SENATE MEETING MINUTES
31st LEGISLATURE
APRIL 8, 2008
I. Call to Order
Roll Call
II. Approval of Agenda
A. President Brady motions to approve the agenda. Senator Manz so moved.
III. President Brady Report:
A. People going to Student Assembly, are EVP Perez, Senator Yazicilar, Senator Dobney and myself. New Appointments in Judicial Council are as follows: Henry Zomerfeld will be Chief Justice and Amanda Hickey will be Assistant Chief.
B. Senator Cawthon states that he has to leave early tonight so he would like to make note of his interest in going to Student Assembly.
IV. EVP Perez Report:
A. I know there has been a lot of concern over pre-registration; we were just waiting on election results. Now that we have them it has all been arranged.
V. Treasurer Gabriel Report:
A. There is a Student Welfare Committee meeting tomorrow at 4:00 pm in the Game Room 105H.
VI. Senator Pro Tem Nunez Report:
A. Liaison reports are due today; some of you have given them to me. If I haven’t received your reports you will be getting an absence unless you have a special circumstance then come talk to me.
B. Food Service Committee met today and you will find the minutes in your mailboxes. Senator Yazicilar states that she heard that the plastic bags in sub connections are a waste, and they were wondering if instead of using plastic bags they could switch to something more environmentally safe. Senator Pro Tem Nunez states she will forward Senator Yazicilar suggestion.
VII. Standing Committee Reports
A. Rules & Regulations Greco Report:
- Questions and Comments
B. AVP Jueckstock Report:
- Bi semester meeting is the 18th, please remind your organizations.
- Springfest is going great, promotions will start soon. The promo meeting will be this Thursday at 6 pm. If you can’t attend please see me or Treasurer Gabriel, I know it’s short notice but we need all the help we can get.
- Commencement Kickoff is tomorrow in the bookstore, we'll be advertising all of our upcoming events. We could use a lot of help there as well, come if you can.
- Senior Week is going well; the Carnival has been confirmed, with Spring Fest being on Saturday. Monday is our Poker Tournament, Tuesday is the Senior Banner where seniors can come during Bengal Pause and later at night they can sign it and leave a memory. On Wednesday we want to have a drive in movie in Perry Quad. This is going to cost $2,400.00 and I would like make a motion for the Senate to approve the money. Motion introduced. EVP Perez states that normally the Senate would like a week to review but unfortunately time just does not allow for it, events like this have been put on in the past and have been great. Senator Cawthon ask considering how large this expenditure is, have you explored other options? EVP Perez states that this kind of programming is planned for a year in advance, and is not being taken from any other vital sources. Also, $2,400.00 divided by 11,000, each student is only paying a couple of cents for the program, so it’s not as large of a expenditure in the grand scheme of things. President Brady asks if there are any more questions and there are none. Vote is taken and passes unanimously.
- We are updating the Things To Do book, my committee is excited to help change this and leave their mark, this is one of our biggest PR books, so we need help from the entire Senate. Please give us all your suggestions and comments; we really want this book to last and be something all students can appreciate. The Pancake Breakfast is May 4th, USG will be doing photos for students, and I could use help if anyone is interested. Take Back the Night is this Friday; the student leader training is at 3 pm in Bulger. The event starts at 6:30 if anyone is interested in doing a student leader speak out come see me. What you would do is read a fact given to you and introduce yourself. If you signed up to help for the Scavenger Hunt on Thursday the 17th, you will be given all the information you need; if you can’t come, please see me after the meeting. Senator Manz asks if contracts have been signed for Spring Fest and when will we know? AVP Jueckstock states if not late this week, early next week, don’t worry; you will be the first to know. Senator Dobney states whoever chalked outside of the Union for Take Back the Night, forget to write the time. Also, the equipment to rent for the drive in, has anyone considered just buying the equipment and then renting to the organizations or groups on campus? Senator Cawthon suggests on the Things to do Book, to show how the actions of the individual organizations have affected the campus and community. We should also look into actually donating an old projector, I know from my presentations that those projectors are easy to get access to, and that is a large expenditure we can avoid in the future. Senator Desimone states you can go to the library or borrow the equipment as well. Senator Yazicilar states as for the Things to do Book, I wonder if the title could be changed, something like Bengal Pride, Diversified. Senator Cawthon asks if the book actually tells a student how to start a club? I think we need to encourage civil engagement with the students. AVP Jueckstock states that these are great suggestions, and to look at the book and bring your comments to me.
C. AVP Hassan Report:
- Earth Day is April 22nd, and the Volunteer Services Center is having an Earth Day clean up on April 19th. Pick ups and drop offs will be provided, if you’re interested please let me know. We would be back before Scavenger Hunt.
VIII. Old Business: None
IX. New Business
A. Senator Lane states as a lot of you know, I work at Jazzmans Cafe, and I’ve found some very disturbing news and I thought I’d bring the issue to the Senate. A couple of concerned constituents approached me with concerns that affect me personally. I approached Senator Pro Tem Nunez and have now confirmed the situation. I have spoken to Sodexo management and they will be launching their own investigation. I can’t bring it up right now, but once I talk to Sodexo I will be back with an update.
B. Senator Cawthon states that this is a bit of old news, I know that the last meeting when I was gone my Bill came up, I would like to put that on the table for the next meeting. Senator Kennedy states that the Bill needs to be referred to the Budget Committee first.
X. Constituent Questions & Announcements
A. President Brady would like to wish Rules & Regulations Greco a Happy Birthday. Also if you are a senior please raise your hand.
B. Senator Yazicilar announces that this Thursday in the Assembly Hall at 5 pm the Model UN will be putting on a Human Rights Violation program, so please come out, refreshments will be there.
C. Senator Cawthon announces that this summer I myself will be embarking on the US-CUBA friendship caravan, and will be sending aid to Cuba. If anyone wants to participate please see me and let me know. The Torture debate which is a big issue is April 17th, in the Stone Room. The event is during Bengal Pause. The Buffalo Anarchist group will be meeting, and it is a great discussion group, if you’d like to be involved please contact me for information.
D. Senator Yazicilar announces CSO will be having their Caribash next Friday at the Town Ballroom.
E. Senator Desimone states that it was brought to my attention by students that it is really hard to get a computer in the library especially during Bengal Pause when people are surfing the web. The library is in talks to hopefully devise a solution, if you want to help, please let me know.
F. Senator Mirsky announces to make sure you come to the Criminal Justice meeting, its Thursday during Bengal Pause in room 415. SPS also meets Thursdays in the Stone Room, so please go out and support these organizations. BAM meets Tuesdays at 12:15 in the Game Room conference room.
G. Senator Dobney asks if we can get Facebook and Myspace things blocked. President Brady states it was brought up to College Senate and they said because of the technology fee they are highly against banning anything.
H. AVP Jueckstock announces that her committee will table on Thursday.
XI. 2nd Roll Call
XII. Meeting adjourned.