STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
March 28, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Senate President Kevin Mayeux at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken by A&E Chairman Shelton Bridges. Quorum was established with 68 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Treasurer-Elect Paul Koukos led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
Senator Carroll moved to add 95-1032, Line Item Transfer to SGP, and 95-1033, Line Item Transfer to ACCENT. This was approved, and the agenda was approved as amended.
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
None
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Senator Hunter Carroll announced that Dan Fridman had been selected as the Florida Representative of the Truman Scholar.
Senator Daniela Portaro read Psalm 101, a pledge of integrity and justice.
Former Senate President Graham Glover said that during his three years in Student Government, as well as his time as an observer, he had never been happier, nor more excited about the officers and party elected to take over Student Government next week. He congratulated President-Elect Mayeux, Vice-President Elect Voyik, and Treasurer-Elect Koukos.
Senator Kristy Van Vliet announced the Alpha Chi Omega and Kappa Alpha Great Gator Bed Race this weekend. She had kick-off tickets available for $3.00. They will be $4.00 at the door. Raffle tickets are also available for $1.00.
Senator Avery Dial congratulated the newly elected senators and administration, and publicly thanked Tom Cosenza for saving his life last Wednesday night.
Brent Snyder, Business Manager for IRHA, spoke on the 800 code revisions authored by Treasurer Siemienas, specifically the change requiring an additional signature on SARs. He felt this represented a lack of faith in the people elected to administer the budget, and would impede the efficiency of the spending process. He also felt the elimination of parties and decorations would require a definition of "party", and would hurt IRHA's programs to bring fun and activities to residence hall students. He felt that organizations should be looked at individually, not as the university as a whole.
President Mayeux was out of chambers at this time. Pro-Tempore Stadlen presided.
Senator Jim East congratulated the senators who have been elected or re-elected. Concerning the Judiciary bills, he said the committee has worked hard, and wished more people would come to committee meetings.
Senator Brent Gordon said his good-byes to Asheley Galloway, Hunter Carroll, Adam Gropper, Lisa Hertzog, David Salgado, Janet Villalba, Kristin Wotocek, and Kevin Mayeux. He thanked these people for all the work they've done and the time he has spent with them. He felt the changes in the 800 codes were necessary to ensure the proper use of funds for all students. He congratulated Senator Stadlen on his haircut.
Senator Melinda Aquino spoke on respect and pride in the nation, saying that is the reason for the flag in the chambers and the pledge of allegiance being recited to open each meeting. She encouraged support the resolution on the U.S. History Month as a way to support the nation.
Senator Pam McNeill announced the success of the UF Foresters who had hosted the 38th annual conference, and come in third in their competition.
Charles Hart asked, "who can deny their history?" He asked everyone to support the resolution tonight to put everyone's history side by side because the United States has room for all. He said an American is one who doesn't break when the cowards cry and stands up for what is right when all else is wrong. "An American is an American, is an American, is an American ..." American history should be unified, shared in the hearts and minds of all Americans.
Senator Charles Grapski said that although American history is important, the resolution is poorly worded and won't do anything. Students should instead be fighting for increased funding for the American History program at the university, or present a proposal for actually bringing speakers for American History. He then spoke on canvassing of the election saying it would not be proper tonight. He said the numbers given are not accurate, things that have been filed have not been addressed, and the Election Commission has not done their job. Canvassing should be done when proper data has been presented. He said he fights for people who don't have a voice, and encouraged senators to think about what they are doing and stand up for what they believes.
Senator Tom Cosenza spoke against the proposed change of 808.12. He said that anyone who has lived in a residence hall should know how necessary the decorations for residence hall events are to make them successful.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Senate President Mayeux thanked the students of the University of Florida for the confidence they have shown in him and the FOCUS Party by electing him as their Student Body President. The campaign was quite a memorable experience. The elections are over, and it is time to get on with business. He said he looks forward to serving as the next Student Body President. Constructive things need to be done, and this will require the three branches working together. It has been a pleasure serving as Senate President. The new senate will be seated next week, and new officer elected. Procedurally, any group with eight or more members can form a party and hold a seat on R&A. President Mayeux had met today with Mayor Delaney. He said she will attend Senate on April 18 to speak about annexations and other concerns students may have. He had also met with Vice President Sandeen to discuss goals and plans for working effectively with the administration during the next year. The Senate meeting on April 11 has been canceled for the Student Government Inaugural Banquet.
Selection of Paul Clark Memorial Award for outstanding committee chairman during the last semester: Senator Carroll moved to nominate all chairman. Chairman Stadlen, Gordon, and Koukos declined. Nominees were Ryan Delafield, Shelton Bridges, Hunter Carroll, Piet Niederhausen, Kristin Wotocek, and Dan Tarquinio. Secret ballot vote was held. Results will be announced at the Student Government Banquet.
Selection of the John Michael Stratton Award for Outstanding Senator who has served since the beginning of Fall semester: Nominees were Gwendolyn Smith, Jim East, Pam McNeill, Lex Taylor, Charles Grapski, Hunter Carroll, Shelton Bridges, and Matt Johnson. Senators Meyer, Stadlen and Dial declined. Secret ballot vote was held. Results will be announced at the Student Government Banquet.
Supervisor of Elections Ken Nanni presented the results of the Spring General Election and explained the problem which had occurred with the computerized memory packs that had caused the delay in announcing results. This problem was also the reason there is no district by district break down as Senate Grapski has pointed out. The Election Commission had met and decided to not hear about three-fourths of the complaints submitted, and had referred their decisions to Chancellor Hopen. Senate seats and Justices are elected by plurality. He deferred questions from Senator Grapski to the Election Commission. When asked by President Mayeux if he would certify the results were accurate, and if the Elections Commission certified the votes as accurate and the election as valid, he replied affirmatively. Canvassing means "the counting of votes cast and the determination of their accuracy as reflected in the total verified versus the number cast". Senator Carroll moved to canvass the election results. This passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Stadlen reported that the committee had received no applications, and did not meet. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 2.
