I. Call to Order 5:33PM
II. Roll Call
A. Present:
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Sunaina Khandelwal
3. Whitney Torchia
4. Neketa Kakar
5. Brian Frazee
6. Amber Spry
7. Tascha Ebhomielen
8. Rahilla Tarfa
9. Chidinma Ukonne
10. FYA Matt McNey
11. FYA Toby Le
12. FYA Simmi Singh
B. Absent:
1. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent (excused)
2. Aditi Srivastav (excused)
III. Approval of Minutes
A. Minutes approved by general consent
IV. Open Discussion
A. Review of the past week
1. Neketa Kakar: Library policy meeting on Friday. Looking for budget for journals and databases. Dave was arguing who looks at the database to see if it’s fair or not. See if departments have enough money into getting specific journals. They looked at the budget. That’s it.
2. Sunaina: RSA met, however I’m not at the list proc yet. They changed times so I couldn’t make it. I haven’t gotten any minutes from them.
3. Jason Brand (RSA rep): I missed the meeting on Tuesday. I was common advisory board but I couldn’t make the meetings. I opted to do this because I can attend meetings for this one. I’ll send you the minutes later.
4. Rahilla Tarfa: Commons Advisory Board met on Friday. The person from the social justice area couldn’t make the meeting. I’m not going to be able to answer your questions from last week. Students for environmental awareness, talked about ecofest and ecofall. They’re not going to have eco fall this fall but they’re going to have eco fest and it’s going to be more organized. They’re going to have a different version of trash monster. They’re going to have recycle monster. Staff member said something about a corn wall in the game room. I think I’m getting the name wrong. It’s a new game. It’s also removable.
a. Chidi Ukonne: How much is that going to cost?
b. Rahilla Tarfa: They haven’t talked about it. There weren’t a lot of people in the meeting last week
5. Amber Spry: Halloween Fest committee. We’re getting things together. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Lots of student organizations besides involvement fest to get to know other people. Each organization is going to have a special station that’s Halloween related. Costume. Dirt pie eating table. We’re getting t-shirts. It’s Halloween. It’s 12-4PM.
6. Steve Gilmore: Pond Cleanup Committee- Spring project. It’s getting colder so it’s hard to get people outdoors. Cleaning the pond. It’s in better shape right now. Pond clean up. Talking with people part of Prove it. Connections with facilities management. Green space initiative. Things they’re purchasing if they have anything that we can work into that we can carry to the pond that’s extra. We’re gathering ideas. Talking to facilities soon. Nothing major like reconstruction. We just want to make it more noticeable. UMBC letters in the middle of the pond. Lights at night. Right now, development stages.
7. Sunaina Khandelwhal: Website- we didn’t meet Friday. Michael who’s the head person couldn’t come. Assembling information that’s going to the website. Ourumbc.edu about 300 FAQ’s there that needs to be updated from Fall 2006. Working on that and other aspects of it.
B. Transcript Fee
1. Gabe Rettaliata: Enlightening meeting with the registrar. Little background: met with Nancy Young once. She was under the impression that they needed more people in the registrar so they can focus on services. Shown fees from other institutions and UMBC wasn’t as high as some of the others they showed. Nancy was under the impression that all of the money we were paying in the fee was only to cover the expenses from the company that’s doing it. We researched what the fees are from other peer institutions, three are free. Some are $5 and 3 are higher than us. None in USM as high as us either. We went to meeting with Steve Robinson knowing this information. Asked for clarification on contract and he couldn’t give definitive answers. He wasn’t able to tell us how long the contract was for, how much money is coming back… he didn’t know if it’s confidential information or not. It’s not. Revenue sharing deal. He was unwilling to get into that either. He was able to say he’s offsetting budget problems. It’s going to research and development in registrar office. Live chat. Talk to someone if you’re having problems. They’ll be watching the chat thing. They still have to take transcripts manually from students 1985 and earlier. We asked ways to compromise to get around $8 straight up. Unwilling to go less than $8. Unwilling to get first however many free. That’s all about we got in this meeting. He said we couldn’t compare ourselves to our peers. It was one of the most ridiculous meetings I’ve been in.
