Student Government Association

SEB and SGA will be helping UMBC students register to vote at the SEB Weekly Movies. Come to SEB movie nights, register to vote, and get a free movie pass!! Registration will happen at the SEB movie on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the week of September 4th. For more information, contact Tabassum Majid.

The following are meeting minutes from the House of Organizations meeting. The House meets every Tuesday at 5:30 PM in Room 318 on the third floor of The Commons. These meetings are open to all students to listen to discussion. If you would like to present an issue, please contact the Speaker of the House, Nayana Davis, in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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I. Call to Order
5:32
II. Roll Call
Absent
III. Approval of Minutes

IV. New Business
A. Election-
Carrie- We will open up positions for the speaker of the house. We will vote. The floor is open. Speaker of the house presides over the meetings, organizing House functions, legislation is submitted. Assistant speaker will step in until the speaker resigns or is absent, is responsible for budget meetings.
X- I nominate Ross
Alex- Seconds
Christina- I nominates Nayana Davis
X- I second
Nayana nominates Christina, Ross seconds. She declined.
Vote: Nayana wins.
Nominations for speaker. Alex nominates Ross, Nayana seconds. No other nominations. Ross wins.
V. Reports
A. Executive reports: Jordan- wants to submit a standard format form for SGA.
Carrie will try and send them out first thing in the morning. Decisions by Monday.
Jordan- Erin Hundly needs help moving tables at 8:00 am. Things for next week: taking money out of the general ledger for life size chess set. Looking to make spot next to Bio building as a lifetime place for huge chess set ($6000). Alex already has legislation. SEB: they want to show all the movies outside at least once a week ($12000) for outdoor movies through September.
Carrie- some people would like to circulate through Involvement fest. We need people to set up. We need help 11 through 2. Nayana and FYC had a meeting about first year ambassadors. For FYA they will be going through a training program to decide where they want to be. We should think about what to tell them. Library group has split up the offices. (SGA Library- information about UMBC to outreach to new students. All brochures and pamphlets will be there.)
Phil- This Thursday 6 30 to 9 30will be Student orgs training as well as next Tuesday 12 to 2 30and Wednesday 6 30 to 9 30. We will need volunteers- tables for sign in, help hand out materials, keep order in the room. Come early. There are already 2 or 3 additional allocations we need to also set up the budget process.
Jay- Internal website is up and going. Please sign in in the office. External website stuff is set up. I am setting up an anonomous place where students can tell their reslife stories.
Carrie- some of reslifes rules are not conducive to a community. If you want to build a community you can’t have rules that are that strict. One of the things we are going to start doing is collecting these stories to help change the policy.
Jay- All computers redone and new one’s are set up. Don’t install software. All swipe cards work. A meeting for undergraduate progress report. Kiosk site, the website is mostly there. The UBMC site was defaced. We may persue judicial charges. There will definitely be action if it was a student.
David- CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You are unique, if you don’t do anything, you will be harmful. It is a honorable position. I would like to catch up with those who didn’t go to the retreat.
B. Ex- officio Reports
C. Officer Reports
XI. General Discussion
A. Student Orgs- Discussions about budgets, and what types of events they will have, what types of reimbursements. People who want to plan their own event on the spot, we will inform them what to do. They will know to read event holding manual.
David- 90% of your questions will be asked at this meeting. Be comfortable with this stuff.
Nayana- Is it required president and treasurer to attend these meetings?
Phil- One or the other must be there. They are both required to attend the training. I will send the agenda to the listproc.
B. Budget Score sheets- Ross- is this what we want to give students orgs? This will be something they can look help understand why or why not they got this money. We should decide what we value.
Nayana- Not many people were at the meeting.
David- The score sheet is a guide. It will always be up to the members. If you don’t have some way of keeping track what is a priority, you will be burdened by having to talk about it every time.
Christina- This will be great for finance committee. You will be able to keep track or how much each organization takes and spends.
Nayana- You need to use your personal judgement not just you’re the sheet.
David- This is not a legislation. This is just a guideline.
C. Fall Budget Organization Committees
Nayana- There was a finance committee and a student life committee. Finance committee= budgets, hours and hours of works. I believe we should rotate your responsibility within the committees. Everyone will be familiar with both committees and the workload will be split.
Joy- Couldn’t the meetings be done all at the same time?
Nayana- Meetings will be about an hour long, so if we combined it could be up to 3 hours.
David- Why don’t people be members of both committees and then see what happens?
Nayana- No objections.
Ross- Could everybody have their schedule together for a meeting time?
D. Budget Hearings for Fall- 3rd week of October.
Ross- If there are only 6 people in the body, then that will kill us all.
Nayana- It will depend on how much commitment you are willing to make. It will be a lot a work.
Jordan- There are a lot of student organizations. People are going to be unorganized.
Christina- When will we get the first year ambassadors?
Carrie- You were talking 5 weeks, more likely 6. The FYA were kind of forced into a position. They all did really well. But now they will do a 4 week training program. And for an hour every week, they will figure out how to represent first year students. We want to give them a chance to bow out if they don’t like it.
Nayana- They may think they want to be here but then they change their minds.
Carrie- We have an obligation to each other, we have an obligation to students and to new students to develop into student leaders.
David- Is there some other way, we can bring other people from the SGA to the original recommendation process.
Ross- The new members send something to the house, but new members don’t really have a say on what gets sent to the house.
Nayana- We could make finance committee meetings open to new members.
David- How can you set it up so House members time isn’t so devouted to the decisions? The budget committees will ultimately be left up to the older members.
Christina- When we did finance hearings, everybody did it, but deliberations were the budget committee.
Ross- It is the responsibility of senators and representatives. I want to see an active house that is going to be part of organizations. I want to see a finance committee who wants to sit down with organizations.
Carrie- The houses main job is not money. It is student organizations. But that is the way most student organizations have been served. It might be beneficial to spread around the tedious type tasks but there are not enough members. Sometimes the financial processes takes away other assistances the orgs needs. There are physical limits.
Nayana- Attend FYC meetings as often as you can. The ambassador candidates are right there. You will meet them and get to now them.
David- 2 committees have been formed and been assigned. No decision on budgeting. That question is still on the table.
Nayana- Budget hearings need to be put off. Academics need to come first.
David- This year, budgets for 12 months will be done. Pay now or pay later.
Phil- I understand putting off budget hearings but I want you to consider in the budget committee, to present members to the hearings.
Nayana- I can talk to Senate.
Carrie- The executive meeting time Wednesday 7 15.
David- Last year budgeted up to the first 2 months. Doesn’t force organizations to do a lot of planning.
Christina- We did the first few months, then we asked for additional allocations. Most of the time organizations don’t use all of their money. We want organizations to use their money. They can’t use left over money next year.
XII. Announcements
Nayana- Brittany Hoke- Comuniversity Fest- Carnival games, etc. She needs a lot of volunteers BHoke1@umbc.edu. PLEASE HELP!
Joy- Senior Send off?
Jordan- Alex Bardock was talking about senior send off. I can connect you will what alex did.
Carrie- Please attend involvement fest. Wear SGA tee shirt.
Study group program- Organizing study groups for freshmen classes. Sign up on line. The study space at University center. Groups of 3. Blackboard site up.
XIII. Roll Call
Absent: Ozell
XIV. Adjournment
7:06

