STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
January 24, 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 63 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Senator Medford led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
Senator Carroll moved to add Senate Bill 95-1009, a line item transfer for Hispanic Student Association, to the agenda for first reading. This was approved.
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
None
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Former Senator David Heekin, Director of the Emerging Leaders Conference, thanked all who had helped make it successful. Specifically, he thanked Shelton Bridges, Corri Cuttler, James East, Linda Fallon, Brent Gordon, Kevin Mayeux, Lisa Medford, Diosa Moran, Lee Quittner, Joey Stadlen, Ryan Delafield, Lisa Herzog, and Brant Jensen.
Former Senator Brad Bondi introduced himself and said he is seeking approval for the open District D seat. He has previously served in Senate for two years, during which time he was Pro-Tempore and A&E Chair. He looks forward to getting back into Senate. He congratulated Senators Cosenza and Grapski for their efforts on their committees.
Senator Delafield announced the Afrikana History Celebration with author Ivan Van Sertima speaking tonight. He also thanked those who had helped as speakers for the Emerging Leaders Conference.
Senator Morgan said that President Lombardi is trying to bring UF forward on the Internet to equal other schools, and is looking for people to help coordinate the colleges to get their information up. He thinks this is an outstanding opportunity for Operation Outreach.
Senator Portaro had tickets available for the Miss UF Pageant which will be on February 1. Tickets are $6.50 each.
Senator Jenson also thanked those who helped in the Reitz Union and Turlington Hall for Emerging Leaders Conference.
Laura Brandt spoke on behalf of the special request for the Racquetball Club. She said they have a strong team, and a good chance at the Intercollegiate Tournament.
Andy Reiff, President of the Racquetball Club, also asked for support for the special request. He feels they will bring home a trophy, and will speak more about it during the bill presentation.
Angela Izzo-Peppe accepted a jar of pennies presented by anarchist Dave Hardy to the Armageddon Party. She again promoted the Pixie Miranda Show, and said that Public Debate should not be edited out for televising Senate. The Armageddon Party is pleased to see Brad Bondi back in Senate.
Charles Hart spoke on the lack of American pride demonstrated on campus. He feels American history should be celebrated in the same fashion as diversity celebrations. He asked that senators support America and show the respect due our nation.
Gina Rosato, from Speech and Debate, said they had held the American Forensic Association District Tournament, and had eight national qualifiers. UF coach, Kellie Roberts, was named "Coach of the Year". Anyone interested in debate is invited to a tournament at Santa Fe Community College this weekend.
Senator East congratulated David Heekin, and all the directors, on the success of the Emerging Leaders Conference. He also asked for support for the Racquetball Club special request.
Senator Grapski opened by addressing Charles Hart saying that placing a flag in the Plaza of the Americas will not solve a problem which is the result of the nation's failure to educate itself. The remainder of Senator Grapski's speech is attached.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
President Mayeux announced the resignations of Senators Vargas, Ciccone, and Quittner. There will be a line item transfer heard tonight for Hispanic Student Association.
Pro-Tempore Stadlen said he had spoken with Sharon Blansett of the Housing Office about televising Senate meetings on the Housing Channel. She had informed him that the Thursday night time period would require editing to a one hour format. However, the uncut tape of the meeting could be shown on either Friday or Saturday nights at a late time period. Senator East offered to record Channel 8 in order to verify hours of use and nonuse. At this time, the meeting is scheduled to air on Thursday nights at 8:30.
President Mayeux thanked IMAGE for its help in taping and editing the meetings for televising. He encouraged everyone to portray a positive image of the Senate. President Mayeux will be jailed for the American Cancer Society Jail and Bail program. He passed around a pledge sheet for donations. Charles Hart was asked to attend Senate next week to lead the pledge of allegiance. President Mayeux said that the current talk of privatizing the state universities was probably a "bargaining chit". As Senator Grapski had said, this will get the subject on the legislative agenda. Students should be more active in legislative policy to benefit the university.
Treasurer Siemienas presented a prepared statement (attached) concerning the rumors of misuse of Student Government funds by Evelyn Bethune, former Assistant Director of the Institute of Black Culture. Following the statement, both Treasurer Siemienas and Dean Hill fielded questions on the ramifications of the situation. Because of the ongoing investigation, neither was able to give definitive answers on specifics or predicted results. Dean Hill said an interim director will be appointed for the IBC, and a search held for a permanent replacement. The IBC will function normally. A conference planned by the Black Graduate Student Organization will continue as planned. Sidney Trantham, President of the BGSO, said the organization if cooperating fully with the administration and the Treasurer's office. He hopes some understanding can be reached as to what has transpired and how it happened. The national conference will be very positive for the university.
Chairman Grapski, of the Senate President's Committee on the Quality of Education, reported that he still needs help with the state of classrooms on campus. Senator Herzog will be conducting an analysis of the university curriculum. The committee is looking into student run evaluations of courses, departments, and teachers. The next meeting will be Thursday, February 2, at 6:00 p.m.
President Tompkins spoke on the privatization of state universities. He is drafting a letter stating the belief that privatization does not meet the demand for budget cuts. He said privatized tuition will mean raised tuition, and explained that at this time tuition is controlled by the revenue cap. He had attended the Technical Committee in Tallahassee. FSA will be meeting here on February 25 & 26 for the third time this year. This will be the final meeting before the Legislative session. Agendas will be available in his office. He hopes UF will be the first school to produce faculty evaluations. The computer lab upgrading is in process, and should be ready soon. A new recycling program is being worked on with more information on this forthcoming. If you are interested in the Plaza Task Force, or have bike rack requests, please contact him.
