Student Senate Minutes

I. General meeting of the Student Senate was called to order by Speaker Poindexter at 6:00 PM.
	A. Absent from the meeting were members: 
	B. Also attending the meeting was: Emily Cruse, Monica Morey, Kelsey Claire, 		Annie…, Jessica, Tracey Hurt, Jennifer Lee, Derek Anderson, Jonathon, The Index
II. Preliminary Items
	A. Roll Call
	B. Corrections/Approval of the minutes
	C. Gallery introductions/business
	D. Guests of Honor
	E. Membership Issues
		- Incoming Senator Heather Talpers has resigned her position. Removed.
	F. Appointments/Administration of the Oath
		- Szewczyk – Emily Cruse as Incoming Senator
			- Cruse – Wants to be able to talk to students and get their 					opinions to say that she has made a change on campus.
			- Givogue – Were you aware that we had an election a few weeks 				ago? (No).
			- Hayes – What issues/committee are you interested in? (SA)
			- Appointed.
		- Szewczyk – Monica Moray as Incoming Senator
			- Moray – Thinks what senate does is really cool. Wants to 					educate/raise awareness among students. Hard worker and willing 				to put a lot of work into Senate.
			- Hayes – What issues/committees are you interested in? (AA and 				housing issues).
			- Givogue – What else are you involved in? (Campus Pals and 				Model UN).
			- Appointed. 
		- Szewczyk- Casey Milburg to senator at large.
			- Milburg – Currently the EA chair. Would like to be a senator 				because she has been speaking to organizations and students and is 			struck by how little people know about Senate. Feels she is 					nonpartisan.
			- Givogue – Was there a reason you did not run in the election? 				(wasn’t sure she was ready at the time with all the work going on 				with EA).
		- Szewczyk – Philip Gilmore to Senator at Large
			- Gilmore – Treasurer now and is involved with budget. Would 				like to have a vote so his voice and the students can be heard.
			- Hayes – Are there any other committees you’d be interested in? 				(Interested in several)
			- Givogue – Reason you didn’t run? (Didn’t feel it was necessary 				and then realized he should be more involved).
			- Appointed.
	G. Changes/Approval of the agenda
III. Executive Reports
A. Secretary - Welcomes new members; asks them to e-mail her. Committees please continue sending minutes and attendance. New name tags coming up soon.
	B. Treasurer - Budget Exists! Students that want their money back?  They will get it upon completion of the full survey
	C. President
IV. Auxiliary Reports
	A. Faculty Advisor
	B. Staff Advisor
C. BOG - Last open forum for Candidate for VP Mon. 5 PM VH 1000 Provost Candidates coming soon.  More people should come!!! Going to confirm reception of information. Emergency confrence call. 3 mill more dollars for BnB (in addition to 1 mill in August); turns out the bathrooms are in dire need of repair and remodel, requiring tearing out multiple walls etc. From where?  The bonding for Dobson.  It will get split now for this BnB issues. Supposedly, everything is OK.  The students will incur no additional cost. Fri Oct 26 1 Pm in this room, Next BoG meeting. Alumni Coming soon, need good stories about organizations. MO Hall Ribbon Cutting happens soon; needs input from a resident
D. Speaker - Business will now occur at the beginning, and reports at the end. Next week's meeting will be somewhere else. 
V. Committee Reports
A. Academic Affairs - Symposium with EA on Genetic Engineering of Crops in 		K-Ville to get better name, and occur soon.  Week of the 12th of 			November.