The following are meeting minutes from the Senate meeting. The Senate meets every Monday at 5:30 PM in Room 318 on the third floor of The Commons. These meetings are open to all students to listen to discussion. If you would like to present an issue, please contact the Speaker of the Senate, Steve Gilmore, in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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September 11, 2006
5:34 Meeting called to order.

Steve Gilmore resigns as speaker of the senate. Until new one can be elected, Carrie Mann will take over.

Assistant speaker coordinates what committees others serve on, and fills in for the speaker in his or her absence.

Nominations for Senate:
Steve, Thaddeus, Elani.

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Words from Steve:
Being speaker means giving up part of individual right as senator; have to think about entire group. Best as working as a team player, cooperating with others.

(Brittany) what kind of projects did you have in mind for coming up?
A: Harbor Hall Café. Important to redeem ourselves – show people we don’t just start projects, we finish them.

(Terrance) What strategy do you have for being an effective Speaker?
A: Communication key. Problems at meetings or issues outside, should be able to be brought up. Cooperative, but not going to let one person slide – will hold individuals accountable for actions.

(Avi) What ideas do you have for student outreach?
A: Going to students more – using Res halls for events more. Have to start thinking of Senate as not just “second floor of the commons.” Need to show presence around campus more.

(Adrienne) what is your availability?
A: Very involved on campus; Mamas Boys and Pi Kappa Phi, taking 18 credits (music credits). Made schedule to work around other things. Around all day long. When I’m not in class, around student orgs office.

(Alex) How formal do you plan to run meetings?
A: Need to keep formality to keep organization, but won’t be overbearing. Talked to Brittany recently about how important it is that everyone gets a chance to talk. Not going to be terribly strict on technical stuff, more concerned with making sure people can get their opinions out.

(Carrie) How do you see yourself keeping meetings short, to the point, and how do you see yourself facilitating that? Also, how will you help members keep you accountable?
A: Projects and committees shouldn’t be meeting once a month, should be more regular. If there’s legislation, need to more strict about when legislation is due. If not in by certain time, can’t be talked about on Monday (should have weekend to look at it).
Always open for suggestions and constructive criticism.

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Words from Thaddeus:
Junior, political science and sociology major. Think most qualified for position, most experience in legislative body. Think has leadership skills to run meetings, and can be impartial in situations that require speaker to be unbiased. Feel qualified to be able to address administrators and other students outside the meetings. Thinks leaders shouldn’t hold peoples hands and be in the forefront. Leader should lend advice, coordinate with others, collaborate, etc. Leadership style would be one of helping everyone else do their jobs and achieve goals they want to achieve. Think most effective way.

(Terrance) What strategy would you have to run meetings?
A: Sending out agenda, making sure everyone has seen everything before meeting starts, making sure committee reports get submitted, etc.

(Adrienne) Availability?
A: Significant course load, but doesn’t have anything on 2 days. Has a lot of time to commit to Senate.

(Brittany) What kind of project goals?
A: Culture of athletics change, more students involved (preferring to stay on campus on the weekends)

(Carrie) How do you see yourself keeping meetings short, to the point, and how do you see yourself facilitating that? Also, how will you help members keep you accountable?
A: Most project work should be done outside of meetings. For addressing an issue where there is a heavy split on, meeting is appropriate place for that.
Take SGA very seriously, including when he was in it as a Freshman. Always thinking about what the SGA can do. Thinks that can help him stay accountable. Also planners and personal notes.

(Brittany) How do you make sure work does get finished outside of meetings?
A: Lots of responsibility on project leaders. Knows schedules are crazy, hard to get everyone together at one time. Not matter of large amount of people coming together, matter of individuals sitting down and taking criticism to further project. Weekly reports are a great idea to keep people accountable.

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Words from Elani:
Sophomore, Political Science. Realizes doesn’t have a lot of qualifications, but is very passionate about what the SGA is doing. Has experience from high school, was the Commander of highest ranked cadet in ROTC in high school.

(Adrienne) Availability?
A: 19 credits. Honestly, could be better, but wouldn’t take away from effectiveness.

(Brittany) what kind of projects did you have in mind for coming up?
A: Maintain what we had at retreat. Flowing of ideas like we had at retreat. To finish the goals in time frame we decided to finish them.

(Carrie) How do you see yourself keeping meetings short, to the point, and how do you see yourself facilitating that? Also, how will you help members keep you accountable?
A: Understand need for formality, but not too much. Caucus could be used when necessary. As smoothly as possible. Because I’ve not been in many meetings, not really sure how to answer that question.
Deadlines are important – doing my best to get what needs to be finished by a certain time finished and of best quality.

(Brittany) Do you want work done in meetings or out? How do you plan to have that work?
A: Seems like a big problem is making sure you get the legislation in senators hands before meetings so they can vote. Accountability with senators is very important. If you have not seen legislation before, could take a lot more time, and if you have, then should speed up process of voting.

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Steve: 7
Thaddeus: 1
Elani: 2

New Speaker of the Senate is Steve Gilmore.

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Nominations for Elani, Adrian, Brittany, Thaddeus

Elani:
(Adrienne) Are you comfortable accepting position as opposed to position you originally ran for?
A: Definitely. One of my weaknesses is lack of experience and it’d be great to have this position and get to understand how things work better.

