STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
April 4, 1995
First Meeting
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 65 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Senator Hunter Carroll led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
None
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
None
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Chris Meyer said that after three years, this would be his last Senate meeting, and thanked those he served with in the Vision Party and Sun Party during this time.
Daniela Portaro announced Legislative Day on April 12. If interested, the fee is $39.99, and applications are due Friday.
Andrew Reiff and Jeff Bloom displayed trophies from the Men's Racquetball Tournament which had been funded through a special request. The team earned nine medals, including both gold medals.
Lori Spivey said that ODK is accepting applications for Outstanding Student Leader. The Student Leader Development Board is a new program offered by Student Services. The SG Hotline service will continue with the new administration.
Adam Gropper congratulated the new FOCUS senators saying they had campaigned well and could serve as well. He told all the new senators that regardless of why they ran for senate, they could do positive things for the student body. Learn to listen, and learn how senate works, and you will get good things done.
Na Troung submitted her resignation from senate saying it was her time to step down. She ran for the seat with good intentions, but has found that she could not make the difference she had hoped for. She named Senators Cosenza, Grapski, Niederhausen, Fallon, McNeill, and Mayeux as those she has observed to be great assets to the student body, exemplifying leadership, dedication and commitment.
Brent Gordon spoke on behalf of Senator Stadlen for Senate President telling of his perserverence in trying to get a senate seat and the work he has done in committees as a senator. He also endorsed Senator Cuttler for R&A-at-Large commending her work on the Budget committee.
Ryan Delafield endorsed Senator Obesso saying she was a vocal member of the Finance committee and would serve well as Pro Tempore. He also said good-byes to Senators Wotocek, McNeill, and Meyer.
Linda Fallon said the Independent Majority Party had been notified just prior to the Senate meeting that an $80.00 fine had been levied against them, and for that reason, their elected senators could not be seated. She asked Treasurer Siemienas to accept a check in this amount, raised by donations, as payment for the fine. Even though the Board of Masters could overturn the fine, waiting for their decision would delay these senators from taking office. Treasurer Siemienas accepted the check after receiving verbal approval from the Independent Majority members being fined.
Senator Fallon said she would miss those who would be leaving. She said the Minority Party would be nominating Matt Johnson for R&A-at-Large, and encouraged support for him.
Brent Snyder, IRHA Business Manager, encourage support for the amended version of the 800 code revisions tonight. He invited everyone to the remaining activities for Residence Hall Week, including Talent Night on Thursday in the Orange & Brew, movies on Friday at Flavett Field, and Tie & Tails at the Graham Area.
Jim East thanked everyone for their patience and acceptance during his time in Senate, and his constituents for the privilege of the year's service.
Tom Cosenza advised new senators to vote according to what is right for their constituents as well as right over all. The two should never conflict. He also voiced his protest of being notified of the Independent Majority fine on such short notice. He stated that a contested fine should never have to be paid prior to a final decision, and that it would not be right for those students to not be represented because of an $80.00 fine.
Pam McNeill thanked everyone for the support she had received in her efforts to "save the tree". She gave her "Top Ten Predictions" for the future, including Brad Bondi being spokesperson for Angela Izzo-Peppe's "Wear It & Bare It" line of clothing, Brent Gordon giving a massage to someone who cares, and "Delaslur".
Jeff Kostick said he was disappointed that I&I had tabled the hearings Treasurer Siemienas had requested.
Janet Villalba said her "goodbyes", and listed memories of campaigning and her time in Senate. The friendships nurtured through this time have been very important to her. She encouraged the new senators to listen to debates and to their constituents. She told them they would get out of Senate what they put into it.
Charlie Grapski said that Student Government is not a joke--it is all too serious, but that some people play it as a game and treat it as a joke. He said this hurts every student. He called the fine against the Independent Majority an example of biased, incompetent conflict of interest by Supervisor of Elections Nanni and the Elections Commission. He presented a summary of violations of the elections. He said the fine was levied on nonexistent statutes without due process or proper procedure. He said the Chairman of the Elections Commission had displayed an "arrogant and joking manner", and vowed this would stop before he leaves the school. He accused Supervisor of Elections Nanni of refusing to allow poll workers to sign and seal ballot boxes.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Senator Carroll moved to validate the 1995 Spring Election. Senator Grapski requested debate on the motion. He said the election could not be legally validated until Supervisor of Elections Nanni presented accurate totals and documentation. Supervisor of Elections Nanni said the Election Commission had certified the results as accurate. The election was then validated by the Senate.
