STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
May 30, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Senate President Joseph Stadlen at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken by A&E Chairman Zudans. Quorum was established with 55 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Senator Marc Eisenson led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
Senator Taylor moved to replace Senate Bills 95-1043 and 95-1044 with updated versions. This was approved, and the agenda was approved as amended.
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
None
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Teresa Clark, Cabinet Director for Internal Solicitations, announced that applications are due on Wednesday for assistant director positions for all Cabinets.
Steve Morgan responded to referrals to him in this week's Senagator.
Mayia Chaumont spoke her application and qualifications for the Undergraduate Sophomore Summer B seat to be filled tonight. She explained her involvement in Latino organizations and lobbying activities, including Presidency of Latinos in Accion, her previous attendance at Senate meetings, and numerous other activities in which she participates or holds leadership positions. She felt that the application of the candidate receiving the R&A recommendation had not been received by the deadline, and was an attempt to keep her from getting the recommendation.
Ken Nanni, outgoing Supervisor of Elections, spoke on the Board of Masters' opinion on Spring Election complaints. He also spoke in support of Richard Williams, the Executive Committee recommendation for Supervisor of Elections.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Student Body President Mayeux presented the Executive Committee recommendation for the following SG positions: Richard Williams for Supervisor of Elections, Brian Gill for IMAGE Director, Ron Opaleski for SGP Chairman, and Michael Namath for ACCENT Chairman. All were approved after questions from Senator Morgan. President Mayeux then presented Stephanie Sigmon for Director of External Solicitations and Dan Tressler as Director for disAbility Affairs. Both were approved. FSA will meet here on June 9 in room 400. There will be funding requests from reserves presented soon so that outstanding debts can be paid. President Mayeux is lobbying for SG to be included in Preview presentations. He requested support in this endeavor.
Senate President Stadlen said that due to work constraints, Board of Masters candidate Keith DuBose cannot be present for interviews. For this reason, anyone interested in questioning the candidate will be allowed to do so by phone at the Judiciary meeting on Sunday, June 4, at 3:00 p.m. Mr. DuBose's appointment will then be presented to Senate for approval next Tuesday.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Obesso clarified that Michael Schibuola's application for the Undergraduate Sophomore Summer B seat had been received on May 19. This was after the deadline for the R&A meeting on May 21. The application had been held in her office during the next week to be heard at the meeting on May 25. The committee makes the following recommendations for permanent seats: Elise Batsel for Law, Gregory Cook for District B, and Tony Vu for District B. These were all approved. For Summer B, the committee recommends Michael Schibuola for Undergraduate Sophomore. Senator Hennis nominated Mayia Chaumont from the floor for this seat. Format was set at one and one-half minute speeches and two questions for each candidate.
Mayia Chaumont said that she had presented her qualifications during Public Debate. She feels that Senate needs minority representation.
Michael Schibuola introduced himself saying he would be new to Student Government, but would bring enthusiasm in representing the Sophomore class and would like to increase communication. He thanked R&A for their recommendation.
Question by Senator von Oven: "How do you plan to improve the communication process between the undergraduate sophomores and Senate?"
Answer by Ms. Chaumont: She has plans with other organizations to present information to Preview groups for students entering as sophomores.
Answer by Mr. Schibuola: He would like to meet with the other Undergraduate Sophomore representatives, and would like to create an information forum.
Question by Senator Benkovic: "What committees do you plan to get involved with?"
Answer by Ms. Chaumont: She felt that being a Summer B seat, there would probably not be time to become involved in a committee, but if the opportunity were there, she would be interested in I&I.
Answer by Mr. Schibuola: He would be interested in I&I and possibly Finance.
Michael Schibuola was elected to the Summer B Undergraduate Sophomore seat by a secret ballot vote of 48 to 15.
Chairman Obesso said the committee makes the following recommendations for committee seats: Senator Krumm for Finance and IRO, Senator Wilson for A&E, Senator Giltman for A&E, and Senator Phillips for IRO. These were approved as a bloc.
Open Seats: Permanent: PH (1); Murphree (1); Summer A&B: District B (1); Graham (1); Jennings (1); HHP (1); BA (1); Summer A: Broward (1); Summer B: Beaty (1)
Open Committee Seats: IRO (4)
BUDGET:
Chairman Gordon welcomed the Alligator reporter who will be covering Senate during Summer B. Organizational Budget hearings are being held almost daily, and should be completed next week. Riders will be attached to budgets for groups needing constitutional changes prior to being funded.
FINANCE:
Chairman Chapman said the committee had met. There will be a Line Item Transfer presented next week. Senator Ploch has been appointed Vice Chairman.
A&E:
Chairman Zudans said that probation letters had been mailed to anyone with one or more absences. During the Summer term one and one-half unexcused, or two combined excused and unexcused absences will constitute resignation. The committee met today and makes the following absence recommendations: Senator Fallon on 4/24 excused for illness; Senator Wilson on 4/25 excused for lobbying; Senator Dorworth 1/2 on 5/16 excused for a flat tire; and Senator Gay 1/2 on 5/23 excused for being out of the chambers at roll call These were approved as a bloc.
Judiciary:
Chairman Taylor said the committee met today and made changes to SB 95-1043 and SB 95-1044. The committee will meet on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. for a telephone interview with Keith DuBose.
I&I:
Chairman von Oven said the committee met today to interview representatives of Phi Theta Kappa concerning membership rules. The committee recommends the organization be funded based on national membership requirements. Senator Kilman moved to send this investigation back to committee for further consideration. This was approved. I&I and IRO will be painting Senate information on the 34th Street wall on Sunday night. There are no constituency requirements for Summer.
IRO:
Chairman Hurley urged everyone to participate in the service project on June 7 at the Boys/Girls Club. To continue having socials, members must attend.
SECOND READING:
None
FIRST READING:
95-1043 Rules and Procedure Revisions, presented by Chairman Taylor. The committee has tried to remove outdated information. The position of Sergeant-at-Arms will be included. Absence excuses will no longer require explanatory information. Bills will require a 2/3 vote to be removed from committee. A motion to debate a debatable motion will be included. Election of the two At-Large members for R&A will be by two separate nominations and elections. Third readings for vetoes can be added by the Pro-Tempore. Some duties previously assigned to Finance will be moved to Budget. In the event that no vice chair has been selected, the senior member will serve as vice chair until a vice chair is appointed. The Senate Executive Board may sponsor legislation. Succession in the event the Senate President and Pro-Tempore are not present will be delineated. Senator Kostick moved to remove the section concerning the motion to debate a debatable motion. Chairman Taylor initially declined to accept this as friendly, but later did accept the removal of this section. The bill, requiring a 2/3 vote, passed 59 to 3.
95-1044 Rules and Procedure Revision, presented by Chairman Taylor. Once again, outdated wording has been removed. Procedures will be established for A&E to investigate written charges received. Big Eight and Organizational Liaisons and Sergeant-at-Arms will be added to the list of officers subject to removal. Secret ballot voting for seat replacements will be eliminated. Resolutions must be submitted to Judiciary no later than one day prior to the committee meeting in which it will be heard. Senator Demko moved to table the bill. This failed. Senator Morgan moved to vote on Article V Section A,4 c concerning secret ballot votes separately. This failed by a vote of 25 to 37. Senator Kostick submitted an amendment to keep secret ballot voting, saying the integrity of votes could be compromised if made public. This amendment failed 18 to 43. The bill, requiring a 4/5 vote, passed 56 to 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Senator Taylor apologized to Senator Fallon and Senator von Oven for remarks he made earlier.
2. Senator Fallon would like to meet with the new District B senators after the Senate meeting.
3. Chairman Hurley is doing a great job!
4. VAX Unlimited will meet on Friday.
ROLL CALL:
MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:00 p.m.