(Steve) How comfortable are you with accepting things the Speaker would need you to help out with?
A: Comfortable because I guess, it’s a little more specified, and I know exactly what I have to do.

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Thaddeus:
(Adrienne) Are you comfortable accepting position as opposed to position you originally ran for?
A: Yes.

(Steve) How comfortable are you with accepting things the Speaker would need you to help out with?
A: Conversing with Speaker outside of meetings to be voice by proxy. Could be speaking for Steve, if an issue you felt passionate about but felt it were inappropriate to speak about.

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Elani: 7
Thaddeus: 3

New Assistant Speaker of the Senate Is Elani.

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Parliamentary Procedures
Set of rules.
Speaker will make basic decisions about how meeting will run. Anyone has the right to challenge that by making a motion to overrule decision.
“I move to…” is the formal way to propose something happen.
“I move to amend…” is a special one because it takes priority.

Remarks from Kristina Gaddy
Is Assistant to the President. Work on internal things (making sure SGA has a place where it can work, ordering new supplies, organizing special projects Exec should do).
NOTE: All Exec members are required to work 10 hours of Office hours a week, and attend Executive meetings.

JL01-0607 Life Size Chess Board at UMBC
Alex B. working on this project, especially with the 40th anniversary coming up.
Makeitchess.com
Could be highlighted at communiversity day.
Plan is to chalk board by library, then have them by the pond permanently.
Very sturdy, will be there for a long time. Tradition.
Will be stored (Breezeway)
Will be used more for special events where Chess could be highlighted.
Legislation calls for $7,000.
Two sets; smaller one could be used more frequently.
Not only event at celebration; an event out of lots of events.
Money is already budgeted for 40th – Emma Curran has $10,000. Brittany Hoke has $20,000 to use for Communiversity.
Chance for SGA to aesthetically add to campus. Would really catch your eye.
Proposed place is across from Bio building, by pond, where bike racks are.
On good relations with company ordering from – not worried about getting pieces replaced and the such.
SGA would have an invested interest of maintaining this, as well as the Chess Club (Alex is V.P. of Chess Club.
SGA gets money from student activity fee and from money that’s unspent during year that accumulates in pot called the general ledger.

For: 8
Opposed: 1
Abstain: 1

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JL__-0607 SEB outdoor movie series budget proposal
Over the Hedge had already been playing and SGA cannot reimburse.
Seb is getting money for MI3 from welcome week committee.
Down from 12,000 to 7,263 dollars.
Over the Hedge had a good turnout.
SEB is taking a big hit by allowing them to be played for free on Saturdays.

(Thaddeus) Why does the SGA have to pay for an organization that we already fund?
A: This isn’t something normally comes out of their budget. Normally it’s not free, but they were trying to let people see it for free.

(Steve) Why did they plan an event that they couldn’t afford?
A: Yeah, not organized as well as it could be, but for those of you who went to Over the Hedge can tell that it did help students.

(Carrie) Is it possible for at the end of the year for SEB to come for an additional allocation from the House?
A: Can apply for more money later, yes.

(Carrie) We are not guaranteed they will run out of money later.
A: Eric told me that they will not have money later.

Motion to table. No objections.

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JL02-0607 Confirmation of Brady Walker
Junior, poli sci major. Chief of Staff under Jordan. Liaison between Exec and House/Senate. Also working on some projects within exec (making sure students know where student org space is, and organizing debate for upcoming elections?)

For: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

SL02-0607 Confirmation of Executive Branch Director

Gabe Rettaliata(Director of Academic Affairs)– study group programs. Getting some professors to get on board. Helping with opening of study place (First floor of UC)

Jay Lagorio (Director of Communications) – take care of websites (ourUMBC and SGA’s channel on myUMBC). Works on office hour website stuff. Library – implementing SGA online library. Also text book capitalism. Also helping Jay out with a lot.

Narmin Anwar (Director of Diversity Affairs) – wants to focus on religion, also those students who are handicapped or married, making sure everyone has their representation at UMBC.

Amir Najmi (Director of Financial Affairs) – “Chris.” Assistant to SGA Treasurer, Phil Graff. Writing budgets in legislation to bring to House, tracking reallocations from student orgs, good resource for helping to planning an event.

April Lewis (Director of Student Outreach) – Public relations and developing programs. One is a voter registration drive – go to SEB and have them register, get a free movie pass to movie before end of semester. Also trying to get SGA’s name out in community.

Andrea Roskam (Director of Student Services) – New position to cabinet. Developing a “mystery shopper program.” Basically a student who goes through to do things that students need to do on a regular basis to evaluate how their experience was. Trying to get concrete information.

Kristina Gaddy (Assistant to the President) – see above.

For: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

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SL02-0607 Confirmation of Executive Branch Assistant Directors

Tabassum Majid (assistant director of student outreach) – one of biggest goal is to get SGA’s name out. First year students.

Amanda Rosenbush (assistant director of diversity affairs) – was in house last year.

For: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

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SL03-06-07 Confirmation of Executive Branch Staff

For: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

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SL04-0607 Confirmation of Brian Bailey

Responsibilities: Go out in community and make partnerships with local businesses (eg. expand red card program). President of USM Student Council. Very highly qualified though he will be unable to spend full amount of required time on campus. Compromise is for Brian to receive half stipend since he will only be able to spend half required time on campus.

For: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

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Carrie’s Executive report:

Fee forum is being postponed. Want to get 500 people there, and don’t feel it could be done as is, so going to wait.

40 students involved in study groups. Very big deal that the study groups are as successful as they are.

FY ambassadors will be getting informational emails and will be meeting sometime soon.

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Announcements

If you don’t have corp. time, please get on and post your schedule. Please see Jay if you have trouble.

House general budget hearing (to distribute money for rest of year) takes a week, but if it’s only House members (six members) that do this, it can’t be done. At same time, made a promise to organizations that this would be done (are funded for September, but not afterwards). Is Senate open to helping out with this?
Time commitment depends on how many people are willing to help out.
Third week of October.
There could be 30 people for 6 days, but if it’s only 6 people it’s going to be a lot more difficult.

First Year Council meeting is Wednesday at 5.

