Student Senate
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Student Senate Minutes – March 20th, 2008
Chair Randall moves, Camargo seconds to approve the agenda
Chair Jenson moves, Chair Camargo seconds to approve the minutes
Public Hearing
Greg Wymer
I heard about the international student addressing the lack of jobs on campus. I wanted to explain – it's a valid concern as the international population increases. There are limitations, such as the ability to get a social security card for verification, which means they can't get a cell phone, a bank account, etc. Around 50% of the international students have a job on campus, and they're not allowed to get a job of campus until after 9 months of academic work. That doesn't mean they will get a permit, they must show an unforeseen problem and they can't pay for their tuition. Sodexho implemented a new system requiring a social security card to get a job, and they are dependent on the international population to fill positions. It's being addressed. It used to be $180 to get a general permit, and it's now $340 to apply; it's not guaranteed. The best option is on campus work and this isn't unlike other universities. If Student Senate can come up with a creative solution, we'll welcome that.
Haugen – The $340 fee, when they can't afford it can they get grace to get a loan?
Wymer – That is not occurring – in rare instances can they get a visa waiver request. An example is the instability in Kenya and they could request a waiver.
Haugen – How many were unable to pay?
Wymer – This just happened over a year ago. Those that arrived in the fall weren't eligible yet, and won't be until May. Those returning can pay, but it's a hardship.
Garman – Is there any support to find employment?
Wymer – We don't assign jobs, we could but some students wouldn't want what they got. Sodexho is historically a larger employer. They can get help through the job shop, and we have students consistently stopping by departments asking for jobs. We've given them advice as to how to get a job, and some offices, including the library, ask to see if we have students.
Garman – If we're looking to expand the international population, they should get support needed to maintain employment, and we can find a way to help out with support services.
Wymer – The goal is to increase the population, and in five years we would like to see 500 to 600 international students on campus.
Haugen – Are the opportunities for international students sufficient? Do you see that as a problem?
Wymer – There are X number of jobs, and it's not fair and probably not equitable. It needs to change from an immigration standpoint. The jobs that are unfilled remain that way because regulation prevents it. Some are just work study.
Ellsworth – Do you know anything about the program pairing international students with U.S. students? A buddy system?
Wymer – You mean from SWSU? It's called Interlink and is intended to incorporate the students – a bridge between them and a cross-cultural experience. I intend to implement that here, but need the staff. It's a volunteer program, and it was slow the first semester until we got the word out. With reform, the job problem can disappear. Pre-paid cell phones are an expensive option, so we would like to work with a cell phone provider.
Japan Club
We have 20 to 25 active members. We meet in CMU room 215 Thursdays at 6:00. Events we've put on include Japanese movie night, elementary school visits, and Japan Night. This semester we're doing Asian Night and a job seminar for information if people would like to work in a Japanese company. We are also participating in the celebration of nations March 28th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. There are close to 20 different cultures and is a great bridge between students. Exchange students can only stay for one year so we try to experience all we can. There is going to be a play on Study Day, called "Rashoman." It will be in both Japanese and English and will incorporate traditional dance.
Sarah Crawford – STOCAR and AISA
On March 29th we will be holding a Diversity Dance during Diversity Week. It will feature music from all over the world so that everyone can dance. April 1st will be the Diversity talent show. We'll also be participating in the Celebration of Nations promoting anti-racism. TOCAR is also looking into a diversity monument. AISA will be holding Native American week April 7th through the 10th. There will be speakers, archaeology, a kids dance/drum group, workshops. It will be a smaller version of what we usually put on in November. There are six confirmed signed up and we're hoping for 10, with some last minute applications.
Abey – The staplers have gone missing in most of the computer labs.
Norris – Do we have to enroll in the new email system?
Weber – It's supposed to be up and running after this weekend. It'll automatically switch over, no need to register.
Haugen – I've noticed more people smoking on campus every day.
Olson – There's a group that wants to start a petition for meters to end earlier, they now go until 8:00 pm.
Staves – CA addressed this issue last week, you could have passed this information onto them.
Camargo – About the receptacles, they're going to look into it but it's an issue of the budget. The problem is the little black ones that are attached.
