SENATE MEETING MINUTES

31st LEGISLATURE

OCTOBER 23, 2007

 

 

I. Call to Order

Roll Call

 

II. Approval of Agenda

A.   EVP Brady motions to approve the agenda.  AVP Jueckstock so moved.

B.    EVP Brady motions to approve the minutes.  AVP Jueckstock so moved.

 

III. President St. Rose Report:

A.   President St. Rose makes an amendment and adds Constitutional Matters.

B.    President St. Rose recognizes Dr. Gary Marotta USG’s new Advisor to say a few words. Dr. Marotta states he grew up in New York City Provincial and he went to Long Island University, Columbia University for his Masters and New York for his PHD.  He is a full time professor in History.  In 2000 he came to Buffalo State College and was initially the Provost. Before this he worked at Long Island University. Floor is open for questions.  Senator Desimone asks what brings you to USG and why do you want to get involved in the Senate.  Dr. Marotta states that members of USG came to me and I contemplated on it for a while.  After I thought about it I thought my presence would be helpful and I believe in getting things done effectively and efficiently as possible.  I also like the fact that BSC is a democratic institution and I want to make this place work. There are no more questions or comments.

C.    UPD is not here yet so hopefully they will be here next week. 

D.   Union Renovation - I would like to recognize Dr. Tim Ecklund.  EVP Brady asks the Senate if there are any objections. There are no objections and

Dr. Ecklund is recognized. Dr. Ecklund states there are some questions with the Student Union renovation so I will be showing you some slides on what we are doing. Then I will show you some slides on where we have progressed to and of Cassety Hall. EVP Brady asks if the Union will be accessible or less accessible for handicap. Dr. Ecklund states in this day and age everything needs to be more accessible. Senator Hamilton asks if the meal plan is going to change. Dr. Ecklund states yes there will be some changes and one of these changes is that the meal plan will be seven days a week. Senator Mead asks if the tunnel going to Cassety is gone. Dr. Ecklund states he is not sure he will have to get back to her.  President St. Rose states that there is a lot of concern with the prices of food being too high. Dr. Ecklund states that USG adopted a standing committee for the food service and this committee will be instrumental in any of the food service changes.  EVP Brady asks if there are anymore questions and there are none. Dr. Ecklund states that construction is progressing quite well and is scheduled to be completed by the middle of December. At that time there will be hundreds and thousands of dollars of food service equipment that will be coming into the Student Union. The staff will need to be trained on the equipment so that it can open by January 20th or 21st. At that time we will be shutting down the Plaza for renovation.  The resident dining is scheduled to be done next fall semester. The Social Hall will become nothing more than a programming space. AVP Dapaah states there has been a lot of talk about a new banquet facility. Dr. Ecklund states he hasn’t heard anything about this. President St. Rose states that there was talk that the Social Hall would be open for programming space. Dr. Ecklund states that Cassety Hall is under constructed and it will open in the spring semester  then we will reassign people in the fall semester. Senator Mead asks when Cassety is reassigned in the fall will it be freshman or upper classmen. Dr. Ecklund states we will be reevaluating it for the fall semester. Treasurer Gabriel asks once Cassety opens will the college still put students in hotels. Dr. Ecklund states there is a good chance yes because we don’t have any room to build any other dormitories. EVP Brady asks if there are anymore questions or comments and there are none so we will move on with President St. Rose report. 