If there’s anyone (specifically First Year Ambassadors) who would be interested in trying to get SGA’s stuff in the Retriever, please let Adrienne know.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45.

You may have heard that the new UMBC No-Smoking policy prohibits all community members and guests from smoking within 20 feet of an entrance way or anywhere in the Academic Corridor. This is all true! Curious about what the new smoking policy actually says? You can read it on the UMBC Human Resources web site.

The SGA and administrators from various departments on campus will be holding a Fee Forum on during Free Hour on September 20th in the Student Organization Space. You can use this opportunity to discuss the fees you pay every year with the administrators who receive them! Want to question how your money is being used? BE THERE!

To get a better idea of the fees increases requested, you can look at all of them in one file below:

The following are meeting minutes from the Senate meeting. The Senate meets every Monday at 5:30 PM in Room 318 on the third floor of The Commons. These meetings are open to all students to listen to discussion. If you would like to present an issue, please contact the Speaker of the Senate, Steve Gilmore, in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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September 18, 2006
Meeting called to order at 5:30.
Everyone here.
Minutes good from last week.

Mike:
RA’s in Harbor trying to put on some really new events for CIC. Possible idea: Forum with SGA.
Possible time: 2 weeks from now (29th)
Spot: Harbor multi-purpose area, evening or late afternoon.
Could SGA possibly provide some food for this event as well?

What would SGA members need to do?
Show up and answer questions people have.

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Thaddeus:
First athletics committee meeting. Talked to about sports club (with Dr. Brown). Concerns: athletics doesn’t have enough money.
Sports fees not in 10 year plan.
Building behind Harbor used to have tennis and bball courts – have been no replacements.
Building a parking lot on one of the varsity athletic fields.
Thaddeus trying to figure out who makes final decisions on that kind of thing.
Jordan: Parking lot in planning would take off one of corners of soccer field. Senate can make a huge statement. Varsity sports are going to have to go somewhere – probably will go somewhere where sports clubs are using now.

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Adrienne: Retriever will come out, wrote article about SGA. Poses question: what is the SGA doing for you? How do you feel about it?

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Terrance:
Off campus living task force: Need more info on red id.
Shady grove issue.
Poplar avenue parking problem. Invite residents to 40th anniversary celebration.

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SEB September Outdoor movie series budget JL__-0607
(House passed this, P.S.)

The Break up was not outside, will become Superman (outside).
Reason coming to SGA for money – outdoor movies taking up a big chunk of SEB’s budget. Budget for movies about $20,000. With this if it included would be about $12,000, more than half just in September alone. This is why SEB is asking for more money now, because they know they will run out later.

Thaddeus: SEB is student organization, charter organization, yes, but additional allocation is best way for giving you money. General ledger not pot for student orgs to access – very hesitatant to let orgs who want to do big things to go the General Ledger pot. House passed this on basis that it goes to GL, I’m not comfortable.

Adrienne: if we give you money now, is it a longer process to apply for money? (Thaddeus: actually shorter. Although, this will have to go back to House with new amendments)

Alex: How far off are these totals from totals you expected them to be?
A: Didn’t know of until beginning of school, and couldn’t get a hold of SGA until last week.

Thaddeus: Propose an amendment to strike “and whereas a detailed budget is attached to this legislation.” (Second)

Danielle: Do you cover any of this?
A: We pay regardless of what SGA puts out. We are asking for money because we know we’ll be short at the end of the year.

David H.: Why now rather than coming back in the spring?
A: Have to plan very early, and we know that we have enough money. SEB has to advertise very early with all movies, and if doesn’t work out with money, looks very bad on SEB.
Why not look at other parts of SEB Budget to fill gap?
A: Budget can’t be tapped into from other departments, based on how legislation of that budget was passed.

Dr. Fey: No rule that says you can’t reallocate.

Elani: Did you notice any changes in rate of students who attended movies at end of year (with finals and stuff)
A: Movie schedule in general has fluctuated a lot over the years. This year has been very popular, two year ago was very popular – doesn’t seem that certain parts of the year are more or less popular. Would prefer to have movies to show from late August to early May.

Alex: Outdoor movies have been a good addition to campus ;another thing getting people out of their rooms. Movie series might get more popular after the outdoor movies – might be wise to keep momentum going.

Thaddeus: Agree with what Alex said. Eric and Holly have explained why they are coming here for money now. In my opinion, GL is not the place to go for reallocation. Should be a House decision.

Brittany: Think it’s a great idea. I’m up for it.

For: 6
Opposed: 2
Abstain: 2
(PASS) Means the House will see this tomorrow.

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Dr. Fey – Readership Program
Most newspapers are gone very quickly.

Why we’re doing it and what we hope to accomplish by it: Started 12 years ago at Penn State. So successful that USA Today picked it up. Now 400 universities are engaged in this program. Idea is to enhance learning environment. Lots of faculty already require students to read newspapers.

Starting to see departments around campus who are willing to partner with this program. Preparing students to learn about global issues, and reading is an extremely effective way to do this.
Baltimore Sun and Washington Post very good newspapers that are involved in this program.

10% student body able to access newspapers. Just under 500 newspapers a day.

Dr. Fey willing to spend to get 5% without help. Recommending to get 10% level in partnership.

Thaddeus: locations of newspaper distribution centers?
A: Sporadically, usually the USA Today’s.

Would have opportunity to write case studies and have it published through website at USA Today. Looking at first year student success.

If SGA are the only one’s paying for this, and SGA decides that they only want underGrad’s to get papers, could use card swipper to make that happen.

Thaddeus: cost?
A: Whole year at 10% rate is $18,000; 5% is $9,000.
Could University fund this as opposed to SGA?
A: University wasn’t committed to doing this in the first place. Something Dr. Fey talked to Chett and Jordan about last year. If SGA can’t do it, Dr. Fey can only do it for a semester and then it will most likely die off.

Steve: Unfair to look at SGA and think, “Well they have a lot of money, they can take a hit.”
A: Hopefully GSA can help out too, but we’ve yet to talk to them.

Carrie: Whenever you think about large allocation and funds, think about all the possibilities – is there something else that would be a better buy?