2. Whitney Torchia: It was pretty ridiculous. He was not willing to give a lot of information. We’re not going to stop. We’re going to procurement. Getting a lot of student support. Get people to comment on the blog.
3. Gabe Rettaliata: Already posted on the SGA blog about it. Some people aren’t willing to apply in a lot of internships because of the transcript fee. David and I were talking about the next steps. Meet with Nancy again. Try to keep in the loop. Ask for her advice but we already know what we’re going to do. Meet with Yvette. Provost would be another step to take. Tell people about it. Tell people to comment on the blog. Get the word out.
a. Jason Brand: When did you post the stuff? What was it titled?
b. Gabe Rettaliata: Saga of the Transcript Fees
c. Steve Gilmore: 19 comments on that so far. Front page on Retriever tomorrow.
4. Amber Spry: How much did it cost them to print the transcripts before?
a. Gabe Rettaliata: It was free for us. I don’t know how much it cost them.
b. Amber Spry: What is adding the chat component to their job entail?
c. Whitney Torchia: If someone is on the site and has a question, they ask them. It’s not really difficult since it’s already outlined. We already gave them suggestions. We said person doing the chat can see if we could get the first 3 transcripts free.
d. Gabe Rettaliata: But he was open to nothing
e. Whitney Torchia: If extra money is there, he said he’d hire someone else.
f. Brian Frazee: Something to consider… we don’t even know about this chat thing. If we don’t even know about this chat, then who does?
g. David Hoffman: I think he could make a pretty good case either way. Justice in how much you’re paying. How services should be priced and if it’s included in a flat fee.
5. Chidi Ukonne: As far as things in the Yum shop, you can get it anywhere. Transcript is a government job. Government on campus. You can’t get that anywhere else but the registrar office. It’s a necessity that cannot be over emphasized. Stuff from the Yum shop can be obtained from other places. Transcripts are very critical to students.
a. Steve Gilmore: For meal plans, cater more on campus than off campus. It’s not like you can go to Giant and be like, I want two transcripts. Transcripts can only be obtained in UMBC. It’s really sleazy to be put a flat fee that you know everyone’s going to use. I still go back to the thing… the fact that a bunch of vice presidents think $8 is a good idea, that means that a lot of people are out of touch. They don’t know how hard this is hitting the students. The fact that no one wants to compromise especially with the economic crisis…it’s just a mess.
6. Mike (UMBCtv): increase in fee was simply as a result of inflation, then I don’t think it can be a problem. The fact that they’re doing the chat and additional money, it’s just sleazy.
7. Tasha Ebhomielen: I thought $8 was what the company was charging them.
8. Whitney Torchia: He doesn’t know how many transcripts we’re going to get. I asked where that money would go. He said research and development.
9. Matt McNey: How much does it have to be to not make profit?
a. Gabe Rettaliata: I think he makes profit either way
b. Whitney Torchia: We need to find exact numbers. He’s planning to use extra money for things
10. Mike (UMBCtv): Do you know where they’re getting funded for before the transcript fee? Are they getting funded and getting extra money?
a. Gabe Rettaliata: I’m guessing they’re being funded by provost. He’s probably getting the same budget cut as everyone else
b. Amber Spry: Why cant the money he’s getting before cover it? I don’t see why whatever budget before would be sufficient to cover that
c. Gabe Rettaliata: $8 is not going back to registrar.
d. Sunaina Khandelwhal: Outsourcing is going to cost you more money.
e. Amber Spry: Argument was made, outsourcing our credentials with 8 dollars.
f. Rahilla Tarfa: That was argument made by Nancy Young. We’re not paying 8 to Credentials but rather we’re paying a portion of it.
g. Gabe Rettaliata: Still paying money to print and things like that.
h. Amber Spry: I know cost includes other things.
i. Mike (UMBCtv): I’d give them benefit of doubt. $8 is in fact what Credentials’ charging. Additional budget might be going to chat or whatever he has.
j. Steve Gilmore: Go to Credential’s website, some are 5 or 7 dollars.
k. Gabe Rettaliata: UMBC set that price
11. Jason Brand: I have a problem with outsourcing transcripts. Confidential and personal information are on transcripts. It’s a massive security risk. We can do it in house because we have all the information here. We can just print it.
a. Whitney Tochia: Issue was it was too crowded in the office because everyone wants transcripts.
b. Gabe Retalliata: They also have to deal with the amount of orders as well as financial eligibility. They get the request, they check eligibility, here’s their grades, print. Apparently that’s too much for two people
c. Sunaina Khandelwhal: Do they mail it out? They mail it out so they’re not just doing print. Paying for the stamp. There’s just a little bit more than print
12. Tasha Ebhomielen: They don’t have to outsource, they can hire more people. It makes more sense to have more people in your own house and pay them a little bit more. They can subsidize and do 3 or 4 dollars instead of outsourcing. I understand the problem… but just hire more people. Don’t hire when you can just do that here.
a. Gabe Rettaliata: he was not open to any changes
b. Sunaina Khandelwhal: They’re enjoying not having to do anything.
13. Brian Frazee: Another issue is the fact that students weren’t asked about their opinions. Vice presidents decided this without any student input. That’s a broader issue we need to address
a. Gabe Rettaliata: Plenty more action happening about this deal.
V. Project Update
A. Increased Library Hours
1. Neketa Kakar: I talked to Larry Wilt informally. He told me they tried to extended hours before but then they had a budget cut so it was dropped. I told him we wanted it open until 2am. He said it’ll cost 3,000 dollars. We’d also have to hire 3 new people for security. He suggested that funding for other buildings that are open all the time, direct that towards the library. He was willing to talk about it. He said there’s no money. He wanted to talk about furniture and environment changes. Met on Friday… budget issue… Maybe increase a fee? Ask students if we wanted to do that. Formal meeting to see if we can get a meeting with other people from the library. Meeting at Friday at 4. Right now we’re thinking about a fee. We’re also looking at other peer intuitions to see what they’re doing. We looked to see other study area around campus.
2. Chidi Ukonne: Only concern would be security. I don’t know how secure these places are at night.
a. Neketa Kakar: Even if the study place was open, it wasn’t the most comforting place. I know our campus isn’t that big, library is more lit. We just wanted to see what other places are available on campus.
3. Tasha Ebhomielen: Try to find out how much it cost to get other places to keep it open
a. Chidi Ukonne: At a certain time, doors are closed and you have to swipe in the Engineering building.
b. Sunaina Khandelwhal: not the lecture hall buildings though.
c. Mike (UMBCtv): Might consider the harbor café as a study place. It’s open all the time anyway. It’s open to all students. You don’t need to give your card. Only downside, you won’t have the books. It’s well lit and highly secure.
d. Tasha Ebhomielen: Harbor café has a study place?
e. Chidi Ukonne: It’s what community programs used.
f. Jason Brand: All programs have to end before quiet hours. Anything in the café has to end before quiet hours
g. Mike (UMBCtv): You can move it at harbor café. The Harbor multi purpose room. I don’t know if that’s going to require security. It’s a central location people can get into.
h. Amber Spry: I was going to suggest harbor multipurpose room. Harbor café isn’t a good route to take. Looking into multi purpose room is a good idea.
4. Rahilla Tarfa: Opening library until 2am, was it all 7 floors?
a. Neketa Kakar: 2 floors at least. We’re going to meet more with him formally. He said it’ll be $30,000 plus 3 people for 2 floors.
5. Brian Frazee: That reminded me, part of what we talked about… part of student activity fee or library fee for like 2 per semester. If students really wanted the library open 2 more hours, we could look into doing a 2 dollar fee.
a. Rahilla Tarfa: I’d be willing
b. Amber Spry: It doesn’t have to be the library that’s open. It just needs to be a place to study late at night. At least for me, I would rather not see fee increases where it’s not absolutely necessary. If there’s any place that’s open at a lesser cost, I’d rather see that.
c. Tasha Ebhomielen: That was my point. You cant start charging people. 8 dollars for transcript, $2 library, pretty soon it’ll be shuttle rides. It sucks but it’s going to hurt. People just can’t start paying for that.
d. Matt McNey: I thought the point of leaving it for 2 hrs is to use the computers as well.
e. Michael Castello: what about the commons?
f. Tasha Ebhomielen: Same problem last year was funding.
g. Gabe Rettaliata: if it’s cheaper…
h. Steve Gilmore: they also give laptops for an hour use.
