Student Government Association

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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5:39 meeting called to order
Roll Call: Mike on his way, Brittany excused, Danielle…?
Approval of minutes: good

Week in review:

Adrienne
• Night at the Apollo good
• Made announcement about retriever weekly (interviewed about informal dance)
• Flyers should be coming out soon

Elani
• Commons advisory board meeting – meeting rooms on 3rd floor will be themed by decades.
• Huge list of projects over the summer coming out soon too

Gabe
• Looking into Arabic and sign language – emailed head of MLL department

Nayana
• Finished constitution, should be presenting next week

Dr. Fey

• Newspapers definitely being read.
• In commons, gone early afternoon
• Last a little longer in other buildings
• 99.8% usage (665 currently picked up)
• haven’t done more surveys
• more people prefer after than did before
• majority still get news from other sources
• look at proportion; to determine how much undergrads, grads and faculty should pay
• this year we had a pilot program, so didn’t have to pay for 4.5 weeks of program; would be paying for all of it next semester
• $30,000 ish next year
• 21k for undergrads
• do you believe usage of newspapers is valuable enough to students to spend money vs. whatever else spend money
• willing to pick up faculty and staff side
• Sondheim kicked in $500 each semester for the program
• Next year will be strapped for money (request to cut 2% of budget). Don’t see it likely that other departments will put forth money
• If stays, because of SGA (biggest amount), GSA, and Dr. Fey’s office
• Can put in $3,400 to keep it going another year.
• If SGA doesn’t do it, it won’t happen
• NY Times – The Sun expressed interest too. USA Today program has 3 different papers. The Post provides international and national perspectives (Post top 3 as well as Times). Post 15 cents cheaper per paper compared to Times; also a local paper (in terms of advertisements).

What is it we would have to do?
Determine if it is important – if so, put up percentage of funds. One time expenditure of funds from GL wouldn’t even be a drop in bucket.

Is there a chance of having Post separate from USA Today program?
USA Today negotiated rate for Post and Sun. According to surveys, USA Today is not last paper picked up. Post, USA Today, then Sun. Tastes on campus are broad.

If we decided to go with just one, would your dept still help same proportion. Equal cost of less cost with different program, still help?
Wouldn’t be opposed, but would want to be sold on why would do that.

Rates for prices on each paper
35 cents for USA Today
35 cents for Sun
25 cents for Post (? Could have gotten Sun and Post switched)

If we put this in our budget, will that need to be every year or subject to change?
Wouldn’t want to enter it in more than a year contract – they offer a 2 year contract, but since SGA changes so much, tough to settle something for a future senate 2 years out.

What have you heard from professors incorporating into classes.
Sondheim, yes. Faculty is definitely using program.

30 weeks a year, 15 a semester?
During academic year – deliver through finals, not on breaks though.

Have you heard any opposition to program?
Haven’t heard anyone – only hesitation is from Student Government. On the other hand, who would say that they don’t ‘like something they got for free. No one has really said, “why are you doing this?”

Wouldn’t support a fee increase – if GSA is in support, they have some money to help out with.

Most campuses are using this program. At national conventions, this is the program people bring up.
Other campuses get same rates. Other campuses have dedicated student fees, some have taken out SGA money, some have Student Affairs money. Penn State pays for it out of Student Affairs.

If we make one time expenditure, are you prepared to defend year after year?
No, not my program. Was a conduit to bring this program to SGA (last year and this year). From retreat, got impression that Senate was in favor, so went forward.

With SGA being biggest contributor, would be anchored to it. Would go up to $30,000? Would be paying 70% of total cost – lots of money to pay for one year and then have students expect students to provide in future years, especially when we know we’re not getting money from other departments. Are concerned about students saying, “why isn’t SGA getting papers this year?” Concerned if we start the program, will set up self to continue program which is a lot of money.
If students want paper, that’s who you serve. If you deal with 11-12k people that use this program, what other program do you have that touches more people than this. Potentially every one on this campus, for as little as 3-4$ a year. This is the tough part of leadership. There isn’t anything else that I can see that you could do that could touch as many people as this could touch.

Is there anyway we could put this in our budget without yearly increase?
Budgeting a GL expenditure, could budget in. Depending on other student orgs will determine if this is sustainable.