Thaddeus: a regular $18,000 cost to the SGA every year is quite a lot, especially when it’s coming out of GL. This is not a bad program or a waste of money, but in order for us to seriously consider this, need to look at this years budget and next years budget, because it is quite a lot especially for a reoccurring program.

Adrienne: is there anyway to offer you a portion instead of the whole thing?
A: This is an SGA initiative – only here because Chett started it last year. Originally thought could be put together with lots of other organizations. Not Fey’s program. Only reason it wasn’t decided on last year was because ran out of time.

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Alex: If you make it difficult to get (swipe card) people are going to be more hesitant to – might see a significant decline in people to take a paper.

Adrienne: Is there anyway we can see how this works without having to dedicate certain amount of money up front?
Alex: I’d feel more comfortable putting 5% down with the swipe stuff and seeing how it goes from there.

Danielle: Might be a good idea to see how much other departments are willing to put forth.

Steve: so what I hear is that you want to wait this out a little?

Thaddeus: actually, I agree with Alex. I think it’s a good idea to do 5% for a semester, and see how it goes.

Woman from USA Today: It would take some time to get the swipe cards – probably a semester or so. Can definitely start process now if that’s something you want to do, but it is an expense. Works best when you get funding from other departments.

Adrienne: work for Retriever. Already trying to get people to read retriever, but there are tons of stacks left over. Seems like this would decrease incentive to read school paper.

Thaddeus: I think it’d be a counter effect – if you get people to read a newspaper, it becomes more habit and they will most likely read others. Would be a good idea for Retriever to have their papers close to professional papers.

Adrienne: might see less students complaining about Retriever – if the big issues are in professional papers, and there can be more umbc kind of news in Retriever, might have less strife.

Brittany and Danielle volunteered to be on this committee.

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Projects Senate wants to do this semester/year

1. Establishing better relations with Catonsville and arbutus. Getting businesses involved with red card program. Also advertising jobs on campus. Adopting a highway. Display of student art in community.
2. Channel 3. Can never have too many outlets. Even if it was obscure or wacky, get people interested.
3. Harbor Hall Café.
4. Stress Free zone.
5. Representation on 10 year plan.
6. Continuation of advertisement of SGA across campus.
7. Improving shuttle system (adding GPS on vehicles, to display info online for students)
8. e-suds
9. Improvement of commuter lounge

-

Kristina’s report
All furniture for office arrived today.
Rules will be posted to keep space nice and professional.

Fee Forum on Wednesday. Thinking of maybe doing forums more often. Possibly having Chief Cook come in October to talk about violence and safety on campus.

Inauguration planning.

Also working on sports project.

-

Jay’s report
AIM is bad for Office computers. Jay will send out info on how to use it if you need it so you don’t mess up computers.

If you’re confused on something in Jay’s reports, let Jay know.

Adrienne: didn’t get password. Lots of senators didn’t get it.
A: Jay will send out passwords again.

-

Phil’s report
Nothing new to report

-

Brady’s report
Nothing new to report

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Gabe’s report
12 groups. Most have a definite day and time to meet up. Coming up on a second round of advertising after first exams.

Carrie’s report
Office stuff came in today. If you find out who locked the cabinet in the office and took the key, let Carrie know.

Went around to different bodies to talk about ground rules for office.

-

David’s report
Study place opening up in bottom floor of UC. Jordan and Carrie have been involved with bring that space to something that can be used. Developing for 7-8 months. Now at point of talking about things that need to get paid for – security cameras, locks, wiring, etc. Provost will most likely pay for a lot, but something to think about.

Seems SGA is getting hit with lots of requests for lots of money early. Way handled discussions tonight was very good, didn’t give up ground and made good points.

Fee Forum had a large turnout last year. Athletic fee increase reduced by $144,000 because of it. A lot less notice this year, less time with numbers. If Senate members don’t ask good questions, no one will get what they should out of it. Be ready to ask good questions. Be a skeptic.

Carrie: ?? would like to know where students are standing before the forum and also afterwards.

-

Steve’s report
Send reports to kgaddy1@umbc.edu (Kristina Gaddy).
Will also get emails from Steve about specific committees.
To get on agenda must be emailed by Friday at midnight.

-

Meeting adjourned at 7:11.

The following are meeting minutes from the House of Organizations meeting. The House meets every Tuesday at 5:30 PM in Room 318 on the third floor of The Commons. These meetings are open to all students to listen to discussion. If you would like to present an issue, please contact the Speaker of the House, Nayana Davis, in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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I. Call to Order
5:40
II. Roll Call
Absent: Ben, Christina, Yvonne
III. Approval of Minutes
Next Week

Cabinet Reports
A. Vice President Carrie Mann
-Chess board, the order is in. Permanent structure next to the academic building.
UC study place- How to staff study place? 13 computers have been donated. Graduate student body is wanting to co sponsor it.
- Student fee form 12-1: Bring as many people as you can. Best fee changes in a long time. We made a huge point last year. I’ll be presenting. For each fee, we will have 2-3 minutes to speak and we will follow with questions. We saved $140,000 on athletics. We aren’t asking for an increase in fee this year but next year.
B. Treasurer- Training is over. Finance committee $55000 of SGA funds went unspent, mostly from allocations that were unspent. FC can be a little more generous, don’t cut corners so the money gets spent in the right way.
C. Other cabinet reports- Gabe
- Study groups have been split up and they have been emailed. 48 students have joined. Another round of advertising after first exams.