6. Michael Castello: What is the purpose of someone always staffing the building? Is there a serious issue with security? Why does there someone need to be on staff?
a. Gabe Rettaliata: Liability issues. Medical issues.
b. Neketa Kakar: That’s what I said. You’re only going to need 1 person.
c. Chidi Ukonne: I think people would feel safer if they knew if some people were there regardless of whether or not they can keep me safe. Engineering building, problems with printer or card. Contact person. If anything ever happens, there’s a person there.
d. Amber Spry: Security thing is personal security. As a young female, I feel a lot better if I’m in a well lit area.
e. Tasha Ebhomielen: From a legal perspective, avoid liability issue if they haven’t explicitly stated if you go do something, you weren’t supposed to do that. We cant be responsible for it. Obviously they’re not responsible for everything that goes on campus. Can they avoid liability?
f. Dave Hoffman: If the university knows it’s happening, then they’re responsible for it. Legal issue is as important as practical issue. Important thing is people are safe.
g. Tasha Ebhomielen: If we all start advocating for engineering building and becomes as well known on campus, would they automatically provide security?
h. Chidi Ukonne: Swipe card counts as security.
i. Mike (UMBCtv): That’s untrue. I can walk in without a card. I’m pretty sure that UMBC police makes their rounds through there just like the front of the library.
j. Michael Castello: Are there any other security staff in the engineering building?
k. Neketa Kakar: that’s what we were going to say.
7. Mike (UMBCtv): It sounds to me like it’s going to cost something to keep any building open. The dining hall after late night, someone is already there. The second idea, security is concerned, 3 people at a minimum to keep it open. What if we were to look at using UMBC police? The burden would be on them to provide at least one person. Instead of having to hire 2 people, you have 1 police officer there. The next police officer makes round, first one can go to the bathroom or something. Cut costs.
8. Tasha Ebhomielen: Funding is a problem. As SGA, have we thought about putting money into this? If we give money, are they going to let us control what happens? I know it’s going to cost a lot…
a. Sunaina Khandelwhal: We’re not at that stage of the game yet. There are other resources we can tap into first before we decide to have SGA pitch in money.
b. Tasha Ebhomielen: They’re doing a lot of cuts
c. Neketa Kakar: that means SGA has to pay every year. When he did the trial run, he said funding came from the university. Didn’t get to ask him how it went.
B. Stress Free Zone Revamp
1. Gabe: Unfortunately no new people came to our meetings. It’s the same ideas we talked about last time. It’s okay, they’re awesome ideas. Pushing forward with those kinds of things. Car smashing is a logistical thing to deal with. Jen really wants it to be in the commons loop. It’ll be difficult to have a car smashed there. We’ll have to see how that goes. I’m not sure when we’re meeting again. E-mail Jen if you have any ideas.
C. Reaching out to International Students
1. Chidi Ukonne: Met last week after senate meeting. We went over the timeline for when we’d have to have heritage day on campus. We’ll talk to those that are and aren’t recognized in the university that wants to get involved. We also talked about how many days we’re going to have this. Start with a day or 2. See how it goes from there. Amber is going to make a program of what we’re looking at: needs, budgets, etc. I was in charge of contacting offices on campus: residential life, English language center, etc.
2. Amber Spry: One of our main goals is to make sure we’re putting an added emphasis on international students who haven’t assimilated into our culture. There’s a substantial group of students on campus that other people aren’t aware of.
3. Gabe Rettaliata: did you get a chance to talk to Demola?
a. Chidi Ukonne: Not yet. I spoke with him informally. He’s definitely willing to get involved in this.