If you help out this year, greatly appreciated. But, I’ve already paid for it. Somehow there is a myth that this is my program. I’m not here to defend it – just give you information about it. If you want do the program, that’s fine, if not, that’s fine. I think it’s a good program, but the decision is up to you. The only reason it came up this year, is because SGA expressed interest, but it’s been coming to me for years. You could also let the papers give a bid, and take the cheapest price. I’m confused about why this is taking so long when you’ve made decisions faster with more money at stake.

Only hesitation is that each SGA will be new. At retreat, lots of people first came to SGA. May have just excited but not looking into the future as much as should have being new. Thank you for bringing the idea to us.

I’m not defending program, I’m just a conduit to get it here. I’ll help anyway I can, even money.

I remember discussion about card readers. Nothing on card’s now to distinguish people from undergrad, grad, faculty, staff.
Would be no reason for card reader, in my opinion.

Card reader good idea because want to see what proportion people are using it; see if proportions we have are accurate. Could see that undergrad’s are using way more or way less than 70%.

Are we comfortable with seeing this program continuing, even though part of funding not from a source that will continue?

Difference between dance and papers is that we’re getting money back from dance.
Also, dance is advertised as 40th thing – so doesn’t need to be continued.

Exit Dr. Fey

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Phil - Everyone is so tentative about if we can afford – we can, just determine if this is what we want to do or not.
Alex – let’s try not to beat a dead horse. He said everything he’s said all along, and when he said it this time, I agreed with everything. It’s not his program, it’s the campuses program. Our decision if we want to do it. If students say that they want it, our responsibility to bring them newspapers. Where we have leverage – what papers, and how many we put forward. Benefit of NY times is they actively engage faculty; workshops with faculty, free newspapers for faculty, etc. I will continue to head up the committee. I encourage everyone to take the survey and get friends to take.
Thaddeus – agree with Alex a lot. Think we need to talk with NY Times about specifics, compare and contrast. Maybe go straight to the newspapers to pick and choose which ones we want. Doing research into how we can get mass subscription to Sun and Post. Money important, personally not comfortable to use GL money, but just own personal opinion. $22,000 a year is a lot.
Adrienne – no need to beat dead horse. Now we know how Dr. Fey feels. We are the people that have the most people to put forth, and under grads do use the program most. If we can get past how we were approached, whose program it is, etc, it’ll be all good. Puts a lot of pressure on next year’s SGA. One time expenditure, no point in avoiding it anymore.
Terrance – are we paying for each paper or just one paper? USA Today program, pay chunk. With NY Times program, pay per paper. Pay for papers taken.
Avi – we have lots of students benefiting, and don’t really have any other program that we are able to provide a service to this many students. SGA should try to reach the greatest amount of people, this program can do that.
Mike – assuming we have an ideal situation where everyone is re-elected. How many people know they can’t be in next year. 4.5 Seems like there won’t be a lot of pressure next year to follow up with stuff we’ve done. Don’t have as much pressure because general student doesn’t understand difference between different SGA’s year to year.
Adrienne – any talk of legislation, Alex?
Alex – waiting for results from survey. At this point, USA Today program might not even be best fit program for this campus, but need results to determine.
David – can set up hotline for newspaper addicts. If there are big cuts next year, SGA might have to spend beyond its means for first time next year. SGA’s in past have spent far less than allocated. But, if do this, will cut SGA’s funding closer to bone. Raises question: is it okay for SGA to spend more money than taking in?
Thaddeus – under enrollment using projection numbers that aren’t real.
Mike – have we done any research to what we can do to improve retention? No, but there is a retention committee.
Gabe – I have faith that future SGA’s will ensure we don’t go bankrupt.
Phil – you should do what you think is right, right now; don’t worry about future SGA’s.
Steve – NY Times: 40 cents a paper, faculty directly involved, if they get 10 students involved, they get free home subscription. Online service costs money. Could bring guest speakers down for free. Towson, CP, Loyola also takes part in this. Steve – NY Times: 40 cents a paper, faculty directly involved, if they get 10 students involved, they get free home subscription. Online service costs money. Could bring guest speakers down for free. Towson, CP, Loyola also takes part in this.
Mike – that sounds really good. Can we do someone to come down and give us a proposal? Yup

Tabassum – can we have some kind of resolution that says how we feel about this. He’s coming in, talking, we sound like we agree. Now that we’ve ended this meeting on a good note, there’s need to be follow up soon.

