STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
April 25, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Senate President Joseph Stadlen at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken by A&E Chairman Shelton Bridges. Quorum was established with 69 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Former Senator Amie Altman led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
A moment of silence was observed in honor of the victims and families of the Oklahoma City bombing disaster.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
Senator Gordon moved to add SB95-1038, Transfer from BOCC to Speech and Debate, and SB95-1039, Line Item Transfer for Billy Mitchell Drill Team. Senator Taylor moved to add SB95-1040, Resolution Concerning Oklahoma Bombing Incident, and remove SB 95-1037, Restructuring Executive Cabinet. Both motions were approved, and the agenda was approved as amended.
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
Senator Cosenza stated that he had not endorsed any candidate for the Family Housing/New Residence seat. The endorsement for Solomon Malka had come from the area government. The minutes were approved as amended.
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Lee Meriwether, from the Environmental Law Society, thanked Senate for the funds which had recently been approved for the Environmental Conference. There was a total of over 400 people in attendance, and had been the topic of a news special for Channel 8 in Tampa. He especially thanked Chairman Ryan Delafield.
Dominic Marrone announced his resignation due to his upcoming graduation. He said it had been a joy serving the residents of the Murphree Area. He encouraged the new senators to learn parliamentary procedure and speak up, and said they would learn the most by asking questions.
Brad Bondi used his last meeting to say good-byes to the friends he had made during his years involved in Senate. These included Shelton Bridges, Hunter Carroll, Lex Taylor, Julie Imanuel, Lisa Medford, Brett Adams, Jonathan Kilman, Brent Gordon, Dean Tom Hill, Dr. William Simmons, Angela Izzo-Peppe and the members of the Armageddon Party, and Charlie Grapski.
Jeff Kostick showed a video of animals being used for cosmetic testing.
Andy Wigginton with Angela Izzo-Peppe introduced Paula McCahon as the next "Wayne Wooten Memorial Sundial Queen".
Jeremy Reis said that Chris Fuller's decision to change his party affiliation was both dishonest and dishonorable to the Tolbert Area. He called it a selfish move to further Mr. Fuller's political career.
Charlie Grapski's speech is attached.
Sheryl Morgan said she is glad to be graduating, and wished Steve Morgan good luck.
Robin Levine, from SETA, thanked those senators who had made such an effort to ensure SETA's presence tonight. She explained that SETA is a source of educational materials and a clearing house for people to have the opportunity to volunteer in animal rights projects, such as Gainesville Pet Rescue, All Creatures Wildlife Sanctuary, local sea turtle conservation, and working with Gator Dining Services to provide more vegetarian variety. She asked for SG support by approving their special request.
Shelton Bridges said that this will be his final meeting due to graduating, but he hopes to return for Law School in the Spring. He has served in senate for nineteen consecutive months, always as a Progress member. He asked everyone to vote against the SETA bill. He then said goodbye to the Senate Secretaries he had worked with, as well as all the staff in the SG office. He also said goodbye to Brad Bondi, Hunter Carroll, Ryan Delafield, Brent Gordon, Julie Imanuel, the Tri-Delts who sit around him, and Charlie Grapski.
David Lancz spoke on the importance of the confirmation of cabinet directors tonight, encouraging they be questioned on their qualifications. He congratulated Vice President Voyik on her election, and said she would do a great job. He said goodbye to Charlie Grapski, saying he is one of the real student advocates on campus, and President Kevin Mayeux, reminding him he is here for the students.
Tom Cosenza announced he has accepted an internship for summer, which may roll over into the fall. He thanked Chris Meyer for his levity, Dominic Marrone for his representation of Murphree Hall, Angela Izzo-Peppe for making senate meetings interesting, Jeff Kostick for working together although not always agreeing, Gwendolyn Smith for her smile, the Senate Secretary, Steve Morgan for his service in senate, Pam McNeill for fighting for him, Matt Johnson for his honesty, open-mindedness, and expressing his opinion, and Charlie Grapski for his persistence in fighting for what he believes in. He thanked ACCENT for bringing William Shatner, and closed by reading poems.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Tim Weber was presented for approval as Honor Court Vice Chancellor. Senator Cosenza questioned when Judiciary met to interview this candidate, and felt the meeting had not complied with the Florida Sunshine Law. Judiciary Chairman Taylor stated the meeting had been held on Tuesday, and had been posted in the Senate Office on Monday evening. Mr. Weber explained his prior experience in Student Government and qualifications for the position. The appointment was approved.
