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
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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.
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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.
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Phil’s report
Nothing new to report
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Meeting adjourned at 7:11.