E.    President St. Rose states he will bring forth 2 names for College Senate nominations. President St. Rose motions to bring forth Arthur Cologgi as a grad student representative for College Senate. EVP Brady states the floor is open for questions. Senator Desimone asks if the Senate is going to be able to speak to him. EVP Brady recognizes President St. Rose. President St. Rose states that in a situation like this I thought I just needed to bring forth the name it wasn’t brought to my attention he needed to be here. I will talk on his behalf. Arthur is a GA student in Student Life and he is the night manager for the Union.  EVP Brady asks if there are any more questions or comments there are none we will then move into a vote. Vote is taken to appoint Arthur Cologgi as a College Senate representative and passes 13 yeas, 0 nays and 7 abstentions. President St. Rose motions to nominate AVP Timothy Walters as a representative for College Senate. EVP Brady opens the floor for questions.  Student at Large Yazicilar states that he would be great.  EVP Brady asks if there are any more questions or comments there are none we will move into a vote.  Vote is taken and passes unanimously. President St. Rose states that there is a third opening on College Senate. I am asking the Senate to nominate someone you think would be good. There will be a 5 minute discussion. EVP Brady opens the floor for nominations. Senator Hassan states that she would like to nominate Jessica Mead.  EVP Brady asks Senator Mead if she accepts the nomination.  Senator Mead accepts. Senator Bancroft would like to nominate Senator Desimone.  EVP Brady asks if she accepts the nomination. Senator Desimone accepts. Senator Nelson nominates Senator Nunez. Senator Nunez accepts.  EVP Brady states the College Senate meetings are once a month and there are committee responsibilities. Are there any more nominations for College Senate? President St. Rose nominates Senator Nelson. Senator Nelson does not accept. EVP Brady starts there are 3 nominees Senator Mead, Senator Desimone and Senator Nunez.  EVP Brady recognizes Senator Pro Tem Perez. Senator Pro Tem Perez states that just make sure you can make the meeting once a month at 3:00 pm. EVP Brady states that we will vote on Senator Mead for nomination and passes 7 yeas, 6 nays and 7 abstentions.  Senator Mead is on College Senate.

F.    President St. Rose states that the AVP of Academics position is still open.  Last week I announced the open position as of today I have not received any letters of intent. If you are interested please leave a letter of intent in my mailbox. Senator Hassan asks what does the position entail.  President St. Rose states that you meet with the Provost, plan study day and plan academic programming. You do have a huge responsibility and it is a paid position. EVP Brady states she will read the description from the constitution (see Article 7H page 17). 

G.   Game Room Committee Chair - I would like to make a motion to move Game Room Committee to New Business. Senator Desimone 2nd. 

H.   Constitutional Matters - President St. Rose asks EVP Brady if he can recognize Dr. Tim Ecklund to speak. EVP Brady asks the Senate if there are  any objections and there is are none. Dr. Ecklund states that he would like to speak on a matter that occurred 3-4 weeks ago on a resolution that was passed. This resolution essentially suspended the rules and dismissed the President as Chair of the Senate. The Chair of the Senate was replaced by EVP Brady. The college has an invested interest in the matters of USG and the college’s President who sits above all matters of the college was very interested in us examining that resolution.  Because we saw some things that we thought were problematic with the resolution, I want to tell you what we thought some of the problems were and appeal to you to reconsider that resolution.  I’m not quiet sure what the formal way to do this and to reinstate the President as the Chair of the Senate.  The problem essentially goes with our review of Robert Rules of Order that indicates that in ascending the rules that the constitution and bi-laws do not fall into a category of rules of order and cannot be suspended. The resolution in itself results that an article above the constitution be suspended.  So our review and our discussion with others say this was not in order for that to have taken place. EVP Brady states that this is out of order because this is currently a judicial case. EVP Brady states we will continue with President St. Rose Report.  President St. Rose states that even though we are a separate entity we have checks and balances guess who checks up on us.  Even though we are a Student Government at times the Administration will step in.

I.      Questions & Comments - I am asking to recognize Rules & Regulations Greco regarding a judicial case for Evergreen. EVP Brady asks the Senate if there are any objections to recognize Rules & Regulations Greco and there are none. Rules & Regulations Greco states that his committee denied organization recognition for Evergreen for several reasons. They have gone to the Judicial Branch to file a grievance against my committee.  Judicial ruled that just because my committee denied them recognition it gives them no right to file a grievance against a committee. 

IV.            EVP Brady Report:

A.   Pre-registration - all elected officers get to pre-register.  I am asking everyone to please try to make your schedule so it does not affect your attendance at the Senate meeting.  We are trying to change the time of the Senate meetings to Tuesdays at 7:30 pm.

B.    Academic Committee - because we no longer have an AVP of Academics I will be in charge of this committee.  I will be contacting Dr. Ponton and sometime in the next week we will have a meeting.

 

V.            Treasurer Gabriel Report:

A. Manners Matter is next Friday at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  We have 10 free tickets the first 10 people to sign up will get a ticket. If you are interested please sign the sheet  on Cindy’s desk.