4. Gabe Rettaliata: For heritage week, when are you planning on having that?
a. Amber Spry: more like a day or two next semester.
b. Chidi Ukonne: Second day, we would have clips of international students and their experiences they’ve had on campus. Invite students to come. We’re going to get people like Nancy Young and other professors. Stimulate some kind of discussion that’s educational and interesting.
c. Mike (UMBCtv): Get in touch with me if you’re doing the clips.
D. Digital Campus Sign
1. Whitney Torchia: Miriam never contacted me. Aditi went to OIA and talked to Jill and got deferred to someone. We’ll meet the person from the sign company. There was an issue with landscaping. Company you buy it from puts it up but can’t put it down.
VI. New Business
A. SR03-0809- Resolution of the UMBC SGA Senate in Support of the Statewide Ballot Question on Video Lottery Terminals
1. Michael Castello: Maryland ballot in November if they want to support the constitution amendment of slot machines in Maryland that will devote the money in higher education. Resolution is in support of that. A number of other institutions have passed the slot machines. There are 2 things. The reason why this is here; Myself and Tabassum are reps of USM student council. In order for us to accurately represent the will of the student body, we have to have a consensus from the senate. We want to have a resolution to see which way we’re going to vote. I think it’s in favor. Money is going to higher education and will help with capital projects. Building new fine arts building. Also, it’s important to secure some new sources of cash in the time of economic downturn. I think this is a good way for us to continue for well being of our state b education our people.
2. Brian Frazee: I also support this. I feel like as in the past, budget deficit in Maryland, one of the first things cut is higher education. If we see our Fine Arts building built, this is something that we should support. We’re going to be facing huge cuts to a lot of things we’re trying to do.
3. Steve Gilmore: So is the point so people vote yes?
a. Michael Castello: People should vote yes to this. The question itself is worded in favor of it. The amendment is to put slots in. In favor of amendments mean you’re in favor of slots. It’s a little awkward in that sense.
4. Tasha Ebhomielen: I don’t get it. I don’t understand how Maryland system works
a. Michael Castello: A lot of people want to see slots here because of the revenue. Popular issue in recent years. State has large structural deficit. Good way to get money in state budget. Higher education people are in support, money will be going directly to higher education. $150 million per year will be going to higher education capital projects. It’s our performing arts building.
5. Amber Spry: If the slot machines gets approved, it’s going to higher education?
a. Michael Castello: we want to be able to represent student body.
6. Amber Spry: Who is voting on slot machine issue? Do they have information on where voters are more inclined?
a. Michael Castello: It’s evenly split. A lot of people would like to see this passed.
7. Jason Brand: Governor said cuts in higher education, public education, health care… the slots will not only fund higher education but will also save race tracks in Maryland. Pimlico is dying. It’s not just higher education. It’s also state pride.
8. Toby Le: Since it’s a political issue, that’s the support side. Are there any disadvantages of the issuance of slot machines
9. Michael Castello: Oppositions in the past are what it’s always been… gambling in general. We haven’t had gambling in MD before, gambling is a source of crime, tax on the poor argument. Generally are opposed before they’re worried about crime and who’s playing them. The other one that’s minor is in fact a constitutional amendment. That means MD residents are voting on is not just state legislator. Constitution in our state, number of location of slot machines in Maryland. Good part is that it will be difficult to divert funds.
10. Brian Frazee: There have been slots in MD before. It was a big thing until the early 70s when they outlawed them. I just wanted to clarify that. Another thing to consider, all of our border states have slot machines. When slots were outlawed in MD, those people are going to border states to gamble. All money is going to them and they should be going to us.
11. Matt McNey: This is just a procedural question… it sounds like it’s depending on the referendum itself. It’s just a resolution to accept funding from the slots itself?
12. Gabe Rettaliata: If we pass this, his vote to support this will be yes, support it. If we vote it down, his vote will be to vote to not support it.
13. Tasha Ebhomielen: I don’t really understand the basic foundation of how slots work but I don’t know how I’m voting for this. Why were they outlawed then? Maybe we do this and 10 years later and we see increase in crime rate. Are there legitimate concerns? Are we looking to do this because we need the money?
a. Michael Castello: Our borders have been doing it for a long time. They haven’t seen increases in crime. I think it’ll be better more people in MD stay in MD. Maybe other people from other states will come here.
