Student Senate

Minutes – February 28th, 2008 Student Senate Meeting

Agenda – Approved

Minutes – Jenson – Norris – Approved

Barden – Appreciation to your president for attempting to inform the legislature of the needs of this and other campuses with respect to capital investment in particular.   Bonding bill is moving in the senate – out of Langseth's committee.  Our projects are in there – a request for 13 million for remodeling Lommen hall, the last depression era building on campus – funds are in play for the higher education center to purchase that.  Thirdly we are in place with some funding recommended for the pre-design for upgrading the library building.  Our media centers are mostly instructional technology – so it's become a critical center for our support in terms of knowledge and materials – hope it can keep going and bring the library up to date. 

What is the possibility of increasing the daycare hours in Lommen or opening a separate daycare for night classes?

We have offered childcare opportunities in the union in the past – it was abandoned for lack of use.  When the reality was waking their kids up then taking them home after class, they preferred not to have that disruption.  Insurance is sky high because of risk management.  Parents tend to be careful of their infants, so we become a caregiver.  We have to act accordingly, and that's expensive.   One major concern is the granny dumping – leaving people behind.   The other concern is operations – not letting parents leave their children all day into the night.  Of course, the other is money and we cannot operate those kinds of facilities without at least two employees there simultaneously.  Do you have the revenue to offset the costs?  We need to continue a serious analysis of that. 

For many graduate students, the most popular choice is classes after 5:00 pm.  It's not unreal to make that extension for that slot available.  We for sure need to pencil in this area, or a subsidy has to roll in from somewhere.   It's worthwhile to grow the graduate program – and childcare is key to that strategy.  That's also a consideration.

Would it be possible to make an existing facility available for short term childcare services?

We are short on space.  I would have to find out more of the logistics behind that operation. 

Sollinger – It would be good to have a list of facilities available in the area.  It is the one place that is the authoritative source for people to get the information. 

Any policy changes once you retire?

Any policies at the MnSCU level are set by the board – the board is not going to change any policies because of my coming and going.  Institutional policies will reflect the new president, and the opinions of the stakeholders will change.  There can't be any people in this room who want the new president to do what I've been doing.  We need change.  It brings joyful anticipation into the adventure – you have strengths and weaknesses.  Let's hope there will be some new things and you will be a party to inventing it. 

Could the university develop some scholarships for the graduate students?

A student scholarship is a student scholarship, and the beneficiary is generally chosen by the donor.  We are hoping to do better in the area of graduate scholarships.  We need to address the area carefully – the MFA, students in creating writing and we know about the students who have been in there for a year or two. 

What is your position on mandatory health insurance for students?

I think it's a public good, and a public value and a personal value.  In this country if you get stuck with bills without some kind of insurance program – we know the reality.  It's the number one source of poverty for people who can work and earn a living otherwise.  It is incredibly expensive.  It's bad public policy but there it is.  Families and students need to protect themselves from that force.  Can it be done in a cost efficient way for the student?  That really needs to be tested.  We have populations that have to have insurance for records purposes.  We do require certain immunizations and my guess is I believe this will be addressed by the board of trustees at a very high level.   Ensure that your MSUSA representatives are keeping you informed.   Bad public policy is what is at work in this country that leads to more cost and medical services.   Mandating gets the pool large enough so you can drive the cost down.  Twenty years ago this would have been a cakewalk, but now you are considering main consumers of healthcare in this country.

Olson – Ideally it would be great for college students - the healthier we are it's better for us.  You can't just have a reactionary healthcare; you have to prevent stuff as well.  The smoking ban is a step in the right direction for those kinds of things.  Warren talked about us being a pilot program for a new health insurance policy; did you have any more information on that?

Barden – I don't but, we have done pilot study programs for the system before – we have a reputation of being reasonable and well-behaved on our campus.  Your real opportunity to express your opinion is through student government and this is one of the most important public policy issues in our country today – anything you can put into it will not be lost as you go onto other roles in society.

Do you know if this university will be getting any attention in the upcoming legislative bonding session?

They have not moved on the bonding bill yet and we don't know what the effect on the taxation will be in respect to bonding – we have our own guess – projects a shortfall of $1 billion.  Six months ago that was a little less than half of that.  Given the size of the state budget of Minnesota, it's not catastrophic.  What could be catastrophic is possible reaction to this news.  We all need to be alert and I'm sorry I can't even paraphrase what all the political scientists and students know here, the old English.  Your home and pocketbook are at risk. 

How does the recent resignation of Alumni director ___ affect the Wellness Center?