IV. New Business
A. JL 03 - 0607- SEB Septmeber Outdoor Movie Series Budget Proposal
- Nayana- we had passed this piece of legislation but Senate made an amendment but the detailed budget had been cut out. The rainy day money will be transferred to watch Superman.
- Jordan- When we calculated, it is a good idea to spend money on SEB. Each movie cost about $1500-$2000. I think it is worth it because it encourages students to be involved.
-Jordan- Superman Returns wasn’t suppose to be outside but someone emailed me. This kid emailed me and wanted to see it outside. He got a petition together. But we don’t know if we can pay for that extra movie outside. The legislation has been changed so Superman is aired outside.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 2
B. HL04 – 0607- Amendment to the Amendment to the Budget Hearings Policy
-Nayana- An email was sent it to have a personal meeting. People had concerns about how much time would be spent on budget hearing. Amendment: At least 2 members of SGA must be present at budget hearings. If we can house finance committee members at all the meetings, but other SGA members will be there
-!- Will the others have training for the meetings?
-VOTE For 2 Opposed 1 Abstaining 2 FAILS
-Jordan- so how will we make it work? That are present at just this meeting.
-Nayana- 2.5 groups of us will have to be present at the meeting. Sorry, one of you have to be there.
-David- It is hard to get people in the chair for student orgs. Sometimes people promise more than they deliver. We have to do more of a disservice to student orgs.
-Joy- can budget hearings go on during the weekend?
-Ross- they are usually during the week but we could.
- Nayana- Do you guys want to?
-PEOPLE: Yea
-Phil- you have to make sure that we do this quickly
-Jordan- we need to make sure it happens. I don’t think it will happen.
-David- How many orgs went through this process?
-Ross- less than 100. We would see more than 100 less than 200 in October.
- David- These are 20 minute hearings. 40 hours of work have to get done.
-Nayana- We good? Well we’ll have to be.
-David- Reserve time blocks and sign up.
-Joy- can we try and get a lot over the weekend.
C. HL05 – 0607- Additional Allocation for TSA Karaoke Night
-Nayana- they want food for $50. Snacks. Vote?
VOTE For 4 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
D. HL06 – 0607- Additional Allocation for Society of Women Engineers National Convention
-Nayana- They are going to a conference and need $540.
-Jordan- last year I used one veto for SME. How many people are going? 8. Are they taking care of most stuff?
-Nayana- They are paying for most of it.
VOTE For 4 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
E. HL07 - 0607- Additional Allocation for Society of Physics Students
-Nayana- they want to make liquid nitrogen ice cream.
-Ross- they are giving demonstration on how to make liquid nitrogen ice cream. $150
-VOTE For 4 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
F. HL08- 0607 – Additional Allocation for Black and Gold Ball
-Ross- Very successful last year. They are doing a lot of outside fund raising. $10 to attend. We cut down $50 for decorations.
-Joy- I liked the event.
VOTE For 4 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
G. HL09 – 0607 – Additional Allocation for Association for India’s Development
-Nayana- we are funding security and the commons charges. They are paying for most of them on their own.
-David- Is this an undergraduate student association? I don’t think they are.
-Ross- They are funded.
-David-SGA has a policy about funds for undergraduates. Graduate students organizations and undergraduate organizations have events a couple weeks apart.
-Nayana- They are using the funds to help their organizations do charitable things.
-Ross- HSU does put on this event. They did mention off campus advertising. They asked for a lot less money. This group is paying $1000 on their own.
-RECESS
-Ross- they are a graduate student organization. They need to contact somebody else.
-David- It is the first time they have come here.
-NO GOOD
V. Reports
A. Executive reports
B. Ex- officio Reports
David- Today was the 40th anniversary. Jay helped condense information for Student Orgs. We’ll see if that helps.
-Study Place at the University center. We know how to set up the security system and what to do. The provost office will most likely help with a huge chunk and SGA will do the rest. Staffing will be the biggest problem. Student life is talking about. It’s almost ready to go.
C. Officer Reports

XI. General Discussion
A. Committees
-Nayana- Student Life and Finance Thursdays at 5:30.
-Ross- We could pass all constitutions out right now and between now and Thursday, all we would have to do is read them, rather than getting them read.
-Nayana- We don’t have them here.
-David- How much do you know about how a student org gets recognized?
-Alex- Refresh?
-David- As a student org, you have the right to use certain amenities at UMBC. There is a code of conduct they must follow. They must follow the guidelines. SGA takes responsibility for enforcing those rules. The decisions about whether an org is recognized is passed on to Patty. SGA must give her a thumbs up or thumbs down. SGA’s roll is to evaluate whether the organization has met the responsibilities: identify officers, 75% undergrad, constitution. Is additional judgment needed to be made? Will it have a positive effect on the campus or on students? If you are worried about drain of resources, we can pass something putting a restraint on availability on space, we can deny an orgs based on that. We have to give an equal opportunity to everyone.
-Nayana- You can suggest for similar groups to see if they can work something out together. But you can’t say that they are the same.
-David- For the first time, we didn’t recognize an organization based on how similar they were to another organization. We can’t make that judgment. It is open to you to make or not make a recommendation on the grounds you choose. Do you want to do something that OSL is going to counter?
B. House Policies
-Nayana- Attendance is a major issue. We are low in numbers, if we keep not showing up there will be no house. Please follow through with that.
-Jordan- I want to commend all of you that are here. Each of you are being stipend and those who are not here are being stipend as well. If you want to let that happen, you can do that. It is my decision whether I go to the retriever. Ross is so dedicated!!!
-Nayana- 5 strike policy. 3 unexcused absences, 2 for not honoring commitments.
-Ross- how do we feel about in house elections. How do we feel about reaching out to all organizations and offering them to be involved in SGA? David is against it. I think it will save us in the long run. Like the guy who made the petition for Superman. If we want to do that, we should do it soon.
-Nayana- we will have first year ambassadors and I want them to remain first year ambassadors.
- Ross- It worked really badly for Nayana?
-David- The questions is how do you get legitimacy. It is more urgent to get people than making it difficult to get into the house. You looked weak. You are saying to people?
Me- We don’t have the luxury of getting good people.
-Ross- I feel confident that we could get good people. We could rock the house even if we don’t get new people. It is one of those things where I want lots of people to come in here and sit down and be dedicated.
-Nayana- we don’t to seem desperate. We will make a sincere effort to work with the 5 members. You will be proud of it because you will be held to the higher standards. Keep it up.
-David- We need to choose really well. We need people who are going to connect with student orgs and work hard.
- Ross- we haven’t decided to
-Joy- The people that ran in the spring, can we get them in?
-Nayana- We can contact them. Why do we want people to be in the senate not the house?
-Ozel- It’s the Senate.
-Nayana- Is there anyway we can make the house more appealing?
-Gabe- Is there a position for general representative?
-Nayana- How would you feel doing away with seat names?
-Steve- You could change the representation. Instead of having 2 reps just having 1 rep.
Ross- I like having the seats, but there hasn’t always been people in those seats. I liked having the at large seats. I wasn’t really attached at specific groups organizations. That would get even more people involved, like a Senators seat in the House.
-Joy- In general, to advertise, we should say House of Reps. And we could go to organizations and encourage them to join.
-David- What would bring people are in?
-Nayana- I don’t think people are aware what the house members do.
-Ozel- Maybe if we had an open discussion to the general public. And we could actually explain to them what we do. So people understand.
-David- You are the 6th House of Organizations, it might be worth talking through why the house was created. There are things the house could do but has never done it. The house has never been full. If you could start doing the work that improves student orgs on campus.
-Nayana- I have been hearing there has never been a successful house. It is important that we need to rise up to that challenge. At least this year we can get on the path to success.
-Ross- I disagree. I wouldn’t say it failed. We do what we need to do. We could push it to that next level.
-Alex- If i know someone that is interested, how can I get them involved?
-Jordan- Ross and Nayana need to advertise to the public before applications need to be accepted?
-David- We need to find what people need on campus.

