STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
January 10, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Senate President Kevin Mayeux at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken by A&E Chairman Shelton Bridges. Quorum was established with 66 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Senator Bridges led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
None
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
None
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Former Senator David Heekin announced the Emerging Leaders Conference to be held January 20-22. He said there is still a need for chaperones and workshop leaders.
Accent Chairman Michael Cotzen announced the George Mitchell speech which will be on January 17 in the O'Connell Center. He also announced that Marla Hanson, the former model whose career was destroyed by a knife attack, will be the keynote speaker for Rape Awareness on January 24 in the University Auditorium.
Senator Portaro said that January is Rape Awareness Month. A schedule of events for the month can be found in "College Magazine". The Miss UF Pageant will be on February 1 in the University Auditorium.
Former Senator Cornelius Ejimofor said that he will be running from the floor for the Elections Commission. He felt that his experience in previous elections qualified him for the position.
Senator Gwendolyn Smith, representing CLASSC, encouraged everyone to sign up for the new sign language class being offered.
Senator Aquino, speaking for the Student Advocacy Cabinet, said the SG Info Line is operational, and encouraged its use. She will have buttons available for advertising this service. She also encouraged housing senators to attend RA floor meetings.
Angela Izzo-Peppe promoted the Pixie Miranda Show on anarchy and culture which can be seen on Channel 8. She said that Senate meetings should be shown in their entirety.
Senator Kostick apologized to President Mayeux for remarks made in the last Senate meeting.
Senator Cosenza announced that the Women's Soccer Team had come in second place in the national competition. He said that Senate meetings could be completed in less time if everyone would stick to getting business done.
Senator Meyer said that the Women's Basketball Team took a van to LSU, and this should be remembered when discussing transportation for groups requesting funding.
Senator East thanked everyone who had signed petitions for the sign language class. He encouraged everyone to attend committee meetings so that questions could be answered before coming to the Senate floor.
Senator Grapski's speech is attached.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
President Mayeux opened the floor to suggestions for scheduling next week's meeting so that senators could attend the Accent speech. These suggestions included moving the time to earlier that evening, moving the meeting to another night, and canceling the meeting. After some discussion, it was agreed to keep the meeting at the regularly scheduled night and time because no alternative was acceptable to everyone.
Senator Grapski said that the Senate President's Committee on the Quality of Education needs everyone's input and help. Applications for the committee are available in the Senate office.
President Mayeux announced that Senator Cosenza would be chairing a committee to alleviate the stress of budgets by researching alternative funding for organizations. Please see Senator Cosenza if you are interested in participating on this committee.
President Tompkins announced the next Board of Regents and FSA meetings to be on January 20. The Student Government Inaugural Banquet will be April 11 in the Reitz Union Ballroom. He and Treasurer Siemienas are working on a program of endowment for the Reitz Union and Recreational Sports. The current Cabinet Directors will serve through the Spring semester to allow the incoming administration time to fill these positions. He said that executive officers will be attending more meetings which qualify for constituency requirements. He thanked President Mayeux and IMAGE for arranging for the taping of Senate meetings. President Tompkins has been appointed to the Technology Committee which will meet on January 23. He assured Senator East that Treasure Siemienas was working on the funding for vocal eyes.
Steve Malter, speaking on behalf of the Reitz Union Board of Managers, announced that an open-house is being planned. Tours will be available for senators because of questions that have arisen about the funding of the Union.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Stadlen said the committee had met on Monday and recommend Amy Chapman for the Finance committee. This recommendation was approved. The next meeting will be Sunday, January 15.
Open Seats: AG (1); HHP (1); EG (1); District D (1); Hume (1)
Committee Seats: I&I chair
BUDGET:
Chairman Koukos said the Special Events Budget would be coming up soon. He will be notifying groups to turn in requests so that hearings can be scheduled. This budget should be presented to Senate before Spring Break.
FINANCE:
Chairman Delafield said the committee will meet on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in room 284 to hear the Racquetball Club, Student Athletic Training Organization, and the Student Council of the dis-Abled.
