STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
May 23, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Senate President Joseph Stadlen at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken by Senator Zudans. Quorum was established with 54 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Senator Matt Johnson led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
Senator Taylor moved to remove SB95-1043, Rules and Procedure Revisions, and to remove Keith DuBose from the Board of Masters approvals. Both motions were approved, and the agenda was approved as amended.
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
The spelling of VAX Unlimited was corrected. The minutes were approved as amended.
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Lex Taylor explained that he had asked for the Rules and Procedure Revision bill to be removed from the agenda so the committee could consider amendments. The committee will meet again on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Keith DuBose was removed from the agenda because he is working in Sarasota and could not be present to be interviewed.
Jessica Benkovic introduced herself and asked to be supported for an LS replacement seat.
David Gay discussed a program he had seen on the state of Connecticut implementing a welfare reform program to remove benefits if the recipient is not employed within 18 months, saying the system was moving away from handing out benefits. He thanked R&A for recommending him for the Judiciary seat.
Matt Johnson submitted his resignation as Minority Leader due to time constraints. He announced that Senator Steve Morgan will assume the Minority Party Leader position. Senator Johnson said he had worked with Senator Morgan and has been quite impressed with him. He feels Senate will be impressed with him, too.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Senate President Stadlen said that Karl Liebman would not be arriving until later, so the Board of Masters appointment would be postponed until his arrival. Hard copy votes will be needed tonight to backup the electronic system. The new time for airing Senate meetings will be 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Obesso said the committee met on Sunday and makes the following recommendations: For permanent seats: Christen Rhode, AG; Lee Dougherty, FH/A; Sean McMahon, District A; Steven Shehan and Jason Stravinski, District C. For Summer Replacements: Jessica Benkovic, Leonard Giltman, and Felicia Chiu, LS; Natasha Phillips, JM; Marc Eisenson, District C. For committees: Stacie Marks, Budget; Chris Dorworth and Lisa Medford, Finance; Amy Chapman, Finance Chair; David Gay, Judiciary; Michael Demko and Daria Drago, A&E; Val Zudans, A&E Chair; Julian Sanchez, I&I. Senator Morgan questioned if seats had been vacant the required time to not require signatures. Judiciary Chairman Taylor said the required time is two weeks, not two Senate meetings. President Stadlen deferred to the Parliamentarian. Senator Jones moved to approve the committee recommendations as a bloc. Senator Johnson asked to amend the motion to approval all but the A&E Chair. This was not accepted, and the committee recommendations were approved as a bloc. The Parliamentarian stated that seats must be open for two meetings. Chairman Taylor stated his interpretation was that the vacancy must be announced at two meetings. Senator Morgan moved to approve all seat recommendations except District A. This was approved with a vote of 42 to 10. Senator Johnson nominated Vanessa NesSmith for District A. Format was set at one minute and two questions for each candidate.
Vanessa NesSmith said she is a third year student and became interested in Student Government during the Fall elections. She said she felt she could relate to the students living in District A because they have the same problems she has experienced.
Sean McMahon said he is a junior Finance major. He was highly active in high school student government, and has been a director in Career Expo. He said he was ready and willing to work hard for the students in District A.
Question by Senator Morgan: "What have you done to learn the needs of your constituency? What do you feel you can do for them?"
Answer by Ms. NesSmith: She said she had gathered the required signatures for the application and had questioned constituents on their concerns.
Answer by Mr. McMahon: He said he had read the Alligator and discussed the issues and concerns with his constituents.
Question by Senator Kilman: "What qualities do you possess that you feel would make you a good senator?"
Answer by Ms. NesSmith: She stated she could think independently and would be very accessible to students.
Answer by Mr. McMahon: He said he is honest, and had not been known as political. He will represent what the people want.
Sean McMahon was elected for District A by a secret ballot vote of 40 to 17. The committee will meet on Thursday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. in room 336 due to the Memorial Day holiday. Applications are due on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
Open Seats: Permanent: PH (1); Murphree (1); District B (2); Summer A&B: HHP (1); Graham (1); Jennings (1); Summer A: Broward (1); Summer B: Beaty (1); Undergraduate Sophomore (1).
Committee Seats: Finance (1); A&E (2); IRO (6)
BUDGET:
Chairman Gordon said that he has nine tickets for the Florida Players production of "Hair" for the Budget committee. The committee will also be taking a tour of recreation facilities. Organizational budget hearings are being held. There seems to be a problem with the constitutions of some of the organizations.
FINANCE:
Chairman Chapman thanked everyone for their support of her recommendation. The committee will meet on Thursday.
A&E:
Chairman Zudans also thanked everyone for supporting him. There has not been a meeting during Summer, but he will contact all the members to schedule one.
Judiciary:
Chairman Taylor said the committee will meet next Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the Rules and Procedure changes.
I&I:
Chairman von Oven said the committee met on Sunday and heard the Black Law Student Association and Student Art League. The committee will issue written reprimands to these groups. He plans to do a mailout to all funded organizations. The Environmental Law Society did not attend the investigation on Sunday. The Environmental Action Group and Phi Theta Kappa are scheduled for investigations. The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 30 at 5:00 p.m. Senator Johnson objected to penalty letters being sent out prior to Senate approval. Chairman von Oven said the committee recommendation is to issue formal reprimands. Senator Taylor moved to approve the recommendation, and this passed unanimously. Senator Morgan questioned the advertising of open seats. Chairman von Oven said he had distributed fliers. Senator Fallon pointed out that in some cases the vendor is at fault for invoices being dated prior to the SAR. Senator Yang has been appointed vice-chair.
IRO:
Senator Medford passed a sign-up sheet for a field day on June 7 for the Boys & Girls Clubs as a service project for Summer A
SECOND READING:
95-1037 Restructuring the Executive Cabinet was presented by Chairman Taylor. Senator Morgan requested debate. He was concerned with the Graduate Student Affairs Cabinet being removed. The bill passed 53 to 3.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
At this time Karl Liebman was presented for Board of Masters approval. He had been interviewed and favorably recommended by the Judiciary Committee. Senator Kostick questioned Mr. Liebman about his FOCUS party status. Mr. Liebman responded that if approved he would be resigning his Senate seat and would have no party affiliation. Associate Justice Hunter Carroll explained that the Board of Masters and the Honor Court justices are two unrelated entities. Mr. Liebman said that his terms in Senate, and his Law School experience and status, would qualify him for this position. Senator Kilman moved to approve the appointment. Mr. Liebman was approved for the Board of Masters.
SECOND READING:
95-1041 Charter of the Recreational Sports Division was presented by Chairman Taylor and President Mayeux. President Mayeux explained that students would have greater control of recreation on campus. Senator Fallon felt the Dean of Health and Human Performance should not have veto authority. President Mayeux stated that all university committees are assigned to a dean, and this committee would fall under the Dean of Health and Human Performance. Any amendments would also require the approval of Senate and the Student Body President. Typographical errors in Article VIII and Article III Section B were amended as friendly. Any future recreational facilities would be included in this charter. Questioning was extended for three minutes. Senator Taylor moved to pass by acclamation. Senator Morgan objected, but later also moved for acclamation. There were no objections, and the bill was passed.
FIRST READING:
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Project Graduation, for graduating high school seniors, will be June 3. Volunteers are needed to help. If interested, please see Senator Fallon.
2. Please turn in voting sheets.
3. New senators need to complete affiliation forms.
4. Rock 104 will give away $1004.00 tomorrow morning.
5. Sign up for the service project.
6. Judiciary will meet at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
7. Hunter, thanks for your help.
ROLL CALL:
MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:10 p.m.