USG Senate Meeting - September 16, 2008

SENATE MEETING MINUTES

32^nd LEGISLATURE

SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

EVP Watson states that there has been some difficulty hearing people speak on the voice recorder. Please speak loudly and clearly so that statements can clearly be heard for the minutes.

A. I would like to introduce Don Irwin (Associate Vice President Information Services & Systems) who will explain what has been happening with Degree Navigator. Don Irwin states that the biggest job he has right now is to finish up the implementation of Banner which is used to register. Banner implementation has caused us to take Degree Navigator down. Every one wants it back up. Getting your academic history out of the old system and into the Banner system has caused some problems and we need to make sure all data is in good shape. We cannot give you a date, but we will be able to let you know in a week or two. In the meantime if you need to know your GPA your advisor can request an audit for you. If you advisor is not available, send an email to audit@buffalostate.edu and state you want a copy of your audit. You can pick it up at the Registrar’s Office. Floor is open for questions or comments.

B. Student Assembly is October 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th we do have one open position. If you are interested in attending, please put your name on the sign up sheet and I will confirm whether or not you will be able to attend. Floor is open for questions or comments.

C. Safety campaign - many senators have come to me in regards to safety. I have contacted Chief Carey and we will be launching a safety campaign. We will be having an open forum where Chief Carey and the other Officers will answer your questions. Once I get a definitive date I will bring it to the senate. Floor is open for questions & comments. Senator Rosie asks if is this is going to be an ongoing thing to make sure they are doing what they are suppose to be doing to keep us safe? President Gabriel states that it is up to us to see how much we want to invest in our safety. I know Senator Desimone wanted to start a standing safety committee, and I believe this is something we can actually start. Senator Desimone states she had a signup sheet for the Ad- Hoc Committee that was started last year and wanted my committee to follow up with the issues.

D. Student Union Box office – there is no one working in the Student Union Box Office because of the budget cuts the college is having. Right now I am in the midst of speaking with different administratives on campus to see if some funding can be secured. I am also looking into a different alternative to see if we can get the tickets sold at a different location. The Provost is the person who actually funds the Student Box Office and I will be meeting with him. Once we have the meeting I will write a memo and put a copy in your mailboxes. Floor is open for questions & comments? VP of Student Life Gail Wells states that the Student Life office was paying the individual in the Box office but we stopped paying for them because we took the monies and used it to expand the building hours for the Student Union. Therefore we redirected the funds.

E. College Senate positions - Student Welfare Committee is looking for students. If a student or Senator is interested in the positions, please see me.

F. USG Advisor - as of today Dr. Neal from the Political Science department has committed to be our advisor. I would like to recognize Dr. Neal to say a few words. Dr. Neal states that he would like to thank USG for selecting him. Several of the students here have been in my class and it’s no surprise to see them here. They are quite active in governance and I would also like to commend you for participating. I look forward to being your advisor for the upcoming school year. President Gabriel makes a motion to approve Dr. Neal for the USG advisor for the 2008-2009 year. AVP Kennedy 2^nd. Vote is taken and passes unanimously.

B. Senator Retention – one of my main goals this year is to retain and keep a full senate. If you haven’t already please fill out your senator contract and return it to me.

C. Senate Training – part 1 took place on Saturday the 13^th the 2^nd part will take place at Whispering Pines Camp on the 27^th. We learned a lot about Robert Rules and it was a great time. There was a Robert Rules for Dummies book that was handed out and needs to be returned at the end of the year. I will be handing out some information that will explain the meeting procedures. We need to recruit students to participant in USG we are here to serve them.

A. Yesterday there was a makeup Treasurers meeting for the organizations whose budgets were frozen due to not attending the mandatory Treasurers meeting. Some organizations contacted me and others did not. Three organizations still have not contacted me and their budgets are still frozen (Dead Economist, Visual Arts Board and College Democrats).

B. I know you asked me what a Treasurer ID card looked like if you come to my office I will show it to you.

C. Survey - next week you will be getting a copy of the survey that I am working on. I sent a letter to all the Deans I will be meeting with them hopefully by the end of this week.

D. Whispering Pines Committee – I will hand out a list of short and long term goals for Whispering Pines. If you would like to be on the Committee please let me know. We will be taking time out next Saturday to walk the 613 acres of land. Any questions or comments? Last week I was asked to send a letter out to the organizations that there will be no more reimbursements. A reminder was put in their mailboxes on bright green paper.

