USG SENATE MINUTES

28th LEGISLATURE

MARCH 8, 2005

I.          Call to Order

            Roll Call

II.         Corrections to the Minutes

A.     Approval of Minutes

B.     Approval of Agenda
- President Espinosa adds College Senate and NFTA.
- Treasurer Myers adds Committee Reports.

III.       President Espinosa Report:

A.     College Senate - last week I announced that there are 2 openings for the College Senate.  As of today no one has requested to fill these positions. The next meeting is on Friday at 3:00 pm.  Senator Shaw requests to fill one of the positions.

B.     NFTA - this Thursday USG is having a meeting with the Administration and NFTA.  If you have any questions or concerns please let us know so we can present them to NFTA.

IV.       Vice President Sylvester Report:

A.     Camp Weekend - I am sending the sign up sheet around please confirm if you are going or not.  If you have anything particular you would like to eat please let me know.

V.        Treasurer Myers Report:

A.  CSO Carribash Grant - Vice Treasurer Smith is recognized to review the budget committee report for the grant.  Vice Treasurer Smith states that this is CSO's 20th anniversary and they want this to be bigger than before. They  came to the budget committee asking for $9,000.  The budget committee did  not approve the $9,000 but approved $5,000. Any money over $1,000 has to come to the senate for approval. Vice Treasurer Smith states that they would like to start the event on campus and then go to the Pleasure Dome. This event will cost them $33,000 and they only have $15,000 left in their budget. Buffalo State College Grant Allocation Committee gave them $8,000.  They   originally requested from USG $16,000 which is  way out of our price range.  CSO lowered it to $9,000 and much of the money will go for 2 major artists which are Wayne Wonder and Mister Easy.  Rules Chair Crowley reviews  Robert Rules so order is kept within the Senate.  Treasurer Myers would like to recognize the CSO E-Board to answer questions.  There are no objections. President Jessica Bryant says a couple of words. The floor is open for discussion. AVP Lafontaine asks Treasurer Myers what line the money will be taken out of.  Treasurer Myers states it will come out of our $35,000 surplus line and describes how it works. Senator Pro Tem Levin-Stankevich makes a Friendly Amendment to give CSO $5,000 out of  USG surplus and then for CSO to approach other organizations to help out.  If CSO still can not get the money then come back and request for additional funding. Treasurer Myers accepts the Friendly Amendment.  Floor is open for discussion. Senator Pro Tem Levin-Stankevich makes a motion that the $9,000 moves down to $5,000 and CSO looks to other organizations for funds. After CSO does this and they still need more money they can request more funds from USG. Senator Finn called to question.  Vote is taken to end discussion and passes 17 yeas, 1 nay and 2 abstentions.  Vote is taken to move $9,000 to $5,000 and have CSO get in touch with other organizations for funds.  If CSO still needs funding from USG they can ask for more. Vote passes 20 yeas, 0 nay and 2 abstentions.

B.     Union Bash Grant - Vicki from Student Life is requesting $2,500 for Union Bash to be used for games, food and prizes.  Vicki does not have a budget she was only given $300 from Student Life for this event.  The Budget Committee approved $2,500 and we are bringing this to the Senate for approval. Treasurer Myers motions to give Vicki $2,500 for Union Bash.  Vote is taken and passes 17 yeas, 2 nays and 2 abstentions.

C.     Game Room - the games I ordered are in.

D.     Survey - is on the website for the activity fee. I have flyers to hand out.

E.      I will recognize Senator Urrutia to give a Budget Committee report.

VI.       Standing Committee Reports

A.     AVP Blake Academic Report:
-  Questions & Comments

B.     AVP Lafontaine Report:
- Bingo - if you signed up for Bingo please see me after the meeting. I still need help with the second game of bingo and for cleanup
- Bowling Night will be on March 22nd.  We will bowl after the Senate meeting just like we did the last time.  I am passing around a sign up sheet.
-  I would like to meet with my committee after the meeting.

C.     AVP Buckley Sports & Rec Report:
- At Union Bash we are having a Texas Hold'em event.  This will be held in the game room from 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm.

D.     AVP Pastwik Student Life Report:
- I would like to collaborate with some of the student life organizations to put on a student life activism event. This event would entail bringing in some activists and some political leaders. 
- I would like to meet with my committee after the meeting.

E.      Rules Chair Crowley Report:
- Elections - originally "write-in candidates" were eliminated from the election packet.  But after talking to Hector we were informed that we couldn't eliminate the "write-ins" so we added it back in.  The Rules Committee would like to make a motion to approve the USG election packet. Vote is taken and passes 20 yeas, 0 nays and 2 abstentions.

F.      Senator Pro Tem Levin-Stankevich Report:
- Liaison Reports - I would like to congratulate Senator Sabbs for being the first one to turn them in.
- There is a Welfare Committee meeting next Tuesday at 4:00 pm in room 414.  Also, there is a Food Service meeting at 6:00 pm.

President Espinosa asks Hector Gil when the Mandatory meeting for the elections is.  Hectors states it is Thursday March 17th. We also need to approve Hector Gil who has been nominated by Student Life as the Election Chair. Vote is taken to approve Hector Gil as the Election Chair and passes unanimously.

VII.      Old Business - None

VIII.     Constituents Questions/Announcements

A.     Vice Treasurer Smith announces that the Independent Sports Association and the Muslim Student Organization are looking for interested members. If you are interested please let us know.

B.     AVP Pastwik states that she went to Wells College for the activist conference. In future years if it comes up again I highly recommend it.

C.     Student at Large Groover announces that AASO is going out to camp this weekend.

D.     President Espinosa states that USG has tickets for Heidi Chronicle that we won from playing Family Feud.  You will receive a pair of tickets per person. There are enough for ten senators.

IX.       2nd Roll Call

X.        Meeting adjourned.