B. External Affairs Chairwoman - Alumni Reception in Senate Office Area 	12:30-1:30, Oct. 27th. Nov. 14th Renters Rights Online (Goal)
C. Student Affairs - Human Suggestion Box happening soon (serve office 	hours there) No-Show Health Center (15-20 p/ week) Fee.  Health Center Rep. feels that this will hurt usage of the Center.  The lack of Nurse Practitioners could be part of the cause. If it is still and issue with the new employee, then the fee will be considered. Otherwise, the Health Center advises waiting. The HC also does a survey. Crutches? People are stealing them or just keeping them, so the HC has a fee. Met w/ Jerry W., and meeting with Katie Fowler (pres. of SAC) at 12:30 in PB Oct. 15th 
		i. Campus Diversity
		ii. Campus Environment - Lots of input and comments gathered at 				Bandfest. Breakthoughs for bike co-op: Memo from Recter and 			Gilchrist for greenlight of approval of space, pending liability 			issues; asked senate to approve a process, which senate has
			Need an advisor to take a more active roll. Bike Co-Op can be part 			of health and exercise science now, Dean says Ride-sharing and 			Earth Week are now focuses.

	D. Technology
	E. Other Reports
		i. Historian
		ii. Communications Director
		iii. Webmaster
		iv. Ethics Justice
		v. Recruitment
		vi. Legislative Director
		vii. Budget Review - Cooksey (leader of movement against Senate 			expenditure) came to the meeting.  Will continue to come!  Wisa is 	pleased. Continue reviewing budget request. Advertising plans for PR on 	focus groups. USA Today meeting concerning adding a 4th Paper.
VI. Old Business
	A. Miller – Second reading of Sober Rides resolution
		- Esfeld - feels as if a step has been skipped, in that there has been no 	proof of the need of the program.  First this should be ascertained, then we 	should go forward with the creation of the program.  Feels that this should 	be included in the charge in the committee.
		- Wisa -  supports the idea, but is apprehensive to support the actual 	resolution.  For example, liability?
		- Miller - responds that he removed the stipend to pay for the rental of 	automobiles from Enterprise, who has a very robust insurance option 	which covers most conceivable issues that should arise, in terms of 	liability.
		- Wisa - also brings up again the issue of timeframe
		- Miller -  says this issue is addressed in the mechanics of approving the 	“administrative rules”
		- Pres. S. - feels this will be a very unique approach, and feels this is the 	correct way to go about it.  It is also a good idea that this is non-binding; 	this is a step forward in the thought process.   Should we send this to 	anyone?
		- Miller - feels that it's un-needed.
 		- Pres. S - also would like “shall” to be contingent upon the approval of 	administrative rules
		- Accepted as a friendly
		- Amendment From Esfeld: ( in line 25: upon presentation of  report, 	survey, and approval of budget request and administrative rules )
			- Miller - does not like the idea of surveys, doesn't understand the 			report;  Miller amends to remove survey, Wisa objects.
 			- Miller - moves to friendly amend “report providing rational for 			necessity”; accepted
			- Miller - moves to amend the amendment striking “survey”
			- Wiley - wants the survey in; it is.
			- The amendment passes.
		- Friendly amendment to strike “free of charge”, as this should be 	determined within the administrative rules
			- This should occur later, once more research has been done.
			- Miller feels the money is there (5,000$), and it is a detriment to 			the program to require persons to pay for it
			- Maybe it should be positioned elsewhere?				- It is friendly amended to move the clause concerning “free of charge”, 	but multiple objections occur.
	- Esfeld - feels that the resolution tries to pre-empt the decision of the committee before they have time to deliberate and make an actual decision  (The friendly is withdrawn)
 		- Wiley - feels that it is crucial to not include “free of charge”, because it 	would be better to have a pay program than no program at all.  	Additionally, there are only 1,800 dollars left up for grabs from the 	budget.
		- Wisa - also feels that the current budget leaves no leeway for such a 	robust program, and that it is not in the resolution where the issue of cost 	should be addressed.
		- Miller - reiterates, multiple times that the program should be free, and 	this must appear within the resolution.
		- Hayes - feels this is a a good idea, and has been very well researched on 	other campuses.  He has yet to be convinced that there is a market for it at 	Truman, and looks forward to the report that the committee will present.  	He also echoes the concerns about surveys, and suggests perhaps 	entertaining the notion of an alternate method of survey.  He stresses the 	need for more information.
