SENATE MEETING MINUTES

31^st LEGISLATURE

MARCH 18, 2008

I.            Call to Order

            Roll Call

II.            Approval of Agenda

A.   President Brady asks if there are any changes to the agenda and there are none.

B.    President Brady states that Rules & Regulations Greco Report will go first then we will continue in order.

III.            Rules & Regulations Greco Report:    

A.  Rules & Regulations Committee would like to make a motion to re-recognize AEL and Women’s Rugby.  President Brady asks if the representatives from AEL and Women’s Rugby could please stand up and state their name, position, and why their organizations should be re-recognized. Representing AEL is the President Jessica Matos and representing Women’s Rugby is Laura and Chastity. President Brady opens the floor for questions. There are no questions and vote is taken to re-recognize AEL and passes 21 yeas, 0 nays and 0 abstentions. Vote is taken to re-recognize Women’s Rugby and passes 21 yeas, 0 nays and 0 abstentions.

IV.            President Brady Report:

A.   United University Profession is having a Lobby Day on April 1^st and 2^nd and they would like to have as many students come and lobby for them. I received this e-mail that says it’s important for us to support student wide issues, such as budget, recreation, campus wide initiatives and legislatives of 2008.  If you are interested I need to know by tomorrow.

B.    Student Assembly is April 26^th and 27th, if anyone is interested please see me after this meeting immediately; we need to submit all names ASAP.

C.    I am presenting the liquor agreement for CSO to have their Caribash off campus. There were issues that were brought forth before that if Caribash was off campus the college wouldn’t support paying for our production costs for Fallfest or Springfest. We have a $8,000 production line and if CSO is off campus it would be cutting into ours. I want to clarify the liquor license agreement; there will not be any liquor served in the concert area. The liquor will be served in a separate area with body guards. CSO needs this passed ASAP, so I am bringing forth the liquor agreement for vote and discussion. Floor is open for discussion.  Seeing there is no discussion we will move into vote.  Vote is taken and passes 21 yeas, 0 nays and 0 abstentions.

D.    I’m going to speak on NYPIRG and let Erin speak on behalf of NYPIRG. I was asked to support this bill with my name on it and it’s called the MORE campaign. If I sign my name on it that would mean USG would be on it.  Therefore, I am bringing this to the Senate for you to vote on it to see if we want to sign this or not. (Reads mission statement from MORE campaign - see attachment).  Floor is open for discussion.  Seeing there is no discussion we will we move into vote. Vote taken and passes 21 yeas, 0 nays and 0 abstentions.

V.            EVP Perez Report:

A.  Questions and Comments - None

VI.            Treasurer Gabriel Report:

A.   The Student Welfare Committee is meeting tomorrow in the Game Room at 4 pm.

VII.            Senator Pro Tem Nunez Report:

A.   I’m going to hand out the minutes for the Food Service Committee meeting. Attached is a sheet where you can write your concerns and questions please drop them off in my mailbox. Floor is open for questions or comment.  Senator Alinur asks who I need to talk to about an issue with managers in the retail dining. Senator Pro Tem Nunez asks what the issue is. Senator Alinur states that she understands that the employees are doing drugs and other things back there. President Brady states that is something that should be addressed with the President.

VIII.            AVP Jueckstock Communications Report:

A.   The Carnival proposal has been out for a week and I received no comments, issues, and concerns.  My Committee and the Student Life Committee would like to make a motion to pass the Carnival proposal for $14,425.  President Brady states since it is from committee it does not need a second, any questions? Senator O'Grady asks if this is costing us more or less than last year. AVP Jueckstock states it will cost less. President Brady asks where the money is coming from. Treasurer Gabriel states that the question was asked last week but it is coming out of various lines because there is no allocated line for this program. Vote is taken to pass $14,425 for the Carnival and passes 21 yeas, 0 nays and 0 abstentions.

B.    The cake decorating contest is today.  I would like to thank AVP Hassan, Senator Kennedy and Senator Hemingway; the organizations really stepped up this year. Wilderness Adventures came in 1^st place, Pride Alliance came in 2^nd place and USG came in 3^rd place. Pictures and standings will be posted in the Conference Room. Scavenger Hunt will start when we get back and I will be in contact with you about it after spring break.

IX.            AVP Hassan Community Affairs Report:

A.   Tomorrow is Greek Feud at 7 pm in the lower lobby.  If you signed up to help me see me after the meeting. Thank you for those of you who ran and volunteered the event was great, and congratulations to CSO for bringing in the most volunteers.

X.            Old Business

A.   President Brady recognizes Senator Kennedy.  Senator Kennedy states that she would like to call to question the bill brought forth by Senator Cawthon. Senator Hemmingway 2^nd. Senator Manz asks if you can debate on a bill that the person is not here for and was it ever proposed. President Brady states since Senator Kennedy brought it forth she is proposing the bill. Senator Dobney asks has it even been brought forth to vote. President Brady states that what I believe what is happening is Senator Kennedy is bringing it forth to vote on. Senator Manz states that he thinks this is unfair and he already knows there are problems; if we vote on this one he is just going to write another one. I really don’t see the point of doing this.  Senator O’Grady calls to previous question. Senator Hirsch 2^nd. Senator Dobney states that before we vote on this I would like everyone to remember what we talked about last week. There are problems with it and there has been no new bill brought forth with his corrections in it. Senator Mirsky states that he agrees it’s not fair to vote on the bill behind his back. Senator Hirsch states that we have been speaking about it for three meetings now, and I think we need to stop wasting our time on the bill. Treasurer Gabriel point of information the bill has to be reviewed by the Budget Committee so we can't vote on it at this time. Senator Yazicilar motions to move the motion on the table for the next meeting. Senator Manz 2^nd. President Brady states that she has been informed that any fiscal matter has to go through the Budget Committee first, so the motion has to be withdrawn. Senator Kennedy withdraws her motion.

XI.            New Business - None

XII.            Constituents Questions/Announcements

A.   Senator O'Grady states that he would like to talk about what happened at the end of last weeks meeting.  My behavior at the end of the meeting was unacceptable and I would like to apologize to the Senate, Senator Kennedy, and any attendees.

XIII.            2^nd Roll Call

XIV.            Meeting adjourned.