Minutes for October 20th 

Student Senate Home > Get Informed > Minutes > Oct. 20 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:

• Tami Ludden - Snarr Hall Rep.

• Nick Gaines - MSUSA At Large Director Candidate

• Temie Giwa- MSUSA At Large Director Candidate

• Brittany Fossey - MSUSA At Large Director Cand.

• Travis Maier

• Nicole Nagel - Advocate

• Les Bakke - Director of Information Technology

• Damien Scott

Proxies: 

• Travis Maier - Senator Maurina

• Nicole Nagel - Senator Maurina

• Emilie Mihal - Senator Bliss

• Damien Scott - VP Cailao

• Brittany Fossey - Chair Randhawa

Approval of the Agenda   

• Unanimous Approval

Approval of the Minutes  

• 10-6-05 minutes approved unanimously

Public Hearing

Les Bakke

• Director of Information Technology

• My job has to do with everything from cabling in tunnels/rooms to setting up software/development.

• Manage computers and computer network on campus

• do GI Bill for the University

Randhawa

• Are you responsible for locations/numbers of computer labs

Bakke

• We are responsible for making sure they work, but not deciding where they are located and how many there are.

• Check with Academic Advisory Council.  For non-technology fee funded labs the decisions are made there.  VP Midgarden is the chair of that committee.

Randhawa

• There have been complaints often about the Library computer labs.  It is hot in the rooms.  Is there any consideration about airing those out better?

Bakke

• The Library was built in 3 parts.  The walls seperating the different sections are cooled by different devices.  You should address this question to Todd Stugelmayer

Temie Giwa

• If a student has a virus on their computer, does IT help with that?

Bakke

• I would like to say yes but we don't have the staff to do that.  We can do some preliminary work.

• If you take your laptop to workers at the labs you can see if they can/will help.  Some of them will feel comfortable trying to fix that.

Holmes

• How much ability does Information Technology have to alleviate problems with the campus wireless program

Bakke

• There is a lot of technical work that goes through a company in Fargo.

Nick Gaines

• MSUSA At Large Director Candidate

• Just wanted to put a face to the name!

Temie Giwa

• MSUSA At Large Director Candidate

• Speak about Diversity-

  • I think you all care about Diversity.

  • There is a motion that will come up later and I wanted to give my opinion

  • It is very important in the long run to make this a standing committee.

Brittney Fossey

• MSUSA At Large Director Candidate

Mihal

• The Construction Management majors were told we can't complain about the construction in Hagen Hall.

• There were sparks and dust falling in the computer lab in South Hagen Hall.

Czapiewska

• A student twisted their ankle and had to pay $3 for an un-frozen ice pack at the Health Center

• The Hairdresser at Hot Heads wanted to know the cost of a monthly fee for the Wellness Center

Schwegel

• Students complaining about not having a Dairy Queen on campus, but also there are no milkshakes!

Obach

• If you feel offended by the student receiving a 'warm-pack' Student Health Advisory Committee has open seats!!

Brown

• A student asked about the lights in parking lot E.  They turn off around 7pm

Mihal

• Moorhead should have a hill.  It holds more merit than a fountain.  And we could sled down it!

Welle

• TFOC is working at putting the fountain on top of the hill!

Wilson-Mattson

• Student ID prices are going up...people have asked what we can do.

Braddock

• It is easy to get a new one from the Dragon ID office!

Maier

• I recognize that some of you  may not know me but to give you a little background, I was loosely affiliated with this organization for the three years prior to this one.  No longer a member, I decided it would be best for me to stand back and let the organization run its course.

• As you may imagine, at times, this has been difficult.  However, after countless questioning by MSUM faculty, staff, administrators and students regarding the current state of senate; and after emails and phone calls from former student senators and several former senate presidents, I've decided it's time to speak up.