		- Catron - inquires as to making this an exploratory committee, to address 	questions of need as well as logistical issues, EG: minors.
		- Givogue - reitrates that there were six DUIs during Truman week, citing 	this as evidence of the need.  She also feels that the committee could do a 		lot of the investigatve work, and relies on their report, so the resolution 	should be passed.
		- Wiley - says that the possibility of sponsors should be investigated, and 	also is worried that the timeframe is not reasonable.  (The Feb. 1 deadline)
		- Miller - says that safeguards are build in; if the deadline passes, the 	program does not start without a new resolution.
		- Esfeld - clears of a clerical issue, and inquires as to the composition of 	the committee. Offers adding two students at large as a friendly.
		- Miller - states that this is the minimum, and senate specific.  Accepts a 	friendly of “at least”, so the membership is open eneded.
		- An additional friendly, the date Feb. 1 is added to above statements of the 	date, and lines 39-41 are struck.
		- Cook - inquires as to a single organization “renting” the service.  This is 	not allowed.
		- Cook - also asks about the issue of a survey, and says that the turnout that 	Truman gets is an adequate sample.
		-Call to question: Passes by unanimous consent.

VII. Money Motions
VIII. First Readings
IX. Discussion Items
	A. Esfeld – Moves discussion time for Athletics Registration Issue
		- Esfeld – The idea is out there that athletes should have the ability to 			register early due to their busy schedules. Wants as much input as possible 		before writing a resolution on this issue.
		- Graber – Trying to figure out who has been pushing the athletic 				registration. Met with Jerry Wolmering and it is not coming from his 			department. Says that the issue comes up every few years. Four years ago 			there was a committee set up that looked into this issue heavily and it 			never went anywhere. Suggested that he speak to Katie Fowler. Willing to 			speak about the athletes perspective. Has not found the group pushing the 			issue.
		- Stokely – Are we discussing technicalities or the issue in general?
		- Poindexter – This discussion is to contemplate the ramifications.
		- Szewczyk – This has gained the attention of the faculty and the student 			body. We need to decide one way or another.
		- Stokely – Feels it is completely silly because you could make the same 			argument about any extra curricular activity. Everyone is involved in some 		activity on campus.
		- Panders – To allow athletes to register early would place the athletic 			department above all other academic departments.
		- Millburg – Sent out survey about this issue. 121 responses 119 answered 			no. Two athletes responded no. Several interesting responses. Email Casey 		if interested in reading.		
		- Szewczyk – How were participants chosen?
		- Millburg – Asked her co-ed fraternity to take the survey after explaining 			the issue neutrally. The ones interviewed online were not in the fraternity 			to avoid overlap.
		- Lee – Busy schedules are a part of Truman but we should not show 			favoritism to those in sports.
		- Mozaffar – The most convincing argument heard against it is that there 			are majors where people have to go above and beyond with scheduling 			hours. We would have to see if they have preferential treatment before 			considering athletes.
		- Givogue – Talked to athletes to get their opinions. Found that it was 			pretty much split down the middle. 
		- Esfeld – Received several emails that state the same opinions. Thanks 			everyone for their opinion.
		- Wisa – Anyone from the gallery with a different opinion? Please feel 			free to voice it.
		- Szewczyk – The senate can either make a move to specifically address 			this policy change and being negative towards it. Or we could just support 			the way things are currently running. Do we need to specifically target this 		policy or should we support the current policy.
		- Wiley – Spoke to a community member who had the same experience at 			another college. Several students at her college had to stay an extra year to 		finish their majors because early registration for athletes filled all of the 			classes. Spoke to athletes that wanted to know what sport this would help. 			Most believe it would help football that is getting the most attention now. 			Other teams do not have specifically scheduled games like football and 			early registration would not help because their practices change. Feel this 			would only help football.
		- Kiddoo – Cautions Senate towards writing a resolution to this resolution. 		If you don’t say this is how we feel about from this time to this time in the 			future, then this resolution would be taken as the student opinion forever. 			The student body opinion might change in the future.