Weiss – Can we just spray paint over the tobacco sign?
Weber – This is a recommendation that could be made to UPBC, and the deadline is Tuesday for a non-capital budget issue.
Garman – It's about awareness and getting it through peoples' heads.
Dolney – Is it on the perimeter or the campus malls?
Olson – They're there, tons of cigarette butts on the ground. Should stay there until the disregard is gone.
Haugen – People are still smoking on the mall, and not being subtle.
Staves – There are signs everywhere and have been since January 1st.
Jenson – Suzanne Williams. It's something I tried to get through to her before implemented.
Staves – Are they expanding the blue lights to the perimeter?
Weber – Yes if its proposal is given.
Wiese – It will expand as the money becomes available.
Reports
Wiese – Thanks to those who met with the presidential candidates. Strategic Grants Initiatives will be released shortly; Jean Hollaar is working on them. I would like Senate to review that list. There are 3 representatives on that committee. If you create opinions it will be different than if I gave them recommendations. Your opinion will add weight. There is $600,000 available to fund the requests, and $1.4 million requested. It's good news because there's less requests this year.
The Union/Bookstore project has begun – and will get input about that. Vice President Kirk would like to get R&R identified. There will be a form available to fill out to make a request for something to be fixed. They're looking for feedback as to what should be prioritized to fund. As for the cigarette issue, it always is when the snow melts. There will be a campus cleanup day to get rid of all the garbage. Facilities and Grounds will take care of that. As for the parking lot, petitions are a good way to raise awareness, but there is the parking committee. The process is built into the campus to change the policies. April 14th, there will be a parking hearing throughout the day to hear concerns about parking policies.
Ellsworth – When will the initiatives be released?
Wiese – Jean is working on it in several formats and will be out by early next week.
Staves – There are doors around Flora Frick and other buildings that are randomly locking people out.
Ellsworth – Is there truth to a dean getting a different position?
Treasurer Morse
I'm sorry I can't be there tonight, but due to my ride and the weather, I must leave this afternoon for the break. Thank you to those who attended the Student Senate co-sponsored event Mr. MSUM. In total we raised over $800 for Cory's hearing aid and special thanks to Jon for freaking people out and participating; we really appreciated it.
This past week I attended SABC, Exec, tabled for Senate filing, and Senator Williams and I will be contacting you this coming week about setting up a time to meet.
Vice President Zeiher
President Weber
I attended Student Tech Fee, SABC, UPBC, and SAFR to discuss the proposed MnSCU driving policy. I met with Warren, Exec, and attended the SYE formal dinner. I attended and spoke at the Randy Harms press event/presentation of the student senate motion. I attended Leg/Internal and had some interesting conversations. I was interviewed by Campus News regarding the governor's proposed cuts to MnSCU and how it would affect tuition.
Staves – Can you make the templates available in 2003 Office?
Weber – Yes, it's always messed up on the email system.
Haugen – We should individually write each one, correct?
Weber – Yes.
Secretary Randall
I did the minutes and attendance.
Campus Affairs – Chair Brungardt
I emailed Dan Kirk about the gardening and childcare issues, but I haven't heard back from him yet. I put together a grievance policy paper, and it will be up in the office before the meeting next week. I got in touch with Michael Parks about jump starting batteries, and he said that Campus Security will cover campus and the immediate streets, but no further because of liability issues since they aren't covered for off-campus.
Committee on Committees – Chair Norris
We convened throughout the week and made an appointment list for the week.
Marketing – Interim Chair Williams
Legislative and Internal Affairs – Chair Jenson
The constitution amendments and referendums have been discussed and will be brought up tonight in senate. I discussed possible April event for senate awareness. There's a recognition certificate for PEPP, and I have wrote the City Council members, and I have some opportunities for everyone for getting involved with the community.
Tuition Fees and Oversight – Chair Randall
I'm working on the 2008-2009 editions of the fees bookmarks and am hoping to have those added to the orientation packets for the coming academic year.