Will have committee meeting soon – discussion over.

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EXEC REPORTS

Gabe – continuing with study groups. Also MLL thing.
Nayana – make sure getting out to people about running
Josh - General assembly in favor of freezing tuition – only support with full funding of governors budget. Secondly, looking into possibilities for what Ramona proposed last week.
David – turn in your applications
Phil – entertaining idea of deficit spending to do program like Readership.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Steve – OPA and Woolie applications are due this Friday.
Nayana – sending out constitution soon
Mike – a moocher.
Everyone except Danielle and Brittany.
6:51 meeting adjourned.

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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5:35 meeting called to order
Jen Kent, Thaddeus and Mike Pollard absent.

Week in review:

Adrienne –
• 1st meeting march 30th
• advertising started – facebook group

New Business:

JL14-0607
• original idea have top 10 vote getters; problem is that if you’re in a race that’s contested, people will vote either you or opponent. Solution: run election without indicating who is running for which seat.
• Adoption requires 2/3 of senate. Requires 7 people to pass (8 people to vote).
• New exec board would have VP for student organizations
• Staff will be appointed
• Will contact student orgs directly to tell them about new procedures
• Financial board group that student orgs will go to request money – only deal with money. Financial committee sub part of entire house; also can serve on other committees and projects.
• student advocates don’t have money of their own, but can request money to work towards certain goals/projects
• VP for student orgs will still be on financial committee, but can’t vote
• Financial board will only have to deal with money, in an attempt to not overload them. idea is to have members focus on one part of the process rather than multiple things.
• Will notify candidates and give opportunity to change what they want to run for – even senate/house switching.

In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1
Absent: 2

Phil – Budget time

97.5% budgeted normally
100% budgeted this year
budgeting to spend more than we plan to get – know not all of money will be spent. Allows us to support more programs. In order to not dip into too much, other things may have to be cut.
Cutting retriever budget down from 50k to 45.5k.
Leadershape
Readership
Stipends
DVD’s in library
Quadmania
Things for commuters

Planning to spend 45-50k more than get in. Probably at most spend 20-25k more than get in.
Stipends
President and vice president make much more than should be relative to other members of the SGA. Came up with modified numbers.
7,000 down to 4,500 (president)
3,300 (VP)
2,200 (Treasurer)

11,100 total pot vs. 5,000 before

New draft that Phil will be sending out – final budget to be decided soon.

Stress free zone up’d to $5,000

Both house and senate will vote on this the week after spring break.

At a lot of schools, presidents get tuition remission.
Would not be good if president had to take on second job in order to fund school.

Adding more money and cutting from top.

Readership
SGA contribution has to be at least $20,000 (70,8% contribution)
Could be some kind of program, even if it’s not USA Today program

Leadershape
40-50 students every winter
program costs a maximum of $30,000 – in the past SGA has contributed $12,000 and each person pays $100 to go. Rest of money has come from Division of student affairs and Res life.
Dr. Fey has decided he would not like Leadershape, and instead would like an in house program. Dr. Fey would probably view SGA’s support of this program (leadershape) as irresponsible.
Dr. Fey wants OSL to come up with own program that will be held here (haven’t started working on this yet).
Half of cost for leadershape is food and lodging, other half is use of curriculum and materials.

Enter Thaddeus, who thought today was Wednesday

Ross – leadershape doesn’t just affect students that go, but also all those that those students talk to when they return.
Dr. Fey could give recommendation to SAFRB not to approve our budget (works with Dr. Hrabrowski)

Dr. Fey thinks SGA would like to continue program, but looking for ways to save some money on his budget (what with the 2% budget cut across board).

What’s the likelihood of OSL of doing this?
Dr. Fey hasn’t agreed with the program for some time, but hasn’t ever been as direct about not supporting in any way before.

Leadership development plan does not include a week long retreat.

Steve – no other program that impacts students as much as Leadershape (in terms of leadership).