		- Givogue – We should write a resolution in support of the current policy 			at this time.
		- Jonathon – Would this be for intramural/club sports?
		- Szewczyk – This would be focused mainly on varsity sports.
		- Wisa – For nursing students beyond sophomore year, clinicals take up 			Tuesdays and Thursdays making it impossible for them to take classes 			those days. Several would be opposed to this idea. In the therefore be it 			resolved clause we should include that the student senate does not believe 			in changing registration process at this time. Include a whereas clause that 			many students do no support this idea at this time. Maybe also include that 		professors give overrides to athletes.
		- Zotos – Why is it necessary to make a resolution to keep the status quo? 			Where is this coming from? Who brought it to our attention.
		- Szewczyk – It is important to address this because it has made it to upper 		administration attention. It is very possible that a discussion could begin 			where this could become policy. The administration uses our resolutions 			as the voice of the student opinion and uses them while making decisions.
		- Ponder – It is important that Senate writes a resolution and is firm. Has 			better things to do on a Sunday night than come to Senate to defend her 			right to register as a senior. No preferential treatment to any department.
		- Cook – Is there an opening or a base statement from the administration?
		- Esfeld – Garry Gordon was asked about this and stated that he won’t 			make a decision until they know the student opinion.
		- Wiley – What are the reasons for this being brought up?
		- Szewczyk – Garry Gordon has been out of town. There has not been 			anything official from the administration. The ball is in our court to give 			the student body’s opinion. 
		- Esfeld – We will be talking about this for the next two weeks. Encourage 		athletes to come and speak.
		- Stokely – Feels like the student body is looking for us to address this 			issue. It is not Senate’s job to tip toe around things. It is in the forefront of 			the student body’s mind. No problem addressing it directly.
		Esfeld – There has been a lot of buzz on campus saying that Senate 			supports this and that it is coming from us. We need to let the students 			know that we did not bring about this issue. Reason for having a specific 			resolution.
		- Wisa – Thanks gallery for knowing what Senate does and for using it as 			a tool.
		- Claire – It is important to send a resounding no.
		- Hayes – Important to suspend the standing rules next week to consider a 			resolution.
		- Szewczyk – Thanks the gallery for attending and invites them to tell their 		friends that they have had their voice heard at a meeting. Let other 				students know that giving an opinion is extremely important. Thank you.
	B. Gilmore – Student Senate Budget 2007-2008
		- Wisa - notes we're getting rid of the phones, it saves 300 dollars
		- Wisa - also clarifies what the difference between the Freshman Recycling 	Initiative and Recycling Bins are.
		- Givogue - clarifies what Presidents Round Table
		- Esfeld - inquires of the living sustainably guide price; Wiley confirms 	that 800 dollars buys 75 copies.
		- Printed on recycled paper?  Wiley says they can only do 30%, but will 	further investigate printing on 100% recycled paper
		- Wiley - inquires as to giving money to organizations whose members 	have worked against the Senate
		- Hayes - says that this issue is not reflective of any organization as a 	whole; it is no ones official position
		- Hayes - applauds campus environment for doing a good job in 	programing
		- Miller - inquires of Hayes (representing SOCC Chair) the 	appropriateness of sponsoring a political organization in a voter drive
		- Hayes - clarifies that SOCC is allowed to spend money in different ways 	than Senate, or at least they have been in the past (e.g.: religious events, 	etc.)
		- Miller - wonders if parity with college democrats is needed
		- Wisa and Esfeld - clarify that CDs did not apply for space or money
		- Hayes -  is asked what “other organizations means” - Meyer (SOCC 	Chair) plans to open applications for additional organizations at the end of 	the semester, as the SOCCs quota is not presently full
		- The Budget is approved by a vote of 14-1-0.
	C. Symposium 
		- Wiley - inquires will there be a debate?
		- A symposium is not a debate
		- There are apparently two divisive sides of this issue
X. Other New Business
XI. Announcements

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Piel on