Brian Burgoon was presented for approval for Board of Masters. Senator Kilman moved for his approval. Mr. Burgoon stated his prior experience, including his term as Chief Justice of the Traffic Court, which is a nonpartisan position. He responded to questions concerning his earlier plans to run for Student Body President, saying his academic program took precedence over the time requirements for that position. It was questioned when Judiciary was informed of this recommendation and met to approve the recommendation, and if there had been sufficient public notice. Senators Morgan and Kostick said the motion to approve was a debatable motion. No debate was held. The appointment was approved.
President Mayeux and Vice President Voyik presented the following people for Cabinet Directors: Jordan Scher for Academic Affairs, Brian Dobbins for Alumni Affairs, Brett Adams for Campus Involvement, Andrew Findelstein for Campus Safety, Brian Carey for Capital Improvements, Aimee Sparkman for Career Development, Kelly Herrman for Community Affairs, Eric Lasso for Community Political Affairs, Dan Tressler for disAbility Affairs, Kristin Oakman for Environmental Affairs, Allison Miller for Evaluations, Niva Hertz for Health, Russ Melendy for Interactive Services, Erum Siddiqui for Multicultural Affairs, Jodie Fleischer for Public Relations, Kristin Wotocek for Public Relations, Kristin Payton for Publications, James Paine for Recreation, Scott Underwood for Research, Theresa Clark for Solicitations, Stephanie Sigmund for Solicitations, Candace Reistrom for Student Advocacy, Ryan Murtage for Traffic & Transportation, and Pam Sherman for Women's Affairs. President Mayeux answered questions and explained that some Cabinets had been combined, and new ones created. The changes in Cabinets will be presented to Senate for approval during Summer A. Any candidate for Cabinet Director now serving in Senate will be required to resign that seat. Each candidate present stated his/her goals. Senator Taylor moved to approve the recommendations as a bloc, and all appointments were approved.
Vice President Voyik announced that Avery Dial would be her Administrative Aid. Senator Dial is not required to resign his Senate seat for this position.
President Mayeux thanked those leaving Senate due to graduation or other positions for their service to the students. He stated he looks forward to working with those senators remaining.
President Stadlen introduced a group, arranged by Senator Kostick, to speak in opposition to the city annexation presented last week by Mayor Delaney. James Passwater, of Alachua County Fire Rescue and Citizens for Better Government in Alachua County, explained the opposition side of annexation. He said the utilities savings the city is promising is not what it seems. There is currently a 10% surcharge for the residents who will be effected. The surcharge will be eliminated, but property taxes will be increased approximately 6% for property owners not eligible for the Homestead Exemption. The city will also charge monthly garbage and waste water fees, and has separate licensing and permit fees. He discussed the differences in police services, and said the city has made no offer to hire county police and fire personnel who will be eliminated if the annexation passes. He was joined by Kathy Stewart, a UF graduate, who explained that residents of Gainesville pay both city and county taxes. She urged anyone included in the annexation, and registered in Alachua County, to visit a county and/or city fire department to get information in order to make an informed decision.
Treasurer Koukos asked for approval of the two transfers being heard tonight.
Rajal Patel, Director of STAAR, reported they had completed approximately seven of the ten projects planned for this year, including a speaker for ASU, co-sponsoring speakers for Black History Month, and brought Arun Gandhi. Currently they are working with a project called "Victory Over Violence". For the future, he plans to work with VISA organizations and other minority organizations to promote their musical events, and an Ambassador Program to bring United Nations speakers. If your would like to get involved with STAAR, or have ideas for them, please contact him in room 305.
President Stadlen said he still needs liaisons for organizations and the Big Eight. Senators who will be attending Summer need to be registered for six credits, three for Summer A and three for Summer B, to be eligible for Senate. The next meeting will be May 16 at 7:00 p.m.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Obesso said the committee met on Sunday and recommends Chris Fuller for Budget. Nominations could not be accepted from the floor for a committee seat. Senators Kostick, Morgan, and Grant spoke con on this recommendation. Senators Kilman, Fuller, and Yang spoke pro, and the recommendation was approved. Chairman Obesso presented the following list of Summer Replacements for approval: Edward Adelman, District B; Laura Artale, Undergrad. Freshman Class; Gina Babicz, District A; Wendy Bidwell, District D; Amanda Heyder, Undergrad. Sophomore Class; Ed Hennis, EG; Todd Louis, District C; William Lynn, District D; Mike Moody, EG; Andres Sintes, BA; Kimberly Williams, District D. These were approved as a bloc. The committee will not meet this Sunday because of finals. The next meeting will be posted in the Senate Office.