Chairman Cosenza, of the Senate President's Committee on Alternative Funding, said the committee will meet on Saturday at noon.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Stadlen said the committee met on Sunday and recommend Brad Bondi for District D. This was approved.
Open Seats: HHP (1); JM (1); DN (1); Hume (1); Family Housing A (1); District B (2); District D (1)
Committee Seats: Finance (1); I&I (1); IRO (1)
BUDGET:
Chairman Koukos will have a line item transfer for HSA to be heard tonight.
FINANCE:
Chairman Delafield said the committee met on Sunday. The problems with Student Council of the dis-Abled and Environmental Law have been solved, and they passed first reading. The Persian Student Association was also passed on first reading. The committee will meet Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in room 321 to hold second readings. The Racquetball Club request will be presented to Senate on first reading tonight.
A&E Chairman Bridges asked to meet with the committee at this time. His report will be heard later.
Judiciary:
Chairman Carroll apologized for not being able to meet on Sunday. The committee will meet on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in room 316. He asked for support on the bills being heard tonight.
I&I:
Chairman Niederhausen said the committee had not made quorum for their meeting. Members who were absent need to submit excuses to his mailbox. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 6:00pm. The location will be posted. He had attended the Board of Regents and FSA meetings and would be happy to answer any questions. FSA will meet here on February 25-26. He has requested executive cabinet reports, and will be reporting on those. He apologized for the error in today's Alligator ad.
IRO:
Chairman Wotocek thanked Vice Chairman Smith for the good job she had done on the Senate newsletter, and encouraged everyone to read it. Senator of the Month forms for February can be turned in to her box. Tonight's social will be at the Orange & Brew if the meeting ends by 9:30 p.m. If not, it will be at the Outback.
A&E:
Chairman Bridges said the committee met and have the following recommendations: Senator Jensen on 1/10 excused; Senator Imanuel 1/2 absence on 12/6 excused; and Senator Morgenstern 1/2 absence on 1/17 excused. Senator Fuller questioned a discrepancy in the times shown on Senator Imanuel's excuse form. Senator Grapski was opposed to excusing Senator Morgenstern because she was at a sorority function. Chairman Bridges explained that it was not a regular sorority meeting, rather, she was being installed as President. Senator McNeill moved to excuse the absence for Senator Jenson. This was approved. Senator Grapski moved to not approve the A&E recommendation on Senator Morgenstern. This failed. Senator Carroll moved to excuse Senator Imanuel's half absence. This was approved. Senator Carroll moved to excuse the half absence for Senator Morgenstern. President Mayeux allowed debate on this motion with Senators Grapski, Morgan, and Kostick speaking con and Senators Jensen, Bondi, and Delafield speaking pro. The half absence for Senator Morgenstern was then approved. Anyone concerned about absences should speak with Chairman Bridges.
Senator Marrone moved to have bills read verbally for the benefit of television viewers.
SECOND READING:
95-1000 Judicial Records Act Creating Chapter 405 - Presented by Chairman Carroll, this bill defines the duties of the Clerk of the Student Court, requiring orders, opinions, or like decisions of the Board of Masters that interpret Constitutional provisions, By-Law, or statute be submitted to the Student Body President and Treasurer, Senate President, and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. The bill passed 64/0.
95-1002 Amend SBS Chapter 306.11 - This bill would add Members of the Board of Masters and Justices of the Honor Court to the list of Student Body Officers. Chairman Carroll explained the impeachment procedure for Student Body Officers, and clarified that this bill has no direct relevance to impeachment. Senator Bondi questioned why these positions were originally omitted from the designation of Student Body Officers. Chairman Carroll stated that all federal and state judges in the state of Florida are subject to impeachment. Senator Grapski moved to refer this bill back to committee. This motion failed. At this time, President Mayeux left the meeting, and Pro Tempore Stadlen presided over the remainder of the meeting. After extensive con debate by Senators Grapski, Bondi, Cosenza, and Johnson, and pro debate by Senators Taylor, Carroll, Morgan, and Lesser, Senator Niederhausen moved to resubmit this bill to committee for further consideration. This motion passed, and the bill was sent back to committee.
FIRST READING:
95-1010 Special Request - Racquetball Club $862.50 - Presented by Chairman Delafield, this request is for entry fee and hotel accommodations for the Intercollegiate Championship in Nashville, Tennessee from March 29 - April 2. Chairman Delafield corrected the figures on the bill to read $412.50 for two rooms at $82.50 for five nights and $450.00 entry fee ten participants. This will be half funding of the expenses. Travel was removed from the request. When questioned, the representative explained that participants would provide their own transportation, and the remaining expenses would be out of pocket. Outside sponsorships were in the form of equipment. The bill passed 66/0.
95-1009 Line Item Transfer for HSA $3300.00 - Presented by Chairman Koukos, this request is to move unused funds from Hispanic Heritage Month into programming for HSA. The funds were originally budgeted for a band to be cosponsored by SGP. The arrangements could not be made at the time, and HSA would now like to provide a band for the combined Spring Gala and Valentine Dance. Chairman Koukos accepted a friendly amendment to stipulate that the funds are for this event only. The bill passed 64/2.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) Turn in the Cancer Society Jail-&-Bail pledge sheet.
2) Attend Career Expo.
3) The social will be at the Outback.
4) Miss UF tickets are available.
5) Coach Lopez will be speaking for Gator Christian Life on Sunday.
6) Chairman Niederhausen will recommend Senator Herzog for I&I vice chair.
ROLL CALL:
MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:05 p.m.