A&E:
Chairman Bridges said the committee did not meet tonight, but will meet next week. The date and time will be posted in the Senate office.
Judiciary:
Chairman Carroll said the committee will meet on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in room 276 to discuss the Judicial Records Act, a Rules and Procedure change, an amendment to Chapter 306.11, and the Senate Inquiry Powers Act.
I&I:
Chairman Tarquinio introduced Chris Webster as the committee recommendation for Elections Commission. This had been tabled at the last meeting. Senator Grapski nominated Cornelius Ejimofor from the floor. Format for this election was set at one minute speeches, three questions for each, a one minute presentation from I&I, and one pro speaker for each candidate. Mr. Ejimofor said that he is a former senator, and well qualified for this position. He had volunteered in the last election to represent the independents in the vote counting process. He knows the process, and has been in several groups, serving as an officer in some.
Mr. Webster said he had worked on the Election Supervisor's staff for the Spring 94 election. His involvement had been with the technicalities of making the election run smoothly. Now he is ready to move into a more administrative area enforcing the laws of the 700 codes. He has never held an office nor run under any party name.
Question from Senator Cosenza: "What is your experience for the job?"
Answer from Mr. Ejimofor: He stated his participation in the last election, including attending commission hearings and being present for the vote counting. He knows what is involved, and has served in administrative positions.
Answer from Mr. Webster: He has worked on the Supervisor of Elections' staff.
Question from Senator Grapski: "Do you have any affiliations or political conflicts with anyone running?"
Answer from Mr. Ejimofor: He stated that he has never been affiliated with a party, and has always represented the student body at large.
Answer from Mr. Webster: He said he didn't know at this point if anyone he knows is planning to run in the elections. He is not a biased person, and if a friend runs he can remain unbiased.
Question from Senator Tarquinio: "With your roll in previous elections, how can you be impartial?"
Answer from Mr. Ejimofor: He had only represented the independents in watching the counting of the votes.
Answer from Mr. Webster: He said his integrity has never been questioned. He is a fair and unbiased person.
Chairman Tarquinio, speaking for the committee, said that Mr. Ejimofor had been interviewed in committee. When asked about his response if someone he had been affiliated with in Senate was brought before the commission, Mr. Ejimofor had said he would abstain from a vote because he could not be impartial. The committee felt the commission should not include members who had served in Student Government or lost positions in the election process.
Senator Grapski, speaking pro for Mr. Ejimofor, said that everyone who knows Mr. Ejimofor knows he is very impartial, never voted according to what anyone said, and always asked questions. These are qualities he felt are needed on the Elections Commission. He also felt the commission needs more diversity for fairness. Mr. Ejimofor's decision to abstain from a vote where partiality could be questioned was the correct decision.
Senator Carroll, speaking pro for Mr. Webster, reminded Senate of the duties of an Election Commissioner. They supervise the entire proceedings, empowered by Senate to certify the vote. They interpret law. He knows both candidates, and feels both would be impartial. He endorses the I&I committee's selection of Mr. Webster to be most able to interpret the statutes.
Senator Niederhausen stated that neither candidate had been questioned on statutes in committee.
President Mayeux explained that a secret ballot vote is not allowed by the Rules and Procedures, so an electronic vote was held.
Chris Webster was elected to the Elections Commission by a vote of 52 to 11.
Chairman Tarquinio submitted his resignation as committee chairman due to class load and time requirements of his position with Celebration.
IRO:
Chairman Wotocek announced a social at Outback at 9:00 p.m. tonight. Vice Chairman Gwendolyn Smith will be in charge of the Senate newsletter.
SECOND READING:
None
FIRST READING:
95-1004 Authorization for Recodification of Student Body Law - This bill was tabled pending committee consideration.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) GO GATORS - BEAT KENTUCKY!
2) Engineers Fair is next week.
3) Engineering Leadership Workshop will be February 19.
4) Gator Christian Life raised $600 for their trip to Homestead with Christmasgram sales.
5) Emerging Leaders Conference needs volunteers.
6) Applications are available in the Senate office for the Senate President's Committee on the Quality of Education.
ROLL CALL:
MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:44 p.m.