OSL helps staff Leadershape – OSL staff might not be available if we do it anyway, since Dr. Fey won’t let them.

Thaddeus – we should have it, even if it costs some money, as it clearly serves the students (not just those who go, but those who are affected by those that attend)

EXECUTIVE REPORTS

GABE – Dr. Schwartz meeting about saving Arabic and ASL

TABASSUM – candidate applications are in, elections and campaigning coming up. Asking for feedback.
• Elani – no change except encourage people to vote
• Jay – restrict discussion of topics with people in and not in SGA
• Alex – candidates not allowed to use office to work on campaign
• Danielle – can’t use SGA’s resources
• Thaddeus – office should be place to think of way to get people to vote.

DAVID – Greek expansion committee (look at what can happen that will lift moratorium on Greek Life). Report out in next few weeks.

CARRIE – yay for women’s basketball team.
Yay for dance.

JAY – any concerns with OIT?
Survey link will be posted in paper. Will go onto myUMBC soon.

PHIL – half hour about budget… you know
Announcements –

Thaddeus –
1, why is the only building on academic row with elevator locked
2, why is it locked when people should be using those buildings for space and resources

How can we have a weekend climate if all the academic buildings are closed on the weekends.

Adrienne –
Meeting Friday march 30th free hour

Danielle –
Eco fest, April 13th, food and bands.