• One of the flaws of student senate is the rapid turnover.  This accounts for a significant loss in organizational history and purpose.  Fortunately, Warren, as the advisor, is able to supplement this loss. Unfortunately, as a neutral advisor, he rarely, nor should he, voice an opinion but rather lays out an objective scenario.

• As a student, I am here tonight to point out a few areas of concern.

• My first concern is with the image of senate.  Historically, like it or not, senate often has an image of elitist snobs who love politics.  For two years I worked to dismantle this stereotype by recruiting senate members like Kody Eidsmoe, Joe Larson who was a football player, and even Grace Pugsley.  When students saw these regular, everyday students serving on senate, the image was partially changed.

• Now, I hear about the rights to speak or serve on senate being restricted.  I learn how myself and other former senate members were removed from the listserv when this group should be 100% transparent and we may be able to provide additional insight.  I hear about a postential senator not being appointed to senate because "they don't have enough experience" even though they served this organization for a year.  I hear about 1 person threatening to cut the Advocate's funding due to a lack of journalistic standards, it is a student organization set up to help members gather professionalism. 

• Plain and simple, it's against SOAC rules to not allow a student to proxy because of their employment affiliation.  As a student organization, senate is bound to abide by the rules set forth for all organizations.  Claiming the student will have a bias is weak, every student in this organization is affiliated with some other entity.  Would you dare not allow a student to proxy because they were employed by Bennigan's?  If President Barden chose to take a 1 credit class in Country Western Dance, he would have full rights to serve as a senator so long as his GPA was above a 2.5 and he met the other requirements of his office.

• Furthermore, to not allow a senator to serve on a committee as a general student is also discrimination by affiliation.  Although they are on senate, they are also a student.  Would you dare exclude a student from a committee becasue they were also active in BSA?  I also see an erosion of senate in the number of members involved.  ALthough it may seem practical to add new senators and liasions, countless studies show that increasing numbers in an organization such as this actually decreases productivity.  The purpose of a liaison on senate is to provide the organization with expertise and information that it would not otherwise have through its current membership. Having a senator serve as a liaison is redundant and a waste of time.  If that senator is already an expert, you don't need a liaison, simply refer questions to the senator.

• Another issue is addressing student behavior and activities in the constitution.  This is not the place.  If senate wants to pass a referendum, so be it.  If we tell students to not over consume alcohol, should we not also tell them not to use illegal drugs, misuse pharmaceuticals, engage in sex with multiple partners, drive over the speed limit or even commit suicide?  Where does it stop?  We have had students die in car accidents within the past few years, should senate also include vehicular operation warnings in the constitution?

• If you ask a person to come in and speak about a motion; as the supposed unbiased president; should you not also ask someone with the opposing viewpoint to come in also?

• All that I ask from this organization is that you look at each issue from every possible angle and don't shun those who play the devil's advocate.  You are setting this group up for a lot of bad publicity, be careful with the positions in which you have been entrusted by your fellow students and senators.  Don't get me wrong, I still have full faith in all of you, but I don't want to see you get bogged down with drama.

Reports   

Advisor Wiese

• The Sustainable Campus Initiative is a new Student Affairs committee

Justin Schwegel (Treasurer)

James Cailao (Vice President)

• Chair SOAC

• Attended SABC

• Appointed to SAFR by chair of SABC

• Public Hearing updates

  • Kristie Feist, Area Director for Housing and Residential Life will be contacting the Facilities Supervisor Jeff Goebel about the creaking elevators.  She also encourages any students with concerns regarding NGH to come to her office, located on the first floor of Nelson Hall, Mon-Fri 8-5

  • Dave Holsen will be contacting me about the overheated computer labs and the possibility of better directions posted around the campus for the location of computer labs.

  • Brittney Goodman contacted me regarding the Library Classroom 103.  Because she does not have control over that classroom, she advised me to contact Todd Stugelmeyer regarding the temperature, but advised that the noise is most likely a result of the tuckpointing/masonry project that may last another few weeks, and is therefore relatively unavoidable.  As such, I will be in contact with Todd.