XII. Announcements
Joy- Talent Show October 20, sign up October 6. Groups and Individuals.10 pm. Fireworks at 9pm. We want a lot of different things.
Jordan- Wednesday NightYou, Me and Dupree outside.
Nayana- Sign up for communiversity. Get your reports into Kristina Gady by Friday.
David- Student Fee Forum?? When you get information about fees. The student activities fees has stayed the same. We could have it for the following year. If you want to put a fee increase for student activities, we need to make students aware of it.
XIII. Roll Call
Absent: Ben, Christina, Yvonne
XIV. Adjournment
6:56

The following are meeting minutes from the Senate meeting. The Senate meets every Monday at 5:30 PM in Room 318 on the third floor of The Commons. These meetings are open to all students to listen to discussion. If you would like to present an issue, please contact the Speaker of the Senate, Steve Gilmore, in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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September 25, 2006
5:32 meeting called to order.
Thaddeus and Terrance not here yet.
Good with the minutes.

WEEK IN REVIEW –
SEB didn’t have outdoor meeting, rain.
New retriever article coming out tomorrow. This week would like to put in article about what SGA is doing.
Michael, this Friday 430-? Harbor courtyard, SGA open forum.
Alex, study of students feelings of parking. Carpooling idea, blackboard.

EXEC REPORTS
Jordan –
scholarship stuff, will send out an email.
Studentsavingsclub.com – essentially the red card program, on a national level. Charge students nothing. They charge businesses, and set up. Yale part of it, has worked well for them. Will even give UMBC the advertisements.

< ENTER TERRANCE >

Jordan had budget committee meeting, discussing fees. People seem to have problem with athletics at fee forum.
Recreational enterprises fee – creating and development of recreation facilities outside of the RAC. Outdoor basketball courts, vball courts, hockey spot, etc. $5 this time taken out of athletics fee. $5 only goes towards these recreational enterprises.
$5 more next cycle, $5 more next cycle. $15 total going only to recreational enterprises fee for students.
Fees not approved today, suspended a week.

-

NEW BUSINESS

Reports and office hours -
Reports due Friday at midnight. Reports is a way of holding selves accountable. Stipends could be revoked if work not put in.
Alex thinks we should just write down hours.
Brittany brings up point that last year that was how it was and no one did it.
Jordan – computer kiosk could have sign in function on there.
David- do people get anything out of reading other’s reports? Do people get anything out of office hours. This stuff is in place to make SGA as effective as possible.
Avi – pays attention to what someone else on same committee has done.

< ENTER THADDEUS… and his toe >
Thaddeus – task board, to put up things need done each week. Centralizing in office more convenient.
Alex – might be better to say which projects were worked on each week, who was involved, and who’s needed for future. Reports shouldn’t be done in an individual basis. Should be organized by project.

Nayana
Tried to send a new legislation to house about getting two members.
House finance committee member will have to be present at every meeting.

FYA – will work for legislative branch, need to work on getting to know them better. Carrie planned event for them during free hour, Friday.

Senate and house having joint meetings? Asking for being able to all get together at once. Over a family dinner? Impossible to find time that everyone can be there at same time. Free hour best time so far.

Carrie sent out Excel spreadsheet.

Smoking policy effects all on campus.

Projects –

Advertisement, harbor hall, esuds came up a lot last week.

Avi doesn’t see relationship with Catonsville and arbutus as something SGA should take on.
Wouldn’t be an overnight project. If the SGA was to take this on, have to define what goals SGA has.

Shuttle system – GPS systems for directions and tracking.
Majority of drivers are students.
Thaddeus will research GPS stuff.

David Hoffman went to the Phi Beta Sigma pajama jam, and loved it.

6:55 end of meeting.