Phil –
Tomorrow, main street, close combat Israeli defense force simulation

Everyone here except Mike, Terrance and Jen.
7:05

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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Call to Order
8:22
Roll Call
Absent: Ozelle
Approval of Minutes
Approved
New Business
A. JL14-0607-Amendments to SGA Constitution and By-laws
Ross- is there anyone who wants this to be clarified? We have been talking about this for a while.
Nayana- One change, you h
David- the legislation itself, the very last clause talks about the to decide who is in the finance board… look who is the higher in the election and they get the first pick. The glitch in that is if there is a contest in the house, then the votes aren’t weighted properly. We should take this off the legislation and bring it back next week.
Nayana- I friendly amend to remove the last paragraph, and the “and” and change the further to finally.
Brady- I have no problem with most of this; the different boards are great ideas that will benefit everyone. All of us are invested in SGA and students of UMBC. We are an org who hasn’t shied away from new things. The challenge I propose is to take a closer look at the 5-member org group. I would like to remove the election and allow every student org to have a sit, this is about 230, I don’t think they should be in control of money. The elections and appointed turns people off. We should be serious about involving students, this would change the reputation of SGA. We would be offering these groups the voice. This is making this org an org with two prongs, one to tackle finances and orgs. This would make the meetings much more available to the organizations and the students. I don’t think that everyone will show up. If we choose to confront this, I am committed to this. This is a way to defeat the student involvement problem on campus. Many people that I have talked to have been receptive. I see people voting yes to this on the ballot. This is something the students can own. I would like to open up to questions.
Joy- Would all the students be receiving stipend?
Brady- No, the only requirement is one member from each org and it is up to the organization.
Joy- why would people go unless it involves their organization?
Brady- they can come here as students and resolve their problems. All students have real issues and we would be offering them a forum.
Ross- You did not mention a single organizational issue. Our body does not work very well. I would like to see a body that is to look at problems with organizations. Your body serves a different purpose. But lets not change our constitution. Lets invite every student on this campus, lets do it now.
Brady- The larger body can be a lobbying group for the financial board and a check on the financial board. Think about the voice that we would be giving for the student orgs.
Carrie- I think that many things in life and SGA are a process. I would hope that sometime SGA would have a body with 240 people. But we need to have a group that exclusively helps and supports our organization. I don’t think that this is the time for a 240-member body.
Brady- I argue that we are having a VP with a staff to support student organizations without a limit. We are creating a new VP office to benefit student organizations. if we create another 12-member body, the image of SGA on this campus doesn’t change. We are creating an elected VP office with a staff all to themselves. I think 250 members is a reach, but getting that capacity is something to work for. It won’t happen in the 1st two years but it will work towards it.
Stan- Over the past 7 days, did anyone else help you ask students about your proposal?
Brady- Yes, I had a few other students help me ask, we have been targeting the average students.
Stan- Commuters?
Brady- we did some in the Commons, I can’t give you a percentage.
Nayana- We these random students?
Brady- Yes. the interest is there. We aren’t average student, we can’t predict what will happen. This might fail, but I don’t think that is reason enough not to consider it.
Ross- I think that it is a long-term sort of process. Why don’t we pull together some town hall meetings. Why don’t we as an entire SGA work on things to involve as many students as possible. I would work with you to put this together. Let’s try to get those hundred students in a lecture hall just to talk about this. Did you talk to any organizational leaders?
Brady- I think that the town hall meetings are ebb and flow. They are great when they work. They are not written into the Constitution. Writing it into the constitution makes it a policy and a commitment.
Nayana- Why are you limiting this to the House of organizations?
Brady- I think that we can address as a two-prong body, rather than two single prong orgs. I didn’t target specific student leaders. I will work to make sure this is ready to be put active on day 1.
- Town hall meetings are a great idea, there is no set organizational body. This way there is an official body. In terms of long-term power, this will be more effective in the end.
Joy- I agree, even with elected people they drop. with 230, I think they will come only when they need something.
Ashley- I don’t think that 100% would ever come but even if you only had 60 people.
Brady- I agree, they don’t have 100% participation rate. If we get sixty people.
Carrie- I see this an entirely separate issue. This is much different than the student advocates. I think they are separate issues.
Joy- I don’t see why what he is proposing can’t work with this. Everyone will work together for student organizations. Every student organization can be represented and those things that the VP of student affairs can be presented in that the general.
Liz- There doesn’t need to be a body for their voices to be heard.
Ashley- You mention having a two prong body, what other type of universal organizational purpose, what would draw all the different organizations together?
Brady- long-term services. Orgs that have annual events. How can we increase attendance to events. I see a small org advocate body and small cabinet. All of these people are elected.
David- The vision has been affected, every student is a member of SGA, how do you make it meaningful and identify with organization. I think that it is all going to be in the work.
Brady- They don’t have a way to channel that.
David- Aren’t these just town hall meetings for a select number of people?
Brady- we are giving them power. I think that it is a foundation for this body to expand. When we have committee meetings but they only see us in small numbers. We can show them power in numbers.