  • I also contacted Beth Conners regarding Kise Ramadan Hours and am awaiting a reply

  • Marketing - Can we begin the Smoking Awareness campaign utilizing the tri-fold stands which we had made last year?

  • I contacted Dr. Streich about advertising the Academic Appeals Committee to the paralegal majors.

• Everybody treat Damien extra nice, he is a veteran senator and not just some substitute teacher.  I know that he's not me, but...you know...

Billy Holmes (President)

• Keep up the progressive work on filling out office hour sheets and sending reports to Secretary Pugsley

• Senator Peeters has resigned due to personal issues.

• Senator Chaudry has reached the attendance limit and will be brought up for removal next week.

• Office looks great; please thank Senator Elkin

• All resolutions to public hearing concerns will be noted and researched by Vice President Cailao

• Committee reports should be emailed out via the Student Senate listserv at least a day prior to our meeting

  • during meetings only report those things that require Senate action or need emphasis to stimulate outside discussion

  • This will help our meetings go a bit more quickly.

• Senate should be looking at different stances it would like to take on university and residence hall alcohol policies

  • Research current policies and consider current and potential environments

• Dr. Conteh would like two Senate members to serve on committees for the annual Student Academic Conference

• I attended the Meth Toolbox at the Dome a week ago.

  • I volunteered at the Hendrix booth and distributed information about alcohol poisoning and steps that MSUM is taking to reduce high-risk drinking

  • It was really scary to learn about the ingredients and effects of meth.

• I attended Calendar Committee which approved the 2007-2008 academic calendar to forward on to other committees for approval

• Attended UPBC on Thursday

  • Jean Hollaar is likely coming next week to give Senate some preliminary university budget numbers to allow us time to discuss and find information before Meet and Discuss which is November 10th

• The SABC has been discussing the possibility of assisting the Early Education Center through student activity money.

  • Please give suggestions on this topic to any of the committee members, most of whom are Senate members.

• Spoke at the Social Norm press conference on Monday

  • I'm very disappointed with the Forum's coverage of that event and so I will email a letter to the editor for you to view.

    • Any constructive criticism you may have please reply to my email address by Monday

• MSUSA delegates assembly is next weekend

  • Delegates are:

    • Vice President Cailao

    • Chair Obach

    • Chair Braddock

    • Senator Haken

    • Former Chair Bjornson

  • If you have any concerns that pertain to the at-large or treasurer elections or any other issues you would like brought up at MSUSA please inform them or myself, Chair Schmit, or Chair Oni about those

  • Also, four MSUM students are candidates for at most two of the at-large director seats.  They are:

    • Brittney Fossey

    • Nick Gaines

    • Emilie Mihal

    • Temi Giwa

  • Candidate information is posted in the Senate office for your review

Grace Pugsley (Secretary)

• Did the minutes from 10-6-05

• Updated the attendance and fixed all the changes to late slips.

• completed the *finalized* Senate Contact sheet for Fall 05 Semester.  If you would like a copy, please copy the sheet hanging on the back board.

• Attended SABC

• Collected money for last semesters T-shirts for retired senators!

• Made up little message slips, with labor from Senator Trenbeath

Emilie Mihal (S.P.A.M. & Election Board)

Campus Affairs (Chair Randhawa)

Attendance

• Randhawa 

• Maurina

• Lien

• Bliss

Guests

• Kemi Oni

• CD Committee

  • Flags representing countries in Student Union

  • Student Senate possibly sponsoring "flag display" with facts about the country

  • Discussed International Exchange for International students to change colleges in America

• Meeting with Todd

  • Future mothers parking spot for pregnant mothers

  • Nelson elevators - Jeff Goebel (non technical)

  • Art on Campus, Todd is all for it - Sculpture outside the Center for Arts

  • Overheated/under heated rooms, computer rooms

  • Campus maps - bought new machines for printing

  • Cleanliness on campus/littering

    • Adopt a part of campus program

  • RHA discussed Halloween - Haunted houses

  • New garbage containers on campus

Committee on Committees (Chair Obach)

Attendance:

• Obach (FCO)

• Czapiewska

• Bard (Mr. Pink)

• Braddock (Lt. Beef)

• Shauna "Soaks Up Information Like A Sponge" Haken

• The committee members met at separate times with Chair Obach to discuss matters of great importance.