B. Organizations Treasurer update - I’ve been meeting with organization Treasurers and some of our biggest concerns is the reimbursement process. Please rein ovate to them that  we will be sending them a memo that the reimbursement process is not that for you to go spend the money and then get reimbursed.  This is not how the process works.  A lot of organizations have their Advisors spend the money and it’s not approved by Vice Treasurer Stoll or myself before hand nor do they speak to the Business office. Please let them know that they need to go to the Business office and request a reimbursement form and they need to fill it out. Once the form is given to me we review it and decide if we approve it or not. If the reimbursement is approved you can go spend your own money and get it back.

 

VI.            Standing Committee Reports

A.   AVP Jueckstock Communications Report: None

B.  AVP Walters Community Affairs Report:
      - Community Service Day - I would like to thank the 6 people who showed up on Saturday to help out.
      - Committee Meeting Time - I have committee meetings on Thursday at 4:30 if you are interested with any thing on campus or outside of campus you can come give your input.

C.    AVP Dapaah Student Life Report:
- Union Bash went great and thanks for everyone who helped.
-  Camp Day - the E-Board voted today that camp day will be mandatory for all Senators to show up.  The dates are November 10th - 11th a couple of Senators and E-Board members will come back on Sunday and get the students for the day trip.
-  Movie night is next Tuesday at 8:00 pm and the movie showing is  “Disturbia”.  The movie will starting during our meeting.
- AVP Jueckstock announces that the advertising campaign for camp day has begun.  There is a sign up sheet at the USG Office, Information Desk and Game Room.
- Thanksgiving Bus - I am looking into this it might just not be going to New York City it might be making stops in Syracuse and Binghamton. Hopefully, by next week I will know more.

D.   Rules & Regulations Greco Report:
- Judicial Case - tomorrow I am representing the USG Council at 3:15 in the Game Room.  Student at Large Mosgrove has filed a grievance against USG on the resolution that was passed a couple of weeks ago. Floor is open for questions. AVP Walters asks who is representing Student at Large Mosgrove. Rules & Regulations states any one can and it is an open proceeding. Treasurer Gabriel asks Rules & Regulations Greco isn’t your position to be biased.  Rules & Regulations Greco states it is in the bi-laws that he represents USG on all matters.  Since he doesn’t have a vote on any committee (E-Board, Senate and Rules) he is unbiased.  Also, it is his job to know the rules and the constitution. President St. Rose makes a motion to appoint another representative to defend USG in this matter.  AVP Walters 2nd.  Floor is open for debate. Senator  Manz states that understands where the motion came from but who else out of everybody here would be qualified or knows enough about the rules to represent USG.  EVP Brady  states that is a question not a nomination. Treasurer Gabriel nominates our USG lawyer. Senator Manz states if this is tomorrow how are we going to notify him by tomorrow and fill him in on all of the information of the case. AVP Dapaah parliamentary inquiry, can we just suspend the judicial bi-laws just like that. EVP Brady asks AVP Dapaah to repeat the question. AVP Dapaah states she understands that our Rules & Regulations Chair is acting as the USG representative when the case involves USG, but can the judicial bi-laws be overturned in our Senate. Senator Rules & Regulations Greco states no. AVP Walters states that the USG lawyer has been following this case since the Administration and Rules Chair Greco brought this up to his attention.  So the lawyer knows the case.  Treasurer Gabriel asks if the Judicial Gallery can be recognized.  EVP Brady asks if there are any objections and there are no objections. Senator Pro Tem Perez states that according to our bi-laws Student at Large Mosgrove can have Rules & Regulations Greco represent him as well. Seeing that Rules & Regulations Greco can represent both parties this is non-bias. AVP Jueckstock states that I do not think that Rules & Regulations Greco is being bias because his job is to represent us and the rules.  We voted on a resolution and it passed by 2/3 vote and he supporting that and is just showing that we followed the  rules. He is not saying he is in support of it. I don’t understand why we would want to change him representing us.  This isn’t USG Senate vs USG Senate it is Michael Mosgrove a student saying that he doesn’t agree with it and he doesn’t agree with the constitution. Rules & Regulations Greco is just upholding our constitution.  Senator Manz motions to call to question. Senator Nunez 2nd.  EVP Brady states that we are voting on whether we are ready to vote. Vote is taken and passes 19 yeas, 0 nays and 1 abstention. EVP Brady states we are voting on if we are going to have a different representative. AVP Dapaah states if we can not change judicial bi-laws why are we still voting.  EVP Brady recognizes Rules & Regulations Greco. Rules & Regulations states that he is at the will of the Senate and if you wish to have another person represent you I will step down.  EVP Brady states we are now voting on the motion to have a new representative.  Vote is taken and does not pass 4 yeas, 14 nays and 2 abstentions.