Tabassum- I understand that is very difficult for a constitution to be changed. There are two issues are together on: what you decide to do with the new house of organizations. We made a commitment to make sure we are heard and seen. If we could make ourselves heard everyday, I would ask you to commit to it as an SGA.
Ross- You are concerned about 2 bodies doing the same things. I see it as one board providing resources for the orgs and the student advocates would address sports clubs, Greek life, those kinds of things; every year there are new issues. We are all working towards the same goal but at different angles.
Brady- I see them working as the same purpose. The hope is that you have a diverse array of organizations that have different purposes. I think this is creating a more diverse body that allows every org to have a representative.
Nayana- in the event that that would happen, that would encourage a more diverse people to run and encourage people to get their reps out there.
Brady- I think that creates competition.
Carrie- It would inspire them to advocate for themselves. It would encourage them to be active. I don’t think it would benefit student organizations to get rid of this small group. I don’t see this as the same changes.
Ross- There is no rule to the number of times the bylaws can be amended. Lets continue to talk about it. Maybe this can be in a different spot in the SGA. If it doesn’t go through tonight it doesn’t die.
Stan- I am ambivalent right now, diversity would be pushed but you don’t want to go to far at the end of the spectrum. I say let’s stick to what we have and see how it goes and keep Brady’s proposal together.
Ashley- I think that there will be some people that will be grossly under represented. I see this leading towards many factions.
Liz- I don’t think that there is a need, there won’t be a huge uprising immediately.
Brady- the VP of student organizations has no limit. They will have much more influence. There will be one position to be committed to answering questions of all the orgs. It is undefined.
David- Every house member present must vote to approve this.
Joy- does it have to be voted on today?
Carrie- There is nothing that says the SGA constitution can only be amended a limited number of times. This just says you don’t vote on it today.
Nayana- ready to vote as is?
VOTE For 4 Opposed 0 Abstaining 0
B. HL86-0607- Additional Allocation for Jazz with Tom Lagana Group
Joy- We voted to give them $400 for the players, SEB and SIC are helping with many other costs.
Nayana- two of the members a people from UMBC so we were confused if it would be like an honorarium.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
C. HL87-0607- Additional Allocation for Recruitment Meeting
Joy- They are having their recruitment meeting, one of the first since their formation. We gave them what they asked for.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
D. HL88-0607- Additional Allocation for Back Pack to Briefcase
Joy- One is for PSCOF, with alumni coming in and seeing about the major. Food is from sodexho for $10 per person.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
E. HL89-0607- Additional Allocation for Back Pack to Briefcase
Joy- History COF, it is the same thing another day, about 40 people.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
F. HL90-0607- Additional Allocation for Jambo Nite
Friendly amended to $1500.
Joy- They came to ask money for $5000, they asked for $7000 and they were cut to $1500.
Mathonie- That is the quote from the SAFE meeting. This money will not be sufficient to put this event together. We need a generator, staff.
Ross- the reason this is cut down so much is because we don’t want to give one organization all the money. We need to figure out a figure to make it work.
Mathonie- You won’t be funding the whole event. We are paying $8000 of our own money. We have spoken to people to get pledges and looking for sponsorship. As equity, this event is huge, we had over 700 people. We are also putting our own money in there.
Nayana- You are free to ask for another additional allocation meeting. Here we are deciding whether you are getting $1500 for security. We need to do it within the confines of the finance committee meeting, on Tuesday. You should turn in another additional allocation form.
Mathonie- Jambo Nite is a big cultural show from ASA to encourage diversity. It celebrates African heritage with lots of performances. Security is a necessity.
Stan- Last time I talked to Tokunbo, he said there was a problem getting electronics from the commons.
Mathonie- We can only get in there at 12 pm. Commonvision cannot get there and set up so we have to go to an outside contractor.
David- have you learned more since the safe committee meeting. As of Monday, it hadn’t been resolved whether the commonvision will be able to help.
Mathonie- We have to act as though they won’t be able to be there or else we could be in a big mess.
David- I was at the Safe committee meeting, whether they can get help from the commons will affect the cost dramatically. it will either be 7500 or 15000.
Ross- When did they go to the safe committee meeting?
David- Monday
Carrie- Why can’t they get in the RAC early?
Ross- because the RAC will not let them come early. Why haven’t they gone to a safe committee meeting before.
David- This is the second time they have been to the safe committee meeting.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
G. HL91-0607- Additional Allocation for Chapter Fee and Intro Meeting
Joy- Engineers without Borders, they are requesting money for their first meeting, we gave them everything they wanted.
Nayana- I would like to friendly amend it only for the intro meeting.
Ross- How new are they? I have never heard of them. Do they really exist?
VOTE For 6 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
H. HL92-0607- Additional Allocation for Chapter Fee
Nayana- one time investment for them to be associated with headquarters that they will only have to pay once.
Macaulay- everyone in the club then gets that membership.
VOTE For 6 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
I. HL93-0607- Additional Allocation for Shabbat Dinner
Joy- JSU is having kosher food for Shabbat dinner, we cut down some of their costs .
Nayana- how many expected?
Joy- 30
Nayana- the food is so expensive because it is kosher food.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1
J. HL94-060- Additional Allocation for Broken Bread
Joy- taking place in UC ballroom. Combination of different orgs. It is an event that is related to poverty, they will be having porridge representing how people are living with aids and other stuff.
Nayana- they are expecting 300 people and 2 speakers. They hadn’t met with the safe committee so they might come back.
Ross- they are getting the porridge shipped to them.
Nayana- they don’t know if they are getting the ballroom.
VOTE For 3 Opposed 0 Abstaining 1