Vice President-Elect Beth Voyik said those she had worked with on the campaign were motivated, determined people, and if they continue this, a lot of good work can be done. She announced that applications for Cabinet Directors and Assistant Directors are due on Wednesday, April 12. There are 27 cabinets covering a wide variety of areas. Anyone with questions may call her.
Traffic Court Chief Justice Brian Burgoon reported that the top level of the parking garage at Norman is now one-half all decal and one-half commuter. All parking decals expire May 1. Decals are now on sale, and the prices have increased. For those not attending this summer, decals will be available by mail. The fine for parking in handicapped spaces has been increased to $250.00 and suspension from driving on campus for one year. The administration has not approved adding decal charges to student accounts, however, you will be able to charge decals to credit cards in the Fall. He was pleased with the election of Dave DeAngelo for Traffic Court Chief Justice, saying he had served well as Deputy Chief Justice.
Accent Chairman Michael Cotzen reported the Ben & Jerry speech had been very successful. Dave Thomas will be speaking on Thursday, April 6. He thanked Senate for approving the funds transfer last week. The William Shatner speech has not been confirmed at this time.
President Tompkins and Dan Fridman presented a SUN Platform chart showing what had been accomplished this year. Telegator is operational, SCAN will be available in the Fall, plans are being worked on for the new Institute of Black Culture, Renter's Insurance will be ready for Fall, and African American Studies will be made a major. Much work has been done this year, and will continue during the next year. There is a proposal to gate all parking lots. He reminded everyone of the SG Banquet on April 11.
Senate President Mayeux congratulated Senator Meyer on being elected Florida Blue Key President. He then presented gavels to committee chairmen who have served during this semester and thanked the ad hoc committees for the work they have done. He and former President Medford will be giving out awards at the SG Banquet. President Mayeux said that his term has been fun, and he looks forward to serving as Student Body President. He spoke on behalf of Senator Stadlen for Senate President and Senator Obesso for Pro Tempore.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Stadlen said the committee did not meet on Sunday, and had no recommendations.
Open Seats: District B (1); FH-A (1); FH-New (1)
Committee Seats: Budget (1); I&I (2)
BUDGET:
Chairman Gordon asked everyone to support the 800 code revision on second reading. The Groups of the Week are JSU and IRHA for Residence Hall Week activities. Senator Cuttler has been appointed Vice Chair.
FINANCE:
Chairman Delafield thanked his out-going committee members for their work.
A&E:
Chairman Bridges said the committee met on Sunday, and recommend excusing Senator Zudans on March 21 for lobbying in Tallahassee.
Judiciary:
Chairman Carroll announced that Senator Gordon will be acting Chair until a new chairman is appointed. He said "goodbye" and "thanks" to those people he has worked with including everyone on Judiciary, Senator Bondi, Senator Bridges, Senator Chapman, Senator Fallon, Senator Grapski, Senator Gordon, Senators Wotocek and Villalba, President Mayeux, Senator Medford, Senator Meyer, Chancellor Hopen, Senator Taylor, Senator Johnson, Darwin Ang, and Dean Hill.
I&I:
Chairman Niederhausen said that most constituency requirements had been completed. The committee met today on the SAR's submitted by Treasurer Siemienas. The hearing had been tabled until the new committee is seated. Senator Lasso will be acting Chair.
IRO:
Chairman Wotocek gave out Senator of the Month certificates to all those Spring '94 senators who had completed the term. Shirts will be available next week.
SECOND READING:
95-1029 Fiscal Responsibility Alterations to the 800 codes was amended by Treasurer Siemienas to change 801.5 to state that a meeting of the Honor Court will be called to determine if probable cause exists to flag student records. The bill passed without questions or debate 57/2.
95-1030 Budget Recodification Act passed without questions or debate 59/2.
FIRST READING:
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. BOCC's budget will be heard on Wednesday. Nominations for Executive Officers and Exec-at-Large will also be heard at that time.
2. Congratulation to all who will be graduating on May 6.
3. Goodbye to all those leaving.
4. "The Lion King" will be shown at 9:00 on Friday, followed by "Forest Gump". Tie & Tails still has positions available.
5. There will be a social at Outback tonight. Don't forget to pay for your shirts.
6. SOS will have a speakout on April 12 on the North Lawn.
7. Gator Christian Life meets at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
ROLL CALL: The rules were suspended to waive final roll call.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:10 p.m.