14. Simmi Singh: Do you know where the money from 30 years ago went and what it’s used for?
a. Brian Frazee: I have no idea. My guess is it went to general fund of state. Next point I was trying make is that slots referendum now, much limited capacity than back then. It’ll be in 3-4 locations.
b. Michael Castello: Key areas that already have racetracks.
15. Amber Spry: It might be really easy to write off the social implications that slots in MD will have. Something important to consider: demographics of people to most likely to use slot machines. Implications that it will have on social structure of MD. I will venture it’ll change somewhat. Something like this has moral implications. Problems with gambling and effects of it. Internal conflict on which way I’m going to vote.
16. Rahilla Tarfa: Other states that have it, is part of the money going to higher education as well?
a. Michael Castello: I couldn’t tell you. It will depend on the state. In most cases, money from that goes into the general fund for the state. It is then allocated however is decided. Our unique thing is that part of allocation it’s written in the amendment itself.
17. Matt McNey: This amendment will legalize gambling. Am I correct?
a. Michael Castello: Just slot machines itself.
18. Tasha Ebhomielen: When people have to vote on this, do they know the arguments behind this and where it’s coming from?
a. Michael Castello: A lot of people are promoting it. The USMSC will be able to get behind this and talk to Maryland voters and what we’re trying to get out of it.
19. Dave Hoffman: Is this the case where state will own the slot machines? Or are they just allowing certain companies to make it?
a. Michael Castello: framework is, they’re just allowed to have slot machines. It’s just a maximum amount of slot machines allowed in one place.
20. Rahilla Tarfa: It is being advertised on the radio so people are aware of it. People aren’t totally ignorant about it.
a. David Indek: We’re voting to give licenses out. We’re going to be taxing their earnings. It’ll also bring tax revenue.
21. Brian Frazee: As representatives of UMBC students, to me at least, it’s more about the funding issue. We were just talking about how so many things are being cut. There’s a hiring freeze now in the USM. We would be doing a disservice if we vote this down… it’s like telling them that we’re going to be losing a lot of services or your tuition is going to skyrocket.
22. Chidi Ukonne: How can we determine that the money from this is going to UMBC? We don’t know it’s coming to our school.
a. Brian Frazee: they’re going to allocate to everyone but UMBC will definitely see revenue from it
b. Michael Castello: Board of regents, prioritizing capital projects. Fine arts building, we’re eligible to be next on the list.
23. Amber Spry: when do you vote on this?
a. Michael Castello: this coming Sunday
24. Motion to approve SR03-0809 by Whitney Torchia
a. Seconded by Rahilla Tarfa
b. VOTE: 6 for, 0 opposed, 3 abstaining (Gabe, Amber, Chidi), 2 absent (Jen, Aditi)
VII. Executive/ Ex-officio Reports
A. David Hoffman: Research funding. A few weeks ago, met with Diane Lee. SGA fund student travel to make research presentations. GSA offers the same for grad students. Provost might match SGA’s contribution. Within SGA, if it was appropriate to do this. We’re waiting to hear from provost office. Heard back today. Provost says they’ll fund $8,000. Question is, should SGA make some contribution? If so, how much should contribution be?
1. Gabe Rettaliata: We’re talking about 2000 dollars to make even $10,000 for this fund. It would show a partnership. It’s still good to be involved in that kind of partnership
a. Rahilla Tarfa: if we put $2,000, is this yearly?
b. Gabe Rettaliata: I think we’re going to see how it goes this year and base it on that. If it works, we could put it in the budget
2. Rahilla Tarfa: how many students are we supporting?
a. Gabe Rettaliata: however much the money could stretch to support
3. David Indek: It’s not a student activity fee. Building a working relationship with provost is beneficial. Research is good and all but student activity fee is not for it. It’s a give and take relationship.
