Student Senate Minutes



STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 28, 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 Joy Stout led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.

AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:

None

AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:

None

PUBLIC DEBATE:

Senator Chris Fuller said that IRHA has elected new officers after an eleven hour elections process.

Senator Eric Lasso announced that the FOCUS Party is accepting applicants for slating.

Senator Jim East said he had missed last week due to illness. He thanked everyone for their help and participation in DisAbility Awareness Week and the Theatre of the Deaf performance, and hoped everyone would support John Badalamenti for the District C seat.

Senator Piet Niederhausen said he had attended the meeting with Senator Kirkpatrick and Representative Casey at Lincoln Middle School. He hoped that SB 95-1023 for additional funds for the second day of elections would be heard and passed tonight. The Finance Committee was meeting during this Senate Meeting to discuss the bill in order to present it tonight.

Senator Charles Grapski had also been to Lincoln Middle School with a group from S.O.S. He said Senator Kirkpatrick had refused to discuss higher education. Senator Grapski plans to meet with President Lombardi and Provost Sorenson this week to address plans presented for the 25% funding cuts. He discussed the slating and qualifying process now being conducted, and felt that since students would be leaving during the week for Spring Break there was not adequate time available for students to qualify. He also felt that Supervisor of Elections Nanni was being negligent in not providing additional polling places for the second day of elections. He asked President Mayeux to use the balance of his time to state if he would support equal polling locations and extending the qualifying period. Senator Grapski's allotted time expired before President Mayeux could respond.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT:

Supervisor of Elections Ken Nanni stated that the Elections Commission would be meeting again, and possibly would add one additional polling location at the Southwest Recreation Center. He felt all that could be done to allow students to vote was being done. He had spoken with some college councils about holding council elections in conjunction with the general elections, and said he would be glad to speak with any council that approached him. Mr. Nanni presented Shawn Broxson for approval as Assistant Supervisor of Elections. After questions on his qualifications and prior involvement in SG, Mr. Broxson was approved.

President Mayeux said the 25% reduction plans submitted by President Lombardi and published in today's Alligator were not a serious possibility, but were a response to the members of the Senate Budget Committee to show how severe a 25% cut would be to the university. Student Government would never stand for any of these plans being implemented. Lobby Director Jay Rhoden is working on plans to address the funding situation. He will be in Tallahassee when the session begins, and anyone who would like to work with him should contact Mr. Rhoden.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

R&A:

Chairman Stadlen said the committee met on Sunday, and have the following recommendations: John Badalamenti for District C, Jeff Wilensky for District D, Senator Taylor for Budget, Senator Sherry Hall for I&I, and Senator Van Vliet for IRO. All recommendations were approved. Senator Taylor will be resigning his A&E seat for the Budget Committee. The next meeting will be on Sunday, March 12.

Open Seats: District E (1), Beaty (1), DN (1)

Committee Seats: A&E (1)

BUDGET:

Chairman Gordon said he had attended the performance by the Theatre of the Deaf. The Special Events Budget Requests are due on Friday, March 3, and Organizational Budget Requests are due on Thursday, March 16.

Student Body President Tompkins was allowed to speak at this time. He said the recycling program has been started, and there will be 40 sets of recycling bins around campus shortly. "Telegator", the phone-in registration system, went on line Friday for Law School registration and was successful. The system provides double the phone lines of other schools, allows the student to select periods, and is toll free.

FINANCE:

Chairman Delafield moved to bring Senate Bill 95-1023 from the committee. The bill would transfer $1425 from Special Requests to Elections to be used for the second day of elections. Senator Carroll said this would require suspending the rules which requires a 2/3 vote. The motion to suspend the rules and bring the bill from committee failed 31 to 34. He apologized for statements he had made at the previous meeting, and wished everyone a good Spring Break.

A&E:

Chairman Bridges said the committee met on Sunday and have the following absence recommendations: Senator Troung on 2/14 tabled, Senator Johnson one-half on 2/14 excused for illness, Senator Herzog one-half on 2/21 unexcused for exam review, Senator Gropper on 2/14 excused for illness, Senator Drapeau on 2/21 unexcused for studying and preparing a project. Senator Drapeau asked to open his absence for debate. All others were approved as a bloc. Senator Drapeau said he felt class requirements should be excused the same as a job interview had been excused. Chairman Bridges said the committee ruled that the required attendance in a class or exam could be excused. The A&E recommendation to not excuse his absence was approved with a vote of 54 to 11 with one abstention.

Judiciary:

Chairman Carroll said the committee will meet on Monday, March 13 at 9:00 p.m. in room 283.

I&I:

Chairman Niederhausen said the committee did not meet last week because the issue concerning Senator Hershenson had been resolved by his resignation. Senators Stout and Fernandez need to have their constituency requirements signed. There will be a meeting on Wednesday, March 15 with Vice Chairman Herzog conducting the meeting. The committee will be investigating actions of S.O.S., and would be a conflict of interest for Chairman Niederhausen. Senator Grapski said that Senate has no jurisdiction over S.O.S. Anyone with questions about constituency requirements should see Chairman Niederhausen.

IRO:

Chairman Wotocek said Senators Fernandez, Sherry Hall, Kilman, Dann Smith, Tarquinio, and DeAngelo all have birthdays over Spring Break. There is a social tonight at the Orange & Brew.

SECOND READING:

None

FIRST READING:

None

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. The Election Commission will be meeting on March 1.

2. The Independent Student Coalition is holding slating for Senate positions.

3. Senator Bondi has been selected as Outstanding Male Leader.

4. The Ben & Jerry speech will be on Wednesday in the O'Connell Center.

5. Congratulations to those who lasted through the eleven hour IRHA elections.

6. Thanks for all the help and participation with DisAbility Awareness Week.

7. Senator Meyer is accepting applications for his "Mirth & Happiness" Committee.

8. Gator Christian Live will be working in Homestead over Spring Break.

9. The Senate social will be at the Orange & Brew immediately following the Senate meeting.

10. HAVE A GREAT--AND SAFE--SPRING BREAK!

ROLL CALL:

MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:25 p.m.


Independent Student Coalition / isc@afn.org

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