 E.  Senator Pro Tem Perez Report:
  -  Tonight is the final night for liaison reports.  If I do not have them by the end of the meeting you will be charged with a 1⁄2 absence.  The next liaison report is due the last meeting of November.
  - Game Room committee we will put off until the Chairmanship is confirmed by the Senate under New Business.
  -  Senate nominations - I would like to motion to nominate Student at Large David Enderton and Phillip O’Grady.  Senator Manz 2nd.  Floor is open for questions. EVP Brady states there are no more questions so we will move into a vote. Vote is taken to nominate David Enderton as Student at Large and passes 19 yeas, 0 nays and 1 abstention. Vote is taken to nominate Phillip O’Grady as Student at Large and passes 12 yeas, 4 nays and 4 abstentions. President St. Rose is recognized to swear them in. Senator Pro Tem Perez asks for the new Student at Larges and Student at Large Alinor to see him after the meeting.

 

VII.            New Business

A.   President St. Rose is recognized to nominate the Chair for the Game Room.  I would like to make a motion to nominate Senator Pro Tem Perez as Chair for the Game Room.  EVP Brady asks Senator Pro Tem Perez if he accepts.  Senator Pro Tem Perez accepts. EVP Brady asks if there is a 2nd.  AVP Walters 2nd.  EVP Brady asks if there are any questions there are none. EVP Brady states we will vote on the motion to appoint Senator Pro Tem Perez as Chair for the Game Room.  Vote is taken and passes 20 yeas, 0 nay and 0 abstentions. 

 

VIII.            Constituents Questions/Announcements

A.   EVP Brady recognizes Student at Large Yazicilar.  Student at Large Yazicilar states that NYPIRG wanted her to bring forth a resolution for TAP [resolution was attached to minutes]. This is a program on how to get financial aid.

B.    Senator Pro Tem Perez states that the Game Room will meet tomorrow at noon in the Senate Conference Room.  We will be dealing with issues with the Game Room.

C.  AVP Jueckstock has a parliamentary inquiry.  Are we allowed to motion for resolutions during questions and announcements?  Rules & Regulations Greco states you can motion something at any point. AVP Jueckstock states she would like to put forth a motion to accept the TAP resolution because I do think it is an important issue.  This issue hasn’t been amended or looked at in I believe 10 years and it is an issue that all students are facing. I believe we should agree to support this with other organizations on campus. AVP Walters 2nd.  EVP Brady asks AVP Jueckstock to read the resolution.  Floor is open for  questions or comments.  EVP Brady states there are no more questions so we will move into vote to see who is in favor of this resolution. Vote is taken and passes to approve the TAP resolution 16 yeas, 0 nays and 4 abstentions. 

D. President St. Rose states if any Senators are interested in going to Student Assembly this Friday see me after the meeting.

E.    Senator Mead announces that she has an appointment with Dr. Charles Kenyon  the Dean of students. If anyone has any questions please let me know. Also, the Weigal Health Center would like to hold a TIPS class.

F.  AVP Dapaah states that Senior Week was started a couple of years ago. We have started talking about the Senior Giving Program.  This program was set up for graduating and outgoing students for the year to give something out of their own pocket back to the school.  I am asking for suggestions for what you would like to see bought with this money.  Also, my committee is starting to plan events for next semester.  If you have any ideas please put them in my mailbox.

G.   EVP recognizes Erin from NYPIRG. Erin thanks everyone for approving the resolution.  Erin makes a couple of announcements.

H.   President St. Rose announces the Peace Conference is tomorrow this is an all day event in Rockwell Hall.

 

IX.            2nd Roll Call

 

X.            Meeting adjourned at 11:20 pm.