

Travis Maier

Brittany Fossey

Billy Holmes

Student Conduct Committee

Justin Lien

Kellie Meelhouse

Ian Hopkins

Sylvia Mitchell

Paul Dustin

Grace Pugsley

Chris Braddock

SOAC

Doug Mergewh (sp?)

Amy Bjornson

Larissa Sneider

Mike Obach

Kristin Jahner

Suzie Czapiewska

Justin Schwegel

Women's Center

Leigh Wilson-Mattson

Enrollment Management

Brittany Fossey

Cultural Diversity

Johere Thorne

Motion Passes

Motion 06-03 Executive (Bill)

Whereas MSUM will be hosting the upcoming MSUSA conference for the 16-18 of September and

Whereas delegates need to eat,

Be it resolved that Senate allocate $600 for purchasing food.

Discussion:

Schmit: I will try to keep it at this amount.

Motion 06-03 passes unanimously

Motion 06-04 Leg/Internal (Bill)

Whereas MSUM will be hosting a "call in" day as part of MSUSA,

Whereas students like candy

Be it resolved that Senate allocate $10 for purchaisng candy for the "call in" table

Discussion
Peeters: Can we have students be shirtless? That would still draw students yet save us money.

Ascheman: "I will participate."

Peeters I will too.

Obach: Kory got a lot of people out for little money

Motion 06-04 passes unanimously.

Points for the Good of the Order: