STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
June 13, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Senate President Joseph Stadlen at
7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken by A&E Chairman Zudans. Quorum was established
with 59 senators present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Former Senator Chris Meyers led the Senate in the pledge of
allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
None
AMENDMENTS TO THE MINUTES:
The minutes were amended to reflect that Ryan Chandler was approved for
Elections Commissioner, not Assistant Supervisor of Elections; District E is
not included in the ruling that any zip code can hold any off campus district
seat as a summer replacement; VAX Unlimited met in room 283. The minutes were
approved as amended.
PUBLIC DEBATE:
Erich Goldstein sang his version of "Do Re Me".
Cory Siansky introduced himself to the senators who had not been in
Senate when he served last summer and previously as parliamentarian. He asked
for everyone's support when he is recommended for the Tolbert
seat.
Jessica Benkovic invited LS students to join her and Senator Yang
to meet with the Associate Director of Student Affairs tomorrow.
David Gay corrected the Senate in the their recitation of the Pledge
of Allegiance, saying it was being punctuated incorrectly.
Ed Hennis spoke on his opinion that President Stadlen had denied
Henry Schoepp's right to speak at last week's meeting. The speech is available
upon request in the Senate Office.
Vince Roberts, IRHA President, spoke on the rider attached to the
budget stating that SG funded organizations will not be allowed to engage in
protests. He felt this would deny IRHA the right to lodge complaints with the
Division of Housing.
Sheryl Klein spoke on the lack of attention and respect shown to
speakers.
Jeff Kostick recited a passage from Shakespeare's "King
Lear".
John McGovern stated his opinion that the subject of Mr. Schoepp's
speech, given by Senator Hennis, was inappropriate in the Senate chambers, and
approved President Stadlen's decision to not allow Mr. Schoepp to give the
speech at the last meeting. He commended Chairman Gordon and the Budget
committee on the work and time they had put into the organizational budget, and
encouraged support for Janet Villalba for the District D Summer
seat.
Mayia Chaumont said she felt qualified to be a senator and was
offended by the treatment she received by the R&A committee. She played a
tape of the message from Chairman Obesso scheduling her interview appointment.
Chris Dorworth addressed the article in today's Alligator
concerning Senators Morgan and Kostick questioning President Stadlen's
competence, integrity, and the recent handling of replacement applications. He
felt these accusations were completely false, even to the point of being an
attempt to slander. He also felt that Senator Morgan's registering of his
complaint with the I&I committee was a responsible action; however, his
referring it to the press was an act of irresponsibility. He disagreed with
the statement that President Stadlen denies Independents the right to speak,
and reminded everyone of the number of Hispanic members seated in
Senate.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Budget Chairman Brent Gordon presented the 1995-96
Organization Budget and fielded questions. He explained that SETA had been
recommended for a budget because of changes made in the organization's
constitution, including a change of name to PAW. Groups which had been zero
funded due to constitutional problems will be given an opportunity to apply for
supplemental funds when the problems are corrected. Senator Kostick asked whey
Phi Theta Kappa had been zero funded before the Board of Masters had issued an
opinion on their membership rules. FLAVOR was not funded because the committee
felt it was academic in nature, and should receive funds from a college
council. Chairman Gordon explained that due to computer problems the committee
had needed to reconstruct the amounts, and some typographical errors had
occurred. The approved amounts, however, are correct. Numerous questions were
asked concerning a rider to the budget which states that SG funded
organizations cannot participate in protests. Chairman Gordon defended the
rider by saying that individuals may certainly participate in protest, but use
of organizational names of groups funded by SG could be offensive to students
paying fees and not agreeing with the protest. When asked if he could give a
definitive answer as to what would be considered illegal activity, Chairman
Gordon responded that he could not because each case will be considered
individually. Debate on this issue will be held during first
reading.
Senate President Stadlen congratulated Chairman Hurley on the
success of the field day at the Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday.
Student Body Treasurer Paul Koukos said he would be amending SB
95-1045 to include $6,462.80 to SGP to replace funds used to pay a debt
incurred by Evelyn Bethune. He asked everyone to please show respect to
speakers.