We're getting ready to start the search and the very end will involve the new president.  He's the chief development officer and fundraise and secretary to alumni foundation board.  Both are very demanding roles and functionally very different things, so it is a very difficult position and will be an important addition the president's leadership team.  So there has been a pause as we get things together.  Life's not perfect; we just have to work harder to get around the things we have to get around.  Some of you may not realize that development officer for an organization is a major source of employment in this country – it is a profession you can study for, there are some very good masters programs.  It is the fastest growing sector and with experience and knowledge it is a thing everybody thinks they can raise money on.  It has to be done very thoughtfully and intensely. 

What would you like to see happen in the future of the university?

We are in an area at a time when the circumstances of the university have changed considerably in the past few years.  Subsidy from the state is not as stable, and not as beneficial to the students as it used to be.  In order to control price, it is our role in the higher education system – we need to be a lot more active in building other sources of income to help students deal with the cost to them and for the facilities.  We need to get better in that area.  Second, we are in a region that has a significant downward adjustment in the number of high school graduates – it's going to level off in a year or two, but won't increase soon.  That has led to increased competition for student enrollment.  Marketing comes into play there and we do not market as truthfully as if we were a business.  Marketing is not just one person but is quite a team to be done well.  So that is an area.  These are really new expansionary efforts.  Academics are the core and takes 70 to 75% of our fund to support directly.  A whole lot of things are funded on that other 25 to 30%.  We are educators and we will stand or fail based on the attributes of our graduates and the abilities and achievements of those who have studied here.  We need to pay attention to our learning and teaching enterprise.  We have earned a very good reputation in our system – people look to us to be leaders related to academics in particular.  St. Cloud and Mankato are big places but they do not have the reputation Winona and Moorhead have for attracting serious learners. 

Norris – The issue I hear the most about from people in my college and campus in general is Dragon Core.  I like the Core and agree with its premise but am wondering if you're happy with how it's being implemented.

Barden – The availability of courses and sections at particular to keep people moving through the requirements at the speed they are – we've been trying to come up with where the difficulties lie.  We're working aggressively to get the changes in place.  From my point of view I really like the suggestion made about the general education part – still are in the process of it – may not be aware but when we started this initiative I insisted that they do it on a design and build premise.  It was a simultaneous design and build.  The usual strategy is talking and deliberating, it'd be three years in design and in the fourth year consensus and another three years in implementation and in the 8th year we would have a great program that is eight years out of date.  We have got to learn how to make good decisions made faster.  Given the rate of change in society, we will otherwise be out of date.   One of the reasons I like this process is because the old design was a cafeteria.  We don't have the money to have a format like that, and I believe that is why our cost is jacking up.  In Dragon Core, see if there are any empty seats.  It costs the same to teach an empty chair as if the seat was filled.  The other choice is have it the other way, but we can be more efficient than that.  There will be very real benefits to students and the institution if we can get this to work right.  You are going to have much richer conversations than other alumni at this time.

Sollinger – Everything that you are all learning in the Dragon Core is a complete match with what employers are expecting you to know and perform in the workplace.  Their complaints are they can't write, speak in front of teams or groups – critically think and problem solve; one of the most critical complaints is the multicultural piece.  What we are preparing you for is what the world of work is expecting of you when you start. They don't want to wait a year or 2 years, they want you to know when you show up.

Barden – Let me tell you about a couple of students.  One student is in a heavily Spanish neighborhood, and they speak mostly Spanish and she has an interpreter for parent teacher conferences.  The other student was able to switch jobs successfully.  They were very impressed with what they knew versus what other first year graduates knew – and they are going to do very well in Phoenix with their educations.  Thank you.

Recess – (approved)

6:07 – Back

Nepali Organization

I'm representing the Nepali Student Association.  We formed just 2 years ago in 2006.  Every year we organize this event in Moorhead and Fargo and in Minnesota.  It's a cultural event.  We call it Nepali Night.  There are cultural shows and dances and a silent art auction.  It's like being away from home.  The NSO gets in touch with other organizations as well and with other students and the night we are organizing on the 15th of March is going to be the 2nd and the funds that we collect it's for a non-profit organization back home.  This year it's for NUA – works with the poor communities in Nepal to build homes, get them water.  Last year it went to an organization that worked with orphans and other children in Nepal.  Enjoy the culture and the cuisine – it's for a good cause, so I recommend you come there and enjoy.

Weber – Cost?

It's $10 per person.  Entrance is free, but if you want to have the food, it's $10.  It's going to be at the CMU ballroom.  We have flyers all around campus.

Ohren – Is there anything off campus?

Not really, just off campus. 