A. AVP Yazicilar Academics Report:
-       Academic updates - the Writing Assistance is located in Butler Library. The study quad is open from 8:30 – 4:30 pm. Let students know about the academic resources on campus. Tutoring is available in South Wing. I am working on getting a one credit diversity class. Also, I’m working with Dean Johnson to have an open forum for students to come and learn about the current candidates.
-       Round Table wrap up – there were fourteen out of twenty-one organizations that showed up. It went really well.
-       The scholarship office is closed. I have been talking to the Director and it is staring to be a problem. I spoke to the Director of Financial Aid Mrs. Patricia Ghee and she said because there is tax information in there you cannot go in. I am asking senators to rally with me to take care of this.
-       Academic convocation is on September 25^th during Bengal Pause. President Gabriel and I will be walking with our robes. I need senators for the Academics Committee.
-       Scholarships and Internship - the first Scholarship is the Panos Scholarship and the Internship is the NYS Assembly Internship.
-       Questions & Comments

B. AVP Dann Communications Report:
-             The Record - I have been working with the Record to create a strong bond. A lot of their writers are seniors; I will be trying to help promote them. They are really looking for writers and if you have anything you want to put in the paper it needs to be handed in by Tuesday.
-       Homecoming is this weekend. T-Shirt give away will be Thursday at 7:30 am for the commuters.
-       Communications survey - you are the reps and your opinion matters. There are five questions. Let me know how you feel.
-       Blue cards - I will be sending around extras. Fill it out; include Birthday and T-shirt size. Did everyone get an email from me?
-       Toilet talk update. It will be going out this Friday.
-       Questions & Comments - Senator Perez asks about the Communications Survey, are you going to expand it to the organizations. AVP Dann states yes. Senator Renea Johnson asks if it is possible for them to air the meetings on a Tuesday night. AVP Dann states that she will talk to the President of BSCTV and see what he says. When I know something I will put a memo in your mailbox. Senator Hirsch asks what the progress was of the digital service they wanted. President Gabriel states they ordered their systems and it takes time for them to get it. Senator Hirsch asks what about the cable drop? AVP Dann states that they spoke to Sarah Velez, and when they find out about it I will let you know.

C. AVP Kennedy Community Affairs Report:
-         Breast Cancer walk I have the sheet if you want to sign up.
-       Commuter week is October 14^th – 17^th tell your friends about it.
-      Questions & Comments

D. AVP Hassan Student Life Report:
-             Chiavetta’s chicken – USG will be handing out chicken Thursday during
Bengal Pause in the Union Quad by Grover. We need all the hands we can get.
-       Homecoming events - USG will be involved in the shopping cart decoration. You can come out and help decorate, it will be judged. The Tail Gate party will be right next to the gym; we will be giving out food to make sure the students are satisfied. Come out and support the football game. Carnival is on Saturday 6:00-10:00 pm I want everyone to come out and make it successful.
-       Carnival of clubs is next Thursday.
-       Open camp weekend is October 31^st. This is open to all students on campus, we will have a sign up sheet.
-       Questions & Comments – Senator Nunez asks do the same rules apply for signing up for an event. Last year if you signed up and didn’t show up you received a half of absence. President Gabriel states that was something implemented by the last AVP of Student Life. I would have to say for right now that is up to AVP Hassan. AVP Hassan states if you signed up and can’t make it please call me. Senator Hirsch states this is in the constitution that you will receive a half of absence. President Gabriel states that this refers to committees not programs. If you can show me this in the constitution please let me know.

A. President Gabriel states that the AVP of Student Affairs has requested that I solicit some student representation on the College Committee. If you do decide to sit on the committee you are required to give a report to the USG Senate following the committee meeting. If you are interested please sign the sign up sheet I am passing around. Also, the Executive Board has put together their goals I will pass them out and go over them. President Gabriel states that the Chief Justice has pointed out that if you do sign up for an event and you do not attend you will be charged a half absence. In addition the person in charge of the program can excuse you if you have contacted them. Also, the Senator Pro Tem position is now open Narcisa Nunez needed to step down for personal reasons. If you are interested in this position please leave a letter of intent in my mailbox by Friday.

B. Senator O’Grady states he heard there are some pending Justice cases can we find what they are about. President Gabriel states that these cases are pending and until they reach a verdict we cannot discuss them.

C. Senator Rosie asks if there is any way we can get a money order system on campus. Also, go to the fitness center and have some fun.

E. Senator Nunez asks can we know who put the grievances in. President Gabriel recognizes Chief Justice Zomerfeld. Chief Justice Zomerfeld states Black Active Minds and Ian Mirsky put a grievance in but I am unable to talk about it.

F. Senator Desimone states that we talked to Chief Carey to find out how the NY Alert works.