Legislative & Internal Affairs (Chair Wilson-Mattson)

Attendance:

• Wilson-Mattson

• Ascheman

• Trenbeath

• Zeiher

• Elkin

• Call-In Day! - Dan, phone, table

• Worked on Candidate forum - Laura getting table

• Read over the Constitution for next week.

• Chair Obach spoke with the group about the Cultural Diversity committee

• PEPP people coming next week.

• Everyone have questions for the candidates by next week!!

Marketing (Chair Schmit)

Attendance:

• Schmit

• Chaudry - U

• Deutz

• Brown

• Marketing is working on and with Leg/Internal to advertise the candidate forum.

• Marketing is looking at using mailbox stuffers, car flyers and general 8 1/2 X 11 flyers posted around campus.

• A banner is currently hung on the top rail in the CMU

• The committee is currently looking at different ways/alternative ways to get senators involved and known on the campus and the area they represent.

• Currently the marketing committee has a table for Preview Day which carries on to tomorrow Friday Oct. 21st.

• The committee is also working on the upcoming elections with Mihal and assisting as necessary.

• Sweatshirts are still in the process and the 1st mailings have been sent off for the Student Savers Club.

• Marketing will be working on the smoking campaign.

Tuition & Fees Oversight (Chair Welle)

Attendance:

• Welle

• Ellefson

• Smolley

• Vrtis

• Hussain

• Continuing to work on Taxi Cab program and beginning stages of the budget

Cultural Diversity Sub Committee (Chair Oni)

• Report

MSUSA Campus Rep. (Schmit)

• Upcoming Call-In Day on October 27th from 10am to 4pm in the CMU

• Phone jack to be set up...still in process and a lap top is needed with wireless connection.

• Fall delegates conference coming up on October 28-30 along with the Women's Leadership Conference on October 28th and following that is the Penny Fellowship dinner.

MSUSA Cultural Diversity Rep. (Oni)

• Report

Campus Safety Committee (Chair Braddock)

• The committee has not yet met and the chair is currently collecting schedules from interested committee members.

• the committee will initially focus on the following issues:

  • Develop an opinion from the Campus Safety Committee, representative of the student body, as to the preferred location of Bluelight Phones

  • Address safety concerns Chair Braddock has observed in the proposed design of the new Dining Facility and Recreation Center

  • Campus safety education with an immediate, specific focus on alcohol awareness

Old Business:

New Business:

Open COC Nominations (Braddock/Welle)

Unanimous approval of all appointments

Global Studies

Jen Ehnquist

Student Conduct Committee

Dawn Larson

Laura Zeiher

Bookstore Committee

Shauna Haken

Close COC Nominations (Braddock/Proxy Scott)

Appointment of Tami Ludden to Snarr

• Welle/Obach - Suspend rules to question candidate

• Move to Executive session - Welle - Unanimously

• Exit Executive Session - Welle - Unanimously

• 19y/0n/2a - pass

Motion 06-25 Marketing

Whereas Marketing is in charge of advertising student senate

Whereas brochures would be an effective means of promoting and informing students,

Be it resolved $9 be allocated by student senate

Motion 06-25 passes unanimously

Motion 06-26 Exec

Whereas many students traveling in the senate van to MSUSA's Fall Delegate Assembly wish to attend the Women's Leadership Conference,

Whereas developing leadership skills among women is a great asset to our student body predominantly composed of women

Whereas it is important to educate male allies to help empower women into leadership roles

Be it resolved student senate allocate $105 ($15X7) to pay the Women's Leadership Conference fee for the following students: Amy Bjornson, Chris Braddock, Shauna Haken, Mike Obach, Brittney Fossey, Nicki Elkin, and Nick Gaines

Ascheman

• I don't feel it is right to pay for the people affiliated with Student Senate and not pay for the other students from our school who are attending this conference. 