I applied for security and they denied because I wasn't a criminal justice major, and they told me it was only for those majors.  The other concern was about employment on campus.  Jobs become much more restrictive.  Kise jobs – mostly see international students.  When you apply for a job you have to consider experience, but if you haven't worked within America, you don't have much job experience.  I don't really think that if they're working for a good employee.  I was an assistant accountant for a company back in Tanzania.  When I came here I felt sort of isolated.  There's no diversity; I was hoping you could look into this for us.

Weber – Campus Security issue – I'm going to refer this to CA for more diverse jobs on campus and outside of campus I will refer that to diversity.  If you want to work on this issue personally, you can come to our diversity meetings (Fridays at 12:30 pm) and you can work to remedy the situations.  We will take this into account and we will work on it.

Abey – Information – I have met with Michael Parks and he said they don't have that policy – maybe he doesn't know what his employees are doing.  There was a person who came to our orientation sections and he told us they were planning on hiring criminal justice majors.  We should inform Michael Parks before he comes to the meeting.

Norris – When is Michael Parks coming?

Weber – The week after spring break.

Garman – He mentioned – was he saying he sees international students in less respectable jobs on campus and white people in more respectable jobs? 

Abey – I think we all see something like that, but it's very hard for an international student to get employed.  The only way is on campus – they are looking for experience, language proficiency and the only thing they can work is Kise or maintenance.  It's not easy to resolve.

Garman – Can we do some kind of survey for some numbers?  That could give us some facts. 

Sollinger – I would strongly encourage you to invite Greg Wymer to address all questions about employment on campus and in the community as well.  There are some restrictions.  They cannot hold work study employment because that is considered financial aid.  They can work for food services because it is owned by Sodexho, a private company.  They don't have to do that because it is a private firm.  Greg could tell you.

Weber – We can have him come in again.

Abey – We had this conversation earlier and Dr. Conteh was present too.  We should look at maybe a policy that, say 20% of the staff is diverse.

Ellsperger – I'm not sure if I got what you're saying.  You were saying… if it's an organization that gets money from the government you can't have mandates or standards.  You can't say 20% have to be hired be international.  We have an affirmative action policy. 

Morse – I do understand what Chair Abey is saying – the library is always looking for work study students to work there, and if they could open their doors to other students, that would be a good idea.

Garman – Can the university hire them outside work study?

Sollinger – What he was talking about is more pertinent.  If you're a citizen, it's a different story.  If you're here on visa status then there are things you cannot apply for, it's a government policy.

Ohren – They attempt to employ the work study hours, it's for a certain number of hours – that's why there's such a heavy search for work study.

Withanachi - From my knowledge you can be employed and receive regular pay in another job.  It doesn't have to be in Sodexho.  I know a couple of students who work at the library and many other places on campus.  This even includes campus security.

Garman – Norris – Open up discussion on issue

Abey – MSUM is trying to expand the international population.  Right now you have about 300 students, and you're looking at 100 more students in the fall and another 80 in the spring, so 500 by the next year. 

Garman – Maybe we as a senate could take some kind of stand on this issue, say we advocate for fair wages and fair hiring packages for all that are involved in the university.

Norris – We need to get Greg Wyman in here before we do anything.

Ohren – From our discussions in UPBC, they're in the process of trying to recruit more international students to keep the student population stable or increase it.  I think this is definitely a real issue that needs to be addressed.

Norris – Lovcik – Close discussion (approved)

Randall – The open computer lab upstairs in the center of business is usually always busy, and the other two computer labs are used for classes most of the time.  Also, there are several computers in that lab that haven't been working for the entire academic year.  I would like to see something happen with that because it's especially a problem during the day.

Norris – Third floor of Maclean in that is relatively empty.  If anyone needs some place to work that place is usually open.

Weber – Student was interested in rooftop gardening, but there's not enough green space on campus left.  They were wondering if rooftop gardening could take place.

Sollinger – I don't know much about gardening, sorry.

Reports

Sollinger – There was an email that went out, two candidates on March 13th.  There is an open forum for each of those candidates. 

Sollinger – I told Warren about that, and the 2 names that you had and pin him down.

Garman – Know how many people put in their names for the position?  It only takes one, but we have narrowed it down to two.  If it doesn't work out we go back into the pool to find another candidate.

Treasurer Morse

I sent all the signed receipts to Sandy, so if you need to be reimbursed it should be in the mail or at the OSA office.   There is no change in the budget money.  We have $901.35 in motions and $1,121.35 in funds.   I attended Exec, SABC and we will be receiving the student organization allocations to be approved when we get back.