Open Seats: DN (1); 2,3LS (1); District B (1); FH-A (1)
Committee Seats: Budget (1); I&I (2)
FINANCE:
Chairman Delafield said the committee met to hear Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Pakistani Student Association. The Judo Club once again did not attend. They will meet again on Wednesday to rehear these two groups. The committee met tonight to hear two line item transfers to be presented tonight.
A&E:
Vice Chairman Smith said the committee met on Sunday and have the following absence recommendations: Senator Johnson on 3/14 excused for spring break in the Vet-Med College; Senator Gay on 3/21 excused for sickness; Senator McNeill on 3/21 excused for a field trip. The recommendations were approved as a bloc.
Budget:
Chairman Gordon reported the committee is preparing for final reconciliation of the Special Events Budget. Hearing for the Organizational Budgets will begin on Thursday. He asked everyone to support the 800 code changes.
Judiciary:
Chairman Carroll said the committee met and heard SB 95-1029 and feels it is a good bill, but will have some amendments. The resolution is be presented with committee recommendation. He explained that Student Government officers will be installed ten days from canvassing (today). Senators will be installed next Tuesday following validation.
I&I:
Chairman Niederhausen reminded everyone that constituency requirements are due on Friday, March 31, at 6:00 p.m. in the Senate Office. Missing constituency requirements will result in 1/2 absence. He asked to meet with the committee after Senate tonight to arrange a time to meet concerning the requests from the Treasurer's office. He encouraged everyone to apply for open seats.
IRO:
Chairman Wotocek said she needs money for the shirts which should be in next week. Orientation for new senators will be next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. with a social following the Senate meeting for both out-going and in-coming senators. Senator of the month forms for March are due by Monday. The next meeting will be posted on the third floor.
SECOND READING:
None
Treasurer Siemienas presented the Audit Report from the Office of the Inspector General of the Special Review of the Management and Use of BGSO and IBC Funds which was released last Friday. Copies were provided for everyone. The report addresses information reviewed, background situations, finance manual rules and regulations, methodology of how the review was conducted, and recommendations. There were eighteen recommendations, conclusions to what could have been done to prevent the situation, and a compilation of charges. Reimbursements amounting to $6,528.63 are recommended. These recommendations and charges lead to the 800 code revisions being requested in SB95-1029.
FIRST READING:
95-1029 Fiscal Responsibility Alterations to 800 codes presented by Treasurer Siemienas and Budget Chairman Gordon. Presentation was extended for three minutes. Treasurer Siemienas explained the addition of Chapter 801 Administrative Regulations for Ensuring Fiscal Accountability. These regulations will require two signatures from the organizations to approve expenditures. A friendly amendment by Senator Fallon was accepted adding one other executive board member as an alternative signer with the President or Treasurer. Sections 801.51, which reads, "If the Student Body Treasurer initiates any requisitions, the Student Body President must be the sign off authority.", and 801.52 reading "The Student Body President shall have sign off authority over Student Government Administrative and Operating Budget expenditures. If the Student Body Treasurer refuses to sign off on the request, a majority vote of the Student Senate shall compel the signature." were accepted as friendly. Senator Carroll submitted a friendly amendment to create 807.31 excluding Student Government lobbying efforts from the travel cap. Speaking con, Senator Cosenza submitted an amendment to strike "parties and decorations" from the list of prohibited expenditures in 808.12. This was not accepted as friendly, but did pass after debate. Chapter 820.2 and 820.3 were friendly amended to increase the reserves limit to $400,000 instead of $500,000 as had been proposed. The bill passed as amended 48 to 3.
95-1030 Budget Recodification Act was presented by Chairman Gordon. This bill proposes changes to the budgeting process. Chairman Gordon accepted as friendly an amendment to 822.21 to require previously funded groups to be notified by mail of budget deadlines and hearings. Senator Johnson submitted an amendment to strike the new 822.2 as proposed and reinstate the original 822.2. The amendment failed. The bill passed 46 to 5.
95-1026 Resolution for U.S. History Month, authored by Charles Hart, II and presented by Senators Taylor and Gwendolyn Smith, is designed to show Senate support of American spirit and pride. Friendly amendments were made clarify that Senate requests the establishment of this month. Amendment to add American citizenship and to reduce the month to a week were not approved. Mr. Hart gave an emotional speech describing his desire to serve his country and bring every citizen and/or resident together to learn more about their histories. The bill, requiring a 2/3 vote, passed 36 to 15.
95-1032 Line Item Transfer to SGP will transfer $15,000 from SG Special Request for the purpose of funding CARIBSA'S Sunsplash. This passed by acclamation.
95-1033 Line Item Transfer to ACCENT to transfer $8,500.00 from SG Special Request to help fund bringing William Shatner to speak. Expenses for this show will total $32,000. Senator Niederhausen, speaking con, felt this was too expensive and not a beneficial use of funds. Senator Bondi, speaking pro, said this was comparable to the amount spent on other speakers of this caliber. The bill passed 47 to 5.
Senator Carroll moved to suspend announcements and final roll call due to the lateness of the meeting. This was not approved.
President Mayeux reminded out-going senators that it is important they attend next week to hold second readings on the laws heard tonight. The election will then be validated, and the new Senators will take their seats.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Announcements were inaudible.
ROLL CALL: Oral roll call was taken by A&E Chairman Bridges.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 11:15 p.m.