STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
March 21, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Stadlen 8:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken by A&E Chairman Shelton Bridges. Quorum was established with 59 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Senator Brad Bondi, Spring 1995 Outstanding Male Graduate, led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
None
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
None
Pictures were made for the Tower Yearbook prior to Public Debate.
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Angela Ulrich, Community Affairs Director for Celebration, reported on the success of Kids' Day on Sunday. She thanked Senate for the funding, and those specific senators who had personally worked to make it such a success.
Senator Asheley Galloway, Director of Campus Involvement for Celebration, announced the movie "The Client" will be shown on Friday on the North Lawn at 7:30 p.m. She had fliers available to be distributed.
Senator Rob Baker reported that the Speech and Debate Team had competed in Ithaca, New York with Molly Lovell being semi-finalist for impromptu speaking and third nationally for persuasive speaking, and Brad Braddy made the semi-finals in both informative speaking and after dinner speaking. They will move on to another national tournament next week in Wisconsin. He thanked Senate for their continual financial support.
Senator Gwendolyn Smith announced that the College of Liberal Arts and Science proudly presents Majors Expo. She then asked that long-winded speakers try to make their point clearly and then be seated. The point and effectiveness is lost by long speeches, and others might have something to say. She thanked the nice people, including Angela Izzo Peppe for teaching her how to be brave. She advised senators to never lose heart saying, "If R&A doesn't give you the position you want, try again. If R&A doesn't give you the position you want, try again--and if R&A doesn't give you the position you want, start your own Senate newspaper and smile." She added that bitterness can rob you of your prime obligation--your constituents.
Mike Cohen announced the Graduate Student Forum being held on Thursday in the Reitz Union. He also asked everyone to vote for the GSC bill tonight.
Lauren Josephs, from CARIBSA, spoke on her dismay with the situation with Sunsplash, saying that SG had put the event on hold. She felt she needed to speak up in hopes that something could be done.
Diane Banks, CARIBSA President, explained that Sunsplash had been held for the past ten years with great success among a wide variety of students. This year, however, SGP has said they cannot produce Sunsplash because of the expense of their "Black Crows" show. She said she is willing to work with SG to find a way to fund Sunsplash because she feared that if Sunsplash is canceled this year, it will continue to be canceled in the future.
Jenolee Muschotto, also speaking on Sunsplash, said the minorities on campus are very important, and that this event is very important to them.
President Mayeux left the chambers, and Pro Tempore Stadlen continued Public Debate.
Todd Vierling gave the following speech, "I speak today as the voice of the Student Body as it stands under the current Student Government administration." He said nothing else for the remainder of his time, then closed with "Thank you".
Angela Izzo Peppe welcomed Gwendolyn Smith as the newest member of the Armageddon family and the first Armageddon senator.
Senator Tom Cosenza said that the College of Engineering, with 4,215 students, has two separate and distinct class areas and should be provided voting locations in both places.
Senator Jim East said he and Nipper had been running around all day encouraging students to vote. He also encouraged any financial support for CARIBSA that be arranged.
Senator Charles Grapski said that sometimes he has to question why he comes to Senate and puts himself through the confrontations. He added that in dealing with the elections he had seen disgusting actions which had turned it into a farce. Students trying to vote have been turned away because of a shortage of ballots, and there are too few voting locations. The politics students learn on campus are the politics they will take with them as citizens. He likened the current process to an "Orwellian novel". So, why does he do this? He sees students who have no voice. He said that Sunsplash is one of the best events he has ever seen on campus, but started to come under fire last year for political reasons. Student Government has got to bring people together and teach students how to become an effective, participating citizen. He hoped that others would stand up and fight for what's right.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Student Body President Tompkins said he hopes everyone will vote, and that a ballot booth is not necessary for completing a ballot. He has requested an administrative hearing on several of the rules that have been proposed by Judicial Affairs, especially the one which would allow the Assistant Dean of Judicial Affairs to void a conduct committee decision. The hearing will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. He agrees that the Graduate Student Council should be added to the Big Eight Budget, and stated his support for Wayne Wooten for Chancellor and the FOCUS party. He said that SG is very aggressive on financial control, and probably deals with more purchases than any department on campus. Other universities with professional staff filling the position of Treasurer Siemienas have been no more successful with financial control.