Diversity – Chair Abey
We met on Friday and discussed what kinds of questions to put on the ballot and about diversity week, as well as the affirmative action issue. I also attended the leg/internal meeting to discuss the affirmative action policy. I met with Michael Parks to thank him for his effort on following up the issues that we brought up. I also received from him the information that I requested. I met with Barb Seiler, the affirmative action officer, and invited her to come to one of our senate meetings to explain the affirmative action policies. She is attending an affirmative action officers meeting in St. Paul today so she said that she would attend one of our future meetings. She also said she would ask the people attending the meeting why students are not included under this action and why it's so outdated. The AA officer from MnSCU is also interested in attending one of our senate meetings to talk about the matter. Apart from that I was able to invite Japan Club, Student TOCAR and the American Indian Students Association to present tonight at public hearing.
MSUSA Campus Representative Lovcik
(No Report)
MSUSA Diversity Representative Ellsworth
I'm getting things ready to go for Diversity Week next week and am working on my report about the different campuses.
Ohren – I'm excited to see the report.
Ellsworth – I'm going to work on it over the weekend so it's done for Diversity Week. I'll present it after to Student Senate.
SPA Ohren
(No Report)
Garman – I'm excited about the presentation.
Elections – Chair Camargo
I reserved tables this morning for the elections and the locations for the ice cream. I found out there are still problems with filing. If any of you know anyone who has filed or wants to file, please have them email me as well as file. The filing date will be extended another week for those who are continuing to have trouble. There will be no advertising for this. This is just for people who have contacted me with troubles.
Thank you to those who have filed and for those that have not…please file and let me know when you have. In the next two weeks, I will be working on writing up the ballot with all of the names and pictures, as well as the amendments. For my election committee, please start thinking about advertising for the election and what we can do with the display windows. I also tabled on Tuesday. It went okay; there were a fair amount of people who were interested.
New Business
Motion – Barbeque Fun – Sponsored by MSUSA Rep Lovcik, Chair Randall
Lovcik – This is what it cost last year to get all of the supplies, and meat is expensive.
Ohren – It's in the budget.
Weber – Highway cleanup is on I-94 between 20th and 8th streets in Moorhead.
Vote – Motion – Passed Unanimously
Motion – Baking Fun – Sponsored by MSUSA Rep Lovcik, Chair Randall
Lovcik – MSUSA requested that each campus bring baked goods for a bake sale to raise money for the Penny Fellowship scholarship, so I'm going to make Special K bars, Bon Bons, etc.
Garman – Who does it benefit?
Johannessohn – It's for students who do community service work, it's chosen by a committee.
Weber – Kari Winter is part of the process.
Vote – Motion – Passed Unanimously
Motion – Resolution – Renter's Credit – Sponsored by Exec
Exec – I sent the info around, it'd be good for us to send a message as a group.
Haugen – Support it – Pawlenty takes away what little we have.
Vote – Motion – Passed Unanimously
Motion – Deans Invite – Sponsored by Exec
Zeiher – Barden pays for us and cabinet, and we want to invite the deans, so this money will give us that option.
Vote – Motion – Passed (2 Abstentions)
Motion – Constitution Amendments and Resolutions – Sponsored by Leg/Internal
Norris – The amendments were brought to our attention by the senate body and exec. We are changing Lobby Day to Rally day – this is because of the legislative cycle, and Rally Days happen every other year. The next is $200 base pay for Chairs. It stands at $100 being the minimum, and would raise it to $200. The last is to settle disputes over the senate constitution. It doesn't explicitly state a senator needs to attend, but it's implied by the points system. This would be more explicit and give less wiggle room.
Motion – Amend third referendum by substitution – Change "Unaware" to "No comment" (seconded by Senator Staves)
Ohren – People are less likely to click unaware – they'll select another rather than seem incompetent and get a more accurate response.
Norris – I'm not opposed if it's allowed.
Vote on Amendment to Motion – Passed (1 Abstention)
Garman – Wasn't there a discussion about adding a stipend?
Norris – That wasn't brought to the committee.
Randall – That was just brought up during our discussion on recruiting senators, it had nothing to do with this process.
Haugen – We shouldn't be voting on so many things at one time, all lumped together.