The following are meeting minutes from the House of Organizations meeting. The House meets every Tuesday at 5:30 PM in Room 318 on the third floor of The Commons. These meetings are open to all students to listen to discussion. If you would like to present an issue, please contact the Speaker of the House, Nayana Davis, in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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I. Call to Order
5:31
II. Roll Call
Christina, Yvonne
III. Approval of Minutes
Approved
Cabinet Reports
Phil- 5 House members at Reports. First set of legislatioins went through. Big one for Model UN. Today, 2 interviews for candidates for accounting clerk in business services.
Carrie- Athletic department wants to bring in speaker for domestic violence. They want people to help for the event. SGA cannot directly fund the events but Student Orgs can help. Will house members help contact organization leaders to get involvement? Looking for around $1500. So 5 or 6 student orgs.
IV. New Business
A. HL10-0607- Additional Allocation for Jack o Lantern Carving Co- Sponsored Event
-Phil- between AEP, ASA open pumkin carving at the commons terrace, in the Middle of October.
-VOTE For 5 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
B. HL 11-0607- Additional Allocation for Cry for Help
-Ariane- Dinner to give back to our people in Africa, speaker, food, performers and hopefully they will make donantions. This year dressed formally and try to make it free.
VOTE For 5 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
C. HL 12-0607- Additional Allocation for Game Night
-Nayana- Freedom Alliance renting the game room and serving pizza.
-VOTE For 5 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
D. HL 13-0607- Additional Allocation for Thanksgiving Dinner
-Nayana- Freedom Alliance- 3 huge boxes of food for $150 and providing dinner for 100 people. There will be pie.
VOTE For 5 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
E. HL 14-0607- Additional Allocation for Ajooba
Nayana- They originally asked for double the amount.
Ozel- What is concert sound?
Ross- the normal sound that you would get, pretty basic for the ballroom. They have a lot of money in their carry over. They are charging $10 a ticket and they would make $6000 for us paying for the event. We want to support it but we don’t want to pay for it using student fees if students have to pay.
VOTE For 5 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
F. HL 15-0607- Recognition of Student Organizations
-Nayana- I am friendly amending it.
-Ross- Retired Gymnastist association.
- Ben- Why not funded?
-Ross- they are not funded by SGA they are funded by athletics. The student activity fee is not large enough to fund all the sports club. They are looking to have practice times. MD votes are off the list, Darfur- Funded Political Social Activation, CCI-Politically funded, Fishing- non-funded special interest group- promoting the interest of those who enjoy fishing, Korean Campus Ministry- Spiritual Religious,
Ross- There is one KCM does their service in Korean, one is a bible study, one is done in English.
Carrie- The fundamental issue, Hoffman did legal research and you must recognize them all or none. There are serious implications!
Ross- This year has been active in the past. If there is an organization that I really have a problem with, like the KKK, I won’t vote for them.
Ross- Billiards Club- Sports Club- their purpose is to encourage tournament participation. Musical Theatre Club- Funded Special Interest Public Health Alliance- Funded, Virgin Pride- Special Interest
Ozel- for a new sports club, they would have to wait for money.
Ross- They could raise money through fundraising.
VOTE For 5 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
G. HL 132 - 0506. Reports
A. Executive reports
B. Ex- officio Reports
C. Officer Reports
XI. General Discussion
A. In House Elections
Nayana- If we want to do this, we have to make plans for today,
Ross- I would like to do them. Anybody else want to do them? Yes, okay we need to inform the entire student body.
Ben- How many and what seats are open?
Ross- We should figure that out.
Carrie- We have four for the year. You may want to be mindful, if you elect first year ambassadors then you will lose 2 body member. 1st year members will be here in 3 weeks. If you lose members then you can’t hold another election.
Nayana- Can we amend the Constitution?
Carrie- You can do it for future house.
Nayana- When do you want to do this?
Ross- I want to see something in the Retreiver, and word of mouth.
Nayana- Flyers or pool of organizations.
Alex- We should ask specific organizations.
Carrie- We don’t have specific seats that need to be filled, it is open. Personal recruiting is the best. You may need to make a new application.
Nayana- We are going to do this 3 weeks from now. We will look in organizations. How do we do interviews?
Carrie- You can do like the speaker elections? We used a score sheet, for interviews, essays, etc. Anyway is fine, just make sure there si an application and an interview.
Phil- Think about when you want to do this, that is also about the same time as budget hearings.
Nayana- What do you think?
Phil- I think you should push budgeting back so more people are there for the hearings.
Nayana- how far back do you want to push the budget hearings?
Joy- I think it is set for the week of homecoming.
Nayana- How about 2 weeks after in house? October 17 for in House Elections.
Ross- Contact all organizations this week. i will send an email to the listproc. I have one from several years ago. Reach out to as many people as you can. Say we want active people.
Alex- They don’t have to run for a specific house.
Ross- We need to figure out what kind of process we are going to make them go through.
Nayana- So we have to plan an application.
Ross- We should have them here a meeting before, it will be a requirement.
Joy- The day we vote, they will speak to us.
Nayana- October 30 for budget hearings.
Carrie- October 30 is you guys wanted to have a joint meeting to avoid conflict for Halloween.
Nayana- I talked to Senate and they thought about meeting for a free hour.
Ross- That week would be a good week to have an informal meeting.
Nayana- The casual meetings would be nice without the gavel. I don’t remember a date being set.
SOUNDS GOOD!
B. Other Discussions
1. Budget Hearings
Nayana- are we going into the weekends?
Ross- I made an open schedule, I will leave it in the SGA offices and fill your names in where you are available.
2. Failing and Suceeding
Ross- We have never been extremely successful. We have so much potential. What if we created something to bring together organizations? What does your organization need that isn’t money or to be recognized?
Ariane- This bus trip was fun. Relaxing, mixing mingle event. They like having field trips, where people interact with each other. Game room.
Ross- What could we do to help your organization grow?
Ariane- Sometime it is hard to approach other groups we don’t know.
Liz- Isn’t there an organization to bring groups together?
Joy- even though UMBC is diverse, it is still segregated. Could board make the event?
Ariane- lets say every month the presidents of the clubs mingle and create a large event.
Ozel- There was a leadershape alliance. One of my Frat brothers, there are a lot of organization representatives come together. We should promote a lot of people.
Ben- IT WAS GREAT!
Carrie- There is a maximum capacity for leadershape. We foot most of the bill. We fund about $15000. Hopefully we can develop on campus leadership training. It won’t happen this year, but maybe next year, to achieve the same goal.
Steve- Readship program- Dr. USA todays Baltimore Sun, etc, they would like us to fund most of it next semester. He came to the Senate 2 weeks ago. i need someone from the House to work with a member of the Senate, Danielle.
Alex- I guess I will volunteer.
Ross- You know how we get the library media center. They can’t spend their money until we decide what DVDs to buy.
Steve- We set up committees to make a list. Terrence is in charge of it.
Ozel- I never new you could rent DVDs from the library. Is there a promotion?
Ross- They have all these display cases.
Ben- $1 a day if they are late, SGA recommended.
Ozel- why don’t we hand out a survey to the students? Compile the list. See whats similar?
Carrie- Is someone volunteering to do that?
Ben- Can’t they go to the committee?
Yes
Ross- People who are interested should be involved.
Carrie- Women should go.
Ross- I am a guy but I agree with you Carrie.
Steve [other committees] Food services committees, Academic services, I will send a list to the listproc.

XII. Announcements
Communiversity- Nobody has signed up. You have to sign up.
Ross- How do we sign up?
Nayana- Email bhoke1@umbc.edu to sign up. YOU MUST SIGN UP!!!
Joy- Homecoming talent show, get people to sign up.
Carrie- Is anyone willing to help look for organizations helping fund the Sexual abuse thing by the Athletic department. It would be a few days of activities.
XIII. Roll Call
Yvonne, Christina
XIV. Adjournment
6:25