Committee Reports
Nayana- talk to Ross about student life committee meeting.

Ex-Officio Reports
David- The oath of office may be that last time that it is recited.

Macaulay- I met with Charlie Fay, 4% overhead comes out of our budget. The university as a whole doesn’t earn interest on its money. We want to petition the comptroller of MD. It is a large project that we may have to unify the large number of universities.
Carrie- The budget: Readership, leadership, and stipends. I was going to talk about election ground rules. Email rules that you think will be important. Please give me suggestions. There are things you need from me on days I can’t be there, I am going to put a drop box on my door with a schedule on it on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Steve- rep from NY times to come and talk to us. Readership is still in the budget.
David- Application deadline is due Tomorrow. HELP get people to complete apps.
Tabassum- Volunteer for quadmania in SEB office. 4 hrs gets free concert. Dance committee let us now what is up.

Topic: In House Election Policy
David: Some years ago, SGA considered in house processes and set limitations because bringing people in selectively had limitations and considering them was taking a lot of time. We do not have legislation documentation that says what limitation is on the house. That number would limit the in house elected members to 2 at this time. We as the house need to decide how many we need to elect and decide.

Carrie: I witnessed this piece of legislation.

Ross: We were worried then because there were personality conflicts and took a lot of energy out of the body. Right now, I am not worried about the limitations placed on the body. back then, the biggest concern was to bring more people in. We should be careful and train the members who come in well. I don’t think we should arbitrarily set a limit on 2 individuals because there seems to be a need to fill a hole in the bylaws about how many people we let in

David: Just to be clear, the house and the senate get below half of their membership, they could add the members back, the limitations permit you to add half of the members back.

Carrie: I think it was definitely a different time in SGA, but I think we still need to have members that are not with alternate motivations. Take that into considerations, as numbers normally increase right before elections for next year. Consider not changing the membership and dynamic in the house drastically could change the hard work and rhythm behind the house.

Stan: To be clear, are we saying we have a limit of whom we can take right now?

Ross: We can say amongst ourselves we can only take 2 new members.

David: Yes, because we cannot have the original issue resolved right now.

Carrie: If you fall under half, you can take the certain percentage written of your membership. The total membership is for the percentage of the body exists towards the whole year.
I think part of the reason that we discussed this legislation was that we were not discriminatory. It would encourage the members to be selective. I think we should definitely say that the people selected don’t have a guaranteed seats in the SGA.

Ross: If they are all qualified, they can all be trained by me. I do wish to take on that responsibility. Thinking about changing that aspect of it, I would be interested in filling that gap and making sure

Carrie: Don’t forget that herein lies the problem, we have looked everywhere forever for this legislation. We cannot find it.

In House Elections

Special Projects
A. Share Objectives for “Spotlight on Organizations”

General Discussion

Announcements
Stan: Did PSU association come back for money.
Michael- Someone in the organization left the old price on the flyer even thought they had to change the price.
Stan: I think they took the budget word for word, rather than reallocating.

Roll Call
Absent: Ozell

Adjournment
10:59

Pass the Gavel

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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5:35
Everyone here

Week in Review

Gabe – Dr. Schwartz (head of MLL) about saving languages. Apparently they have no money. Sign Language gone, but Arabic hoping to stay. Japanese is becoming a minor – keep trying to grow the program with limited funds. Every language needs someone to head it – couldn’t find one to head ASL.

Steve – Steering committee meeting, 16th. Dr. Hrabrowski there. Diane Lee presented policy change for new students. To improve retention, want to include mandatory first year experience (seminar, or other things). Dr. Hrabrowski reminded Steve of hiring freeze. In effect until at least October when enrollment results are in.

Off campus student services representatives – Ross and Becky
Study marathon (Saturday 9-5 in UC Study place). Kick off for finals and Stress Free Zone. Longer you study more chances you get for winning prizes via raffle. Snacks and drinks. Also first 50 students who come through will get goody bag. May 12.
Looking for help with manning events, prizes, shirts, advertising. Planning to advertise a week and a half to two weeks in advance.

Budget stuff – Phil Graff

Changes:
election board member stipends, from 1500 to 2000.
Leadershape – Jordan agreed before that this last one would be the last one. In order to keep it going, SGA would have to put a lot of money into it, plus, Dr. Fey is really not in support of it.

Favor: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

New Business

added 5 new House members
Around the world in 7 days April 18-26th (one event a day) – with art week too
concert tomorrow night – gonna be awesome!
JSU and AEPi – Israeli movie (free) – tonight
EcoFest April 13th 12-8 (speakers and other crazy stuff) and Mama’s Boys are kicking it off at noon
Tickets for dance will be out soon.

Everyone here, meeting adjourned at 6:06