Vice President Zeiher

(No Report)

President Weber

I met with Warren, Exec, and attended SABC.  I sent off the tuition consultation letter.  I attended the Diversity Conference.  It was an exciting time, so if anyone would like more information about it please speak to Alex or me.  The Lobby Core trip is tomorrow, and we are leaving early.

If you hold an academic seat you need to file and please do so as soon as possible.  And please help promote filing.  I interviewed appointments so we have a couple of them coming up tonight.  There is an interview scheduled with senate for potential president candidates on April 3rd at 9:30 am so try to keep that date open.  And, Stella Situma resigned from senate as marketing chair.

Norris – What is the status of the business she was involved in?

Weber – She got the apparel prices which we'll be able to get from her.  She was looking for venues for the end of year banquet.  She did the pictures, so they should be taken care of.  Those were the big things that should be taken care of.  If anyone is interested in the position, let us know.

Secretary Randall

I did the minutes and attendance.  I also have another piece I'd like to say.  If you speak out of turn, what you say will not make it into the minutes, not to mention it makes it hard for me to keep track of who's saying what.  So please wait to be called on to either address a speaker or reply.

Campus Affairs – Chair Brungardt

I helped election chair Camargo with the display window.  I contacted Aaron Wise with Sodexho about the Kise issue.  I started working on the grievance policy, and I will be posting it in the office later.  I contacted Mike Parks about the range for jump starting a car and how we could advertise that, and also emailed him about the pay lot next to the CMU.  A student wanted to know why the lot is monitored at the times posted.   I emailed the minutes from past meetings to reporting majors who attended meetings.  I checked into the recycling for CA and emailed Chair Situma about the display window advertising.

Committee on Committees – Chair Norris

I have been conversing with various committee chairs to try and resolve ongoing communication issues.  We convened throughout the week and I made the appointment list for this week.

Marketing – Chair Situma

Ohren – To committee members of marketing…Maria can I get those pictures of the senators that you took? 

Weber – One of us will try to contact Stella to tie up loose ends.

Legislative and Internal Affairs – Chair Jenson

We had a quick meeting today, and we are in the process of planning the March Senate Awareness event.   The Students for Barack constitution is coming up in a motion for approval, and I sent thank yous to the City Council members.  Greg Lemke replied that he appreciated the opportunity. 

Tuition and Fees Oversight – Chair Randall

Not much going on this week.  After Spring break there will be a motion for approval of the SABC student organization allocations and I am working on a motion as to the graduate program tuition increase proposition. 

Diversity – Chair Abey

We convened on Friday.  We are making progress toward diversity week and the carnival.  I got in contact with the Japan Club and a voluntary group on campus to find volunteers for the carnival.  Also, I spoke with a few students about the campus security issue and I was able to find out some interesting information.

Garman – Did they give reasons why they didn't?

Abey – No.

Garman – That's not good.

MSUSA Campus Representative Lovcik

MSUSA Diversity Representative Ellsworth

(No Report)

Special Projects Assistant Ohren

I updated the website.  Everyone has a page and you should fill out bios so your page has something on it.  I contact the students who received letters from the MN House of Representatives.  I'm working on contacting student organizations for an upcoming event and I'm looking into the costs of a possible student senate newsletter.

Williams – I know Stella fill out bio forms and we should be able to get them for you.

Ohren – So check out the website and let me know if there's anything you want to see.

Garman – On the grad homepage, there's going to be a link to my email so grad students can ask me questions?  Is there any way for us to get a link on the senate website as well?

Elections – Chair Camargo

Today in the wonderful world of being an amazing elections chair, I have the link to the people who have filed and it's very low, so I will be extending the filing date till the 21st of March.  I have reserved a table in the CMU to promote the election as well.  There is a sign-up sheet so please sign up.  Also if Committee on Committees wants to advertise and MSUSA as well, that would be great.  Again, please sign up.  I will be doing some additional advertising so there is a motion coming up for money later.  Also, this week President Weber helped figure out the college seats and they have not changed so there will be no additional seats added.  On Sunday, Chair Brungardt and I put up the small display window by the CMU main office.  Please go check it out.  After spring break I will be having almost regular election committee meetings to discuss the important election that is coming up to reach out and to attract a high turnout.  New senators and old senators who are not running are encouraged to help out.  I will use bribery if need be.

Haugen – I know that she can't be here right now, but maybe you can answer this question.  Has everybody been making the effort independently to the majors in your college?

Old Business

New Business

Appointment – Off Campus – Katie Dolney

In Troy's defense, he did get me to come here.  I'm currently a co-captain for one of the cheer teams and on the Model UN.  Troy encouraged me to be here.  Student Senate was one of those things I wanted to be involved in.  Also I had heard there was a lack of representatives for the athletics, so I was thinking this would be good.