4. Matt McNey: maybe a smaller amount?
5. David Indek: $2000 is fine. We just need to make sure they can’t just come up to us for funding.
6. Dave Hoffman: I think the importance is to create a symbol. If you can use $2000 to influence what happens on campus, then it works. SGA funded creation of study place and free newspaper for students. I think it goes beyond that. I think they’re both good investments
7. Gabe Rettaliata: Partnership with provost… good relationship since we’re dealing with transcript fees.
8. Rahilla Tarfa: Good idea to build this relationship. Stress the fact that if we’re going to fund this, our name should be recognized. We are using student activity fee for events but also for research.
B. Michael Castello: USMSC stuff. Pond Group seems to be getting back on track. We still have Office of Student Initiatives. Hope is that these folks will add more energy and life to pond group. Some ideas going around with that. I’m still working with the website group people. We finished what we have set out to do but it’s just getting it up on the website. Changing around the layout so tabs are on top with what people often use. Those 2 things have been going on. I’ve been doing some work with file sharing on this campus. What’s going on now is that rule making for that bill is nothing is added or interpreted that in such a way, undue burden to university system. Proactive measures that will help insulate us, prevent entertainment lobbyists from parachuting down to Annapolis.
C. Steve Gilmore: The debate last week went well. Ran out of ice cream. Sports zone was packed. Student marshal will be there tomorrow. Homecoming advertisements will be going out this week. Auditions for talent show. SEB website: first page is homecoming website. We’ll have volunteer sign up for bonfire, talent show, etc. Meeting with residential life director or Thursday. Election board chair will be going up soon. Chair for spring. Looking for somebody that really wants to get the position. Someone has a desire to vote turnout to go up. Someone has a passion for it. Someone who is patient. Wednesday at 5, SGA dinner. Please attend. Office: up until now we were doing a good job. It’s not your living room, let’s keep it clean. I’m talking to someone about midnight madness. They want to partner with us. If it just means money, I’ll say no. Next Monday, involved in election stuff. Stuff about transit UMB and marc train. Update: route that goes downtown will be continued next semester. That will be switched to new route. Gathering data to write up a new route. It’s not going to be a free ride anymore.
D. David Indek: MHEC. It’s like an advisory government entity. From us to CP. 70 intuitions and 25 show up. Slot issues will come up again. 6 student fees. Overview board is our fee. Overviewed by Nancy young. Student review board for other fees so that there’s input. We’re going to expand on idea. Fee form. Each people presenting the fees so we can ask them specific questions. It’s something in the works. Black and gold commission card thing for events.
E. Jason Brand: we had a block party a few weeks ago and it was a success. Process of doing elections. Nominate someone who is on campus resident for this. Nominate event or student organization for it. Go to RSA website. Application for CACRH gathering thing at Villa Julie. Accepting that until the 9th. Send those emails to Brett Reynolds. NRHH rep. we want to pull RSA into midnight madness
F. David Indek: MPAC. Maryland Youth Committee. Something they’re trying to get started. High school and college students in it. You have to be less than 22yrs old. If someone wants to get involved in that, send me an email. It’s a good chance to get involved. Something that is going to involved high school and young college students.
VIII. Announcements
A. Brian Frazee: debate party tomorrow 8:30
B. Michael Castello: Posts up on SGA blog again. Sent an email out already. If anyone is interested in writing for the blog, let me know. Basically, I’m trying to make it clearer that you don’t really have to have anything important to say. Just your UMBC experience. Take advantage of that.
C. Gabe Rettaliata: if you want feedback, you can also post there. Talk about your projects on there if you want.
D. Mike (UMBCtv): Pilot episode will be going up eventually. It will be monthly for now for UMBCtv. If SGA wants to put anything on there, discuss it.
E. Jason Brand: RSA is meeting tomorrow night in the MPR. 8pm
F. Gabe Rettaliata: Corp calendars. Update them. Office hours. Please go to them. No assigned hours.
IX. Roll Call
A. Present:
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Sunaina Khandelwal
3. Whitney Torchia
4. Neketa Kakar
5. Brian Frazee
6. Amber Spry
7. Rahilla Tarfa
8. FYA Matt McNey
9. FYA Toby Le
10. FYA Simmi Singh
B. Absent
1. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
2. Aditi Srivastav
3. Chidinma Ukonne
4. Tascha Ebhomielen
X. Adjournment 7:29PM
XI. Pass the Gavel