President Mayeux had returned at this time.
Student Body Treasurer Siemienas said this had been a very long semester for SG Finance, but that he will continue to deal with the current problems and will be submitting a final report. He said that the recent trend to give organizations more financial control had not proven successful. He apologized to CARIBSA for the problems that have arisen with the SGP Chairman, saying he had also had problems with SGP. He stated his disapproval of organizations using SG funds for parties which had been budgeted under different event names. Hopefully, he and the new treasurer will be able to talk and prepare suggestions that may make procedures easier. He explained the problem of after-the-fact SAR submission, and referred the Black Law Society, Student Art League, Environmental Law Society, and SGP to the I&I committee for investigation as required by Student Body Statute 806.41 Senator Carroll asked that the Judiciary Committee be allowed to consider this move in their meeting on Sunday. This was deemed unnecessary, and the motion to refer these groups to I&I passed. Treasurer Siemienas explained that SG is obligated to satisfy these financial commitments.
Senate President Mayeux said he has talked with SGP about Sunsplash and will work with the Finance Committee and CARIBSA to try to arrange funding. He hopes a finance package can be made ready to present to Senate next week.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Stadlen said the committee met on Sunday and have the following recommendations: Marla Rosenblatt for Jennings; Julian Sanchez for Beaty; Mark von Oven for District A; Kristen Oakman for District B; Alicia Wood for District E; Senator Carboneau for Budget; Senator Fallon for Judiciary; and Senator Zudans for A&E. Senator Fuller said he had talked with members of the Tolbert Area Council concerning Kristen Oakman, the former Tolbert Senator, and was of the opinion she had not fulfilled requirements while in that seat. Ms. Oakman explained that all constituency requirements had been fulfilled, and the time in question was a time when the Fall Senate term was supposed to have been over. All recommendations were approved. The committee will meet on Sunday, March 26.
Open Seats: DN (1); 2,3LS (1); District B (1)
Committee Seats: I&I (2)
BUDGET:
Chairman Gordon encouraged passage of the Graduate Student Council bill being heard tonight. He said he had been unaware of the problems with Sunsplash, but that efforts would be made to help CARIBSA. The "Group of the Week" is Black Student Union for their efforts during Black History Month. The Special Events Budget hearings will begin this weekend.
FINANCE:
Vice Chairman Nickel reported that the committee met on Thursday and heard requests from the Pakistani/American Student Association, and the Society for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The Judo Club had been scheduled, but did not attend. Vice Chairman Nickel had chaired this meeting, and will be chairing the next meeting on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in room 316.
A&E:
Chairman Bridges said the only absence recommendation was for Senator Hopkins on 3/14 excused for attending a judicial hearing. The recommendation was approved.
Judiciary:
Chairman Carroll said the committee will meet on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in room 355 to hear the American History Month Resolution.
I&I:
Chairman Niederhausen reported that an updated list of completed constituency requirements has been posted in the Senate office. All constituency requirements will be due Friday, March 31 at 6:00 p.m. The committee will meet on April 4 prior to the Senate meeting.
IRO:
Chairman Wotocek asked anyone planning to order a shirt or sweatshirt to please sign the list and make payments in the Senate Office by Wednesday afternoon. Polos will be $11.80, and sweatshirts will be $13.70. Please turn in "Senator of the Month" for March nominations.
SECOND READING:
95-1025 This bill will amend SBS 821.2 to add the Graduate Student Council to the Big Eight Budget for funding effective with the 1996/97 budget. The bill passed by acclamation.
FIRST READING:
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Senator Dial said he felt some questions and statements made during the R&A recommendations tonight were insensitive, badgering, and irrelevant.
2. Senator Cosenza will become SNAC President tomorrow.
3. Boyz II Men tickets are still on sale.
4. Please turn in the order sheet for Senate shirts/sweatshirts.
5. Be at the Orange & Brew tomorrow night for election results.
6. Gator Christian Life will be participating in a prayer and praise service in Norman 137 Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Their regular service is Sunday at 11:30 in Little 101. This semester's topic is still "Wisdom".
7. Don't forget to vote!
8. Isaac Chandler will be the new president of Graduate Student Council.
9. Dance Marathon is this weekend in the Ballroom for 32 hours.
ROLL CALL: A&E Chairman Bridges called roll due to computer failure.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:29 p.m.