Norris – Haugen – Question the Candidate (approved)

Norris – This is a time pig…to be blunt.  I'm not trying to deter you but how does your schedule look?

I mooch off my parents, so my schedule is relatively free.  Cheer ended last week so I figured I could take on the responsibility.

Morse – Is there anything you can see that you want to be different?

As a cheerleader, more school spirit would be good being at NDSU.  Promoting athletics in general – more people to games, more respect and PR.  Other than that I just wanted to see what senate was like.

Ohren – What do you think are your assets you can bring to senate?

I'm a big organization freak.  I think I can take a little more responsibility.  I know there are a few members of the model UN and I hope I show them I'm responsible. 

Haugen – University experience, the environment we have.  What would you like to see change?

A lack of identity with the school – Concordia is high tuition.  NDSU is a big division 1 school with athletics.  I would like to see some more academic identity with MSUM – I think academics is our biggest asset.  That can draw new students and encourage new students to stay here.

Norris – What is your major?

My major is political science.  I'm an economics minor.

Haugen – What are your post graduate plans?

I'm currently pre-law but considered masters in economics as well.

Norris – Haugen – executive session (approved)

Williams – Jenson – exit executive session (approved)

Appointment – Katie Dolney – Approved

Bill – Washington D.C. Trip – Ohren, Morse

Ohren – I'm going on this trip but knowing in creating the budget, this is an anticipated expense and it's smaller because less people are going so it helps out.

Morse – This is in our budget and for year's past we have received money to go to D.C. for food.

Motion – Approved (1N – 1A)

Dolla Bills for Advertising – Elections

Haugen – Support it because this body cannot do its job without leadership.  It's a very modest sum for leadership in the university.

Amendment – strike registration and replace with "filing and elections" - Ohren and Morse

Ohren – It sounds like from the intent of the letter she wants $50, she can spend some now and the rest for elections, and we're giving her $50 to work with.

Amendment Passed

Motion (approved)

Motion – Constitutional Amendment for spring 2008 – Leg/Internal

Jenson – Brought to me by diversity rep Ellsworth.  Either it failed or didn't get enough votes, but this sounds reasonable.  $200 isn't that much and sometimes depending on the year the duties can be pretty arduous.  I think it's a fair sum of money.  Just looking for senate to think about the work we do as chairs.

Weber – This would just change the wording in our constitution to raise the minimum.  To raise the stipend it would have to be in our budget.  It wouldn't go in place next year for the budget – so next year when budget talks take place, they can look at the new minimum.  This is so they can't have it any lower than that.  We can raise it but traditionally stick with the minimum.

Motion – Passed (Ohren, Haugen, and Garman Abstain)

Students for Obama Constitution – Leg / Internal

Jenson – I didn't bring the constitution with me but it's written like any other constitution, just for students of Obama.

Norris – It has been in the senate office all week, so if they desire to have an opportunity to look at it, I can go and get it.

Ohren – Are all constitutions posted somewhere in the office.

Norris – For the most part, yes we do.  We don't advertise it like we should but yes they are.

Haugen – How many senators or chair persons in this body have looked at this constitution?

Weber – If you do believe Leg Internal is not lying to you then you can vote yes.  That's why they're here is to look at the constitutions.  If you have faith in their judgment, you don't have to vote no.

Ohren – Morse – Postpone to next meeting – Failed (7/6/3)

Haugen – Does anyone want to air their views as to why they don't want to see this passed?

Ohren – I have faith in Leg Internal committee, I feel it is important to take personal interest for the people they represent and review for the body.  If we want this to be a check and balance system then we cannot set precedence.

Haugen – We are aware of what they do, but I agree that the senate as a body, everybody has to read it, but I think there should be an accessibility for constitutions so senate is aware of organizations creating, amending or have new constitutions.

Morse – Does Leg Internal need to bring up constitutions to student senate if we aren't looking at them?

Jenson – It has to pass through senate's approval regardless.  I do bring it up usually I just forgot this time – usually they can look at it during the meeting.  I try to have it down a couple of days before the meeting, it doesn't get down till near the meeting.  I can make more of an effort to make sure they're available a few days in advance. 

Garman – I think it's our responsibility to be a check; it's our responsibility as individual senators to read and investigate to make sure everything is correct.  Everybody makes mistakes, and if we're acting as a check we should peruse the constitutions and make sure everything's okay.

Haugen – Everything should be accessible – also it should be beneficial to provide chair persons and officers how they are formed, and what they consist of.

Norris – Randall – Call