Senate President Stadlen announced a Special Session to be held
Thursday, June 22, for second reading of the Organizational Budget if it passes
first reading on June 20. There will be no Senate meetings on June 27 during
break, or July 4.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R&A:
Chairman Obesso explained that the message to Mayia Chaumont was
made on Friday afternoon while several other people were in her office, and the
laughter had nothing to do with Ms. Chaumont. The committee met on Sunday and
makes the following recommendations: Cory Siansky, who had received the
recommendation from the Tolbert Area Council on Monday, for Tolbert; Brian
Cleary for the permanent District D seat, and Janet Villalba for the Summer
A&B District D seat. These recommendations were approved. Senator Kostick
nominated Mayia Chaumont for the open District D seat. R&A had not made a
recommendation for this seat, feeling the student body would be better served
by not filling the seat than by recommending a candidate the committee did not
find qualified. A motion for format of three rounds, three minutes each,
pro/con debate failed. Senator Taylor's motion to go to a vote on keeping the
seat open passed 52 to 10. Senator Morgan called for a roll call vote. An
electronic vote to seat Mayia Chaumont or keep the seat open resulted in
keeping the seat open by a vote of 15 to 51. Chairman Obesso said the
committee recommends Jessica Benkovic for Budget and Steven Shehan for A&E.
These were approved as a bloc. The committee will tentatively meet on Sunday.
Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Senator Morgan asked for the
names of all applications received last week. Chairman Obesso complied by
naming each applicant. Applicants for replacement seats should live in the
district for which they are applying; however, the committee will consider
applicants living outside the district. Senator Kilman, speaking for the
R&A committee, responded to Senator Hennis that the committee had chosen
the keep the seat open because during Ms. Chaumont's interview she had "shown a
hostile attitude, reluctant to answer questions, profanity, no substantial
ideas". R&A did not feel she was qualified, and did not recommend her.
Senator Hennis did not agree with this assessment.
Open Seats: Permanent: PH (1); Murphree (1); Hume (1); District D (1)
Summer A&B: Graham (1); Jennings (1); HHP (1); Undergraduate Freshman (1)
Summer A: Broward (1) and Summer B: Beaty (1)
Committee Seats: Finance (1); I&I (1)
FINANCE:
Chairman Chapman said she is proposing additional information to be
included in Special Request packets.
BUDGET:
Chairman Gordon said the portion of the rider concerning protests is
open to amending. He thanked the members of the committee, former members, and
Treasurer Koukos for their work in the budget preparation. He announced that
the Budget committee will be attending the Florida Players Production of "Hair"
on Thursday. The first hearing for the 1996-97 Big Eight Budget will be held
on Monday.
A&E:
Chairman Zudans said a probation letter had been sent to Senator
Wilensky, and a resignation letter to Senator Grant. The committee met today
and makes the following absence recommendations: Senator Sintes on 6/6
stricken because he was not absent; Senator Listwan on 6/6 excused due to a
change in a Kaplan class. These were approved as a bloc. The committee
discussed establishing procedures for expulsion.
Judiciary:
Chairman Taylor apologized to Mayia Chaumont, saying the laughter on
the taped message was because of him, not her.
I&I:
Chairman von Oven said the committee did not meet this week, but
will meet on Sunday at 12:00 noon to hear EAG and BSU.
IRO:
Chairman Hurley thanked everyone who helped with the field day by
cutting out awards or attending the event, and gave out "thank-you"
gifts.
SECOND READING:
95-1045 Transfer from Reserves to SG for $16,062.00 presented by Treasurer
Koukos. As author of the bill, he amended it to include $6,462.80 Student
Government Productions to cover a debt incurred by Evelyn Bethune for the
Martin Luther King Banquet in January, 1994. Student Government is required
fulfill this obligation because Ms. Bethune was acting as an extension of SG at
the time. The amendment will not require a second reading. The amended total
of the transfer is $22,524.80. Senator Morgan, speaking con, said he would
like to have more details of how the funds will be used. The bill passed 57 to
5.
95-1046 Transfer from Reserves to SG & IRHA for $26,660.00 presented by
Treasurer Koukos. Senators Morgan, Shatkin, and Hennis speaking con questioned
the $20,000.00 needed to cover over expenditures in SG Advertising. Senator
Morgan's motion to refer the bill to I&I failed. Senators McGovern, Jones,
and Gay spoke pro. Senator Morgan then asked to refer the matter of the
advertising expenses to I&I. The bill passed as amended 61 to 6.
FIRST READING:
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Senator Siansky thanked Senate for approving him.
2. Happy Birthday Ted Krumm.
3. Senator Gordon would like to talk with everyone who went to the service
project.
4. Vax Unlimited will meet Friday. Former Senator Fuller has been
inducted.
5. Thanks, Casey, on behalf of Senate.
ROLL CALL:
MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:20 p.m.
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