Norris – I told the senate before that we would be voting on all of this at the same time.
Haugen – I will not be supporting it in this format.
Norris – It's been coming up for weeks – everyone was aware it would be in a bundle.
Ohren – The first referendum should be restated and if they want to learn more about how it's being conceptualized; they should have the ability to.
Norris – It's a great idea.
SPA Ohren moves, Chair Norris seconds to caucus for 5 minutes – Approved (1 N)
Amendment to original motion to say - "All referendums include a link that would provide additional information specifically for each issue."
Ohren – Links to information and we could come up with it if needed so they can become educated.
Norris – I'm in support.
Weber – Who will be taking care of getting this information together?
Ohren – The elections committee will. It's part of the description to get everything ready for the ballot.
Vote – Amendment to Motion – Passed Unanimously
Chair Norris moves, SPA Ohren seconds to amend referendum 1 to say "Do you believe MSUM students should be required to have health insurance while attending MSUM?"
Norris – This is how it should have been written initially. It's not mandated so I chose this wording and would like to see how the student body feels on this issue.
Vote – Amendment to motion – Passed (1 N)
Ohren – The third amendment, there are discrepancies. It gives a lot of power to leg/internal and leaves it to the committee.
Weber – Someone will always have too much power. On exec, someone has to interpret. It should be done by the committee. Normal students could vote on it in this committee. Someone has to do this.
Ohren – If they reach a solution and it's not common, it should be brought back to senate. It could affect a lot of people – any action should be brought back to the body.
Olson – Not the final arbiter.
Haugen – There's always oversight, checks and balances in the system.
Norris – In the senate body you're always dealing with faction – groups, cliques, etc. There's a conflict of interest. And to respond to the previous speaker, exec would have to bring the problem to the committee.
Ohren – Says exec.
Norris – It's implied.
Weber – Senate can decide if they dislike an action taken. There are no binding decisions.
Norris – I'm not opposed to oversight, would just have to decide who and what.
Ohren – What about cabinet?
Norris – Same problem. Its how it's done. There are a lot of mechanics and why it's there to amend.
SPA Ohren moves, Proxy Johannessohn seconds to strike the third amendment.
Ohren – The word settle means action. It needs to be clarified before it's brought back before the senate body.
Johannessohn – There are too many ambiguities.
Haugen – It's not articulated and ambiguous. It needs to be clarified before it's brought back.
Norris – Caucus to amend? It's done after we get through with this.
Ohren – No, it can be changed up to 2 weeks prior to the election. All people should be included.
Weber – I'm opposed to that. The argument will keep going, and there is no one to turn to right now. It's straight forward but it would be up in the air. They know they have to attend meetings and should have been here.
Ellsworth – I agree. I've been through the process, and there are checks and balances. I had to set up that separate account for Diversity Week. People can't just do what they want.
Haugen – It should not be removed, dynamics have changed and people can't do what they want to do. It's fuzzy language.
Norris – Exec supervises all committees. I'm opposed to amending it.
Johannessohn – Can't exec refer it to the committee anyway for clarification?
Norris – Would they be able to look for a suggestion?
Weber – The president can appoint or dismiss chairs of the committees. Anyone can make a motion to remove me. It's there. This just gives a group the ability to interpret.
Senator Dolney moves, Senator Olson seconds to move to a vote – Failed
Chair Norris moves, Chair Randall seconds to call to question – Passed
Vote – Motion on Amendments / Referendums – Passed (1 Nay, 1 Abstention)
Chair Norris moves, Rep Ellsworth seconds to open COC Nominations (Passed)
Chair Norris moves, Proxy Johannessohn to close COC Nominations (Passed)
Points for the Good of the Order
Ellsworth – Abey forgot to say in his report, sign up for the carnival is in the office.
Johannessohn – Is there a special speaker?
Zeiher – No, not like last year.
Announcements
Zeiher – Candidates for the presidential search are here all through next week. Try to get students to attend.
Ellsworth – If you're going to MSUSA, we're meeting after this.
Staves – There's a big snowstorm coming, so drive safely.
Proxy Johannessohn moves, Senator Williams seconds to adjourn (Approved)