Open Seats: AG (1); PH (1); FH/A (1), Murphree (1); District A (1); District B (2); District C (1); District D (1). Summer: Graham (1); District C (1); LS (3); Undergraduate Freshman Class (1), Jennings (1); Beaty (1); HHP (1)
Committee Seats: Budget (1); Finance (3); Finance Chair; Judiciary (1); A&E (3); A&E Chair; I&I (2); IRO (6)
BUDGET:
Chairman Gordon asked former Senate President Brian Burgoon to explain the intent of SBS 808.12, Administrative Regulation prohibiting expenditures in support of, or against, a candidate seeking an elected office or a political party. Mr. Burgoon had been Judiciary Vice Chairman at the time the statute was written. He explained the intent dealt solely with expenses for lobbying purposes. Chairman Gordon reported that hearings have been held for organizations which will have no representative here during summer. No more budget hearings will be held until Summer. He plans to present the Organizational Budget during Summer A and the 1996/97 Big Eight Budget during Summer B. He thanked Senator Portaro, who is leaving for summer, for the work she has done for the committee. Chairman Gordon said he had been offended by the manner of opposition shown toward Senator Fuller's recommendation for the committee, and felt some had applied solely to prevent Senator Fuller's appointment.
FINANCE:
Chairman Delafield announced he will be leaving for the summer, and submitted his resignation from the committee, saying he has always been fair to organizations, and fought for the groups he felt were entitled to funding.
A&E:
Chairman Bridges said the committee met on Sunday and has the following absence recommendations: Senator Zudans on 4/4 stricken because his college was on Spring Break; Senator Flanagan on 4/4 excused for illness. The recommendations were approved.
Judiciary:
Chairman Taylor said good-bye to Shelton Bridges and Brad Bondi, saying they had both been very helpful to him. He said that any debatable motion can be debated if requested, and apologized for the short notice of the meeting held tonight to interview Honor Court candidates.
I&I:
Chairman von Oven reported that Operation Outreach brochures had been passed out today at Turlington. The pending investigations remain tabled in committee until summer.
IRO:
Chairman Hurley announced Senator Daniela Portaro as "Senator of the Month" for April, and said she has plans for service projects for Senate. Please pay for your shirts, or they will be resold.
SECOND READING:
95-1034 1995/96 Special Events Budget for $110,000.00 passed by acclamation.
95-1036 Special Request for SETA, $491.75, was presented by SETA President Robin Levine and Vice President/President-Elect Anatol Blass. They felt an inaccurate view of the organization had been presented last week. Ms. Levine said the group works with Gainesville Pet Rescue and All Creatures Wildlife Sanctuary for animal welfare, the Vet School doing check-ups for pets, and with Gator Dining to promote more variety in vegetarian options. There was extensive questioning on the literature distributed by the group, their affiliation with political endeavors, including PETA, and their opposition to dissection of animals. The organization is open to anyone, and does no legislative lobbying. SETA has taken no official stance on animal experimentation, but does make informational literature available. Funding for this literature had been cut in committee. The request is for office supplies and advertising. Senator Ploch submitted a friendly amendment to remove promotional pins and stickers from the request. This was accepted. Senators Bondi, Zudans, Bridges, Parks, and Farris spoke con. Senators Gordon, Dial Cosenza, Cuttler, Kostick, Dann Smith, Chapman, Gay, Johnson, Grant, Wilensky, Ploch, and Shatkin spoke pro. The bill passed at the amended amount of $461.75 with a vote of 40 to 25.
FIRST READING:
95-1040 Resolution Concerning the Oklahoma Bombing Incident, authored by Senators Gordon and McGovern. This resolution expresses the concern felt by the student body for the victims and families of the bombing of the Federal Building which killed or injured many in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. The bill passed 64/0.
95-1038 Transfer of $1000.00 from Board of College Councils Programs to Speech and Debate Travel for national competition. The bill passed 62/1.
95-1039 Line Item Transfer for Billy Mitchell Drill Team to move $2118.30 from Travel to Programs for the purchase of equipment. The bill passed 64/0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. A showing of videos by Fine Arts students will be held at the Harn Museum on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
2. The Tolbert Area Council has been chosen "Area of the Year", with the Still Nameless Area Council receiving recognition for "Most Improved Area".
3. "Undead Week" continues with a bar-b-que on Saturday.
4. The Alachua County Animal Shelter will hold an open house on Saturday.
5. Gator Christian Life will meet on Sunday at 11:30 in Little 101.
6. GOOD LUCK ON FINALS!
ROLL CALL:
MEETING ADJOURNED: 11:05 p.m.