Wiese

• I believe there are going to be about 70 students from MSUM attending the conference

• Braddock/Haken - Call the previous question - pass

Motion 06-26 fails

Motion 06-27 Marketing

Whereas Legislative and Internal Affairs is working on a candidate forum

Whereas the students need to know about the forum

Whereas a poster and mailbox stuffers would fulfill this requirement

Be it resolved student senate allocate $30 to said event

Motion 06-27 passes

Motion 06-28 Campus Affairs

Whereas Student Senate supported further planning of Hastings & Chivetta's Wellness Center project plan 12A

Whereas H&C in a further development created plan 12B

Whereas a large member of students who observed the two general floor plans were in favor of 12B

Be it resolved student senate support the design development of H&C Wellness plan 12B

• Mihal/Welle - Table indefinitely

Motion 06-28 tabled indefinitely

Motion 06-29 Marketing

Whereas Marketing is searching for various ways to promote student senate

Whereas college students look for discounts and ways to save money

Be it resolved that student senate approve and support the student savings club.

• Seeking Unanimous Approval

• Mihal/Braddock - object to unanimous approval without discussion/debate

Motion 06-29 passes unanimously

Motion 06-30 Exec

Whereas demographic statistics show the student body of MSUM becoming increasingly diverse

Whereas MSUM Student Senate represents this increasingly diverse student body

Whereas division of labor is more efficient and productive in the long-run

Whereas cultural diversity is currently addressed through a sub-committee of the Student Senate Campus Affairs Committee

Whereas the needs requiring the attention of the Student Senate Campus Affairs committee continues to grow

Whereas security and incentives within committees stimulates membership to play active roles

Whereas the Cultural Diversity Sub-committee does not have the security of appointed membership marshaled by attendance requirements nor the incentive of chair pay that benefit current MSUM Student Senate standing committees

Whereas MSUM Student Senate is an opportunity for senators to develop as leaders

Whereas understanding and facilitating diversity in our local and global communities and independent institutions is a vital part of fair, efficient, and productive human resource management and a demanded quality of strong leadership

Whereas the Minnesota State University Student Association advocates for such a standing committee to be part of each Minnesota state university student government

Whereas diversity is one of the university's focal points

Whereas the Executive members of Student Senate unanimously agreed that an amendment concerning the establishment of a diversity committee should be discussed and decided by this body

Be it resolved MSUM Student Senate's Legislative and Internal Affairs Committee, in collaboration with the MSUM Student Senate Cultural Diversity Sub-committee, plan and propose an amendment to the MSUM Student Senate constitution to this body which defines the parameters and missions of a standing Diversity Committee as well as its creation to be, if adopted, effective FY06

Also, be it further resolved that Leg/Internal propose an amendment to this body's constitution that reduces the number of students that each senator represents to increase effective student representation, as well as further the feasibility of creating a standing Diversity Committee by allowing MSUM Student Senate members to be appointed to the committee without diminishing the membership of current standing committees within MSUM Student Senate

Be it further resolved that these amendments be proposed bundled together to this body no later than November 3, 2005 to discuss their inclusion on the MSUM Student Senate Fall 2005 Election Ballot

• Fossey/Elkin - table definitely to next week

• Elkin withdraws second

Braddock

• This motion is out of order because the constitution clarifies the way to go about adding an amendment, and this is not it. 

Motion 06-30 called out of order

Points for the Good of the Order: