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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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.

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.

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.

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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 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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October 2, 2006

5:31 meeting called to order.
Avi Simon not present, has excused absence.
No objections to last week’s minutes.

There are a couple of new students interested in the First Year Ambassador position.

Brittany
Need volunteers for Communiversity Fest.
Jen Dress (SEB) allowing free ticket to comedy show and free t-shirt for volunteers.
Need Set up: 9-11:30; 2 people per game (Erickson Field); free play in game room all day (11-6); inflatable on Erickson Field; student performances hopefully on Erickson but if not, in Commons; clean up.

- Week in Review

Mike
Chill with SGA – about 25 people showed up. Thinks next time could be more successful.

Alex
Sat on alumni board committee (past Tuesday) – planning and advertising for 40th anniversary – will be mostly online. Basketball representatives came to try to get more people out to games. Also, Alumni associate wants to start Career Mentoring Program geared who would get a chance to talk to alumni in their field, and also a Showing the Ropes geared more towards Freshman. Finally, discussing the way alumni groups could be put together; what requirements would be to be a committee and be recognized by the board. Argued over whether it should be a percentage or not, because they want to make sure there are enough people in it.

Terrance
Approved over $1,000 of DVDs. Couldn’t get West Wing complete season and a few others – too expensive. Family guy vol 4, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man’s chest, Chapelle show, Nip tuck 1 and 2, Simpsons season 5 and 8, office space, inside man, and more!

Adrienne
Sat on Food Action Team committee. Oscar told her that the meal plans while offered at 25% discount, but if you use all 19 meals you will have beaten the system. Brought up the fact that there is a lack of vegetarian/vegan/etc options. Started dismissing, saying why Adrienne was wrong. Feels like people doesn’t really understand how much they are being ripped off. Would like to organize a forum and bring Oscar. Said the Commons was built with plans that it wouldn’t be a serious competitor to the dining hall.

- New Business

JL04-0607 General Ledger Allocation for Dell Color Laser Printer 3110cn

Will come back to.

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JL05-0607 Funding for the Study Place at UMBC

First floor of the University center, which has been empty for a long, long time. Going to make it a study space, where you get tutoring, study, etc.
University decided not to fix a lot of stuff that is messed up there as is. GSA putting in some money, but $8,000 left (would pay for Security cameras, wiring, etc.)

Thaddeus – space will eventually be switched to something else, as far as I know. To put $10,000 into it for a study space, I would want to be able to take the stuff that can be moved out of there to put it somewhere else. Needs to be understood that when the time rolls around that the University wants to change it to something else, SGA has access to certain things.

Carrie – hoping that this space will be successful and University President won’t take away, but as is, the space is defined as a temporary space. The items that could be moved will be defined clearly.

David – the entire UC is deemed to one day be offices. Waiting for funding, aqua the state to do renovation. No one can guarantee how long until that happens, but hopefully enough will happen to that space that it doesn’t make sense for UMBC to convert it.

Thaddeus – access control? $4,000?

Carrie – does not have a bathroom, and state law requires that when space open a bathroom is accessible. Would pay for card swipper to be able to get to bathroom.

Adrienne – is there a way to know what $8,000 goes towards exactly?

David – have learned in past couple days that there must be something to put in so that people can enter without having police alerted. Office of Student Life will cover the marketing. The rest Student Life is coordinating payments – what dollar pays for what can be talked about later.

Thaddeus – may want to consider putting more money into it at a later date; furniture, etc, so that it attracts the crowd we want to attract.

Alex – what will the hours be and what restrictions on the building etc?

David – initially only have it open during times can staff it (9-4:30 M-Th, 10-2 F). Hope is to make it more like student orgs is now, any time building is open you can be in there.

Brittany – When is this going to be put into effect.

Carrie – October 20th is the hope. Not guaranteeing everything will be in there by then, but want this to be up and going this semester.

David – know it can’t happen the 20th, but no reason it can’t be the week after.

Thaddeus – will the bar area remain?

David – would cost a lot of money to get rid of it. Plan to use as natural barrier between tutoring, studying, and vending machines/talking area.

Alex – seems hours are middle of the day. What does this space offer that others don’t?

Carrie ¬– space offers drop in tutoring. Can go and check their questions before class, or right before a quiz. No other space designed for study group to meet. Lots of departments are hoping to have their Grad students have their TA Office hours there.

David – If you look at resolution for laser printer, in box at top of page, this legislation is for a general ledger allocation expenditure, which requires passage in both houses by 2/3 vote – move that into JL05-0607. Also after $8,000, add to be taken from General Ledger.

Adrienne – still hesitant to donate so much money to something that isn’t guaranteed space.

Alex – Carrie brings up a good point, need to push for it, as it may be the start to something a lot better. Thinks is a worth-while risk. Can only hope that the university will cooperate after seeing results.

Thaddeus – looking at location, center of academics, would be seen as a space for commuters to get internet access and get their stuff done – would give commuters another place.

Carrie – umbc is a do-it-yourself kind of place. This space is a space that students really made happen. This would be a real service to students.

In Favor: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 1

- Projects

Elani – Thaddeus and I met about shuttle system, getting a GPS put into them. Trying to schedule meeting with Joe Regier.

Adrienne – part of esuds committee, but talking to students. Phil Graff said maintenance may get expensive if people abuse how many clothes they wash each time.

Alex – thinks a lot of students would have to find time to schedule laundry into day. Doesn’t see many students abusing it.

Thaddeus – capability to see online how many more minutes each machine has left should be main focus.

Danielle – talking about doing a trash monster for end of October. Students for Environmental Awareness would go around and collect trash, then put it in chicken wire costume to get point across of how much people litter. Lots of other organizations are interested in getting in on this. Only have to do 4 times a year.

Steve – Brittany and I met about Harbor Hall café. Came to conclusion that if going to do long projects, need to contact people who took on projects before, especially ch 3.

- Jake from Students for Environmental Awareness

Typically done during Halloween, set up as a service project, go through and get different organizations to help out. One week before Halloween, build urban sculpture on campus with facts about how much was reusable, not reusable, and how much was found on campus.
Will fill out raffle with how many pieces of trash are in the monster.
Is there paper recycling on campus? Yes, but a very lackluster project. Amount of man power that it takes to make it work for this size campus isn’t...

- Exec Reports

Carrie - Andrea making progress on mystery shopper program. 14 study groups. Dr. Sokolove has agreed to be Faculty advisor. Kristina Gaddy working on Safety Awareness. Jay maintaining websites. Making another push at end of October for study group.

Brady – no debate after October 15th from Ehrlich and O’Malley. Meeting with Lee Hawthorne about signs specifically for student orgs space.

Gabe – study groups. Looking forward to working with Dr. Sokolove.

David – Worked with study space stuff a lot. Has noticed there are a lot of people who respect the SGA, see the SGA as students who making things happen, instead of just talking. In meeting with marketing interns for communiversity fest and homecoming.

- Announcements

TheMarylandForum.com – former prime minister of Israel, bob Woodward, Cal Ripken, Al gore, etc. $5 for students, LOTS more for everyone else.
http://www.umbc.edu/window/

Res Life new polices about alcohol and smoking paraphernalia. Issues that SGA needs to work with RSA on.

6:42 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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5:34 meeting called to order.
Everyone here.
No objections to last week’s meeting.

Week in review:

Thaddeus- Elani and I met with Joe Regier. Found out he hired 8 students to take phone calls (Nextel phone system). You can call and find out where the busses are, but does not put out info very well. UMBC just got on CollTown network – network of schools in and around Baltimore. We are responsible for that route one day a week. They have specific regulations we have a to follow (inside/outside video). CollTown uses GPS.

Brittany – Communiversity Fest. Need more volunteers, especially with inflatables. Carrie: maybe could give students extra credit for volunteering. Offering $125 to student org or sorority for running table for whole day. Also free ticket to comedy show and t-shirt. Brady: might be worth sending out email to woolies to ask for help. David:

Special Projects:
Possible bigger projects.

Fireside lounge. Conversations from 3 years ago led to use of student orgs space and uc space. Commons paid for entirely by students, but there is a space that is not accessible to students.

JL04-0607 Printer legislation
Can print color.
Crazy good deal.
House has already passed this legislation.
Copy machine supported by Xerox. We pay a monthly fee.
There is a method to manage the color printing capabilities. There would be certain people you would have to ask to print color.
Black ink 5000 page - $75
Color toner (2000) typically go for about $75-90
Opted for the next day warranty.
Need to save for x # of months before we’d have money for printer.
Requesting $800 as buffer. Bookstore does not charge shipping. $800 as buffer.

In favor: 9
Opposed: 1
Abstain: 0
Absent: 0

Announcements:
Jordan couldn’t be here but wanted to ask for 2 volunteers to work on fee that would be just for students and not varsity sports at all.

Next Thursday, Homecoming bonfire. We need 12 volunteers.

Elani: Parking petition. Has no proposal but, what is SGA prepared to do?
Overcrowding.
Alex – trying to get carpooling program together.

Carrie: Poli Sci 469 (senior seminar course) would like to do presentation on how to change SGA’s electoral system. Have 4 elections now. Would like to do presentation on other ways to elect SGA members. Presentation would probably be an hour long.

Elani: pay roll!

Everybody here.
7:04 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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5:39 meeting started.
Everyone here.Annouce
Minutes last week approved.

Week in review.
Adrienne, FAT meeting. Flex dollar donation system. Being able to buy soup by grill. Canned food drive this Wednesday.
Big easy eat at Pub. Trying to have available for cash.
Upgraded website. Each venue has new food items.

Thaddeus, second resolution for next week.

Smoking policy forum on nov 15 during free hour. Implementation starts today.

Brittany, communiverstiy fest, gotten a lot of volunteers. Everything taken care of pretty much. Clean up and prize table still need volunteers.

Golden Harvest Community Service Project Oct 30, main street, 11-2

New Business
Students for a greater black and gold – go and gather trash and make trash monster. Trying to make tradition.
SR01-0607
For: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

Special Projects
Possibility of moving bookstore. Profit from bookstore goes outside of Commons – since building is paid for by student fees, shouldn’t it

Religion week (Amanda Rosenbush)– religiocity ribbons to be worn that mean you’re open to talking about your religion.

Announcements –

Senate committees and sign up sheet for bonfire on Thursday.

Nayana – needs more volunteers for Friday movie.

Roll call – everyone’s here.
6:52 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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5:33
no one absent
minutes fine from last week

week in review:
homecoming awesome. Bonfire, clutch. Talent show, ballroom was packed. Thanks to everyone who volunteered.
Special thanks to Brittany for her work on Communiversity.
Free give a-ways really successful.
Adrienne – new article in Retriever, protecting bashing of study space.
Thaddeus – couldn’t get to his meeting for athletics.
Elani – talked to athletics about: protecting practice fields, would like to post a student conduct around practice fields
Avi – last Tuesday went to classroom committee. Faculty running meeting questioned free hour, wanted to have a review session during free hour but is not allowed. Also, there will be reconstruction to LH 4. Avi asked if there would be power outlets under chairs – said no, that would be an extra $50 grand, but there would be power outlets on walls. Professors upset about that, said people would trip over the cords.
Danielle – library committee. Budget cut this year, trying to get more budget to keep up scientific journals. Will have to cut !% journals otherwise. Want to move LRC from basement to first floor, and the gov’t documents downstairs.
Mike – RSA meeting about block party. Students couldn’t use meal plans in Commons, and had to use meal to eat at block party because DH was closed.

New business:
SL05-0607 Religiosity Ribbons
Nov 13- nov 17. Events open to all students on campus. Asking for $140 for ribbons and safety pins. Black, yellow and white colors. Enough for 500 ribbons.

For: 8
Opposed: 1
Abstain: 1

Danielle – was everything closed? A: you could use flex.
Carrie – wasn’t advertised as event you had to pay for. Students didn’t know couldn’t use meals in commons. Don’t think fair thing to do to students.
Mike – I think rsa put stuff up in the dh about it.
Adrienne – did a lot of students have a problem with that?
Carrie – not a lot of students were upset, but a few were. I feel we have obligation to be forthcoming to students about student events.
Thaddeus - lots of advertisements in Commons. Heard a lot of people didn’t want to have to go over to the Block Party to use their meal.
Carrie – what policies are there around how meals are used and who has controlled there. If students had to use meal at such and such event, how would that work.
Mike – only one meal was restricted.
Thaddeus – it’s tough to get food in-between classes when there’s only a few minutes available. When you mess with that, people will be upset.
Adrienne – let’s look into who makes the decision about meals and try to do something about it.

Senate underwent a problem-solving exercise.

Announcements:
Student advisory committee – next Monday 9:30-11.
Mamas Boys concert this Saturday
Nov 1st – study space opening
Danielle got email at 4pm last Friday saying trash monster cancelled. Went through run around, and doesn’t know who cancelled it.
Nov 18 – College bowl (It’s academic for college). If interested, talk to Mike P.
SGA could perhaps do thing for freshman to help with class selection.

Everyone here except for Elani

Adjourned at 7:37

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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October 30, 2006

5:31 meeting called to order.
Everyone present.
No objections to last week’s minutes.

Week in Review-
Steve (Advising) There has been conflicts with trying to motivate faculty to do advising the way administration wants. Advisors should be there to talk about career goals, not just stopping after giving the clearance for registration. Considering having professional advisors, outside of present staff, working with first and second year students mostly, helping them pursue goals (career and internship), and then as upper-classman, faculty members will act as advisors for students.
If anyone is interested in attending these committee meetings, contact Steve.

Adrienne – Went to restaurant that participates in red card program, and that was awesome. Also, about food at block party: raised 91 pounds of food at food drive recently. Flex dollar donations supposed to be set up, though SGA hasn’t really been contacted about this. Campbell’s soup dispenser coming soon. Concerns about RSA Block party: 1, wanted people to come. 2, swipe machines in DH and Commons were offline. Also not enough staff to run Block party and DH. Formal dance committee also met last week. Approaching SGA within next week to get money for deposit. Any questions, talk to Adrienne.

Thaddeus – Student Athlete Committee meeting. They’re attempting to connect more with campus who are not athletes or coaches. Thinking of doing 6 man club for lots of other sports. Punch cards with rewards like t-shirts. Adopt an organization/adopt a team – sports team would go to student org events and student orgs would go to sports events. Also, conduct policy in RAC (no swearing, no physical contact, etc). Probably won’t be a huge deal, but good to have rules in case things to get out of hand. Also had the idea for black out games and gold games – dressing in all black or all gold.

Danielle (readership program) – Dr. Fey. Pilot program, 11,711 students saw papers in that month. Said all copies were basically taken on daily basis. Said what he wanted to do is increase Washington Post and decrease rest, come to 665 copies. 75 posts, 75 usa today’s, 70 suns. $18,000 a year. Other departments to fund this project? Dr. Fey hadn’t had time to look into the matter. Asked students if they would be willing to pay for paper, 60% said yes (about 300 students). Danielle told him that despite his unwillingness to promote own project, thinks it is a good project. Only way thinks it will get passed without paying for all of it, will be to go out and find others to help fund project. Dr. Fey told Danielle that he’d talked to one person about the program, but he didn’t know which department it was or who the person was. Could’ve been the Sondheim program. Maybe we could do a survey of our own. Seems that Dr. Fey put this together with intention of passing the program off to the SGA.
Carrie – General Ledger, although has $300,000 or so, it’s not a lot of money, and it’s not smart to let people think they can just take from the pot. Next years Senate may not even want to keep the program going. People have started to think that the SGA is a bank. The SGA shouldn’t have to fund a program by themselves that benefits the entire campus when everyone uses it.
Terrance – keep the program, but limit to who can get the newspapers.
Danielle – when woman came to talk about swipe cards, said we’d have to be on board now to get them by February.
Nayana – machines could be huge investment, and we don’t even know if we’ll keep this program.
Carrie – might be a good time for Senate to define how people should present things to the Senate in the future.

Elani – study space looks pretty good. Opens Wednesday at noon.

--

Progress of Projects –
Thaddeus – transportation, Joe Regier. Issue now is CollTown is being sluggish in finalizing contract and getting UMBC on their route. Trans lock is low initial cost and high maintenance cost. On hold until fulfill contract.

Adrienne – 1, dance. Biggest issue is looking for funding. 2, ch 3. Will stop by ch. 3 guy this week.

Elani – hopefully by end of week, legislation for SGA library advertising.
Smoking forum, is it possible to have some kind of tangible idea like the pie idea for the fee forum.

Avi – website where students can go and rate off campus housing.

Danielle – thinks there should be some kind of SGA representation on the 10 year plan committee.

Terrance – dance committee. Also working with Joe on DVD proposals.

--

Announcements

David – study place opening Wednesday at noon. Preparation from 9-12 Wednesday morning. SGA t-shirts if you come to set up.

Danielle – meeting with Dr. Fey again this Wednesday. Adrienne – will you ask him to seriously consider co-sponsorship.

Brittany – UNICEF. Donations go to help children in need.

Nayana – budget hearings are this week.

6:31 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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November 6, 2006
5:34
Everyone here but Thaddeus
Approval of Minutes from last week.

Week in Review

Danielle – Dr. Fey said he’s going to House meeting ASAP. Unknown how much he’s willing to contribute, said he will talk to GSA. Gave Danielle the name of someone who she can talk to about conducting a survey.

Terrance – DVD committee; almost every movie that the SGA bought are always checked out or being recalled. Seems that we need more of certain movies. Talked about

Adrienne – supposed to meet and talk to Ch 3 on Friday. Man who runs Ch 3 got sick on Friday and couldn’t meet. Said he’s very supportive though, and would like to meet soon.

Elani (and Thaddeus) - met with Joe Regier. 13th (Monday) having a presentation for GPS equipment, at 10:30 (should be on everyone’s Corp time). If you can’t make it, please send Elani questions you think should be asked.

- -

FYA must be a part of the FYC (First year council). This is only the second year for the FYA program, so specifications aren’t too narrowed down yet.

Before there used to be specific seats (Political Science seat, Bio seat, etc). When we moved to a senate that didn’t have specific seats, got rid of fall elections, since the voter turnout was so low. Still needed Freshman in SGA. Don’t vote since not elected by students. Always want to have connection to Freshman class, and furthermore, required partnership with First Year Council. Last year, 11 people applied for 6 positions – SGA took 5. Some ran in house, with exception of one, all returned to SGA in following year.

Matt
Found out about the position during the Events Fair – involvement fest. Immediately interested, wanted to get involved with the SGA but was unsure how to do so. Felt first year position would be the best way to do so, also just want to get involved on campus.

Steve – do you have any specific issues that come to mind about the campus or anything on campus that you would like to change?
Interested in the environmental issues on campus. Noticed here was a bit of discussion on the pond recently, which would improve the image of UMBC. Interested in getting freshman involved with campus, too.

Carrie – this position is specifically designed to bring the freshman perspective to SGA. How will you do that?
Lots of peers are freshman. Able to talk to a lot of other freshman in classes and outside of class. Freshman forum is a great idea. Something similar to the fee forum would be a great idea to bring them all together in one place, sort of like orientation week.

Adrienne – huge time commitment. Do you think SGA will get in the way of your acclimation to college.
Taking average course load, now. Also involved the LRC and Retriever. So far has been handling things well. Don’t feel as if SGA would be conflicting with those other interests. Wouldn’t be applying for position otherwise.

Avi – Past experience?
High school was in the Student Council for a while. Also senior year founded the Philosophy club at high school. Also other leadership positions, like in Relay for Life, etc.

Alex - what do you think the ideal Sga would be?
Help students connect to each other, and make for a great academic campus. Build a better campus overall.

Question from Matt – asked to do a photo for the budget hearing for the Retriever (Steve – talk to Nayana after the meeting)

-

Jennifer

Steve – do you have any specific issues that come to mind about the campus or anything on campus that you would like to change?
Came over the summer for field hockey stuff, talked to David, then Carrie. Thought FYA would be best fit.

Steve – specific issues on campus you’d like to change?
Dining hall situation. Meal plan, not being able to use more than one meal per meal period and fact that at the spot there are things you can’t get with a meal.

Carrie – this position is specifically designed to bring the freshman perspective to SGA. How will you do that?
In first year council already. FYC does a lot of things to get First Year perspective, so through that. Also through word of mouth, as well as surveys, things like that.

Adrienne – huge time commitment. Do you think SGA will get in the way of your acclimation to college.
Don’t think it’ll be a problem. Am involved with a lot of clubs, but they are all pretty flexible. SGA is main focus in terms of main focus, and kept that in consideration when planning for other clubs and organizations.

Avi – Past experience?
SGA in high school since Sophomore year. Junior – VP, Senior, President. Also in SADD.

Alex – what do you want to get out of your first year with SGA.
Meet people, find out new ways to make SGA better.

Adrienne – as a member of the SGA, you will be representing the average student. Do you feel that you’ve had enough experience thus far in order to do this successfully.
Have talked to a lot of freshman about things, and in enough organizations to see where flaws and strengths thus far.

Danielle – what are all you in.
CAB, UMBC Ambassador Program, Admissions office, SEB

Danielle – what would your ideal SGA be?
Supportive, something to help freshman get acclimated and make school better.

Gabe – one word to describe self?
Awesome. No but seriously, well-rounded.

-

Heather

Steve – do you have any specific issues that come to mind about the campus or anything on campus that you would like to change?
I found out from the Sga, I went to the tabling event. Got an email about FYC and FYA.
Orientation process, getting last leg of all classes. Holding off some seats for freshman.

Carrie – this position is specifically designed to bring the freshman perspective to SGA. How will you do that?
If there are any issues getting word of mouth to First Years, and getting the opinions from First Years. Being a bridge between First Year and Freshman.

Adrienne – huge time commitment. Do you think SGA will get in the way of your acclimation to college.
I think so. Classes have been stressful, but am getting study time in. Want something else to do, too.

Avi – Past experience?
SGA since 7th grade. Since 9th grade, Secretary of class. Secretary of Arts club and vocal ensemble.

Danielle – what would your ideal SGA be?
Bringing everyone together. Being able to see changes and now SGA was a part of those changes.

Alex – what would you like to personally get out of the SGA in your first year.
Friendship and more leadership (hoping to pursue field of scientific research). Also in FYC and BioCom.

-

Projects/Progress

Mike – Talked to professor. Sodexho contract is public domain. If people give us a hard time about it, hypothetically could sue them for it. Could make copies of it. Adrienne has talked to Oscar and others about Food forum. Will be taking Dec 6th, Wednesday, free hour.

Carrie is part of the retention strategy committee. There is an opportunity on table to think about. Everyone pays graduation fee ($100). Retention strategy people decided to do this when you enter. Also don’t do exit interviews – and some leave when their problems could’ve be solved easily. Going to generate around additional $2000 additional dollars. These funds be used for retention efforts. People will be listening to proposals for how to use funds.

Avi – working on website where students can rate off campus housing. A dozen or so off campus housing places.

Danielle – readership program. Think it’s a good thing to help with, but will need a lot of help.

Terrance – question for mike: how do we get sodexho contract? Can be accessed by anyone. Chett Miller has some experience on how getting the contract.

Adrienne – formal dance committee. Approaching different organizations about formal dance. Hoping to have something off campus, that wouldn’t necessarily need to be repeated next year if the SGA wasn’t interested.

Carrie – talked to SGA’s of two private schools in Boston. Does programming themselves. Has 200 members, all stipended. BC runs rate your faculty website. Would you be interested in finding way to spend some time with other SGA’s from other schools?

Gabe – informing freshman of cool classes to take; idea is to have forum like session where upper classman could share with primarily freshman the classes they’ve taken in the past that met GFR requirements that were fun too.

Announcements
Meeting with Ch 3 (10-11 in ACIV 4 where studio is)
Meeting set up on corp. time, Wednesday at 4 for stress free planning.
There are people in the study place!
Study space hours M-TH 9:430, Friday 10-2

Everyone except Thaddeus here.
6:59 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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November 13, 2006
5:34 meeting called to order.
Everyone here except for Terrance who is on his way.
No objections to last week’s minutes.

Adrienne Mercer - Director of human relations
• Received grant last year to establish center for mediation and conflict resolution.
• 13 mediators on campus.
• Want center to be first step to help. Center is completely voluntary.
• Handles all kinds of conflict with exception of credible counts of violence, any kind of abuse.
• Located in administration, 9th floor. Mediations can be held anywhere, however. Also can be held at night. There will be two mediators present, as well.
• RA’s have been notified and are using the service.

Week in review

Thaddeus –
• Stress free get-together
• Elani sent out assignments of what people are going to be responsible for.

Carrie –
• General ledger expenditure talk.
• This week or early next week to create form (3 step process), a lot like organizations do.
• Form, presentation to senate and house, then legislative bodies would vote next week.

Steve –
• Met with ch. 3 guy in new media studio in ACIV 4.
• Studio under construction.
• Retirement community will be using space, and is doing renovations on it now (most likely Erickson school). Umbc has limited use to the studio now, but will be able to use after next year.
• Could come up with a club/organization to do mini-news thing, or have freelance where students submit work (ch 3 guy could then put on web or TV).
• Are now using ch 3 as art channel. If we wanted it to use an extra channel, would cost $3,000 more.
• Fine arts has recording studio (room 507).
• Carrie – might be worthwhile to have a conversation with Erickson school to see if there’s a way to use some of the space.

Thaddeus
• Talked to Joe Regier about bus tracking system stuff
• High ball number for this project: $108,000 plus
• Will be negotiating with transit and tracking company for a lower price. Matter of price and features.
• Meeting Monday after thanksgiving to talk about what features we’d want and arrangements in terms of money. Could probably bargain down to $75-80,000

Terrance
• Flex dollar donations talk (said someone talked to SGA, but not sure who that person was).

Adrienne
• Will have help from Emily G. for formal dance

New Business

SL__-0607 Funding of SGA Resource Library Advertising Campaign
• Compile database of forms that students would need to do various things around campus.
• Requesting $230 for advertising (1 banner in commons and 6 outdoor signs).
• (senate additional allocations has $5,000 to use for whatever purpose SGA sees fit; has nothing to do with general ledger).

For: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

-

Thaddeus – if we focus on reaching out it will help all of our projects.

David – should start thinking about how to close up projects.

Adrienne – didn’t foresee projects taking as much time as they have taken.

Exec Reports

• Gabe – cool classes discussion is next Monday (study place, 4:00 pm)
• Tabassum – go to religiosity events this week.
• David – go to leadershape! Go!!!! “I would encourage you to apply.”
• Brady – bookstore. Things looking good to move bookstore out of commons. Also, language diversity forum (Feb.), faculty forum for advising, bookstore forum.
• Nayana – budget hearings, hopefully finished by Thursday.
• Elani – Wednesday at 4, student org space, another meeting for stress free zone.
• Steve – Wednesday during free hour, smoking forum, student orgs space. (UHS, judicial services, and chief cook coming). Also, next Monday, advising group meeting.

6:11 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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November 20, 2006
5:34 pm
Everybody here except Mike and Elani

Week in review:
Adrienne – talked to common vision, will have flyers to put in DH about food forum. Terrance put it on facebook. Dec 6th, free hour.

Steve – last Wednesday, smoking fee forum. Not as high attendance as would’ve wanted. Retriever didn’t send anyone to write article about it, so Steve did.

Thaddeus – Steering committee. Talked about ways to improve mail system on campus. Gearing up to make 60-70 thousand dollar purchase. Would remove a lot of the sluggishness in (e)mail server. Looking to set it up to run with 50% capacity (2 servers in PP basement, 3 in engineering basement) Also, implementing outsourcing of webmail to google or Microsoft. $10,000 estimate. Looking for student representation for committee. (Enter Mike Pollard) Not looking at student increase fro $60,000 – looking at using budget have now with limited freedom. Also, stress free zone planning.
Mike – will email out ads for t-shirts soon.

New Business:
Adrienne – (Enter Elani) Moonlight cruise, 11-2. $20 a student gets you light fare, DJ, admission. Cost will be about $16,000. Need minimum of 300 people, maximum of 500. Will provide transportation for 300 people. SEB is paying for advertisements. In conjunction with 40th. Places no obligation on next years SGA to put on event. April 14th, Saturday. What happens if you fall short of 300? SGA would end up having to pay more money.

Elani – stress free zone. Car bashing, Lambda Chi Alpha funding. 45 foot canvas, spray paint or paint. Study space is just going to be food. This event will require lots of volunteering. Student organizations who are around the most (3) will get money for flyers from Commonsvision.

For: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

Nayana –
$18,000 over

Gabe –
Cool classes “smashing success”

Tabassum –
Long sleeve shirts.

Brady –
Diversity of language, bookstore and advising initiatives coming for next semester.

Announcements –
Go to food forum.
Event hall of fame for SGA.
No FYC meeting Wednesday.
Academic misconduct committee (Elani). If you have stories or research, get in touch with Elani.

Everyone here.
6:11 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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November 27, 2006

5:33 meeting STARTS!
Everyone here.
Minutes from last week… approved!

Week in review:

• Alex – alumni board
Mentoring program to start with freshman; start second semester. Give each freshman peer mentor, faculty and alumni mentor. Alex argued it might be a good idea to introduce peer mentor first semester. ALSO, huge advertising campaign being launched for UMBC. 90% online, a little radio and newspaper. Mission statement. Alex found quite bland.

• Thaddeus – IT Steering committee meeting. OIT gearing up to make a $60,000 upgrade to the Webmail system. Gray listing system – supposed to help block Spammers. Outsourcing mail system to Microsoft of gmail ($10,000).

Classroom committee – 50% of available classrooms are level 4 (AV service equipped). Trying to get to 100% (will cost like, $300,000 to do that though). Lots of classes that need lots of tech will move to having classes later in the week.

GPS stuff. Have to post an ebid (will take 30 days to post), then have to talk to procurement office about overall cost and negotiate with bus company. Looking to put good amount of money from GL into project as well as reaching out to others for money.

• Elani – academic conduct committee. Institutionalizing penalties for cheating.

• Steve – met with Kyle Carter. Commons advisory council.

New stuff:

• Stress Free Zone coming up quickly. Shirt design in. Look for the volunteer sheet and sign up! WOO!
Total minutes divided by people in organization. Whoever gets greatest number winner.

http://www.umbc.edu/registrar/schedule/F06Finalexam.html

• 2 weeks left!
Current projects: Sga library, GPS system, Ch 3, formal dance, Off-campus student services (Avi), Harbor Hall Café

-

SGA should send out physical letters that let new committees know if they want SGA representation, here we are!

-

Mike Pollard disagrees with the policy of no non-motorized transportation devices other than bikes.

-

Danielle heard they have a 10 year plan and a 25 year plan. Thaddeus heard there’s also a 50 year plan.

-

SGA meetings in town halls and other places around community? Do we still want to do this?

-

Food forum next Wednesday at 12 noon.

-

Danielle – The green way (?). Connecting green places on campus, going to start at CERA.

-

Executive reports:

David – back from vacation. Went to Pittsburgh, then to jersey. And he’s grown out his beard some. Lookin’ sharp David!

Gabe – done for the year pretty much in academics. Peer advising coming up; planning for study groups over the winter.

Nayana – finishing deliberations soon.

Announcements:
• Go to food forum
• Mosaic center, hosting Baltimore Ravens game night (Thursday). Held in Flat Tuesdays. Free wings.
• Look out for Mamas Boys Winter Ball which will be right after last meeting (Dec 11th)

Roll call: everyone here.
Meeting adjourned at 6:32

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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December 4, 2006
Roll Call: 5:35; Mike and Avi Elani and Brittany late
Approval of minutes: GOOD!

Week in review:
Adrienne – Food action committee: Food forum Wednesday, free hour.
Steve – Entrepreneurship. David suggested social entrepreneurship. Seemed interested in having SGA members – having competition for changing something on campus.
Danielle – undergraduate council. Couldn’t make it because weren’t given enough notice.

Andrew Rose (previous SGA president at College Park) –
Working for Mobile Campus.
Provides colleges with program to build out applications and mobile solutions, tailored to what their needs are. Plan to use text messaging to help connect students to each other and campus. Generate groups with Student organizations, fraternities and sororities, etc. No cost to university or students, or organizations. Permission based – students aren’t’ obligated to get in. Can click and choose groups to belong to, as well as venders and merchants. Integrate with OIT. Professors can set up mobile groups with students. Can set up within 45 days of contract.

What kind of initial marketing would be done? Table at event, flyers, hire students to get other students interested, iPod raffles, give-aways. Launch with something else on campus. Facebook ads, newspaper ads, etc. all paid for by mobile campus.

Student Jobs – would have to have an office off campus. Sales rep, marketing manager, and enrollment. Could hire students.

Not charging to sign up – charges to receive will apply to what current text messaging plans are. Mobile campus reviews message that merchants and vendors send out, but save $5 for each message they send out – students can save a lot of money.

About how many messages – no more than 2 a day from vendors and merchants. If they’d like more, can set that preference. When they enroll in M.C., can set who they want to receive messages from, when; also open access groups and closed groups, etc.

How successful has it been on campus it’s been implemented – over 25,000 students enrolled, over 9 schools. 3 of 9 M.C. has been in for over a year. Over 40% enrollment at each school. 30-40 merchants sign up at each school within 3 months. 8-10 more schools by January.

Other schools haven’t had a lot of faculty involvement in the program, mostly focus on merchants and vendors. MC hasn’t made the effort to incorporate professors as much, but plans to soon. Ability to have professors to use the program there, but not really implemented currently.

SL11-0607 DVD Committee
Recently issued movies are hardly ever there. In Dec 2003, under 150 people that went to use Media Center. Oct 2006, over 3,500 every week for DVD’s. Given $1,500 for year to purchase DVD’s. Found not enough given how high demand is. Asking for $500 more for next semester. Buy from Barnes and nobles, get deal buying bulk. The library has purchased multiple copies of some movies. Also trying to branch out to other cultures.
Started with $5,000 and will have $2,000 ish after this semester for rest of the year.

For: 7
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1
Absent: 2

JL08-0607 Confirmation of Shane Spencer as SGA Justice
SGA Justices mostly have work during elections.
Shane served as justice last year. Both took one year terms, this will appoint them for a two year term. End May 15, 2008 (for both candidates). They have the option of resigning if they wish.

Shane - Interested in law. Not heavily involved with SGA – good for election board to be non-partisan. Will be at Stress Free Zone!

Lisa - Appointed same time as Shane. Served as chief justice. Involved with formal dance committee. Less involved with BSU – has a lot more hours available.

Chief Justice receives stipend of $160.

Table JL08-0607

JL06-0607 Formal Dance
40th Anniversary Formal Dance – unify greater campus community
asking for $16,400 from general ledger
if this becomes an annual event, can be turned over to SEB.
May 5th.

David - there will have been an SGA election, with new people and old. Should be a plan for handling this.

If SGA can sell 500 tickets, the cost will really only be $3,900.
Haven’t heard anything back from GSA or RSA. Looking to get local businesses to sell ads for tux’s and stuff.

Thaddeus – SGA needs to fund some kind of marketing scheme
Adrienne – looking to use SEB as tool to get resources; SGA would then put up.
Mike – will propose idea of them doing additional advertising.
Carrie – concerned that people can afford both their Quadmania ticket and the formal dance ticket.
Jordan – lots has to be planned over break. Need to have goals for ticket sales before the event. Need to establish safeguards, financially.
Adrienne – doesn’t have to be a tux, but definitely formal (no jeans, etc)
Thaddeus – glad there’s a safeguard in terms of transportation. Would feel more comf voting on his next week after talking to Joe Regier about transportation.
Adrienne – preferable to pass this sooner than later. Hesitant to leave something as important as this for last meeting.
Alex – there are a lot of safeguards, and it’s tedious to add on more money, but if we decide we’re going to do the event, we need to stop stalling.
Avi – set deadlines for ticket sales.
Lisa – needs to be finished over winter break.
Danielle – look into other funding sources. This is really low compared to prom in high school.
Thaddeus - $400 more for advertising.
Brady – $400 doesn’t really get you that much in terms of advertising.
David – need plan for money.
Carrie – it’s hard to put a number on advertising when you don’t really know what $400 is going to get you. There are items in SGA budget that go unused.
Thaddeus – shouldn’t only advertise in Commons with $400, but $400 isn’t that much more.
Elani – everything seems good except advertising. Should request more money when we have a more clear cut idea of where it should be going.
Alex – advertising only concern right now. Could pass on the condition that the committee could go to SEB to see how money they’re willing to put for advertising, and come back with plan.
Mike – contact all the groups on campus.

For: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

JL07-0607 confirmation of KB Singh as SGA election board chair
No written application and not present.
Tabling till next week.

Executive Reports:

Carrie:
Sga last year helped Alumni association give gift to graduating seniors. Doing this again.
Booked space for conference that Carrie and Tabassum are working on. Hopkins, Towson and someone else invited. Focusing on elections, diversity in SGA’s, food, etc.
Committee meeting with CCSAG – saving for next week to talk about.

Jay, Gabe, Brady and David:
No report.

Announcements:
Dec 11th, Mamas boys, 8:15, LH1.
Food Forum, Wednesday, free hour.
SGA cookie swap, reading day, office.
STRESS FREE ZONE.
Commons advisory council meeting Wednesday, free hour.

Everyone here.
7:19 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.

---

5:34 meeting called to order
Everyone here except for matt.
Minutes approved.

Week in review:
Adrienne: article made front page. Food forum turn out not as big as hoped. Seb willing to help, not pay for. Allocated $300 for photographer – that money will be used for advertising now. Want to start advertising in April.

Mike – RSA meeting – talked about dance. Seem to be interested in helping with $, but need formal proposal from SGA. Suggested first x number people get $y off ticket. Put up a few hundred dollars (RSA) to help cover first x cover discount.

Thaddeus - athletics meeting – talked about field hockey team being gone. Saving athletics $175,000 a year to not support field hockey. Thaddeus was asked if SGA could illustrate want for replacement field; no way we’re going to be able to keep practice field by research building. Erickson foundation had to help renovate driving range field (only alternative at this point). ALSO, SAC meeting – promotional stuff, frequent fan cards, lots of questions about field hockey team. Athletics was in a deficit that was greater than $500,000, and university has required paying back some of deficit.

Elani – Commons advisory board – 11 members, how commons is utilized.

-

Solidarity coalition not here, so, moving on.

JL07-0607 KB Singh for Election Board Chair
Has been on for 2 years. asking to be appointed as election board chair. Questions can be asked to KB through email.
Carrie – chair has to remain impartial. How will you do this? Talk to separately, figure out solution.
Steve – your committee, ideas? Have some people in mind, know them well. Looking for professionalism and being able to keep privacy.
Carrie – diversity. Do you have a plan to help recruit diverse candidates? Hoping to go out and talk to people, instead of just noting that elections are up. Won’t be as much advertising. Don’t want everyone to be tired of it before it starts. Want to also make sure it’s separate from Quadmania.
Adrienne – less advertising? Don’t think advertising has as much to do with turn out as presidential candidates.
Avi – too much publicity can be bad publicity. Yes, people eventually get sick of it, I think.
David – what replaces publicity? Publicity still there, but looking to change long drawn out advertising to short, sweet process. Don’t know for sure yet though, don’t have a board.
Steve – referendum questions. Pro con section? Not aware what happened last year, but did advertise year before. So, yes, planning to.
David – can you estimate what a reasonable turn out would be? With 5 serious candidates. Looking to get 2,500 votes.
David – recruit people to run for president and vice president? what will you tell them? part of them has to want to be with sga, and can only work with people who want to but don’t know how.

IN FAVOR: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstaining: 1

-

SGA Ad in retriever
Full page ad in 12 issues of retriever – 20% discount – works out to be $3,888
Also will have 2 from last year that were never used.

SGA pays for Retriever (everything that keeps them running), and also pays to put ads in their paper.
Ads don’t cover all of expenses.
SGA gives Retriever $50,000. Many other campuses are funded independently of the SGA.
No one considering removing them as charter organization.
Retriever can’t put event that happens over weekend, can’t go in until almost 2 weeks later.
Location of ad within in paper important (mike). Would paper be better spent doing print ads at common vision?
Creeeeeeepy (steve looking over president Hadfield’s shoulder)
Possibly not doing an ad every week – just when we have something big going on.
Alex – we should have something to put in the paper every week.
Elani – might over look if there were an ad every single week.
Carrie – SGA update not guaranteed to get in each week.
Deadline for paying retriever? Don’t think so.
Mike – half page ads?
Alex- more appealing ads would make the $ worth it.
We could work out details over the summer before next school year. Then SGA could ask for new details between SGA and retriever.
Carrie – no organization is SGA’s.
David – why not commit to 7 ads, get discount, then get more if need.
Thaddeus – table till next semester?

In favor: 1
Opposed: 8
Abstain: 1

-

JL09-0607 Lesa Marks
A Sondheim scholar. Because is in other organizations, should there be something involving organization she’s involved with, she would recuse herself from the situation so it didn’t look biased.

In favor: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

JL08-0607 Shane Spencer
In favor: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

The piece of legislation has been friendly amended – lesa and shane will serve for 2 year terms, not 1. (for: 8, opposed: 1, abstain: 1)

-
Carrie – sent out report, will send out another before finals.
Gabe – working on study group program over break.

Announcements – winter ball tonight, 8:15 doors open, 8:30 start.
Sga retreat coming up!!! Woooo.
SGA cookie swap.
Something pertinent, from mike.
SGA stress free time. volunteer sign up.
Roll call: everyone here except for matt (Danielle and Elani left early)

6:59 meeting adjourned forever!! (the semester)

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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January 29, 2007
5:34 meeting begins.
Elani not here yet.
Approval of minutes: yes.

In review:
Thaddeus –
Met with Dr. Brown from athletics. Dr. Brown said that athletics wasn’t getting a lot of help from the school. Athletics not included in 10 year plan when drafted in 2003 (10 year plan given to regents). Said not enough money to keep athletics going, definitely can’t be building new stuff (like tennis courts, basketball courts, etc). Donations of corporate sponsorship would have to fund, not student fees.

Jay –
Working to get a better online undergraduate catalog search engine going. Should be up and going soon. Will be sending out a giant report of everything he’s been doing soon.

Adrienne –
Formal dance committee. This topic one of the possible topics in the Retriever next issue.

Steve –
University Steering Committee and Retention committee. Researching how we can improve retention. People will be coming to SGA meetings to present what they think will strengthen retention – want our opinion and support to develop.
Also, Jay and Steve have been attending Super Bowl Party committee. Still want to do a party in the Commons.

________________________________________
The Event: Frequent Fan Card
Wanted to start this Feb 10. Between SGA and Athletics, and Student Athletics.
Incentive for individuals to attend athletic events. In pats have had incentive for organizations – this more individual. Get card punched, then eligible for certain prizes.
Plastic cups, t-shirts, stuff from bookstore, professional sports tickets, etc.
Targeting students first, secondly staff, and thirdly off-campus community.
Asking SGA to co-sponsor.
Money is for card development, advertising, and initial prizes.
Looking for $1,500 ish ball park figure.

Might be more likely to get money from the House instead of the Senate’s GL. (Nayana) Have you gone to other organizations to try to get money? (Nayana) Not yet, no. Will
though. Wanted SGA to be primary co-sponsor.

Since this requires man power, SAAC is required that they wouldn’t be able to do a few events. Could SGA help out with this? Also, requested money from House during budget hearings and were denied. Can still get money. Just means they were denied initially. (Nayana)
To get best response, will probably need layout to see what money is going to specifically. Where is the money going to be coming from in the future? (Alex) Depends on the success in the Spring semester. Being a new program, was not budgeted within the athletics budget. Athletics has said that if it is successful, will take it over in the future.

Athletics isn’t giving any money to this right now? (Steve) Right.

Have you looked into donations from outside companies? (Danielle) Sponsored by Coco-Cola, and some other larger corporations. Looking into it currently.

________________________________________

JL__-0607
General Ledger Allocation for SGA ad in Retriever Weekly, Spring 2007

To clear some things up from last meeting: Event turn-around can be within a few days.
SGA can use Retriever to bring up large concerns within University, promote our own events, letters from administration, etc.
Have had this space for maybe 5-6 years. Last year never missed an ad. This last semester had 2 weeks where there wasn’t anything to post.
Jay and Phil asking for this to pass.

If organization had event coming up and needed space, they could approach Jay about it? Cost? (Adrienne) No cost.
How much is allocation in SGA budget? (Thaddeus) Only for fall, $4499 or so. $50,000 given to Retriever. Not really going to get more money on top of that, haven’t needed it in the past. Reason not budgeted for Spring, SGA was working with increase cost and decrease revenue. Chett only budgeted money for Spring in prediction that there would be money from last year that would roll over from last year to pay for Spring ads.

One of the things we talked about was relationship between SGA and Retriever. Because we give them 50 grand, why are we paying them another 8 for ads. (Thaddeus) Giving them 50 grand say they can run. They are providing us with a service. They don’t need that money to operate, though. One thing both sides are looking for is that SGA doesn’t need to give them 50 grand. If we start taking freebies from the Retriever, where is the line drawn. (Phil) If we took this money away, they wouldn’t need the money anyway to operate. (Jay)

With that mentality, couldn’t we demand to be admitted to any event from any organization for free since we fund everyone? The 50 grand that we give the Retriever is given because we are the SGA and that’s what we do. (Alex)

Relationship between SGA and Retriever is getting better. Some things have changed within Retriever, and things are a lot more flexible. (Adrienne)

Not looking at it like, “we don’t like you, so why should we give you more money?” More like, we’re providing you with a third of your money every year, it shouldn’t be a big deal for the SGA to get one page a week. Are we asking for a freebie or asking them to do their job since we give them 1/3. (Thaddeus)

The proper way to do that, then, would give them 40 grand and then 10 for ads. Better to keep ads separate and pay for ads like anyone else or else where does special privilege end. (Phil)

In future, if we wanted to talk to them about making a compromise about including our ads for free within money we give them, but for this semester, it seems we have the option of either having ads of not buying them and not having them. (Alex)

Agree with Thaddeus, but also think Alex’s point is valid too. Would rather students know about organizations on campus, be informed. (Danielle)

Especially with all big projects coming up, cultural events, etc, would be inconsiderate to let us not have ads in Retriever. (Elani)

$360,000 in GL. 50 grand rolled over from unspent money last year. (Phil)

Even if we get the ads for 8 grand, not killing us. (Steve)

In favor: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0
________________________________________

JL__-0607 General Ledger Allocation Super Bowl Party

Asked to sponsor game room, IFC in Sports Zone, GSA Pub…

Is our $500 only to Game room, or other things too. Would go to Office of Student Life as our contribution. Easier to have money centralized in OSL. Not only people contributing money to this event, lots of others.

In favor: 10
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

________________________________________

Winter retreat this Saturday, 10a-5p. Providing lunch and breakfast. If anyone can help out, let Steve or Nayana know.
Can we attend portions? There are different sessions. Will send out schedule. (Steve)

Gabe:
Starting study group program again for Spring. 5 new classes. BIO 100, PSYCH 100, PHYS 111, MATH 150, ECON 100.

Nayana:
Thursdays at 8, House meeting time.

David:
Election planning coming up soon.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Adrienne – putting final touches on formal dance.
Danielle – Readership program. Representative coming here soon.
David – any discussion needed by Senate before representative gets here.
Phil – GSA and RSA have separate budgets that could help. (GSA has no money – Jay)
Steve – retention group meeting Wednesday 1-4

Roll call: everyone here.
Meeting adjourned at 6:29

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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5:34
Everyone here except Brittany and Danielle.
No objections to minutes.

Weekly minutes:
Elani –
• Commons advisory comm..
• Art week – tell friends (in March)
• Emphasis on referendum questions for elections –
• UMBC of decades room redecorations

Enter Danielle, dramatically.

Gabe
• Campus connect, Philly’s program. Trying to target rising sophomores, mentor mentee program. Older students would be mentors, as well as faculty. Gala for mentor prospect in beginning of April, then do more events to try to recruit.
• Alumni raised questions, such as whether or not Seniors will be involved.
• Backbacks to briefcases – what alumni association boards are looking for in mentor programs.
• Hoping to start up next year.

Elani –
• Update corp time schedule

Danielle
• Met with woman from readership program representative
• Doesn’t serve 11,000 students; that’s just how many people we have on campus (as Dr. Fey previously said)
• Actually cost 25 grand a year, as opposed to what Dr. Fey said of 18 grand a year
• Most schools use GSA
• Depends on how much $ we get from Dr. Fey, as well as departments.
• OSL paying for it this semester. One year contract.
Thaddeus – would have to be built into SGA budget at the end of the year to continue. If no support, SGA can’t contribute to this on a yearly basis.
Adrienne – if people find out there are no more newspapers, and SGA tied to it, could be bad. If it’s a one time expense, might not be so bad.
Avi – SGA wasn’t the ones to come up with the program – great program, but not right that it’s been dropped in our laps. Would like to see more numbers.
Danielle – surveys from stress free zone? Steve – basically, if people read Retriever, they are reading papers. 1/3 of students aren’t reading Readership papers.
Thaddeus – SGA could put forth the last little bit to do this, but SGA doesn’t have a lot a lot of money to do this program
Steve is not environmentally conscious because, get this, he’s a music major.
Adrienne – sign petition to get Dr. Fey to one of these meetings.

Steve
• Retention committee
• If you come to umbc, leave, come back 5+ years later, you can have up to 15 credits removed.
• If you come to umbc, with certain major, and do poorly first semester, then change majors and don’t so well, you can have that first semester erased
• Someone wants to reduce the 5 years to 2-3 years.
• Graduation fee ($100) – turn that into a fee that you pay when you enter. Have to make sure that money gets used for what it should be used for.
• Changing advising to more than just getting permission to register

Thaddeus –
• Super bowl party, 20 cent wings, travesty in terms of wings.
• Reagan Sidney proposed that RA’s could get students to commons – takes so long for information to pass through everyone.
• Nothing mentioned from Reagan’s end to RA’s – that never happened
• Thaddeus ruined the Super Bowl. That’s why the Bears lost.

New Business

Steve – house did not pass legislation about Shane, had to be rewritten with Carrie as President.
In favor: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 1

The Retreat
Gabe – excellent change to refocus on goals. Reoriented self on projects that have been going for months or years. People bonded.
Jordan Hadfield resigned as President, PS.
Steve – good experience, thought it might be bad with Jordan resigning, but went well.

Weekly reports
Will resume this week. To Kristina, by Friday.
Legislation, by Friday, midnight, to Steve.
Make sure you log your office hours.

Formal dance
May 5th.
More legislation will most likely come soon.
If you plan to go to, need to purchase tickets. No tickets will be reserved.

Executive Reports

Gabe –
New pamphlets for study groups program, giving out at involvement this week

Narmin
Faculty forum

Jay
Nothing new to report this week

Announcements
• UMBC Paint ball team – Thaddeus
• Advising working group – Steve
• ecoFest – Danielle

Roll Call: everyone here except for Brittany (feel better!)

6:16 pm 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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5:36 pm (February 12, 2007)

Danielle and Mike not here.
Minutes approved.

USA Today representatives:
• 10th year of program
• on over 450 campuses nationwide
• Convenience, choice, cost = s-u-c-c-e-s-s
• Free to students (because shared between students)
• EBI Survey surveyed 11,000 students. Students who read newspaper are more likely to be informed on national and global issues, as well as being more likely to express own views.
• www.usatodaycollege.com
• important to work with student leaders to tie in student initiatives with newspaper
• RA’s can use newspapers for programming and bulletin boards
• Reaches over 90% of student body over course of one week (based on surveys across nation)
• In past have worked with SGA’s that have put forth a referendum question (passed on all campuses)

Specific to UMBC
• Sept 11 – Oct 6 (4 week pilot)
• Baltimore Sun, USA Today, Washington Post
• Fall consumption (avg. copies a day): 646 newspapers a day
• Pass-along ration of 4 (reaching approximately 2,400 students)
• 79% of students surveyed believe reading newspaper is important to education
• on campus availability of newspapers was most important factor for people reading
• surveyed approximately 300 students
• before pilot, 15% reading 3-4 days a week; after pilot, 25% reading 3-4 days week
• 44% said would pay $4-7 a semester (60% would actually pay)
• cost is based on per-copy consumption, so we only pay for what we use – delivery, displays, recycling, marketing and programming support are complimentary.
• Each newspaper offered at a discounted education rate.
• 14/20 top 20 collegiate readership program are paid for through student fees
• The schools that paid for program through SGA pulled money together from administration and SGA.
• Average copies (Sun – 192, TODAY – 217, Post – 237). 646 Total.
• If consumption remained same, cost would be $2.70 per student, per year, based on 11,900 students, or approximately $32,000/year
• Cost to get swipe access to restrict to just under grads – free.
• If Readership program doesn’t get picked up, probably will be dropped. (Although there is the possibility to wheel and deal some in the future)
• Reps meeting next week with RSA, GSA and House

Week in Review
Elani-
• Turns out, in the future every class must have a part of it that is writing intensive.
• SGA met for referendum brain storming party. Hoping to get questions written for next week to have them out for elections.

Adrienne –
• Met with Jennifer-White Torres (SEB) about flyer (how many quarter cards/banners/etc)

Thaddeus –
• Frequent Fan Club
• Program should be happening soon, would be nice if SGA could fund

Steve –
• Stress free planning

Tabassum new Vice President!!! WOOOOOO!

Thaddeus – how are you going to integrate old tasks with new VP tasks.?
Can put old tasks into sub-category of VP-cy

Alex – pros and cons of being first year student?
Can get advice from older students.
Favor: 8
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 2

________________________________________

Thaddeus – came into as if we didn’t think the program was good, and needed to be convinced.
Adrienne – could we please get a meeting with Dr. Fey?
Avi – didn’t come here with any expectation, liked that.
Alex – responding to Adrienne, we have to detach it from Dr. Fey at some point. Up to us at this point. Things we could go to Dr. Fey for help, but our awkward situation now.
David – if you invite him to a Senate meeting, he’ll come (to Adrienne).
Thaddeus – would really like to hear what Dr. Fey has to say.
Elani – don’t know who we could appeal to get money. Who else could we go to?
David – office of institutional advancement, maybe?
Elani – I thought we said it wouldn’t be an issue if faculty and grad students benefited, but should contribute money. What is most amount of funding we could get from other sources?
David – I have no way to estimate that; I think more in terms of how much work you’d have to do to get money.
Elani – GSA?
David – there are enough resources to do this on this campus.
Alex – think it should only be for under grad students, with card access only. See a lot less papers taken, therefore would need to buy less. If we’re funding, should only be for under grad. There are lots of kinds of people taking these papers now. Would see much different numbers if you had to actually take your card out to get it.
Terrance – do a survey during SGA elections to ask student body what they actually want. Think best to just add in onto student fees.
Jen – I thought they said it wouldn’t work with our card system?
Jay – our system would have to totally change (pessimistically, $3,000 per box). No designation about under grad or grad student on magnetic strip on red id.
Gabe – referendum on ballot about student fee increase?
Thaddeus – lots of people won’t be in the SGA by the time this gets going with a fee increase. Will have a much different SGA by that time, and new fees (that were meant for this) may be used for other things.
Alex – have to decide is this something that is worth all this money and trouble. Not sure it is worth a fee increase.
James – have it so put in reduced amount to get paper.
Steve – to vote yes for this, what needs to happen?
Thaddeus – Can’t fund program out of General Ledger.
Elani – can just look at it online.
Steve – put $8,000 towards Study Space. Funding could be pulled in future.
Adrienne – if SGA has resources, should do this. What makes me nervous is how unstable future is. People will say, “SGA didn’t fund program” and looks bad. Should be added into budget and maybe OSL or someone else so we’re not hurting for money. $32,000 a lot of money to put in. Want this, but would hate for it to stop abruptly in future.
Thaddeus – House would have to pass money being put towards this for Fall. Don’t have enough money for this with student fee as is.
David – each future SGA could choose not to do it in future, but have to look at this point in time, and what is most important now in comparison to other things.
Adrienne – still scared.
Elani – even though we’re still in support of program, this is not SGA’s baby. Can find other things that touch whole campus that don’t have same financial circumstances.
Thaddeus – it’s easy to go online and find article. Not guaranteed to be funding later.
Alex – students talked to now like it, but don’t LOVE it. Will read the paper because it’s there, but aren’t obsessed with the program.
Elani – how can we quell idea that SGA discontinued program because didn’t want to pay for it.
Thaddeus – no “brought to you by SGA” on papers now. People might assume, but probably wouldn’t come to that. They included 11,900 in their figure, when it’s really more like 8,000.
Elani – anyone still in support of funding this program?
Jen K. – they are still asking other people (RSA, GSA, etc)
Avi – too many uncertainties as of right now.
Thaddeus – is this something we absolutely want on our campus? This will take lots of SGA’s time. Are we willing to commit money for next year? We can’t get a student fee to cover this for next year, so would have to come out of SGA’s pot (at least partially). Can we negotiate a fee increase?
Elani – can we go to different papers, or a different program?
Steve – I don’t think there’s another program like this. The only reason that USA Today’s are here.
Carrie – had meeting with Dr. Fey Thursday. He said that he had funding from “departments” lined up. Will ask again on Thursday. Told him he needed to meet with Senate and House.
Brittany – have companies contacted schools or is there a way we can contact school to see how they are paying to guarantee?
Steve – reps said if we wanted to contact other schools, we could do that.
Brittany – were they faced with same situation?
Thaddeus – 14 of top 20 programs funded by student fee. Goal would be to get financial commitments from departments, but can’t guarantee that.
Steve – need more input from Dr. Fey. Will email Dr. Fey if he will come to next meeting to talk about the program.
Adrienne – point Alex brought up should be kept in mind. Need to recognize that we need to commit to program at some point, and disconnect issue from Dr. Fey.

________________________________________

Projects
Try to meet with respective project groups.
Some kind of timeline, within next 2 weeks, send to Brady

________________________________________

Executive Reports

Carrie –
• Thank you to everyone that helped out with displaced Walker students; half or more are back in rooms now.
• Let’s get going on our projects and stuff and try to make progress in next 2 weeks. Hope is to not start anything new to try to finish up some old stuff.
• If there is an issue you’d like me to bring up, I meet with Dr. Fey once a week.
• Brady and I are working to revamp leadership awards. Student Life creating own. If you have ideas, please contact me.

Tabassum –
• Slacking so far as VP.
• Just kidding. Congrats.

James –
• Considering rounding off student fee to $100 – referendum proposing several different amounts.
• Can’t stress what we’d do with that extra money unless we have proposed use for it.
• Had meeting with Dr. Fey today too. Athletics came up. Apparently, we can pass legislation to increase money that goes to club sports. (Club sports hasn’t had increase in 6 years) David – probably good to look further into what exactly he meant by this.

Gabe –
• 13 students signed up for study ad right now
• ad on spotlight in my umbc
• 10 students in bio; other 3 in different classes

David –
• OSL and off campus student services looking into extending hours in study space
• 9:30-10pm

Nayana –
• stepped down as FYC President
• meetings starting up again

________________________________________

Paintball club has meeting Friday in student orgs space, free hour.
Formal dance
Steve, Mike, Danielle and Terrance not here.
7:15 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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February 19, 2007

Exceptional by Example - UMBC’s SGA Senate

5:33
Everyone here.
Minutes good
Week in review
Adrienne
• Specs to SEB – advertising soon
• Liability forms good
• Went to open house where ch3 runs. Approved certain majors.

Thaddeus
• It steering committee meeting (Security) dealing with sensitive DATA
• Should be behind firewalls
• Teaching, learning, technology action plan committee is reviewing technology in classroom – what level classes are out, and which ones we should be upgrading.

Avi
• Off campus living task force
• Added more business to red card program
• Umbc.edu/discounts
• Good neighbor service project – last year project was with South West ? Services (Homeless shelter in Arbutus) – any ideas? Check corp. time!

Steve
• Lynn Schaefer talking about the budget
• 2% budget cut all around University (2 million $ shortage) due to lower enrollment than expected
• short about 100 students
• shortage of out of state students and also credit hour requirements have been changed to dissertation (didn’t add tuition #’s)
• also a hiring freeze (not faculty)

Have built a lot of new academic buildings, and with Humanities building just over horizon, money issues come into question. Humanities building would cost approximately 250 million, and other recent buildings didn’t get full funding when they were built.

Dr. Fey coming to this meeting in 2 weeks.

College Readership Program –
Need to come to understanding as a Senate what our stance is.

Alex – can’t pick up a program and fund it every year. More money out of SGA’s pockets every year, and will have a different sga every year. If we want this, need to ensure its longevity; only way to do that is to have more constant people funding it. If we start, people will expect us to continue – people look at the SGA and think money.

Thaddeus – don’t have the money for this, so we shouldn’t do it.
Danielle – how much is budget each year? Roughly $200,000. $150,000 goes to student orgs. GL has $350,000. If this is something that students want, why not use students money to get it for them?
Brittany – Is the SGA committed to do this every year, or can we just do this one year? Technically, we can, but ethically, we probably shouldn’t. Before Dr. Fey comes, can we put a questionnaire on myUMBC?
Mike – informal, can I ask the class before class poll. Could get some decent informal data through that. Secondly, depending on how survey goes, know if people would be upset or not.
Jay – we talk about what we want to institutionalize in the SGA, the stress free zone an example. We could use the rollover money from each year, put it in an account, and have money for this program every year.
Adrienne – to average student, looks suspicious. Readershape is a great idea, as Alex pointed out weeks ago. Shouldn’t just drop program on our laps.
Elani – is there anything else we could do with all that money? (Elani likes Readershape too!)
Terrance – what are we trying to do with this, we’ve been talking for 2 weeks and aren’t getting anywhere.
Steve – don’t want to sit here and wait for him to come to us, but am hoping maybe we could come up with a game plan of something to do before he gets here.
Thaddeus – Elani, the GPS. We could definitely use the money for that.
Alex – propose make a committee for surveying and asking students about how they feel about program.
Brittany – contact different organizations to give money.
Adrienne – set list of questions to give to Dr. Fey.
Alex – I hate the program, but I will head the committee. If I head it can we stop talking about it?

Gabe –
Study groups on spotlight

Jay –
No report

Thaddeus –
March 9th and 10th: if anyone on campus, Debate team needs judges
Mike –
Guitar hero 2 tournament
Tuesday, 8pm
Adrienne –
We still have ad section in Retriever? Yup.
Danielle –
High way clean up on March 3rd (Wilkens Avenue)
Elani –
Email Jen Kent list of orgs involved with or would be willing to approach (referendum questions/candidates/etc)

Roll call: everyone here
6:31

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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February 26, 2007
5:34 meeting called to order.
Everyone here except Elani and Alex – excused absence.
Last weeks minutes approved.

Week in review.

Adrienne
• Formal dance committee; more things need to be added to the liability form.
• Need to get back in touch with Jennifer White-Torres
• Have transportation (coach buses)
• Have to pay balance then we’ll have tickets available
• Will have 2 crews: one here at UMBC and one down at Harbor.

Gabe
• Referendum question committee meant- hammered out question regarding student activity fee increase. Should have legislation soon
• Campus connect retention meeting. Lots of questions about direction; seems to be still on schedule with mentors and mentees

Danielle
• Readership meeting. Survey finished; should be online soon

New Business

Ramona Arthur & Abigail
Off campus living task force –
• 2002 Dr. Fey
• set up to help with emergency things for students off campus
• think about how umbc and immediate community can work together

Good neighbor service project
• what does it mean to be a good neighbor? (in terms of programs and outreach)

1. good neighbor service project (community service). Spring project and Fall project.
2. Town gown community development.

1. Progressive dinner – start meal somewhere, go somewhere else for the rest of the meal – keep moving around
2. Signage in Catonsville and Arbutus – big banners to welcome new students. Lots of Red Card Program businesses already have this.

Would SGA be interested in getting involved with this?

Every Spring try to adopt a school and find out what they need; suggested lots of students missing school for rainy days (lacking umbrellas and rain gear). Put on drive to collect this gear. Considering Arbutus Elem.

Would like help for advertising, help with setting up donation boxes, making sure deliveries are successful, etc.

Anything the SGA would like to take up. Wouldn’t be an ongoing – an ongoing commitment; another tradition.

Typically cost $2,500 for service projects (spent on advertising).
Steve: putting up signs to state UMBC’s presence in nearby towns.

- -

Adopt a Highway. SGA could act as an middle man to help organizations take on these service projects.
Signs could help a lot.
Do Catonsville and Arbutus want to be labeled as the college town of UMBC.

- -

Readership committee meeting
Survey should be up on myUMBC tomorrow (Feb 27)
Emailed to every student… ever?
Incentive? None planned.

Dr. Fey is coming next week.
Questions to ask Dr. Fey:
What kind of money is being asked of the Senate?
How long would this program be expected to exist? Continually like Stress Free zone?
What is the exact amount of money Dr. Fey is able to put forth to this program?
What has the response been from other areas of campus?

What do we say when Dr. Fey asks us why we haven’t done more for this since it’s our program?
We can’t handle this program without having necessary information from Dr. Fey.
We support, but are in need of a means for execution.

Don’t come off to argumentative. Ask questions, get answers, but be respectful.

- -

JL13-0607 Election Board
Mekeda (Sociology, junior – trying to help voter turnout), Danur (poly science, soph.) , and Chris (visual arts, freshman - advertisements)

Why did you want to be on SGA Election Board
Chris – good stepping stone to get involved
Danur – Erin H. recommended; stepping stone to involvement
Mekeda – election board chair last spring, asked to be election board member this spring

Personal goal –
Chris – want to know what’s going on and help others.
Danur – want to get involved on campus; a good first step. Want to know more.
Mekeda – trying to see what could be done with all new candidates, trying to get as many people to come out as they can. Voted turnout goal around 3,000.

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

- -

SGA structure
House unable to have all 17 members
VP for Student Orgs (Exec) – hire staff to work for student orgs, review constitution, enforce student org policies, create long term services and program for orgs (elected by student body same way treasurer is; not on ticket).
Organization advocates (5 members at large) – members run on a campaign to tackle projects relating to organizations, may request funding for project from Financial Board, as elected members, forms relationships with admin to work for organization

House created to help Senate who was bogged down with financial stuff.

Now trying to make sure functions get done, not that we have people to fill all the spots.
Maybe just this one time, we could appoint those that received enough votes to be considered.
In the event that there aren’t enough people to fill spots, President will fill seats.
Nayana: 5 people can do finances, but wouldn’t be able to take on a lot of other things.
If there’s only 5 people, organization could take majority. Would encourage more people to vote.
Easier to work a group like this with a medium sized group than large – Phil.
What about proportional representation of projected voter turnout?
Don’t want to make available seats so big that there isn’t any competition.
What % SGA are commuters. 4-5%. Extremely disproportionate.
Would this be package deal on ballot Yeah.
Hoping to be written into legislation within few weeks. House needs help to get through.
See David, Ross or Nayana if you have questions.

Executive Reports

Gabe – study groups; classes on other campuses; bringing back Arabic and Sign Language
David – 6 big posters in windows of Study space, also 6 posters on the inside – what message should we put forth? Campus looks like nothing happens here that’s very lively, studies are only thing that’s important. Please look over ideas and rank.
Adrienne – phi beta sigma incorporated “Showtime at the Apollo”
Mike – had brunch, doing once a month. Also, weekend of may 5th, umbc quiz bowl team going to USC to compete in college bowl national championships.

Announcements
Inconvenient truth – 28th of march public policy CCI and SEA
New York times rep to talk about separate program
Mamas boys at Apollo (cabaret)– 8:25

Roll call: everyone here except Terrance (class), Alex and Elani

7:05 p

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

- -

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.

- -

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 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.

---

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

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.

---

5:34
Avi, Alex, Steve, Mike and Thaddeus absent.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Adrienne-
Sign up sheet for on campus and off-campus committees in office.
Formal dance tickets are in and available – need people to be down at Harbor to help direct those that drive themselves to event. Will have extra liability forms available. Those that are drunk, high or intoxicated in other ways won’t be allowed on.

Gabe –
Campus connect – trying to recruit faculty mentors and then trying to get students who want to be mentored, in addition to some student mentors.
Cabinet meeting decided would not be prudent to put increase in student fee question on ballot this go round. Running low on time, elections are in 3-4 weeks. If question didn’t pass this time, would doom SGA for next couple years – want to make sure it passes.

Nayana -
Budget policy committee – How budget is now. Changed a lot of wording. Meeting this Friday at noon to talk about how we fund various things.

NEW BUSINESS

Emily Garrett was supposed to come today, but will be pushed till next week.
Some kind of memory piece for seniors was going to be discussed.

JL16-0607
Honors college council holding ball; asking for $1,900 for dinner and decorations. Trying to get out of GL because Honors college council not Student organization. This event has been funded in the past by Honors College, but due to cuts in funds, need help with money.

Would be free for all students. Initially would’ve been $10 for students, but if SGA helps, will be free for students. Will have speakers, too. In two weeks.

Turn out in past told Nayana that usually it’s a huge event – traditional event. Plus now that it’s free, expecting big turnout. House comfortable with this except for them not being student organization – but cosponsoring would fix this problem.

Pass: 4
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 2
Absent: 4

This passes.

EXEC REPORTS
Nayana –
Jambo night had already been funded $6,000 ish dollars. Problem was that they needed more money from SGA – thought would be for AV, but really needed extra $2,500 to bring in entertainer from Atlanta. ASA would still be able to hold without $2,500. Not really any threat to Jambo night. If we had funded that it would’ve been $9,000 going to one organization, for one event.

Narmin –
Report hate box email sent.
Around the world is the 26th. Ask friends if think they could be helpful.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Buy tickets for Dance, only $25 for everything.
Can’t go to national competition (quiz bowl competition) because University won’t fund. Charlie Fey has agreed to match whatever can fundraise.
EcoFest April 13th, Main street – speakers and bands that are eco friendly.

Mike here now. Everyone else still out.

Meeting adjourned at 5:53

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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April 9, 2007
5:32 meeting called to order
Brittany, Danielle and Avi not here.
Minutes approved.

Week in review:

ADRIENNE
70 people plus have bought tickets for formal dance

GABE
Campus connect, last Wednesday had Gala recruitment. Went well, got info out to everyone, and hopefully lots of people have been recruited. Ramona and Gabe are doing events on 17th and 18th.

STEVE
Commons Advisory Board meeting
New furniture in front of Mein Bowl and Wrapzzz – no one on the CAB knew what this was except Joe Regier.
Also, Stress Free Zone meeting.

-

KB
Elections are 23-25th. Don’t have any referendum questions right now. Only have one for constitution. Should really have some kind of referendum question, looks bad if don’t. The Retriever Editor and Chief is really easy to work with once you explain what you want.
Referendum questions are sometimes used as guides for the future SGA members.
Need questions latest is next week.
Possible question topics: Readership, PE Requirement changes (Carrie has been talking to Diane Lee. Trying to change requirements to something more flexible, like being able to swipe into the RAC and have that count). Can still do specific classes too.
Elani will set up a meeting on Corp Time, please respond if you can come or not.

-

Legislation for funding Stress Free Zone SL12-0607
Asking for $2,130 from Senate

Thaddeus – in future we should look for other pots to fund this, instead of just Senate. Exec’s could chip in. Against Senate being sole proprietor.

In favor: 6
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1
Absent: 3

-

TRW and SEB Budgets JL17-0607

Everyone gets a raise because they are hourly workers and have to be paid minimum wage.
Thaddeus – ask for $4,000 in travel (journalism conference, this year spending money elsewhere, hoping to go next year).
The Retriever publisher didn’t give a bid on time, and had to go with another publisher, which cost another 4-5k.

In favor: 6
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1
Absent: 3

-

One Month to go!
Still keep working and don’t slack.

Transit – Thaddeus
Because of the way we have to put in proposals, it was so specific a very limited number of companies could contract for it. But, that was good because it filtered out the companies that weren’t so good. Waiting till April 30th, will talk to Joe Regier then, and will have legislation in terms of funding for program.

SGA Formal Dance – Adrienne
Boat has two floors (inside and outside), two DJ’s… gonna be sweet!
Only getting 450 tickets instead of 500 – legit though.
Looked to higher outside transportation – some money from RSA but not enough to get coach busses. Decided to go with 4 school busses, or cheese busses as they are commonly referred to by most of the population under the age of 16.

RA’s of Harbor Hall have program coming up. Going to city, BMA, park clean up, and then Walters Art Gallery, then possibly something else. If interested let Mike know by email or phone.

Phil, will finish up budget.

Anyone want to resume the process of a library of info to help future SGA’s? Elani.

Tabassum – Exec Report
Inauguration May 11; going to be in 7th floor of library. Should be on your corp time, if not let me know.
New Students Day is Saturday. As many people as can come, please go.

Phil – Exec. Report
Working with Chris and James
All inclusive manual for student organization treasurers.

Jambo night this Saturday. At 7
ASIA is on Friday
Mama’s Boys performing Friday (Main Street) and Wednesday (DH)

Cross Campus Capture the Flag the last Friday of April, the 27th. Outside, with lots of room, and glow in the dark bracelets to designate teams.

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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April 23, 2007

5:35 meeting called to order
Brittany, Thaddeus and Mike not here.
Approval of minutes – YES!

Week in Review
Elani
University Steering Committee – retention program which includes courses for freshman in particular. Not a very clear idea right now. Left with will bring up to students to figure out what is wanted.

Gabe
Campus connect. Had event last Thursday. Low turnout (1/1000th of invitations). Campus connect going to go forward.

Steve
Filled out banners for VTech

Adrienne
Go purchase your tickets now, everyone will wait till the very end most likely.
Ordered champagne glasses, will arrive on time.
People interested in helping with on and off campus meeting being pushed back to Monday.

Emily Garrett (?)– Alumni
Count down to graduation series. Hoping to start traditions with seniors to make them feel more connected as undergrads, and in turn, alumni.
Carrie said don’t feel as connected to grad year, more to a department that they were a part of.
• Leave your mark (instead of make your mark)
• Senior gift (to seniors)
• Class officers to work towards reunions after
• Black and gold society –
• Plant a tree
• Something fun – painting something, etc. wall mural maybe?
• Something where people could sign and leave a message behind.
• Seniors vs. freshman
• Yearbook with pictures and events that happen during their collegiate experience.
• Retriever cemetery

JL__-0607 Confirmation of Theresa Bruce
Nothing planned in particular, just trying to be fair and diffuse disputes during election times. Can bring fairness. Time: can do. Do you know anyone who is running – what would you do if you were friends with the people? Put friendship aside should a conflict come up.
A two year position.

Enter Thaddeus, he was cleaning up after a class presentation. … apparently.

Favor: 8
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

JL18-0607 Funding for Stress Free Zone
Requesting $1,500 from General Ledger
Short on money for give aways
Steve will be sending out a budget for this through email. He might not know it yet, but he is going to.

Favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

-

Randy Jones from NY Times coming next week.
400 people responded to survey for readership program. Strong majority for Sun. People want Times and then Post, and Sun was very low %.
TV, internet, newspaper (15-20%) how people get news
Over whelming # wouldn’t buy papers if they weren’t free.
Don’t really get Post for discount, just get Maryland paper.
Next week is really our last meeting.

-

Inauguration next Friday, the 11th.
Keeper of the flame award

-

Orientation. Want to move to skylight lounge of Commons. Need money for laptops. Should SGA help fund this initiative?

We’re talking about buying 5-10 laptops that SGA funds, let orientation people use, then they’d come back to use and we could use them for student orgs or voting, etc.
Alex: Don’t see why we can’t have it in the library.
Danielle: doesn’t make sense to buy laptops when we’d only use them a few times a year.
Thaddeus: basement is going to be filled with books in a few years. not happening this summer, but next summer. It’s going to have to move, so why not do it preemptively?
Elani: why can’t we have it on the first floor of the library?
Nayana: having it in a nicer area shows students we’re accommodating them some what. Student orgs also always need laptops.
Thaddeus: 1st floor not reservabale. Basement is disgusting.
25 laptops available already at CIC.
Gabe: great opportunity for SGA to help new students right from the get go. Also, students would wait in student orgs space if it was in the skylight lounge. (nicer, plus opportunity for recruitment)
Nayana: freshman got to move in a week earlier. Free to roam and figure out where things are.
Thaddeus: opens door for SGA involvement.
Elani: was it max $ for laptops we’re talking? Steve: not sure
Danielle: don’t think 1st floor of the library would set a precedent.
Thaddeus: in past, couldn’t use 1st floor because it would set precedent and other organizations would want to reserve 1st floor.
Mike: scavenger hunt through buildings.
Jen: making orientation better will help retention.

Having students actually help advise would be really helpful. Have people broken up by major so they could have a better idea of what you want to take.

“I am dead ass” – the one and only, Mike Pollard

-

Wednesday Meeting Recap
Behavior was better as soon as the day after that meeting.
Meeting about keeping a professional atmosphere in the office. Some administrators had raised objections to the language and attitudes around the office.

-

EXEC Reports

David –
A lot of people are putting in votes.
A lot of people are voting so it’s going to take a lot of people to win. Election board will reveal number of how many people have voted.

Gabe
Peer advising interesting.

James
Fee forum is on Friday, free hour. Banner going up tomorrow.

House having student life meeting Wednesday.

-

Adrienne’s meeting pushed back to Monday.
Magic the Gathering… Gathering on May 16th from 12-3 in game room.
This Thursday at 8 ish Halo at least 2, maybe 1. Bring friends, controllers, bring a box to Harbor Café at 8.
Meeting in harbor multi-purpose room. Mike can reserve room, get snacks, and etc. This is like a town hall come-tell-us-your-problems thing.

Everyone here except Brittany and Terrance who left early.
7:13 pm 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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5:36
Everyone here except Adrienne and Thaddeus
Minutes approved

Week in Review

Danielle
Town Hall meeting – Wednesday May 9th in Harbor multi-purpose room. Just SGA representatives.

Terrance
New DVD’s in library

Steve
Commons advisory board
Commute club meets in area right in front of common vision.
Summer projects finalized, most can be undertaken.
Talk about student org storage space.

Narmin
Around the world

-

JL20-0607 Changes to the SGA Budgetary Policy

Favor: 8
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1
Absent: 1

-

NY Times Presentation
These programs survive through the professors usage.
Penn state gets just under 3,000 NY TIMES a day
Customized program
Opportunities for being published
By only relying on internet, you only learn exactly what you are looking for. By having the newspaper, you have chance to learn more than just what you are looking for.
Nytimes.com/college
Nytimes.com/timeselect
Times talk – students get together and talk about an article from previous week/month.
40 cents a copy for 14 weeks - $5,600.
Will provide pilot program – month of free, or two months at 20 cents.
Faculty workshop during pilot program.
Randy Jones’ job is rack distribution
USA today is more of a paragraph paper – NY times is more comprehensive and wants to provide more along with the actual paper.
Tuesday – science times; arts and leisure day; different sections every day geared towards different disciplines
Randy Jones
Randy.jones@nytimes.com

Similar or a little more cost, but close.
Very academic school so important to have a paper that understands that.
People probably wouldn’t really miss these old papers if we had the times – a better paper
If we didn’t get a local paper, how would you get local news?
Can get NY times services even without USA today. Major paper would be Sun for local news – don’t need times and post, but can talk to sun and see if they could deliver their papers separate from times.
Having a hard copy of the news, might pick up to look at just because.
Randy Jones promised a sign on racks that could say “brought to you by SGA”

Times and Sun independently ideal. (really expensive)

Maybe we could put some front page samples of all papers, to show why we want both – PDF a couple articles about similar topics to show differences.

-

TRW
Eric Grollman and a bunch of other people attended meeting with TRW; discussion about how paper is run. Students thought they don’t do a great job, and TRW said they are under staffed.

Front page article with 22 factual errors (weak attempt to bash SGA and student activity fee).
Opinion editor decided not to change because it was an opinion. Current editors think that opinions shouldn’t be associated with TRW as a whole. TRW really intense about not cooperating with other student organizations.
Opinion section mostly written by editors.

Said reporters aren’t interested in events that student organizations are interested in. If no one picks up stories, they don’t get covered.

Loudly publicize that TRW is under changes – to try to get new people interested so more people would be enticed to work for the paper.

-

Town Hall meeting
Next Wednesday

-

Formal Dance
Meeting with committees who will be on and off campus
126 tickets sold as of last week.
300 minimum. Before Saturday at noon need to try to double that number. Flyers in office to try to double that number.

Executive Reports

David-
Election board did incredible job on this election. This was most complicated election I’ve been a part of (over a dozen complaints), and had polling station staffed all 3 days.
Also, totals and demographics: in this election, top vote getter for senate got close to 800 votes. When there was more competition, top was 1,300. That gap representative of difference between new record for turnout

Gabe-
Campus connect had event this morning, free hour. Aimed at getting people who were going to be mentors and faculty mentors together in same room.

Phil-
Working on finishing up all projects by end of the year. Finished budgetary policies, working on manual.
Additional allocations for this year finished – for next year will be taken care of tomorrow in marathon meeting. At least 99% allocated

Narmin-
Around the world over.

Tabassum-
Transition materials

Nayana-
Passed legislation to give organization penalty for stealing money from SGA. SAE Fraternity. House is going to make effort to keep records with bad behavior. Organization will present documentation talking about what happened and what they will do to make sure it doesn’t happen in future. Will not be able to reserve any space until they do this.

-

Mike
Thursday going to compete in Quiz bowl national championship. Getting back 12:20 am on Monday.

Danielle –
Planning another adopt a road

Phil
Fee forum Wednesday – noon.

Sketch –
Magic the gathering… gathering may 16th

Thaddeus-
Saturday may 12th
Accapacaluau

Tabassum
Vtech stuff – candlelight vigil Thursday night (RSA) and banners have been mailed to Vtech. Unsigned one staying up on main street.

David-
Complete SGA survey.

-

everyone except Terrance and Adrienne
7:11

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.
Senate Meeting Minutes, 4/30/2007Senate Meeting Minutes, 4/30/2007
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5:32 – Terrance, Mike, Adrienne, Elani, Danielle not here.

-Last weeks minutes approved.

-Enter Mike and Danielle.

-JL 21-0607
• GPS units – Originally $100,000 now $45,000
• Will be at all bus stops.
• Programs designed by students.

• Can be linked from myUMBC, umbc.edu, etc. Access is everywhere.
• Students have complained that sometimes buses don’t run on time.
• Centralized announcements capability too. Can also advertise for major student events.
• Year to year maintenance done by Transportation Department (the only money SGA will have to put down)
• LCD screen will be safe
• Jay asked if corporation would allow us to be able to notify students through text messaging, etc.
• Umbc getting program so that colltown can get so that Maryland as a whole can get – first step in long process. When it’s unified will become a lot better.
• 20,000 a year for transit department to keep system running. Transit has a 5 year contract, so money will be there.
• Initial proposal was 40k and then 15 a year. Went up to 43 initial then 20 a year. Joe wanted us to cover initial cost of installation and half of first year (53k). SGA couldn’t do that, especially when there are other sources of funding. 45k will guarantee it happens – higher initial and yearly cost.
• Once it gets going, no way admin will let die.

Stanley Pierce here today, house rep.: some times buses come 10 minutes early, sometimes 10 minutes late… no one knows where it is. Lots of people don’t trust the bus system.

Should we be coming to the rescue of the transportation department because they don’t have enough money for it? Will students suffer because of this program? Is the SGA ready to spend $45,000 this quickly?

Alex: everything can fall under a different organization – it is our job to push for something that we think could help students, whether it means we put some of our money towards it or not. Resurrect some attention to the UMBC Transit system. Could become a good resource rather than just a resource that’s there.

Thaddeus: biggest use – freshman getting cars from satellite.

Although the formal dance was great, it only affected at most 500 people. This could affect a lot more people.
About $3.50 being spent on everyone on campus.

Phil: should probably wait a week – write down a reason why shouldn’t fund. When we have a good list, make a counter argument to all those.

TABLED!!

Wednesday 8 o’clock for Town Hall.
Saturday May 12 Mama’s Boys.

6:08

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.

---

May 14, 2007
5:33
minutes approved

week in review
Adrienne
Cruise was a success!

Thaddeus
IT steering committee: awful software system we’re moving towards. Proposal for renovation of classrooms sits in Art Johnson’s office. Trying to find funding for that. Computer replacement initiative – to use Vista. Thaddeus brought up GPS thing – concern for near future, campus battling for satellite phones. Thaddeus is going to get one of these this summer, apparently.

Danielle
Town hall failure because of lack of advertising. Good idea, and maybe next year’s senate can work on for next year.

Steve and Thaddeus
Commons advisory meeting – noise in student orgs, especially clubs and orgs (dance teams, etc kicking people out). Trying to address concern because space isn’t reservable.
Space intended for student orgs meeting in that space. Obviously lots of students use it who aren’t, but they aren’t preventing students who are in student orgs from using that space.

-

GPS legislation JL21-0607
GPS could be up and functioning this fall if it is passed today.
They provide website with interpretation of data – any student could go to website which would show where buses are on map that updates constantly. Along with that picture, they give us back end information so if students wanted to create notification system or whatever, we have access to do that. Educational opportunity for programmers / IS people
Displays by entrances of Commons not being used next fall – but will be getting LCD in commuter lounge; going to do flyers at bus stops, Commons and maybe get a banner just to let people know of the program. Commons front desk will link it on all of it’s laptops. Newspaper ad, newspaper article ,OCSS, transit site.
New students will be notified by Steve (OPA).
Signs where you get your parking permit maybe.
Maybe in the packet of information that new students get.
Word of mouth and actually having people use it.

In favor: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

New Business
JL22-0607 Changes to the SGA Student Org Policy
SOP response to student orgs doing things we didn’t want them to and the SGA not being able to do anything about it. It outlines improper behavior of student behavior and ways to punish.
Debt, judicial action, minimum number of members, etc..
Lots of changes have to do with the reorganization of the SGA.
Specific section for Greek organizations.
Not really as rough as “you don’t have 5 members, you’re not a group anymore.” More like, “you don’t have 5 members? We’re concerned.”

In favor: 5
Opposed: 3
Abstain: 2

Moratorium on Greek life was in place because there was only a part time Greek advisor. Also, policy for dealing with expansion was written recently too.
As of now, time for derecognizing is… forever.
This policy just says that if group isn’t turning in form with 5 members every year, SGA has power to look into the matter deeper.
5 = 4 officers and 1 member
5 member rule isn’t an issue right now, because it’s already been voted on and is in place. What people aren’t seeing here is that the House won’t exist as it does now and this will be a policy to deal with that change; rules aren’t really changing.
This isn’t a weapon against student organization. When that happens, there’s always a dialogue between group and SGA/OSL. Can’t see 4 members immediately meaning the group can’t be a group anymore. Will mean that SGA will try to work with student org to try to get student org more members.

Adrienne concerned with 5 member rule – doesn’t seem to take into account the process that every organization uses to get new members.
Greeks are almost literally exempted from this rule. Issues go through Greek Life advisor specifically.
If you’re a non-Greek organization, must have 4 officers and a member; not recent, has been that way for years. Not something to just get rid of people. Without this document, new members wouldn’t have any power since this document names those new people as power holders. Meanwhile House would, but since the House doesn’t exist… yeah, there’s a problem there.
Final decisions are made by OSL staff anyways.

Favor: 9
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1

JL23-0607
Unrecessed (not really a word, Steve)
Going to just let the House take care of this.

Announcements
Last adopt a road this Sunday at 2 cleaning up Wilkens Avenue.
Umbc lacrosse beat college park, in quarters now.

Final words
You should jump into huge projects that are going to take a long time but will have big impacts. Formal dance a great time.

Apparently Tabassum stole the Stress Free Zone.
If you want to continue to staff through student orgs, keep in touch with them. emails has been sent out, PS.

GABE –
Study groups dominated Gabe’s year. Successful! Went from 1 member last semester to over 100 members this year. Hoping to expand program next year if back.

JAY –
Met with Dr. Hrabrowski and have things lined up to order for next year.

PHIL –
Almost finished, getting ready to train new person.

TABASSUM –
Kind of committed to Welcome week…

Announcements
Quiz bowl – went down played. Lost 4 games by a question. Finished 11th overall, 11th nationwide. Had a good time.

Magic the Gathering… Gathering, 12-3 gameroom Wednesday.

6:58 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 (gilmore2@umbc.edu), in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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SENATE MEETING- October 22, 2007

Meeting called to order at 5:33 pm

All Senators/FYA’s present except for Rahilla and Natasha (both 5-10 min late)

Week in Review:

1) Steve: Homecoming=Awesome!
2) Jen: Library policy- changing rules about cell phones talked about, not happening. Budget- need money
3) Josh: Governor O’Malley visit, talked about budget for next year, several SGA members attended- tax free textbooks coming up? We’ll see
4) Jake: All homecoming sports games were won!
5) Michael: Food Services consultant presented and it went well- there will be a bidding process. SGA blog is up and running sga.blogspot.com

New Business:

1) JL03-0708- GL expenditure for Student Orgs dinner ($6657.00)
a. Chris Najmi presenting-
b. Was supposed to be a Finance board expenditure but they were confused about statutes and made it a JL.
c. Dinner for presidents and treasurers for all clubs on campus- unveiling new student orgs handbook and other new initiatives
d. Budgeted for up to 250 students
e. Steve- food details? Sit down dinner, a few food options, buffet, catered by Sodexho.
f. Mike- advertising? Already started and is underway
g. David H- Explained that Stu Org Advocates were supposed to go to Finance Board in budget statutes since they represent stu orgs. Won’t happen like this in the future.
h. Discussion about whether or not FB can support these kinds of expenditures- it is expected that they can, but can go to GL if they need it. Concerns about use of GL for stu orgs. Finance board just worried about having enough money at the end of the year. Is this good ammo for a fee increase? Steve concerned that FB not aware of the statutes and that communication between branches is lacking.
i. Vote: 7 For, 0 Opposed, 1 Abstaining, 0 Absent

2) JL 04-0708- GL expenditure for Student Orgs winners for event usage in handbook ($300)
a. Chris Najmi presenting-
b. Using events that happened in the past as examples for clubs to do or not do for their events to make all events as successful as possible. This money is a reward to those clubs for use as example.
c. Submission deadline- 10/31
d. Steve- Advertising? Personal contacts with orgs that we know have held good events.
e. Jake- How many awards? Between 4 and 6 to be split
f. Ben- Is this open to all orgs? It was pinpoint targeting at certain clubs.
g. Vote: 7 For, 0 Opposed, 1 Abstaining, 0 Absent

3) JL06-0708- GL expenditure for tailgate party by Black&Gold commission ($5,300)
a. Jake Steel presenting-
b. First tailgate in Oct drew over 400 students- giveaways, music, food, Trudy grit, pep band- big success
c. Basketball is best attended sport and we want people excited for this season.
d. Women’s team giving away lots of shirts, hanging of a banner in the RAC for going to NCAA tournament. Excitement for this could carryover to men’s game on Sat.
e. DJ will be at this one because it is late on Friday, advertising will be same as last time, food will be same, or possibly increased after near runout last time
f. Mike- Will there be more throughout the year? Yes but co-sponsorships will increase in the future- ResLife, RSA, Athletics
g. Steve- how much did we spend from last time? 8 dollars charged so far, but 2550 from Sodexho will come and 130 from advertising.
h. Steve- will Athletics start being more cooperative or start money hunting? We don’t want this to be a prybar for athletics to get into the GL. Our relationship is improving. This is a student event for students, just getting students excited about an athletic event. They will start being more receptive to putting money into this to get students out.
i. David H- We’re assuming athletics is responsible for sports games. A better relationship with them involves students getting benefit of things like this without spending Stu. Activity fee.
j. Jake- this helps build our partnership with them. We should not hurt student life by relying on athletics to fund things right now.
k. Mike- We need to be sure this relationship becomes a two way open street. We pay a lot into Athletics fee, so we should get something from that.
l. Jake- Good points but this event is not about Athletics funding, it is an SGA event we are trying to hold to increase spirit.
m. Mike- Athletics is currently separate from student life and we should encourage them to spend money on things like this.
n. Jake- There will be no tailgate if we don’t do it. We are leading the charge for school spirit.
o. Josh- Athletics is under funded and it is their primary responsibility to take care of athletics. We should compare their spending to ours. College park has strong boosters and support in state government. They might see it as our event.
p. Sameera- Can we get money from the co sponsorships? Yes we will but this is to ensure the event happens and we can’t wait for everyone to commit.
q. Ben- this is an event that students like and it is advertised as us doing it.
r. Jen- RSA has different process for getting money- we could be getting money from them as of next week.
s. Josh- we should look at setting guidelines for what we will spend in regards to events with athletics.
t. Steve- miscommunication between us and athletics as well as within the SGA.
u. Jake- he will be getting a good look at their budget next week and will be reporting the findings back to the Senate. It is clear that there are a lot of concerns that will be addressed.
v. Rahilla- How much is coming from RSA? We’re asking them to cover advertising and setup costs. Also- we are trying to get Sodexho price down.
w. Natasha- How are we approaching these clubs? At first we advertised it as a novel, new event. Now we can say it is a successful event with a big audience of students.
x. Mike- Concerned about making sure SGA is fully behind this event. Jake says that is not a problem. We can do lots of SGA support for this. The “old red and gold” will be in full force
y. Vote: 7 For, 0 Opposed, 1 Abstaining, 0 Absent

4) JL05-06-07- GL expenditure for JSU debt relief ($2557)
a. David H presenting
b. We are not sure how this situation got to the way it is. They have been operating with a debt for a long time, to their detriment. This is a fair compromise between SGA and JSU. They will fundraise $500 on their own and SGA will bail them out the remaining money.
c. Mike- Remembers giving JSU lots of money when he was in the House, why? We have been ignoring their debt for some time. We have been inconsistent in how we handled it
d. Mike- Where will money go? Unsure- individual accounts are sort of fictional. For sure- the account where debt is will grow and GL will shrink.
e. Natochia- Is there penalties for JSU? We have better control now than when this happened. It is harder for this to happen now.
f. Rahilla- We don’t know why this happened or where it is going? Yes, we don’t know who is at fault but they probably aren’t here now. It is going to a UMBC account.
g. Natasha- What have they been doing to survive? University initially paid the bill. Can they keep doing it? No. Did they know JSU was in debt? Yes.
h. Mike- So debt is in Business services? Yes.
i. Ben- Motion to table. Agreed. Tabled until more info is provided.

Executive Reports:

1) Elani- Turn in your weekly reports. “Improve It” is gaining ground- watch out for committees forming about it. Asking for ideas about how to market it and make it more accessible to students. Will be using advertising we have never seen before. Looking to SEB for support.
2) Josh- we received news that Sorrento’s will now accept campus cash from red cards and you will get a 10% discount. It’s legit. We’ll use this to get others.
3) Gabe- ACC meeting coming up- will be looking at Academic code of conduct. Formed a study group on the fly last week. Will be getting to ITA stuff soon.
4) SEB- Thanks for the help with Homecoming

Announcements

1) Monster Bash at Sonar on Thurs.

Adjourned at 6:49 pm

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 (gilmore2@umbc.edu), in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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October 29th, 2007
SGA Office
Present: everyone except Ben Kitterman
Meeting in order 5.34pm

Joint legislation
• Debt to be paid for the JSU ( $2557.00 )
• Event – several organizations money collected from to pay for this event

# of senators passing: 6
# of senators opposed: 0
Abstained: 1

Revenue enhancement dedicated to higher education
• Support increase funding for higher education by governor O’Malley
• Not support specific proposal or budget
• Rally in Annapolis on higher education on Wednesday
• 54 mil would be dedicated to higher education
• Corporate income tax not favored but support higher education
• These funding will be distributed throughout a lot of other offices
# of passing : 6
# of opposed: 0
Abstained: 1

Jake:
• Information on how athletic fee has been allocated throughout.
• Athletic fee advisory committee will be set up
o Keeping track on athletic fee
• These fees will be made publicly

Idea development tool
• Rate the SGA from a scale of 0-10 on it’s improvement (results are above average)
• Rate the SGA from a scale of 0-10 on individual (results are lower)
• This could be due to dealing to issue that were approached with rather than going out there
• Possible solutions to improving student’s attitudes towards SGA
o Go up to students instead of them coming to us
o Placing ballot boxes around campus
o Town-hall meetings
o Use the “Prove it” program as a resource
o Brainstorming with another sga senator by next meeting
 Thoroughly researched and contacting people related to these issues
 Coming up with possible solutions

Prove it
o Launched Monday Nov 5th 11am
o Information handed out on water bottles and pens
o Student regents, panel of students from different campuses competing for this position

Adjourned: 7.34pm

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 (gilmore2@umbc.edu), in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

---

Meeting in order at 5.36 pm

All senators present except Michael

November 5th, 2007

Week update

* Atm need a safe location to place it.
o Suggestion: the courtyard
* Courses allowed to take only 3 times
* Suggestions report to the dvd rental place in the library or facebook group

“improve it”

* Website worked on
* 5000
o Sweatshirts
+ SGA members
+ Improve it members
o Hoodies
o Waterbottles and pens
+ Logo printed on pictures and added to water bottles
* 3000
o Banners
o Flyers
o Placemats
o Stress free zone
o Kick-off
o Advertisements
+ Going out to residence halls and advertising this program
* Will start next week

Senators passing: 6

Senators opposed: 0

Senators abstained: 1

Jake:

* T-shirts printed for advertisement
* Find another company for printing these shirts and shipping costs for less money
* In the future get enough proposals from other companies
o Work with a budget

First year ambassadors:

* Paired up senators
o Tasha and Jeff location on suggestions box
+ Need a safe location on where to place the atm
# (1st step) Need to contact reslife
* Contact RSA
* Ask them for suggestions on locations
# Check with other campuses for the # of atms
# Need to contact Chevy Chase
* Ask what the limit on the number of atms
+ Need suggestions on location
# Harbor Cafe
# Dining Hall
+
# Commons closed by midnight
# Atm money limited
# No atm in walker apartment
+ Expand the redcard program
# Encouraging students to use the redcard
+ Jen in charge of location placing the suggestion box
o Heather and Rahilla Town hall meeting
+ Meeting with RSA 2mrw
# RSA also setting up some kind of meeting
* 27th of November
o Harbor Hall
* SGA members should be present
o From different positions
o To what extend be involved in this
+ Work with RSA, cooperate
* Possible opportunity to advertise SGA programs
o Prove it program
o Stress-free zone
+ Supply food cost $800
* Provide information about SGA
o The goals
o Job positions
* Possible location for future
o Residence halls
o Apartments
* Advertise these meetings
o Flyers
o Work with RA’s
+ Have halls invite SGA for an info session
# Bring snacks along for the students
# Instead of telling them what we can do we can ask them what they want us to do for them
# Work with CAB
+ Depending on the town hall meetings being successful
# We can have it once every semester
* Different SGA members go to different halls for these meetings at different times
* Open to every students
* Each building
* Two dorms a night with three SGA members present
* Have a speaker for these meetings
o Micheal and Jen Music sharing
+
o Steve and Ben on the retriever weekly
+ What are they’re sources?
+ News pieces are opinions
+ What other departments do they work with?
+ Staff editorials analyzed
# No authors names present
# Negative comments
# Needs more accountability
# Lacks professionalism
+ This is a charter organization, student organization
+ Other students have the ability to set up another newspaper organization
+ Encourage the writers to write more positive things
# No journalism program for writers on how to approach an article
# Find facts
# Reliable sources
+ Have other student organizations work with the retriever weekly
# Contact other students to work with

Josh:

* 11 – 2 am
o Commons everyday
+ Help the students related to legislation
# Improvement of the education system

Executive review:

* Tailgate Friday November 9th
o 5.30 pm
o Commons terrace
o Women’s basketball team
* Wednesday Annapolis O’Malley’s legislation
o Corporate tax increase
o Josh testified

Meeting adjourned at 7.09 pm

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 (gilmore2@umbc.edu), in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

---

Meeting in order at 5.36 pm

All senators present except Michael

November 5th, 2007

Week update

* Atm need a safe location to place it.
o Suggestion: the courtyard
* Courses allowed to take only 3 times
* Suggestions report to the dvd rental place in the library or facebook group

“improve it”

* Website worked on
* 5000
o Sweatshirts
+ SGA members
+ Improve it members
o Hoodies
o Waterbottles and pens
+ Logo printed on pictures and added to water bottles
* 3000
o Banners
o Flyers
o Placemats
o Stress free zone
o Kick-off
o Advertisements
+ Going out to residence halls and advertising this program
* Will start next week

Senators passing: 6

Senators opposed: 0

Senators abstained: 1

Jake:

* T-shirts printed for advertisement
* Find another company for printing these shirts and shipping costs for less money
* In the future get enough proposals from other companies
o Work with a budget

First year ambassadors:

* Paired up senators
o Tasha and Jeff location on suggestions box
+ Need a safe location on where to place the atm
# (1st step) Need to contact reslife
* Contact RSA
* Ask them for suggestions on locations
# Check with other campuses for the # of atms
# Need to contact Chevy Chase
* Ask what the limit on the number of atms
+ Need suggestions on location
# Harbor Cafe
# Dining Hall
+
# Commons closed by midnight
# Atm money limited
# No atm in walker apartment
+ Expand the redcard program
# Encouraging students to use the redcard
+ Jen in charge of location placing the suggestion box
o Heather and Rahilla Town hall meeting
+ Meeting with RSA 2mrw
# RSA also setting up some kind of meeting
* 27th of November
o Harbor Hall
* SGA members should be present
o From different positions
o To what extend be involved in this
+ Work with RSA, cooperate
* Possible opportunity to advertise SGA programs
o Prove it program
o Stress-free zone
+ Supply food cost $800
* Provide information about SGA
o The goals
o Job positions
* Possible location for future
o Residence halls
o Apartments
* Advertise these meetings
o Flyers
o Work with RA’s
+ Have halls invite SGA for an info session
# Bring snacks along for the students
# Instead of telling them what we can do we can ask them what they want us to do for them
# Work with CAB
+ Depending on the town hall meetings being successful
# We can have it once every semester
* Different SGA members go to different halls for these meetings at different times
* Open to every students
* Each building
* Two dorms a night with three SGA members present
* Have a speaker for these meetings
o Micheal and Jen Music sharing
+
o Steve and Ben on the retriever weekly
+ What are they’re sources?
+ News pieces are opinions
+ What other departments do they work with?
+ Staff editorials analyzed
# No authors names present
# Negative comments
# Needs more accountability
# Lacks professionalism
+ This is a charter organization, student organization
+ Other students have the ability to set up another newspaper organization
+ Encourage the writers to write more positive things
# No journalism program for writers on how to approach an article
# Find facts
# Reliable sources
+ Have other student organizations work with the retriever weekly
# Contact other students to work with

Josh:

* 11 – 2 am
o Commons everyday
+ Help the students related to legislation
# Improvement of the education system

Executive review:

* Tailgate Friday November 9th
o 5.30 pm
o Commons terrace
o Women’s basketball team
* Wednesday Annapolis O’Malley’s legislation
o Corporate tax increase
o Josh testified

Meeting adjourned at 7.09 pm

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 (gilmore2@umbc.edu), in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

---

Date: Monday November 12, 2007
Room:
Meeting in order: 5.35pm
Everyone is present except for Jen

Vice President for Student Affairs:
• Neketa: Night openings for food venues
o Survey conducted on students
o Recommendations process with other student organizations
o Staff went through job re-training
• Sameera: Food prices
o Unreasonable prices for certain food items
o Due to survey resulting in 20-30 % only have a concern about the prices of food
o Students are more concerned about the food quality
• James: Directory available in the commons providing new students with information about the building
o The need for new students to explore with the goal of making new friends
• Whitney: How did UMBC change?
o “As UMBC gets bigger how do we keep it small?”
 More activity should be available for first year students
 Immediate community
 Talent shows
 Need to come up with how to make small communities in a big community
 Never changed: students are polite
• Success:
o “What others think is success for you”
 Passion is students
o VP of student affairs
 Helping students to graduate in peace
o Cooperation with all student organizations
 Include all students in all activities
o Representing students concerns
 The administration should be able to present the student’s past experiences and also present students
 Residential plan
• Recommendations for improving apartments and residence halls
• Also providing recreation areas for students
• Housing outside the loop, ask students their opinions on this.
o If it is too far outside the loop
• Collaborating
o Keep important things alive
• Athletic dept
o Share same goals
 Engaging students in sports
o Share same problems
 Funding
o Student affairs and athletic dept
 Future funding will not be available to these dept.
• Placing more atm machines
o Security concerns

Week-reviews
• House and the senate
o Dedicated funding source
o Slots
 Increase funding for higher education
o Spending cut side
• UMBC representatives
• Federal legislation
o Restricting federal legislation on file sharing
• SGA blog
o Working out pretty well
• Great contributions from the first year ambassadors
• Black gold commission
o Number of attendance expected not present due to the rain
• Student organizations dinner
o Unveiling the events
o Successful for the students who did attend this dinner
• Prove it
o Advertising has started
o Students excited about it
o Encourage students to join facebook
o Quarter sheets provides all the info about this program
• Red card program
o Advertisement comes out this week
o Take advantage of the discount this card offers
o Banner up in the commons

Joint legislation:
General Ledger JL 02-0708
• Higher education policies
o Expenditure of $400
 Executive representative of the students
 Fund the November’s MHEC-SAC

Number of senators passing: 5
Opposed: 0
Abstained: 1
Cellular solutions:
• Charge your cell-phone
o No payments
o Of use for advertisements
o Security concerns
o Policy to use it to test for effectiveness
o Ask other companies that have it

Natasha and Jeff
• ATM machines
o Placed at one spot at most schools
o Not urgent

Rahilla and Heather:
Town hall meetings
• RSA meeting
o Inform RSA on their suggestions
 SGA members being present at these town hall meeting
 Send out e-mail to CABs
• Contact these groups asking for invitations
• Present SGA to the students at these meetings
• Interact with students
o Start these meetings next semester
 Send out e-mails no later than this week
o Goal of these meetings
 Make SGA visible
 Make connections between students and SGA members
• About a specific issue

Michael:
File sharing
• Contacting legislators and policy makers
o Ambiguity in the copy-rights
o Building relationships with legislators and policy makers for future preferences
 Legislators are able to take away certain privileges such as grants and scholarships
 Unable to bring up the issue of file sharing in situations like this
o Signing contracts with companies and schools on this issue
o Send out a letter to student affair
 Discussing this issue preventing the school from law suits
Steve and Ben:
• Approach the retriever weekly
o Ask questions on where the articles are going
o How can SGA be of any help
• Students can attend the Wednesday meeting with Steve

Executive reports:
• Int. TA’s
o Jesse and Elise
 Meeting
• Sports clubs
• Prove it
• CAACURH
• Leader shape

Meeting adjourned: 7.15pm

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 (gilmore2@umbc.edu), in advance so you can be added to the agenda.

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Date: Monday November 26, 2007
Room: Commons 318
Meeting in order: 5:38pm
Everyone present except: Jeff and Tasha

Week in Review
• Jake
Athletics/Recreation Policy Committee Meetings
Talked at length about Duke Lacrosse scandal and that they’re trying to prevent an incident like that happening here
Athletics/Recreation received $1,000,000 to redo Walker Ave. and Driving Range fields
Talked about club sports and how successful our club sport program is compared to others in our division
1 out of 7 UMBC students are involved in varsity or club sports
MRCA epidemic (MRSA is commonly known as an antibiotic-resistant staph infection)
UMBC’s lacrosse team is on the cover of US Lacrosse Monthly!
NCAA will be visiting our school and making sure that our facilities are up to par
How is student representation on the Accreditation Committee? There is a possibility that students will be on this committee, but there is no guarantee (because it’s an NCAA specific committee).
• Heather
RSA Town Hall Meeting - Tomorrow (Tuesday November 27th) at 8pm in Harbor Multipurpose Room; wear your SGA shirt and come with questions! Jay and other SGA members will be there

New Business
Legislation for funding of Stress-Free Zone (Heather)
Senate Legislation
Asking for an allocation of $2000 from the Senate Additional Allocations Fund for the purchase of items not otherwise purchased in the Stress-Free Zone budget and by OSL
Somewhere from $750-$1500 coming from OSL (co-sponsorship)
There is a total of $5000 in the Senate Additional Allocations Fund at the beginning of the year; this is the first time this semester that we are taking money out of this fund
Number of Senators Passing: 5
Opposed: 0
Abstained: 1
Number of Senators Not Present: 2

Continuing Discussions
Heather and Rahilla (Town Hall Meetings)
• Sent out emails to each CAB; got only one response from the Harbor CAB; hopefully will get a response from the rest of the CABs by the end of this week
• Feel free to e-mail Heather or Rahilla if you have questions
• Will be sending out an email asking SGA members from each residence hall to attend their respective CAB meeting with them
• How will we get SGA members involved in the RSA Town Hall meeting? E-mail sent out last week… About 5 or 6 SGA members have said that they will definitely be there

Natasha and Jeff (ATMs)
• Not here

Jen (Suggestion Boxes)
• Writing the proposal and will give it in this week; Eric will look at it; they should be around next semester
• Who will collect the information? How often will it be collected? – We should make a position for someone who can do this

Ben and Steve (Retriever Weekly)
• Will be rescheduling that meeting very soon (weren’t able to attend)
• There will be one more issue of The Retriever this semester
• There was an article on the Red Card program last week and a couple mentioning Prove It!
• Joe R(?) – will set up a meeting with him to talk about the master plan of the University; will probably occur in January; will be the first time they will able to get a good look at the campus master plan; good opportunity to ask what will be done with the space in the UC where the Bursar’s office was and the space where Hillcrest was

Michael (file sharing)
• No response from Jack Suess
• Posters to be put up around campus; Nancy Young

Announcements
• Michael:
35 days left to submit the application for Prove It!
2nd wave of advertising will begin; placemats in the dining hall; pick up buttons and a sweatshirt if you haven’t already
• Sameera:
Men’s basketball game on Thursday Nov 29 at 7:30 pm in the RAC against Morgan State; come show your support!
• David Hoffman:
Ultimate question that you should ask: What do you want to accomplish? The SGA has a lot left to do
• Jen:
Sign up to volunteer for Stress-Free Zone in the SGA office!
• Steve:
Applications for Student Council and Election Chair are available!

Executive Reports
• Red Card program
• Elani:
February 2 = Another SGA retreat! Bond with other SGA members, get focused and excited for 2nd semester. Will occur in the Study Place from 10am-2pm that Saturday; food
• Gabe:
e-mail from the GSA President…

Meeting adjourned: 6:36pm

Monday, December 03, 2007
Meeting in order: 5.33 pm
Heather not present everybody else, Heather enters at 5:34pm

Week-end review:
Commons Advisory Board-
Make improvements in game room
Extending hours for commons

First Year Experience Meeting:
Academic community for commuters
Summer bridge program
First year seminars for first year students (requirements)

Library policy committee
Books donated by a professor and then sold, caused problems
Funding for library being discussed

Pre-game event
Food quality and service was bad
Game won against Morgan State B-ball
One day bus trip coming up in January

Supreme justice appointment
Evelyn
Applied for supreme court
Supreme court takes matters involving possible foul play concerning the SGA
No ties with student judicial services
In honors college
Involved in several student organizations on campus
Time management: cutting down on some involvement in other organizations; justice dept.
very flexible with time schedule
Clearly interested in the position and on top of what is to be expected of that position.

ATM machines:
No feed-back from e-mails sent out
Possibly speaking to other people from different services for further actions

Town Hall meetings:
Senators paired up for attending CAB meetings at different halls
RSA meetings was successful
Not enough feedback on pairing up senators for attending meetings

Mike and Steve:
Possible improvements to be made to the master plan

File sharing:
Scheduled meeting with congressman
Dec 13th.

Progress
Prove it
Discussions at meetings and open opinions
Letter drive
Good popularity
Improvement of first year ambassadors
Guest speakers
Campus spirit has increased
Building relationships with other on-campus organizations and cooperate

Disappointments:
Hesitations in discussions
No persistence into getting things done
Outside involvement
Reasons as to why not many students attend the student events

For the next meeting come up with issues or ideas that should be mentioned
Spring retreat
The next meeting will be the last for the semester

First Year Council
Meeting together discussing what would be worked on next semester
Improving freshmen’s experience on campus
Sense of direction and connection
Facilitating and running their own meeting

Executive reports:
Tailgate at Flat Tuesdays
Food proposals
RSA Town Hall Meeting
Athletics fee
Leadership
Enrollment process
Retention and what improvements are made on F.A building
Getting election board share filled up
Open space on the USM Student Council
Cell-phone kiosk
Charge your phone and disinfects your phone
Advertisements placed on the window of the kiosk
Free no charge
No data pulled off of it
GPS
Breach contract
Nextel
Testing phones
updating their soft-wares for GPS
Prove it
Maryland charities campaign
Money raised by UMBC would be donated
Opportunity for students to donate to charity
SGA participate in this
Small amounts are also welcome
Information in the office
Charities in this program in the catalog
Names of donators will be written and will receive incentives
Feb 2nd Retreat
Jake Steel
Recreational services on campus
Academic buildings put on top of recreational facilities
Raised recreational auxiliary fees (unfair)
Preventing students to pay this fee this high
Promoting school spirit
Black & Gold Commission
Signs needed and information
Athletics fee
How it is spend at other organizations
Study other schools on this issue
Athletics committee
Contact SAC rep.
Budget could be used more effectively

Announcements:
Stress-free zone
Sign-ups
Three-penny opera
$5 for students

Meeting adjourned at 6.53pm

01/28/2008

Commons 318

Meeting in order 5.32pm

Winter review:

Stress-free zone

* Survey are being read

Prove-it

* 22 projects
* Committee will be meeting and looking at these

Judicial program

* Called 5 schools and asked about their judicial programs
* Assessments and judicial processes
* Some schools are more focused on educational than on judicial

Guest:

Janet McGlynn

* The research programs or creative art programs are not getting enough applicants
* Ways to communicate with students to encourage them to apply for these programs:
o Include relevant information with professors information when handed out to students during class hours
o E-mail students about research opportunities
o Research day include guest speakers to talk about their projects and their research
o Advertisements for non-science majors specifically
o Providing direct research information to students rather than having to send the professors an inquiry
o Have video presentations or summary of students who have done research, this could be posted up as a blog entry
o Faculty members could assign students to attend research day for extra credits
o Mail it to dorms mail-boxes (information about research programs)

James McCauley – Appointment for Election Board Chair:

* Executive board member
* Last year financial officer
* Reasons:
o Could do work well and effectively
* Process of election:
o Gathering election board members
o Candidates
o Campaigning
+ Work with RSA SEB
+ Posters
+ Debates
o Election
* Spending limit?
o Promoting fairness in this election, don’t know about specifics yet
* Election board members
o Diversity in members
o Abilities that Election Board Chair lacks

Spring retreat:

* Saturday 10 am – 2pm

Last semester highlights

* Highlights:
o Stress-free zone
o ATM machine
+ Waiting on confirmation from Reslife
o Town-hall meetings
+ CAB meetings with each dorm
+ Planned a budget
+ February/ March
o Suggestion boxes
o Retriever Weekly meeting
o Congressional File Sharing Legislation
+ Legislation has not been voted on yet (Washington, D.C)
o SGA Blogs
o Specialized housing legislation
o Tail Gates

* Research during the break
* Improvements

Study group programs

* SGA could help set up study groups and professors

Announcements:

* Committee meetings attend them!!!
* Applications coming out for elections
* Successful Leadershape during the winter

Meeting adjourned at 7.03pm

02/04/2008

Absent: Jeff

Guests present: Gabe, Brady, Kay (Tau Sigma), Josh, Stephanie, Amir, David Hoffman

SGA meeting: commons 318

Michael

* SGA blog looking for a name

Heather

* Harbor Hall café survey came in
* Cable TV survey going out
* Summer reslife positions available
* Master reslife plan going out

Steve

* Student Judicial Policy
* Collected information from 5 schools

JL 10-0708

* James McCauley
* No comments

Passing: 4

Opposed: 0

Abstained: 1

Absent: 2

JL 10-0708 passed

JL 11-0708

* Performs @ UMBC ceremonies
* Looking for sponsorship got money from provost
* Jay would like to support the rest of their equipment
* Worked a UMBC flag, got money for it from provost
* This would be the first time we are supporting them
* Would receive money from bursars office

Passing: 4

Opposed: 2

Abstained: 1

Absent: 1

JL 11-0708 passed

Josh:

* New bills that could affect UMBC students
* Presented with legislative package
* Senate bill 187 & 183 crossed out
* Senate bill 1
o 6 representatives
+ Will be chosen by those groups
o Advisory council – advise dept. of legislation on student related issues.
* Senate bill 5
o Immigrants or out of states residents are not allowed tuition rates lower than out-of-state tuition
o No position on this issue necessary
o Additional enforcements: requires proof of Maryland presidency
o Last year’s bill supported lowering the tuition of out of states
* Senate bill 36
o Senators are not allowed to give scholarships to their family members
* Senate bill 40
o See bill 5
* Senate bill 49
o Higher education commission – commission that oversees higher educations in the city of Maryland, putting in new programs
o MHC has the ability to approve new programs and also reject them
o This bill supports HBCU’s due to past under funding programs by the system of Maryland
* Senate bill 81
o Textbook fairness act
o Requires the school to publish the book’s author and ISBN nr online for students to but these books online
* Senate bill 84
o Concerning illegal immigrant
* Senate bill 146
o Graduate students
o 1 yr of service for every 1 yr they receive tuition
* Senate bill 201
o Allow 17yrs old to vote during the specific elections, these 17yr olds would have to be 18 by the time of the general elections
* Senate bill 283
o Limit the ability of legislators
o Preventing a press conference
* Senate bill 284
o This bill would remove the senatorial and delegate scholarships; this program provides legislators to grant both merit- and need-based to their constituents
o Funding is being cut
* Senate bill 438
o No position
* Senate bill 464
o Add another layer to the MHC review process
o No position
* House bill 3
* House bill 72
* House bill 176
* House bill 310
* House bill 338
o Supporting this bill
* House bill 506
o Support
* House bill 538
o No position
* House bill 603
o Oppose this bill
* House bill 687
o Support

Retreat

* Accountability
o Consequences for not following rules or regulations
o Suggestions: suspension of stipends for those not doing their assignments

Executive reports

* SGA elections are coming up, encourage everyone including first year ambassadors to run for elections
* General student body encourage to run for office positions
* Applications passed out and due March 14th

Prove it!!

* Committee is working on the applications sent in
* Retreat details e-mailed

The Book “retriever”

* Exchanging books amongst students
* Setting up an algorithm for students to put in their ISBN nr so the students that need these books could be matched up with students giving them away

Gabe

* Andrea Pratt
o ITA program back on track

Announcements

* 2 representatives from the UMBC bookstore at the next meeting
* Come up with names for the SGA blogs

Meeting adjourned at 7.20pm

February 11th, 2008
Meeting in order 5.33pm
Absent: Rahilla
Guests: Robert Somers and Lisa from the Bookstore

Robert Somers:
Book buyback prices
Price not fully paid back
Not sure which books will be used again
Place orders on used books can be increased so it could be cheaper for students
During Book buy-back, students will be told if previous books will be used again
Book orders sometimes not given by professors
Not possible for students on scholarships to use scholarship money on online book orders
Notifications sent out to professors for deadline date on book orders for classes
ISBN will probably be placed online in about a year or so because a law may be passed requiring it
Downside to this: if the wrong book is ordered, the bookstore could be held responsible for this
Students will not be visiting the bookstore if books are to be ordered online
Bookstore employees will be out of work???
Bookstore bags
Advertisements place on these bags
Maximum of $1
Better recyclable bags
Computer repair
Warranty
Try to work a deal of with Ellicott City
High costs of text books
Publishers are making money off of it
Used texts association
On the committee
Lisa:
Student appreciation week
Work with SGA for first week (homecoming week)
1% of the sales during this week by students could go to SGA and GSA for text book scholarships

Legislative packet:
14 new legislation that got put in over the past week
3
Allots a certain amount to a housing dept to patrol the college community
Opposed due to vague restriction to how things would be controlled
704
Higher ed. Investment fund
Allotting a fund to higher ed.
Support
871
College text books tax
Support because it decreases the taxes
867
Opposing because unreasonable to provide all the books’ information
..68
ISBN, can’t change the costs of the text books
Opposing
297
Getting credit for doing work outside the school (major)
supports
464
Duplication of programs
Oppose
591
Not allow illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition
No position
608
Provide scholarships for veteran from Iraq war
Support
….
GSA decided to oppose
623
Mandate USM and Morgan State to fund
Support
657
College text books refers to 871
Opposing
184
Opposed
Young voters legislation
Support
338
Tax credit and surcharges for people who are energy efficient tires
Support
506
Opposing
Requires students in college health insurance
Oppose
Shortage of physicians in certain area government will help them pay loan
Support
704
Support
871
Tax free text books for academic purposes
Support
1076
Provide text books information
Opposed
1068
Text books for sale and provide retail costs
Support
1
Youth advisory council established
Representatives on this board
Support
Extends scholarships to pharmacy
Support
146
Out of state nursing student pledge to work will assist to find work and service
Support
Cross filed
Opposed
297
Support
464
Add a new layer in the process of review
Oppose
608
Extend the scholarship of veterans of Iraq
Support
623
Funding by the MHEC guidelines
Support
Accountability
Unexcused absence will not be tolerated
Contact in case of emergencies and letting them know
2 unexcused absences will take away your position in the SGA
This will be voted on

Jake Steel:
The Last Growl (tailgate) in cooperation with Health programs going on the same week
Every community (dorms) will have a little pep rally and later on will be joining each other at the RAC competing for “The Cup” based on which community reflects the most spirit
Commuters, faculty and staff will be included into this event
This would be an every year event??
Similar amount of money will be spent

# of senators passing: 6
# of senators opposed: 0
# of senators abstained: 1

Executive reports:

Bookstore: Book swab
David:
Study place on November 26th
In crisis funding
Extra security if opened 24-7

Application deadlines for elections

Gabe:
ITA program in discussion and will be discussed at meeting

Announcements:
Removed SGA blog
“zwybyk”

ATM
Reslife concerned about security
Official proposal would be helpful in starting this
Commons meeting on Friday
Discussion on reducing energy efficiency on campus
Suggestion boxes will be made as their summer project
Make it more appealing and durable
Commons trying to hold open 24-7
Fee Forum
Spring
Expanding and encouraging students to involve
Live video streaming

Meeting adjourned at 7.22pm

Date: 02.25.2008

Present: Natasha Iriah, Neketa Kakar, Sameera Syed, Jeff Badugha, Whitney Torchia, Heather Kopf, Rahilla Tarfa, Jen Kent, Ben Kitterman, David Hoffman, Gabe Rettaliata, Michael Comberiate, Steve Gilmore, Amir Karimian & Josh Michael.

Guests: Chris Cromwell, Jonathan O’dell (vice pres from RSA)

Meeting in order: 5.43pm

Week review:

* Housing services
* Campus connect meeting
o Student mentoring program
o No students present to mentor
o Next meeting
+ Long-term or not
* Focus group meeting
o Reslife
+ Campus master plan for 10years
+ Deciding on apartments and parking spaces improvements
* Last Growl
o Record for number of people in the RAC

Title: Conformation of Chris Cromwell

JL15-0708

* Appointed for election board member
* Visual arts major
* Help set up the previous election
* Why this position: Considered by Erin and wants to be more involved in SGA since elections
* What he wants to change: push people to vote.
* How will he do this: Pick up a lot on Jay’s actions and accomplishments, encourage people to understand the potential the SGA has.

Passed: 7

Opposed: 0

Abstaining: 1

Legislation passed: 02.25.2008

Title: Software licensing

JL14-0506

* This is for SGA computers
* This is for continuing subscription and automatically receive new products and software programs
* Unlimited number of licenses but not available to all undergraduate students who are not employed by the SGA
* 4 grand will be allocated but only after 2 years

Passed: 7

Opposed: 0

Abstaining: 1

Legislation passed: 02.25.2008

Jake:

(This is not a legislation)

* Won the game at the last growl
* Fan busses to Binghamton for the basketball game
* 2 grand for a bus to stay overnight and back for 50 people. $40 per person
* This will cut down the student’s expenses for attending the game to $30 per person
* RSA is looking into sending at least one bus up
* Security will be the dept. responsibility
* Black n Gold commission meeting on Wednesday at 7

Natasha leaves at 6:15pm, unexcused

Title: Amendment to the Bylaws

SL14-0708

* This legislation allows vacant voting positions to be filled by the Senate or the Finance board, when number the number of voting positions fall below 50%
* This would be through in-house elections
* This goes into SL15-0708
o First year ambassadors automatically assigned to vacant Senators positions
o This is to allow these first year ambassadors to vote
o Concerns: lack of experience since positions are only for freshmen
* Passing of legislation extended till next week

Title: Confirmation of SGA Senators

SL15-0708

* First year ambassadors able to empower vacant voting positions within the SGA

Passed: 6

Opposed: 0

Abstained: 0

Legislation passed: 02.25.2008

Review:

Elani: prove it !!

* 5 finalist have been chosen
* Next week 3rd or 7th, on blog proposals will be posted
* Announcement ceremony

Announcements:

* Chef’s fair at the dining hall this Wednesday
* Woolie applications – available for SGA members

Meeting adjourned at 7.12pm

03/03/2008
Present: Jake Steel, Randy Monroe (head coach of men’s basketball team), Brady Walker, David Hoffman, Josh Michael, Elani Odeyale, Whitney Torchia, Neketa Kakar, Jeff Badugha, Ben Kitterman, Rahilla Tarfa, Jen Kent, Natasha Iriah, Steve Gilmore, Mike Comberiate, Heather Kopf, Sameera Syed, David Indek, Fouad Kanaan, Ashley Hill, Gabe Retalliatta
Meeting in order at 5.32 pm

Jake:
• Introduced guest coach Monroe
Talked about student’s support during the game against Binghamton
After this game the America East Conference Finals would be held in the RAC on March 15th
Student’s support at the games contributes to the player’s best ability and effort in the game.
• $12,000 for the whole trip; bus not allowed to stay over because of the school’s policy
• RSA donates for food and student’s support but not for bus, due to liability
• If we lose the game then students will get their deposit back
• RSA is having a competition between the residence halls for 10 free seats on the bus
• Students going on the bus trip will be paying $24
T-shirt, food, seat and ticket
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday
Housing extra $16 per person
This will be the student’s responsibility; the university will not be held accountable for the hotel payments
Ask for a bag lunch before getting on the bus
UMBC be the only school in Maryland to make it to the NCAA tournament if they win the tournament
Athletics is the showcase
Advertising has already started, office of student life has contributed to this trip

Senators passing: 11
Senators opposed: 0
Abstained: 0

SL 16-708
Rahilla:
• Visiting the residence halls and CAB with food and quarter sheets
• Make this visit a social gathering introducing the SGA
• When: next week, before spring break
• Only four residence halls will be visited
Patapsco, harbor, Chesapeake, and erickson
This will be taken out of the remaining Senate Additional Allocations Fund
• Advertising:
Through the Community Directors and RSA
Facebook
UMBC spotlight
RA’s
This will be held in the lobby
Blog space
SGA volunteers for this gathering are welcome
• Discussion topics
What SGA stands for
What issues need to be addressed
What the students have problems with
Update on prove it!!
Will be held in the evenings
• Questions that they are unable to answer
Get their e-mail address and contact them providing them with the answer
Would be helpful for other students if important questions are to be posted on the blog space
Any questions about the GPS system e-mail Jay
• Representatives from every project be present

Senators passing: 10
Senators opposed: 0
Abstained: 1

Josh:
• Text book bill
Text book (not UMBC’s merchandise) revenues are used to help pay certain programs or student activities
Higher education funding
Can only be used for certain things
Oppose this, because this will lead to increase of student fees
This bill will give students the ability to choose to buy books from the bookstore or outside, this will not affect the expenses of students
700 grand of the textbook revenue is not used for a specific set of programs but rather for anything, has no validation
Contact the administration before deciding on a position, tabled

Executive Reports:
• Executive board working hard
• First year council
Survey on student’s feedback on first year students experience
In the process of categorizing
• Athletic affairs
Discussed academic standing
GPA average pretty good (Women’s Tennis 3.5)
Special admits
• Josh:
Event on past Thursday, Annapolis 101
Brady Walker, Steve Gilmore, Elani Odeyale, Amir Karimian, Tabassum Majid, Aditi Srivastav, Dannielle Lipinski, and Josh Michael were present
Bill mark up on text book bill
ISBN numbers would become available to students
Professors will be getting information on text books in advance
Outside text book providers will be provided with a 12 weeks advance to search for text books at competitive prices
10 to 12 minutes presentation on addressing issues before discussing legislation
Steve will be contacted by senators on topics to be discussed at this presentation
• Jay
Food contract
Study place and one of the proposals
Next week will be publicized
Cell phone kiosk is still in discussion
SGA will be getting the ad revenue
• Brady
Working with the staff on the new provost and transition on the office
• Elani
Prove it!!
May 8th in the skylight room, Inauguration Dinner at 7pm
• Steve:
Statistics on students entering in
Academic success
Met with reslife
Possibly moving SGA retreat earlier so that people can be Woolies
Jake:
Athletics affair
Programs for incoming freshman and first year students
• Mike and Amir:
Book swap program
See what it will take to make it happen
File sharing
An album released that is free for download sharing via bittorrent
• Gabe:
Meeting in the SGA office on Wednesday with the study group

Meeting adjourned at 6.48 pm

March 24, 2008
Roll call: everyone except Tasha and Ben
Meeting in order: 5.35 pm

Whitney: Black and Gold bookstore
20 % discount

Jack Seuss –research computing for research, issues: having staff and training and research assistants

Prove it!!!
This Wednesday winners will be announced

Subcommittee
Retriever article for people to get an idea of how their money is spent on facilities management

Writing board meeting
Looking for writing director

RSA meeting
Earth-hour
Turn of all electrical equipments in their house for a whole hour
March 28th from 8-9

SL 18 – 0708

Budget for the Retriever Weekly
Travel : decreased
Office supplies : decreased
Printing reproduction: increased
Subscriptions :decreased
Question: where does the rest of the money from the previous years go?

Executive reports:

Gabe:
Campus connect meeting
Long term plans
Funding from Diane Lee
Teaching ratings

Announcements:
Stress-free zone meeting
Heather will be sending out an e-mail to everyone
SGA in the Halls
Next week
Chesapeake

Meeting adjourned at 6.pm

Date: 03/31/2008

Commons 318

Present: Heather Kopf, Rahilla Tarfa, Jeff Badugha, Steve Gilmore, Ben Kitterman, Jen Kent, Natasha Iriah, Sameera Syed, Michael Comberiate, Neketa Kakar, Gabe Retalliatta, and Whitney Torchia

Guests: Kate (Baltimore Collegetown)

In order: 5.32 p.m

Week in review:

* Meeting in the halls April 10th in Chesapeake
* Classroom meeting
o Feedback
o Academic committee
* RSA & SEB
o UMBC next top model
o Need an SGA judge
o Wednesday at 8 p.m
* Last Wednesday
o Ceremony for prove it
o Selection committee will meet with all the finalists
* This semester
o A penny for good effort in the dinning hall
o A meal plan able to use at Jazzman

College town network

* Kate
o Academic agreement in cooperation with 16 other colleges
o Shuttles and bus system go to all these schools
o Leadership workshop
+ Leaders from all the other schools will be attending
o College game nite this Friday shuttle will be working
+ Tickets: $6
o Battle Baltimore
+ B-ball and softball games
o Check out their website lots of information!!!!
o Half price tickets for shows are available for print out
o Shuttle is not working during the summer though ☹

JL 20-0708

* April Lewis appointed as an Election Board member by James McCauley
o Time: available during the day, working afternoons
o Previously Director of Student Advocacy
o Questions asked by James
+ Answered: that she tries to be unbiased in her everyday life….
o Has done an errand for James compiling information for the election of the people running

# of senators for: 9

# of senators opposed: 0

# of senators abstained: 1

SL 18-0708

* Approval of Retriever Weekly budget
o $ that remains after the year goes over to their saving account
o Photographers and writers not really staff members

Legislation extended

SL 19-0708

* Approval for SEB budget
* No asked increase from SGA
* Increase prices of concerts
* Decrease in expenses for salaries and stipends due to summer jobs last year
* $ that rolls over goes to their savings account

# of senators for: 9

# of senators opposed: 0

# of senators abstained: 1

Legislation passes

SL 19-0708

* Approval of SGA budget
* Include salaries, stipends, student organizations, SEB and Retriever Weekly.
* Letter drive, get 6 new laptops for next year
* Increase in budget for the executive board to $15,000
o This prevents them from going through the finance board and long processes.
o This gives them leeway to spend this $ without consensus, senate and finance board.
o Due to several projects such as Prove it or the bus trips to Binghamton, during the year, the budget might seem necessary but that much $ is not needed, this gives the exec to use it for whatever reason
o This budget was set to prevent encounters where the exec has to use the savings account, GL
o Suggestion: that part of the budget should be put into the senate’s pot so the exec has to go through the senate first
* Prove it fund needed for completing the Green Space project
* Legitimate $ transfer, e.g $ for phone transfer for the use of office supplies.
o This will be at the discretion of the president
* G.L allocation; negative budgeting shouldn’t be a trend: James said (executive board)
o Trying to prevent negative budgeting this year due to no fee increase
o Natural inflation!!!!
o Against state law to put the G.L fund (state’s $) in a savings account rather than a checking account.
* Legislation extended till next week

Executive reports:

* Compiling of teacher
o Worst average score for dept mechanical engineering and science

Announcements:

* School health insurance company
o Increase of 18-19% compounded yearly
o No increase in benefits only fees
* Presidential debate
o Date: April 9th
o Time: 7 pm
o Place: student organization area
* Stress-free zone meeting
o Wednesday at 6 pm student org space

Meeting adjourned at 6.59 pm

Senate meeting- 4/7/08

1. Call to order at 5:41pm

2. Roll Call- Rahilla absent, Jeff will be late

3. Minutes approved

4. Week in Review:

- SGA in the halls: Wed. at 8 in Chesapeake

5. New Business:

- SL18-0708- Retriever budget:

o Answers to questions provided by Kyle Clelan
o Vote- 8 For, 0 Opposed, 1 Abstaining, 2 Absent PASSED

* JL19-0708- SGA Budget:
o Already talking to SAFRB
o Stipend for election board chair will raise
o Six new laptops to replace aging desktops and laptops- will allow for mobility but will be able to be locked down on desks
o Exec. Fund- will raise, but a portion will be dedicated to spirit
+ Possibly have exec. Budget out and present to Senate at start of year- strong disapproval of this
+ Split up the $15,000 into a $12,000 discretionary fund and $3,000 for spirit
o Leadership training- Will go up to fully cover Leadershape
o SFZ budget will increase
o Line item to set aside some money for future of Prove-It
o Salaries reset to pre-‘07-‘08 levels.
o Readership budget will go up
o Study Place money will ensure staffing exists
o Fall retreat site cost will increase so this covers it
o Vote- 8 For, 0 Opposed, 1 Abstaining, 2 Absent PASSED

* JL21-0708- Mirror Ball:
o Hosted by Honors college, mirror ball=disco ball. It is a semi-formal event. Last year there were 100-200 students that came, not all from Honors College.
o Not a student organization, so they can’t allocate through Finance Board
+ They could lose honors college funding if made into a student org.
+ Student org. must have open selection of officers and be open to all students
o Open to all students
o This event has occurred at least the last two years.
o Vote- 8 For, 0 Opposed, 1 Abstaining, 2 Absent

6. Executive Reports:

* David H: Erin Carter will be leaving, looking for a replacement. Kyle Carter also leaving. Also, take David’s class next fall! Study Place walkthrough- $7500 security upgrade is all that is needed to make it open 24 hours.
* Brady: Remember to compile transition materials before inauguration. There has been a plan for a project to make a permanent chess board for the large chess pieces outside- about $15000 to be built over summertime.
* Dave I: Finance Board has about $6,000 left for orgs. Only $52,000 has been spent by orgs, so a lot will roll back. SAFRB presentations going well.
* Jake: no report
* Jay: Food contract announcement on Friday. Working with SAFRB. Transit system needs double cost for maintenance than what we had. We have to kick in a final $15,000 for equipment- legislation forthcoming. Cell phone kiosk coming soon- approved by Commons advisory board.
* Gabe: Ratings are pretty much compiled and formatted. Power rankings also ready- wrote a blog post. Need to put together a website.

7. Announcements:

- Natasha: meeting with rep. from Chevy Chase about ATM’s.

- Brady: trying to get a “safety walk” put together with Chief Williams towards end of April/ beginning of May

- Jake: Our student fan codes of conduct being adopted at Georgia Institute of Tech. Jake will talking with some big school donors.

- Jay: Mama’s Boys concert on Saturday in UC ballroom

- Steve: RSA having dogapelodeon on Sat. on Erikson field. CEAS wants to partner with us to do another smoking policy forum.

-Sameera: Presidential debate Wed. at 7

8. Meeting adjourned at 6:29

Date: April 28, 2008

Room: commons 318

Present: Rahilla, Natasha, Jeff, Gabe, Ben, Steve, Whitney, Heather, David, Neketa, Sameera, James, Brian

Meeting: 5.34pm

Absent: Jen, Michael

Weekend review:

* Food services committee

SL 20-0708

* Legislation of changes to the heading and membership of the Academic Conduct Committee.

Passing: 8

Opposed: 0

Abstaining: 1

Executive reports:

* Office of student life looking into adding full time staff
* Distribution of red card program
o Students are allowed to use them during the summer
* Vigil in memory of Jamie Heard on Thursday

Announcements:

None

Meeting adjourned at 5.44 pm

I. Call to Order 5:33PM
II. Roll Call

A. Present:
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Brian Frazee
4. Neketa Kakar
5. Sunaina Khandelwal
6. Amber Spry
7. Aditi Srivastav
8. Rahilla Tarfa
9. Whitney Torchia
10. Chidinma Ukonne

B. Absent:
1. Tascha Ebhomielen

III. Approval of Minutes

A. Approved by general consent.

IV. Open Discussion

a. Review of past week
b. Gabe Rettaliata: Has anyone met with a project group this past week? Let’s talk about it now.
c. Neketa Kakar: IT Steering Committee. People Soft Essay Software. People can check the status of their application. There’s going to be financial aid stuff online like FAFSA forms. You can change your degrees online as well. Advising and registration can be done online too. This is going to be done next year around February. Around January, we’ll get a new version of blackboard. They’re also changing the cable TV from Comcast to something else. They said we’re still going to have the premium channels.
d. Michael H: They’re staying with Comcast but they’re taking the channels and taking control of themselves.
e. Brian Frazee: I heard a rumor that we’re only going to have half of our channels.
f. Neketa Kakar: They said that we’re going to basically have the same channels.
g. Whitney Torchia: For the transcript fees meeting, we met with Nancy Young. We had a very productive meeting. We’re meeting this Wednesday at 1 in the SGA office. We’re going to e-mail Yvette and the Registrar Steve Robinson to see what we can do.
h. Gabe Rettaliata: To add to that, they definitely presented it in a very interesting way to VPs. They manipulated the data and just used schools that had high fees. They shifted the focus from the undergrads to the alumni’s. What they didn’t realize is that when a student is applying to med school, they might need 15 transcripts. Those 15 transcripts really add up. They claimed that the registrar was swamped and they couldn’t do student services. So now that the registrar has outsourced this, they have plenty of time to do… whatever. So we got Nancy to realize that these fees aren’t that high anywhere else especially in systems in Maryland
i. Jen Kent: Can one of you guys send this to UMBC Underground?
j. Gabe Rettaliata: We should talk about that within the committee.
k. Whitney Torchia: We didn’t know when we could get student support because we haven’t talked whether or not they want to bargain.
l. Brian Frazee: Just want to give someone an update. I posted in the USM blog about the transcript fee at UMBC. Bowie state charged $3 after the first 3 transcripts. CP has no fee but you can only get 11 in one transaction.
m. Sunaina Khandelwal: The website committee. We have a good plan to change the website. There will be new tabs on top. We are going to have resources, FAQ and Events and About section. We are going to condense the information. It’s a lot more informative and user friendly. Hopefully it’ll be up in 3 weeks.

B. Research Initiative
a. Gabe Rettaliata: This was on the agenda last week but we didn’t get a chance to get into it. There is a proposal in having the SGA partner up with the provost office to fund students. There’s no fund for majors outside of STEM areas to go and present research. They might not have the same access to a grant that could work with travel expenses. In the past they’ve asked SGA to give money. We couldn’t really do that at first. Now, we give money, and provost gives the same amount of money. Possible pilot program is to start with $5,000 and provost will give $10,000. We could look at outside sponsorship of some kind as well. We would all go over the requests with joint committees from SGA and the provost office. Look over to see if it’s worth giving money. They generally get 8-10 requests a year. So that’s about 1 or 2 a month. We obviously have some concerns. It is a lot of money. We looked at our budget and it could come from reallocation from people that work in the study place. We need to make sure that SGA is recognized as a part of this. It can be used as leverage in this partnership. We might be able to use this as projects that need to be done. We need to make sure it’s worth our investment.
b. Brian Frazee: You said this is only for grad students?
c. Gabe Rettaliata: It will only be for undergrad students.
d. Jen Kent: What do URA’s (Undergraduate Research Awards) go to? For my understanding, not a lot of people apply to it. Usually not enough people apply for them.
e. Gabe Rettaliata: Big difference is that URA is a year long process.
f. Sunaina Khandelwal: They give you money to actually give the research. From what I understand, you’re giving them money to present their research.
g. Jen Kent: Doesn’t that mean that the all of URA money doesn’t get used?
h. Sunaina Khandelwal: Actually, I believe they do use all the money. I don’t think they’re sitting on any URA money.
i. Jen Kent: If we can get information on how much money they have, that’d be great.
j. Rahilla Tarfa: I would like to know if other school’s SGA participate in provost partnerships.
k. Aditi Srivastav: If it reaches up to a lot of people, it’s something that we should consider. If it’s double the money, I don’t think it’s extremely competitive. I think it’s being taken care of by the URA. It should be publicized a lot.
l. Steve Gilmore: This will be targeting non research areas like English and INDS. The URA’s are mostly science based. A lot of times, people will have the chance to present across the nation for presenting and researching it. People don’t get to do it because they don’t have the money.
m. Amber Spry: My question is, what are their alternatives? If it wasn’t through this and they wanted to present it somewhere, who will be next in line to pay for it?
n. Gabe Rettaliata: I can’t say.
o. Steve Gilmore: That’s why they want to create this. They requested for it and we don’ have the money. They either have to come up with it or not.
p. Rahilla Tarfa: So it would be separate from the URA.
q. Steve Gilmore: We would get requests each month and a representative from each side will review and we will decide who will pay. And it’s not just travel that will be included but registration fees as well.
r. Dave Hoffman: It is not the money they are after. They want the partnership that they can talk to others with benefits. They want students to help other students fund for the research. It’s a good story. It’s the kind of community we’re trying to make. SGA is trying to support research as well as campus life. The university wants to create this with SGA as a partner. SGA has always questioned, should the student activity fee support academic pursuits? Sometimes SGA has said, kind of. Sometimes SGA has said no, we’re not going to support the mock trial team in doing things that they are required to do in a class. This is sort of approaching that line. Question is, are the benefits worth the cost?
s. Jen Kent: This is essentially giving someone scholarship. Do we do anything else like that?
t. Dave Hoffman: No. If you had a counsel of majors that wanted to take a trip to a conference, you’d have to be deciding what it’s about. Then we’ll decide if it can be funded.
u. Jen Kent: But should we give them money if it will only benefit 5 people?
v. Amber Spry: At the same time, it’s not like the money is going to someone that will present at Bowie State with only five people. It will give UMBC a leg up in the academic community. I think it will be money well spent.
w. Sunaina Khandelwal: I think once we have like 24 people that want it, we can fund half of them. Maybe it will go up once we start funding it…
x. Brian Frazee: I feel like if we fund it then it will create demand. I think that’s a good thing. We are one of the two research schools. Research is one our attractive features.
y. Gabe Rettaliata: We’re going to have another meeting about this. I just don’t know when yet.

C. Student Activity Fee/Green Fee
a. Gabe Rettaliata: Do you want to talk about that James?
b. James McCauley: We’re talking about increasing the student activity fee this year. One of the things that came up is a green fee. It shows our initiative that we want to be a greener campus. Part of the fee increase, with which you could advertise for is that a dollar will be allocated to wind credits. Basically, we’re planning on increasing student activity fee. We haven’t decided on the amount yet. We’ve been budgeting $83,000 in the red this year. We’re trying to break it down from inflationary costs than something like the green fee and the negative budgeting and anything in addition for growth. So there are 4 parts. Those are still under discussion
c. Gabe Rettaliata: We have to keep a cushion to spend on the GL for the products that we want to do. For stuff like Prove it, it can’t happen for awhile. We were talking about one time big fee increase and just have that save us. And then a couple years later, do another one. Or do we want to do a moderate increase to just cover ourselves and do a slight increase yearly. We had quite a discussion about that and it’s still ongoing. Whoever wants to get into that, talk to James.
d. James McCauley: The green fee was something we came into consensus on. We kind of want people’s thoughts on it.
e. Amber Spry: Can you explain how it works again?
f. Gabe Rettaliata: Basically, Dr. Hrabowski signed on to this pact that we would reduce our carbon footprint. Right now, we’re big time energy consumer. We want to be energy neutral. This would be going towards wind credit. We’re buying credit on those things so that we’re saying our electricity came from the winter buy. We weren’t just putting $10,000 to put our carbon gas, we’re being energy neutral.
g. Danielle Lipinski: The green fee will only go through energy credits
h. Steve Gilmore: It can be tagged on to another fee that exists like transportation fee since that uses a lot of energy. That will be in conversation with the green fee.
i. Danielle Lipinski: They really need more staff in facilities management. They have a lot to do and they don’t have a lot of resources to do it. I personally like the sustainability committee and that committee can decide…I know in CP they have something like that.
j. Gabe Rettaliata: John said that a lot of colleges around the nation, they’ve been instituting the green fee like 10-15 dollars. We were just talking and introduced a whole new fee or start some kind of money towards sustainability efforts.
k. Yasmin Karimian: Part of the reason we’re adding it on is because referendum students will vote whether or not they want to add it. It might hurt us if we do a 2 time increase instead of combining it. So hopefully that is something that people want to pass our fee as well. We absolutely need that fee this year or we’d have to find ways to cut down on our budget next year.

V. New Business

A. SL07-0809- Confirmation of USMSC Representatives
1. Gabe Rettaliata: So we saw something like this last week. We confirmed Michael and Brian. We will officially confirm Tabassum.
2. Steve Gilmore: Tabassum will be our other voting member in our counsel. She served as shadow last year so she’s already had experience.
3. Tabassum Majid: If you have any questions for me, like Steve said, I was on the counsel last year. It was a good experience so I hope you give me that experience again.
a. Chidinma Ukonne: What kind of experiences have you had?
b. Tabassum Majid: One of its duties is to recommend for the student region. I got to participate in the interviews. One of the things UMBC did last year was active role in the legislator. I was in a lot of those as well.
4. Motion by Sunaina Khandelwal to approve SL07-0809
a. Seconded by Brian Frazee
b. VOTE: 9 for, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Gabe), 1 absent

B. SL06-0809- Confirmation of Executive Cabinet Directors and Assistant Directors
1. Steve Gilmore: Anna Yap is coming after class at 6:45. It might be a little after. We could just do Tabassum and do her next week.
2. Gabe Rettaliata: I think we should just have Tabassum speak and I think we could just table this until next week.
3. Steve Gilmore: Student Initiatives. Tabassum will be assistant director. She was Vice President of SGA her freshman year. Last year she worked with first year counsel.
4. Tabassum Majid: Michael and I are really excited about this. We met last week with our stuff. We wanted to make sure student initiative is like a consultant group. Bringing freshman and see how to incorporate them. Not just freshman but any students that have any ideas. SGA would reach out to a wider population. We followed up with the other proposals. Top 5 will go into more detail later. I was a helper in Prove it last year since I wasn’t in SGA. For people that don’t know, we had a number of collaborators across campus. We had representative in most major organizations to make sure the proposals were feasible. We ended up selecting 5 out of 22. Interviews were conducted as well as campaigns. The student population also voted and the committee with student input. We had a big announcement towards the end. This year what the goal is for Green Space to be implemented in the spring. We met with the facilities, but they’re really stretched. We met up with the chair of the Green Space. If they have any questions, they can contact me or the others involved. That was a big success with SGA last year.
5. Gabe Rettaliata: Like I said, we’re going to table this. We’re not going to take a vote on this today. We’ll vote on this piece of legislation next week.

C. SR01-0809- Resolution to Support the Powervote Campaign
1. Gabe Rettaliata: I will turn it over to the SEA.
2. Danielle Lipinski: Powervote is a nationwide campaign to get a million young people to vote. Need to be aware of energy issues. It is sponsored by the energy coalition. Basically it is a nonpartisan campaign. We don’t support one candidate over the other.
3. Thambie: the goal is to get a million pledges. Conversation about clean energy. Creating clean infrastructures. Investing in a clean economy. Global warming. New coal and natural gas construction. Focusing more on international cooperation. Taking dirty money out of the economy.
4. John Doyle: There are Powervote campaigns going on in other campuses. There’s a pledge goal of getting 40,000 in USM schools. We thought it would be a good opportunity for SGA to get involved with it. We think that by endorsing our campaign, you’re not just endorsing the platform but students to advocate this.
5. Danielle Lipinski: To promote the education and awareness of this kind of issue. It is an election year and we are coming into something that’s an energy crisis. We want students to know the power they have as citizens of America. I guess that’s all we really have to say.
a. Jen Kent: What specifically do we have to do? Is this something that your office is going to be doing?
b. John Doyle: We would be doing tabling and class reps. We basically just want your support. It’s actually a pretty dual relationship. It’ll be a good relationship with us.
c. Gabe Rettaliata: By pledges you mean people signing up, not money.
d. Danielle Lipinski: Yea, there’s no money involved. Basically they just sign their information.
e. John Doyle: We just want to make a block of people to say that these people care about this issue.
f. Steve Gilmore: Are you just trying to educate them and sign the petition or does it extend past that?
g. Danielle Lipinski: Our goal is to educate as many people as we can. If people are really interested, we’d want to have a longer conversation with them. The pledge card itself has an opportunity for people to be a little bit more engaged. It’s not just a one time interaction.
h. Thambie: We also have educational events for people to be more aware.
6. Danielle Lipinski: Please feel free to check out the website because it is something really important for our generation.
7. John Doyle: it’s more of supporting the efforts.
8. Dave Hoffman: Formally endorsing the Powervote campaign, its endorsement could be approved
9. Aditi Srivastav: you named the 7 things…
a. Danielle Lipinski: Yea, that would be what you’re endorsing.
b. Thambie: I’ll just read it again… -read 7 planks mentioned previously-
c. Danielle Lipinski: 7th planked is geared towards our school. It’s basically to educate people about environmental issues.
10. Chidinma Ukonne: Very interesting presentation. At this point in time, advocate students to get involved the election coming up, it can create awareness and have students have their voices heard and also to get them to participate in politics in their own way.
11. Aditi Srivastav: My only concern… is there a lot of opposition to this? Have you had to deal with people giving you a hard time? The only thing we’d get in trouble for is the misinterpretation, it will reflect upon us because we’re supporting it. I’ll be interested in any kind of opposition you may have.
a. Thambie: The only opposition we have is people not wanting to put their information on the card. We know that we’re not going to be selling the information.
b. John Doyle: it’s not a fringe campaign. They are in different kinds of convention.
c. Danielle Lipinski: Our main point, we wouldn’t be asking for money like the Greenpeace people. We want people to come to us and talk about energy issues. How we’re going to expand this is to go to other organizations and presenting it, like we are with you right now. We’re not trying to force people. It’s about endorsing our efforts. We don’t want people riled up.
d. Michael H: If you support it, it would give you more faith in the student body when you institute the green fee.
12. Gabe Rettaliata: Anyone have anything to say about this issue?
a. Whitney Torchia: Date of introduction says 2007.
b. Gabe Rettaliata: Yes, we should change that. Friendly amendment to change it to read SR01-0809, and Date of Introduction to read September 15th, 2008
13. Motion by Brian Frazee to approve SR01-0809
a. Seconded by Whitney Torchia
b. VOTE: 9 for, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Gabe), 1 absent

VI. Projects for Upcoming Year
1. Gabe Rettaliata: Last week, we went through a list of projects that SGA came up in retreat. We came up with our favorites. The top had around 3. The bottom had about 1 vote. Cross out student activity fee since that’s being handled outside. –listed the senate project possibilities.
2. Steve Gilmore: Cross off number 9 because David is already working on that [advisors for judicial].
3. Michael H: What is SGA in the halls?
a. Rahilla Tarfa: Members from SGA trying to meet and talk to students mainly in residential halls.
4. Jen Kent: Take off 14 because we’re already doing that outside of this.
a. Gabe Rettaliata: Originally we were supposed to be involved in entrepreneurship. Long story short, they don’t want our help anymore.
b. Jen Kent: It’s not like they didn’t want to do it anymore but we had issues. Since we couldn’t do that anymore, we decided to do our own like unsung heroes. We want to do something for students that do stuff on campus that deserve to be recognized but currently are not. We are still working on it.
c. Yasmin Karimian: It’ll be meeting Fridays at 12. Not this week. I’ll e-mail for more details.
d. Rahilla Tarfa: Does it focus on entrepreneurship?
e. Jen Kent: No, not at all. It is open to anything that someone finds worthwhile.
5. Sunaina Khandelwal: Number 18. Online suggestion box. Website committee can do something about that. Talk to us about it if it’s your idea.
6. Aditi Srivastav: Number 19. Last year we had our first out of state thing. People hosted people even if hey weren’t in SGA. It’s already doing it.
a. Jen Kent: People that want to do that can contact admissions.
7. Gabe Rettaliata: End of last week I asked if anyone had new project ideas. Anyone want to add to this list?
8. James McCauley: I’m not a senator but following up on previous projects like the transit. I’m not really sure who’s on the ball on that but following through the previous projects like a follow up committee.
9. Gabe Rettaliata: I’ve been thinking of different ways of doing this. Each of us can pick what we want and do it. That’s not a good idea. Pick 4 of these and get in groups of 3 and work on it as a team. It’s easier to do some things in a group with different opinions. What do you guys think? 4 is a good number to pick on this list?
a. Aditi Srivastav: Couldn’t you put some of them together?
b. Jen Kent: They’re different processes.
10. Gabe Rettaliata: What I’m going to do is open it up and do nominations. I’m going to write down what we’re nominating. Then we’ll take a vote.
a. Jen Kent: Question before you start. What if some of these things have already started like the senior gift?
b. Gabe Rettaliata: If someone is already starting on that, they should be in that committee.
11. Michael H: For open door policy, there’s already a lot of talk within RSA.
12. Whitney Torchia: 1 and 4 should be added together.
13. Gabe Rettaliata: That’s fine. Any other questions? Floor is open
a. Sunaina Khandelwal: one and four. Longer library hours/more 24/7 student place.
b. Jen Kent: Stress free zone
c. Brian Frazee: number 11- extra day to move in before classes start during breaks.
d. Whitney Torchia: Testing and validating security system.
e. Aditi Srivastav: Better transit services
f. Chidinma Ukonne: Contact international and out of state students and provide a student contact to be a mentor.
g. Rahilla Tarfa: SGA in the halls
h. Whitney Torchia: We have a question. Black and gold committee that we started… we’re still going to have a black and gold commission. Number 20 was started by Black and Gold
i. Neketa Kakar: then 20.
j. Chidinma Ukonne: Question about SGA in the halls. How do you want to implement that?
a. Rahilla Tarfa: For example, last year for Patapsco, we collaborated with CABs, we handed out fliers and pizza and they talked about their concerns.
b. Chidinma Ukonne: Is it a one time thing?
c. Rahilla Tarfa: last year was the first time
d. Chidinma Ukonne: You can collaborate with RAs to talk about SGA and our objectives. Since it’s a one time thing, it’s something that we can do with them.
e. Gabe Rettaliata: Let’s talk about it after voting.
f. Jen Kent: playground
k. Gabe Rettaliata: So it’s locked in. This is it. Which of these 9? We have to remove 5.
a. Jen Kent: Extra move in. I think a different group can handle it like RSA. We can influence them to do it.
b. Brian Frazee: Playground. I don’t think it should be higher priority like security.
c. Gabe Rettaliata: my freshman year, we had a bunch of committees going on at the same time. People got confused on which committees they were on.
d. Jen Kent: how about we go through each one and see which one has the most?

*Library Hours
Neketa
Brian
Sunaina 6 votes
*Stress Free Zone
Jen
Gabe
Rahilla 6 votes
Campus Security 3 Votes
Better Transit 3 Votes
*International Students
Chidi
Amber 3 Votes
SGA in the Halls 2 Votes
Campus Welcome Sign
Whitney
Aditi 4 Votes

14. Brian Frazee: As long as we make sure all these projects get done, it should be fine.
15. Jen Kent: I think we should get a 4th.
16. Gabe Rettaliata: We’re going to have 3 people on each of these committees. Do we want to take some time to meet right now or later?
17. Everyone: Now
18. Gabe Rettaliata: Let’s meet with our people for 5 minutes just so we can figure out when our first meeting is.
19. -5 minutes of meeting-
20. Gabe Rettaliata: We will be discussing these committees and these projects weekly. They will be on the agenda every week. We’ll get feedback from the rest of the senate. We’ll do well with all these projects.

VII. Executive/Ex-officio Reports
1. James McCauley: The campus involvement card… we haven’t met this week because it’s Monday. Last week, we did. There doesn’t seem to be any problems. The student fee is also going along fairly nicely. It’s nice that we’re talking about it now instead of 4 months from now. Also, I have not forgotten about Erickson field. Be looking at that soon.
2. Nayana Davis: I’m looking to implement office hours next week. Committee meeting is also on Monday.
3. Steve Gilmore: Homecoming. Student tailgating for soccer game. Community grills. More info soon. Election night extravaganza… debate is coming from the executive board. We should be promoting voting registrations. You’ll be seeing a bunch of that next week. Lastly, accountability, I’ve asked you guys to set up meetings with me, and none of you have.
4. Harsh Bambawale: Two meetings so far. Sports clubs. We had an interesting request from skydiving club. Changed status to hobby… but then they wanted to compete.
5. Yasmin Karimian: Nothing too much. I didn’t see a lot of you in treasurer training. When you’re putting your events and want to get funding, it’s the same process for that. I encourage you to come to treasurer training. I’m starting a new set next week so expect an e-mail next week.
6. Dave Hoffman: Treasurer training. Fairly dry stuff but important stuff. Senate will soon have first 3 year students. Finance board will also take in 3. 20 have applied. Interviews are going on in the next few weeks.

VIII. Announcements
1. Whitney Torchia: For voting, I know a lot of people are registered. Are they supposed to fill in an absentee ballot? They don’t want to drive home to vote.
a. Dave Hoffman: It depends on if they want to stay registered in their home county. If they do, they have to fill an absentee ballot.
b. Whitney Torchia: I don’t think a lot of people are aware of that.
c. Michael H: Is there a negative in changing address to UMBC and then 4 years from now, changing it back?
d. Amber Spry: It’s really easy to fill out the card.
e. Steve Gilmore: If you’re outside of Baltimore County, you’re also voting for different people.
2. James McCauley: Question for the person talking about changes with Comcast and blackboard. Do you know specifically what kind of changes are going to be in blackboard? Is that going to affect the SGA version of the election?
a. Neketa Kakar: All I know is that they’re changing it to version 8. I don’t really know what that means.
3. Chidinma Ukonne: Even we don’t have SGA in the halls, would people be willing to talk with the residents about SGA with the RAs… like our objectives?
a. Rahilla Tarfa: I was going to take it on as an individual project but I would like to talk to you about it if you’d like
4. Jen Kent: Everyone is on committees. If you have issues, let me know.
5. Gabe Rettaliata: 3 people in the senate are not on corporate time. They know who they are.
6. Sunaina Khandelwal: I’m on there, I think.
7. Gabe Rettaliata: I think you are.
8. Rahilla Tarfa: Can you see me?
9. Gabe Rettaliata: Yes. Other thing is the office hour’s deal. I’m going to leave a slip in your mailboxes. As long as it adds up to an hr a week, then it’s fine. Just be in there for an hour, please.
10. Jen Kent: Make sure you update your corporate calendars.

IX. Roll Call:

A. Present:
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Brian Frazee
4. Neketa Kakar
5. Sunaina Khandelwal
6. Amber Spry
7. Rahilla Tarfa
8. Whitney Torchia
9. Chidinma Ukonne

B. Absent:
1. Tascha Ebhomielen
2. Aditi Srivastav (excused to leave early)

X. Adjournment 7:17PM.

XI. Pass the Gavel

I. Call to Order 5:33PM

II. Roll Call
A. Present
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Sunaina Khandelwal
4. Whitney Torchia
5. Neketa Kakar
6. Brian Frazee
7. Amber Spry
8. Rahilla Tarfa
B. Absent
1. Tascha Ebhomielen
2. Chidinma Ukonne
3. Aditi Srivastav

III. Approval of Minutes

A. Minutes approved by general consent

IV. Open Discussion

A. Review of the past week
1. RSA
a. Sunaina Khandelwal: RSA is planning the block party. They’re doing a lot of advertisement. They approved a new constitution for the honorary RSA. They also did a new budget.
2. Gabe Rettaliata: Anybody else do anything this week?
a. Rahilla Tarfa: Commons Advisory Board Meeting. Renovate art on the 3rd floor. Pamphlet about recycling in the commons. You can recycle glass, plastic, etc. They want to work with residential halls with that project as well
b. Jen Kent: The new student book experience last week. There were 50 nominations. We knocked off half already. Our goal is 150 nominations and we had 134 last year. If you know anybody who wants to nominate a book, go to the office of undergrad.
i. Sunaina Khandelwal: What’s the decision process?
ii. Jen Kent: There’s a criteria. It has to be no more than 125 pages. Stay away from a memoir because it’s been like that for the past 2 years. Supposed to be something a lot of people can relate to and hasn’t been read in high school. No recent movie about it. Those are the basic things. Then after that, it’s just an open discussion.
c. Aditi Srivastav: We’re getting an alumni magazine. Sending it to alumni 2009. We are the only university that offers PhD that doesn’t have a magazine. Talked about different things that we want and don’t want to see. Alumni scholarship. See what recipients are doing. Video montage… this is what I’m doing, my major, etc. I’m going to be working closely with the community president and want to speak with us on a Monday. I’m trying to coordinate that right now.

V. Project Updates

A. Increased Library Hours
1. Neketa Kakar: We’re meeting Friday.
2. Sunaina Khandelwal: We’re trying to figure out what’s already been done.

B. Stress Free Zone Revamp
1. Jen Kent: Meeting this Thursday. I sent an email about it. That’s pretty much just to see what ideas people have.

C. Reaching out to International Students
1. Chidi Ukonne: I spoke to the International Education Advisor. They have the international event coming up. They’re supposed to send me an email of what they need help with. They’re going to have a fair in the commons main street in November. I let them know that SGA can help them out with it

D. Digital Campus Sign
1. Whitney Torchia: I had done a lot of research on it previously. Basically from all that we’ve found, we’ve seen other people doing it. You need 3 proposals, and I called 3 places. Average is $25,000. For only 2 people, landscaping, etc. there’s not really a place we can put up where it’s good for all the entrances. Gabe was at the meeting, and we thought we could redirect our project to the colors and the signage on campus. Plain welcome sign, etc. without the digital sign for events and do something more doable for us.
a. Gabe Rettaliata: Do you have a meeting set up?
b. Whitney Torchia: We just met last Thursday so we’re setting up another meeting sometime soon.

VI. Special Guest- Josh Michael, Student Regent
1. Josh Michael: What I’m trying to do is to come to each SGA in the system. Basically what I’ve been doing in other institutions is talk about my role and the relationship I want to have with them. Statewide issues and trends that we’re going to see. And then open it up to see how better I can serve you. I’m here at UMBC at the state level. Also, let me know what I’m using and where I’m not hitting home. Overview of the system. There are 13 institutions in MD that’s part of USM. 11 of those give degrees, 2 researched based. Concept of system is that we have a bunch of needs in the state. Focus areas in different school. Then they do a good job serving the state. For example, we’re a STEM school. We serve a lot of minorities in our school. My role in that is that I serve on the board of 17 people. Set tuition. Reviews policies for the different school. What I’m trying to do: attend meetings and represent you all. Second thing, advocate students outside of those meetings. Third, serve as a resource to you as an access to administrators that you may struggle to get to otherwise. Statewide issues: I think there are 3 major areas that are going to dominate Maryland in the next 3 years. Budget. The budget is not good. Mid year cuts that were announce on Friday for this fiscal year. Dim fiscal outlook in the next fiscal year. Not exactly sure how that’s going to pan out for students. Maybe increase of tuition, or cutting resources, etc. These are some things we might see in higher education. We play an important role in setting that trend. Second: workforce system. Look at STEM schools. Right now it’s $9000 per student. We produce twice as many people in these stem programs. We’re doing what state is doing but we’re not getting as much money. Third: environmentally sustainability. My projects: I’m working on looking at a possible student fee in all schools for $1-5 for carbon offsets or a green fund. Something similar to Prove it but for a green project. One of the two. Be interested in your feedback. Second thing: Textbooks. Textbook manufacturers have to tell professors what they’re changing in each edition. Retail price. Feds have taken care of our issues. It’s not going into effect until July 1st 2010. One of my other projects, leveraging my vote in finance committee so there’s a student representation in all student fees. I’m going to be working with different campus for that. One of the other things I’m doing is broaden communication in the campuses. My goal is by December is to meet with SGA presidents of different campuses. I’ve also got a blog about system issues. The last issue that I talked about earlier is the budget. We have to make a conscious decision of what we’re going to do. What do you think about the quality at UMBC? Are you willing to pay more or do you prefer tuition to be frozen?
a. Sunaina Khandelwal: what’s “more”
b. Josh Michael: Cost of education. What’s important?
c. Sunaina Khandelwal: What do you mean?
d. Josh Michael: To me, my general approach is cost is important but predictability is just as important. 2003-2004 we saw 15% increases each year. To me, inflation is only 3% so we should only be seeing that. Where do you guys feel on that?
e. Chidi Ukonne: You don’t mind seeing increase? What would be the incentive if it’s increased? Better services? Where would the additional money be going to
f. Josh Michael: I think the first thing, certain level inflation sets in. Gas goes up. Maintenance and construction. That goes up each year. The question is what percent is that each year? Do you want less or more of that? Are you willing to have less money and services go down? Do you want to pay more for a better education or maintain the level we have now?
g. Amber Spry: We don’t necessarily get better services. It just covers inflation. To get better service, you have to double it. That’s obnoxious. I want to see the state give us more money. If we have to pay, I’d want it to rise if that means maintaining what we do get now.
h. Sunaina Khandelwal: I don’t want to see 15% if inflation is only 3%.
i. Josh Michael: I read the retriever from 2003 to see what happened. Library closed early. Other services closed early to see how this campus handles campus cuts.
j. Brian Frazee: I’d rather pay for more services. It should be a gradual increase. In years past, there’s been a tuition freeze and all of a sudden tuition skyrockets. I think rather than have tuition freeze, why don’t we increase it gradually with inflation unless we don’t have to.
k. Josh Michael: The tuition freeze has been funded. 16 million dollars. Funded tuition for us. Mid year they dropped 10 million. So this is the first time we’ve had unfunded tuition freeze.
l. Steve Gilmore: I think that if we support tuition freeze, it’d make our job harder. With student activity fee, whether to approve freeze, it’s hard to sell it with tuition increase. Less chance of student activity fee increasing.
m. Gabe Rettaliata: How do slots play in all of this?
n. Josh: Early September we voted to endorse slots. Slots can earn 300-700 million a year. If slots pass then that money would be dedicated to the k12 budget. That would give us new money. If it doesn’t pass, it will put the fine arts building at risk. That’s the implication in terms of slots. We’d also see a delay on operating budget because k12 will take more of a share from the state budget that otherwise would come to us.
o. Rahilla Tarfa: Is there a lot of opposition in passing the slots?
p. Josh Michael: A lot of people think it’s a way to go and vice versa.
q. Sunaina Khandelwal: Where will this be in the process?
r. Josh Michael: It will be in the ballot. I will also highlight for you… the higher ed 60 million chunks are strictly dedicated to higher education. That will be an unrestricted fund if slots do not pass. The higher ed fund is discretionary fund that can be used in the state.
s. Brian Frazee: What do you plan to do as student regent for UMBC?
i. Josh Michael: Student fee review. Looking at environment sustainability or if it comes in a form of a student fee. My other big issue is money. Affordability. Essence of what goes on. Money is everything in terms of higher ed like textbooks. Try not to put our future in the hands of politicians. I’m trying to get attention to UMBC. Smaller meetings with regents out to UMBC. Meeting UMBC students. Try to get them out to basketball games. Hopefully we can make some things happen there. Particularly, expanding residential housing in a few years. One more question. How would you respond if we have an 8% increase, and a tuition freeze in other schools?
ii. Amber Spry: What determines freeze?
iii. Josh Michael: demand. Not a good one?
iv. Aditi Srivastav: If less people want to go to Bowie, etc. and they don’t need the money, I don’t really know what we’re losing.
v. Jen Kent: I think it’s fair.
vi. Aditi Srivastav: If more kids want to go here, we have to pay more.
vii. Sunaina Khandelwal: if it’s a tuition freeze because the government is giving the money, then that’s not fair.
viii. Josh Michael: That may happen
ix. Sunaina Khandelwal: Well then that’s not fair.
t. Chidi Ukonne: Are you in any way… can you be a catalyst for getting funded for getting international or out of state students? It’s limited at UMBC. Since UMBC is a state school, they have little funding. Can you in any way to be a catalyst to get some kind of funding, scholarship, etc. kind of incentive to get out of state or international students to come here.
i. Josh Michael: I can look into that. What does everyone think?
ii. Sunaina Khandelwal: I agree
iii. Rahilla Tarfa: I agree too. We have a lot percentage of international students here. I also had a question, how does financial aid change when tuition increases?
iv. Josh Michael: It can stay where it was before. It can be increased same as tuition so it’d be match. It can be increased above. It is not tied to it in any way. In the past in Maryland it stayed even with tuition. That’s something to be paid attention to. I don’t know, it’s a tough place for me. I don’t know where I’d stand on that. My general inclination is that it is a state school. Financial goes to state students.
v. Chidi Ukonne: Other schools get more. You can’t apply for scholarships because you’re not a US citizen. There’s nothing designed because they’re not US citizens.
vi. Josh Michael: Where have you heard this?
vii. Chidi Ukonne: I think College Park has it.
viii. Josh Michael: We can look into that.
ix. Sunaina Khandelwal: Where does the money go if it goes anywhere to international students?
x. Josh Michael: What’s the focus? International or out of state?
xi. Chidi Ukonne: Both. I feel like there should be some kind of incentive. There’s a large population at UMBC. Why can’t we cater to some of their needs?
xii. Josh Michael: In terms of out of state, CP is different. They’re trying to bring in the best students to set the quality up. Let’s look into that.
u. Dave Hoffman: Roughly speaking, what’s the budget of USM, budget of UMBC?
i. Josh Michael: 2.4 billion. UMBC is 10% of the system.
ii. Dave Hoffman: Possibility of using a 60 million pot. 60 million out of 2.4 billion. It is an important fraction.
iii. Josh Michael: We could look at a net loss 210 million dollars a year.
iv. Dave Hoffman: This is huge.
v. Josh Michael: Budget I gave you. 2.4 billion is tuition, other funds and state dollars combined. State funds are 1.1 billion.
vi. Dave Hoffman: For the cuts that were announced on Friday, what’s UMBC’s share
vii. Josh Michael: 10%. 10 million dollar cut from base budget. Take 10 million from operating expenditures and expect 10 million in less. Take 20 million from savings. We use savings to get loans, etc. it’s an interesting mix. Not a straight budget. For us, it’s just over 1 million dollars for UMBC. Other schools have been talking about it since Friday afternoon. If you didn’t know about that, it’s something we’d have to address.
v. Dave Hoffman: For members of UMBC SGA senate Josh’s blog is a must read. These issues are really important. It can affect the well being of the students at UMBC.
i. Josh Michael: and please comment. I try and talk issues… for instance, if something happens on campus… we broke ground of the pharmacy at UMB. Talk about capital budgets in MD.
ii. Sunaina Khandelwal: I heard they’re going to cut the schedule. 3 rounds in the morning, 3 rounds in the afternoon.
iii. Josh Michael: We also have to see who’s riding these buses. A lot of UMB employees are using UMBC buses. They’re also your student fees. It isn’t for them.

VII. New Business

A. SR02-0809- Resolution to Support the Creation of a Studio for UMBCtv
1. Gabe Rettaliata: Mike here from UMBCtv.
2. Mike: We’ve been trying to find UMBCtv to semi permanent be. Bottom of Susquehanna is free. She showed me the space, size of a regular dorm room. It used to be an old staff lounge. No longer used. She said absolutely no plans to use this old staff lounge. She told me to talk to residential life for acquiring it. I talked to the head of residential life. She said to write a proposal to get as many organizations behind it. What I’m asking is a letter of support UMBCtv to use unused space to throw up a studio.
3. Gabe Rettaliata: What have you guys been up to?
a. Mike: To get more students involved. I’ve devoted most of my time to record events and getting them online. It’s not sustainable. We haven’t been getting new members. Scaling back. Get new students. Talked to The Retriever about doing a new show. Temporary on a monthly basis. Hopefully weekly basis soon. News around campus. Opinions. What’s happening this week, etc. I’m also talking with Chartwells about doing a cooking show. I’ve actually have 2 pilots of cooking show of people that flaked out during the last minute. Chartwell said they’d provide the cook. Or do our own cook and they’d be assisting. Or they can provide the cook and we ca provide people that he’s teaching. Interesting prospect: they’ll also put it on the main chartwell’s website so anybody that goes to their site can see this. That would be a good prospect for UMBCtv and UMBC. That obviously has nothing to do with the studio because we’d need a kitchen.
4. Brian Frazee: do you have any plans to advertise UMBCtv?
a. Mike: working with the website right now. I just threw up a UMBCtv for Prove it real quick. Then I uploaded some but it doesn’t mesh. I’m trying to find a web designer. As soon as I feel the website is presentable, I’m going to try to get Commonvision advertisement. In theory, just posters to advertise meetings and not a website right now.
b. Brian Frazee: Is it on channel 2?
c. Mike: We’re just online right now. We’ve been talking to OIT for a channel. We can’t unless we have content to justify it. We can’t get content until we get advertisement. I said forget it and do online videos for now. Once interest is built, we’ll look into it again.
d. Brian Frazee: I thought there was an actual TV channel… 2 or 3.
e. Mike: That’s the common vision feed. I know that WMBC is trying get audio on it. I talked to OIT: instead of having my own channel, cut into like a time at 7 and cut back. They said that’s not feasible because they go to a server and they hit play. If we did it that way, they’d have to go at 7 to stop start and play. They didn’t want to do that.
5. Sunaina Khandelwal: what’s the current workspace for UMBCtv? Where do you guys meet?
a. Mike: we meet at student orgs on Fridays at 3pm. Eventually we’ll get a space somewhere in the commons. It’s going to adjust based upon the availability of people.
6. Chidi Ukonne: Post videos online. What’s the website? Umbctv.com How do people know about this website? I never knew about it.
a. Mike: I’d been advertising it around. UMBC underground. Word of mouth. In theory, once we get Retriever show up, they’ll be advertising us.
7. Chidi Ukonne: Do you have a team working with you?
a. Mike: kind of, not really. I found out before classes that half of my team decided to transfer to other schools. Put the team to just me. Then recruited more people. Fouad is our treasurer. He’s one of the members. We have a couple more from the media communications department. We’re building it back up.
8. Chidi Ukonne: do you have a timeline?
a. Mike: For what? We have several projects. Chartwell hasn’t started up yet. Retriever show, we’re meeting up next week. I’m getting videos from last semester edited and put up online. I recorded the hypnotist and I have to wait to post it because I have to edit someone out. Technical difficulties. I’m trying to get as many of it up. And I’m doing the website. And I’m advertising. Fouad is taking care of the other stuff.
9. Rahilla Tarfa: Are you guys a club?
a. Mike: we’re a recognized organization
b. Rahilla Tarfa: do you have a faculty mentor
c. Mike: our mentor also left. I have a meeting tomorrow from someone from media communication department. He’s the advisor for WMBC.
10. Rahilla Tarfa: Are you guys the one that put up the YouTube videos on the spotlight?
a. Mike: that’s OIT. That’s completely separate. Problem is: it’s a giant bin of videos you have to dig through in order to find anything. I want to shoot our original content. I’m trying to cater more to the students instead of just basketball games and a lecture.
11. Whitney Torchia: where do you keep your equipment
a. Mike: my apartment
b. Whitney Torchia: If you get this space, are you going to keep equipment there? Open certain times of the day?
c. Mike: We want to set up equipment there so it’s ready whenever we need to shoot. I don’t know how open it can be because it’s in Susquehanna hall. I want to have it in the commons but I’ve been shut down. It’s the only used place I can find. Original space is use the UC right next the radio station but apparently it’s used for storage now or additional space just incase they need something
12. Dave Hoffman: Is there any danger that’ it’s going to be to other residents like noise?
a. Mike: We’re in the basement where nothing is. It’s an old storage room. The only inconvenience would be non Susquehanna people walking downstairs. One suggestion to legislation itself. I suggest last line of “whereas” be stricken.
13. Rahilla Tarfa: You just need student support, apart from SGA, are you going to other organizations? RSA is presenting and voting on Tuesday. Retrievers support it. Media and communications, I’ll talk to them.
a. Whitney Torchia: Do you have any other organizations that support you as of yet?
b. Mike: Retrievers support it already. Media is in support of me. Official one is Retriever. You guys will be the second.
c. Rahilla Tarfa: I think you guys should still meet with other student organizations.
d. Mike: We’re just trying to find someone that are similar to us
e. Jen Kent: Different student organization that you’ve filmed or going to film.
f. Chidi Ukonne: I also want to suggest new freshmen that are looking for stuff to do, very positive that you’ll find a lot of people. UMBCtv sounds like a cool stuff, more hands on so it’s more feasible.
g. Mike: Outside of this proposal, overall goal, different disciplines together, actors from theatre, media communication, writers for scripts. Anyone and everyone we can find. Elaborate on website, the new website is still under construction.
14. Motion by Brian Frazee to approve SR02-0809
a. Seconded by Sunaina Khandelwhal
b. VOTE: 9 for, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Gabe), 1 absent (Tascha)

B. SL06-0809- Confirmation of Executive Cabinet Directors and Assistant Directors
1. Gabe Rettaliata: Tabled last week. We want to talk about Ozell with student outreach.
2. Steve Gilmore: He’ll be working with Jake Steele. Ozell is very involved in Greek life and athletic. Also involved in finance board. Experience in SGA.
3. Ozell: I was intrigued with the work Jake was doing around campus. I’m in support with athletics and club teams. I applied my networks and knowledge around campus. I think that would help me in this particular department.
4. Aditi Srivastav: What do you see your role as? What do you plan to do as assistant director? Do you have goals in mind that you want accomplished?
a. Ozell: Most goals are tailored around Jake Steel. Involvement, athletics. Work with some of the club teams and organizations. Outside of that, develop better programs can be excited for and appreciate.
5. Steve Gilmore: About Anna, she’s a senior this year. IS major. Appointing her for communications. Pretty unique. Worked off campus student services for a couple of years. Just became an RA. Wanted to be involved in SGA since it’s her senior year. She wants to play an active role before she graduates. SGA is a great outlet. She wanted to do it last year but it didn’t work out. Experience design fliers and web design. First goal, helping with the website. Design for newsletter. If you want to ask me questions about her.
a. Aditi Srivastav: Why isn’t she here tonight?
b. Steve Gilmore: she has class.
6. Motion by Aditi Srivastav to approve SL06-0809
a. Seconded by Neketa Kakar
b. VOTE: 9 for, 0 opposed, 1 abstains (Gabe), 1 absent

C. JL02-0809- Election Night Extravaganza
1. Gabe Rettaliata: This is legislation for a GL expenditure for Election Night Extravaganza. Attached is the budget. Everyone is aware of the GL. What’s left of it?
2. Rahilla Tarfa: what’s in it now?
a. Gabe: around $280,000
3. Steve Gilmore: Attached is the budget drawn out. Specific things are the inflatables. Four man jousting. 24x17 feet. And also for a small moon bounce. That’s a quote for $1500. Masks, Obama and McCain mask for a dollar each. For food, $1500 there just because we haven’t heard from Chartwells. We don’t want to spend an extreme amount of money. That right now that can be a good deal. Pizza, nachos, wings, etc. commons facility, 250 for a room set up. Decorations: SEB is helping us to come up with a logo. We can use the logo for myUMBC for fliers, banners, etc. advertising would be a banner and fliers. We’d also be advertising online. Decorations, balloon drop. Net on a roof where main street is.
4. Brian Frazee: Steve pretty much summed it up. Exciting event. We want this event to be something that everyone talks about. this is a lot more exciting so we’re getting a lot more young people. cool things like Obama and McCain jousting.
5. Steve Gilmore: Debates. We’re going to be hosting, next week 2nd. Vice pres debate. 7 and 15th are last two presidential debates. Hosting in the commons in the sports zone. Providing ice cream. Available for students. Serve ice cream. Watch. Discussion and feedback after. That money is going to come out of the exec fund.
6. Jen Kent: couple of things. This is on main street?
a. Steve Gilmore: Main part is main street. Food in student org. There’s still going to be something going on in the pub. Bottom of flat Tuesdays, coffee.
b. Jen Kent: Can we get an inflatable on main street?
c. Steve Gilmore: we can look into it. Probably not on main street.
d. Jen Kent: side note. When are the masks coming in? for advertising, we can get them to do it during free hour. Boxing and masks. Creative things the week before to get people to come in. You should find a political science professor to do it.
7. Whitney Torchia: for ordering things, what’s your estimate how many you’re going to order?
a. Steve Gilmore: For food, I asked for 600 people. The course of the night, 7-past midnight, 1000 people in that space. For food, we’re trying to calculate, we can’t feed every single person. 600 were what were agreed on. Not a 1000 masks but definitely at least 600. It’s what people want. It’s going to be interesting how we’re going to divide it. Part of decorations, big cut outs of Palin, Biden, McCain and Obama. People can get pictures with them and post it online for people.
8. Sunaina Khandelwal: Are we involving the college republican and democratic club?
a. Brian Frazee: They’re going to be involved, more with debate parties. Representative for both clubs. Talk about issues that are pertinent for their own parties.
b. Sunaina Khandelwal: Are they doing anything special we can merge with?
c. Steve Gilmore: Small events that they want to partner with. Clubs have been finding out and been contacting us and see how they can get involved.
9. Chidi Ukonne: A lot of people get sensitive with politics. Intolerance. Are there going to be ground rules that are going to be said in the discussion period? To do and what to do. People may try to deface the other masks.
a. Steve Gilmore: We’ll have moderators during the debates.
b. Brian Frazee: we expect students not to act immaturely.
c. Steve Gilmore: inflatable’s. They’ll be the stress relievers.
10. Jen Kent: Pin the tail on the donkey and the elephant. Little games like that.
11. Mike: Is the commons going to be staying open late that night?
a. Steve Gilmore: 2am. Students are going to be there working for at least an hour after the event is done.
12. Dave Hoffman: working a shuttle to get people to Catonsville high school. Continuous loop during election day.
13. Mike: if you’re looking for a place close to main street, commuter lounge.
14. Dave Hoffman: the more we spend this year, less that they’re going to spend in the future. Make sure expenditures are good ones.
15. Aditi Srivastav: Why can’t we use the college democrat/republicans money?
a. Dave Hoffman: not a terrible outcome at all. If you spend less…
16. Jen Kent: Last idea. Republican or a rapper. You should do a trivia thing. Something fun trivia game.
17. Aditi Srivastav: Can we ask student life to help us with this. This only happens once every 4 years. It’s student life and they have money. I feel like we’re running out. I feel like 100000 won’t even suffice. I think we need to look at it more closely.
a. Brian Frazee: We’re trying to get as much money in other organizations, at least have 6000 to fall back on.
b. Whitney Torchia: It’s something we can get a lot of support. It’s a really good expenditure. I think it’s worth it even though I agree that we should be careful.
c. Jen Kent: I was going to say that. We don’t have as much money as we’d like. Spending 6000 that’s going to affect a lot more people is definitely worth it.
d. Steve Gilmore: I will not be up for other organizations wanting to do something and ask for it. We don’t have a lot of money but we do have money.
e. Rahilla Tarfa: I still think if possible, we should stress the fact that SGA is in support of election night.
f. Dave Hoffman: Office of student life budget. Vast budget is salaries and supplies. Big picture is a good thing. We provide infrastructure, advisor SEB.
18. Motion by Whitney Torchia to approve JL02-0809
a. Second by Neketa Kakar
b. VOTE: 8 for, 1 opposed (Aditi), 1 abstain (Gabe), 1 absent

VIII. Executive/ Ex-officio Report

A. Steve Gilmore: Last time, I said asking everybody to schedule a meeting. 6 of you did. Please do that tonight. It’s not that hard to do. Just do it. Homecoming update. We picked our theme for homecoming. Since we’re watching Dark Knight that Thursday. Homecoming is batman theme. T-shirts in the front say “why so serious?” in the back it says “it’s homecoming.” In the front, retriever is dressed as a joker. Back would be retriever in batman. Someone from SEB is designing it.
a. Whitney Torchia: what’s the date?
b. Steve Gilmore: Oct 23-25. Lot 17 to map out the tailgating event for the soccer game. We’re trying to get a huge inflatable moon bounce thing. We’re going to reserve a spot for organizations bring a car to tailgate with. We’re going to have a community grill. People bring their own food to cook it. Contest every hour. Best batman costume. etc. Office hours. Nayana, sending email for office hours. I know people’s schedules don’t always work that way. I want to stress to you if you can do it an hr that week, we would really appreciate it if you could. It doesn’t look good if exec members and finance members are the only ones doing it. It can be a good unity. Last thing I want to do is, talking about accountability. There are a lot of projects going on and not everyone knows what everyone’s doing. For the retreat project groups, what are people doing those? Let me see who’s in each. Also, I’ve met with Nancy Young. We just got new numbers for people returning to freshman to sophomore, 90%. Retention. Amazing to what we used to be.
B. Dave Hoffman: I want to talk to Brian and Steve after the meeting. One thing I want to add, UMBC got an award for being college of the year from Red Cross. Donated the most blood than anyone in the state.

IX. Announcements
A. Rahilla Tarfa: Forgot to meet this earlier. Commons. Want to vote more art or photographs. What do you guys think?
1. Amber Spry: I want to see current things. It’s about students. I want to see more of us.
2. Rahilla Tarfa: more current stuff, got it.
B. Brian Frazee: Commons advisory board. Pub rumors. Pub is not closing. Nothing is closing the pub. They are not making any profit of the pub. It’s from transportation increase. They’re not making any money from it and no one’s trying to shut it down.
C. Gabe Rettaliata: Halfway through first year ambassador reviews. We could be having legislation about them next Monday. Not promising anything. There are two in my mind right now. We’ll see how the rest goes

X. Roll Call

A. Present
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Sunaina Khandelwal
4. Whitney Torchia
5. Neketa Kakar
6. Brian Frazee
7. Amber Spry
8. Rahilla Tarfa
9. Chidinma Ukonne
10. Aditi Srivastav

B. Absent
1. Tascha Ebhomielen

XI. Adjournment 7:12PM

XII. Pass the Gavel

I. Call to Order 5:33PM

II. Roll Call

A. Present:
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Natasha Ebhomielen
4. Neketa Kakar
5. Sunaina Khandelwal
6. Amber Spry
7. Aditi Srivastav
8. Rahilla Tarfa
9. Whitney Torchia

B. Absent:
1. Brian Frazee [excused]
2. Chidi Ukonne

III. Approval of Minutes
A. Minutes approved by general consent

IV. Open Discussion
A. Review of Past Week
1. Tascha Ebhomielen: DVD committee: they said they’re understaffed. They’re talking about getting African movies to add to the collection.
2. Dave Hoffman: let’s introduce ourselves first. Maybe it makes sense to give a background of the other stuff.
3. Gabe Rettaliata: Went over it with them (the First Year Ambassadors) already. Let’s introduce ourselves anyways.
a) Everyone introduces themselves
4. Rahilla Tarfa: Commons Advisory Board. They want to have art for the third floor. Commonvision: they would have a running competition. Students will bring ideas, photographs of Baltimore. We didn’t reach a decision yet. Division between relevant work, UMBC work, and Baltimore-and other people want old photograph for historical perspective. Social justice area: TV was removed. No more theatre. Someone wanted more of a passive feel to it. They wanted brochures instead. Poster to talk about social justice. As it is now, people go there to eat instead of thinking it’s a social justice area.
a) Amber Spry: TV’s gone?
b) Rahilla Tarfa: Yes. They want more information about it from interfaith, women center, mosaic center, etc. Centralized information about social justice.
c) Aditi Srivastav: I definitely think the idea of a central thing is necessary. It’s not the perfect venue to do that though. People that are eating are not going to go out of their way to look at things. The TV was really effective because there were people there all the time. People watching elections and games. While the idea is really cool, it could be implemented somewhere else.
d) Rahilla Tarfa: TV kind of defeated purpose of social justice. People just have it on MTV, etc.
e) Tascha Ebhomielen: They could control the channels though.
f) Amber: My first concern is: what about putting brochures there, what makes it more centered towards social justice? They already have a place upstairs for that. I think that there’s not really that many places on campus that’s just a place for students. Getting rid of that, you can put brochures in several places.
g) Rahilla Tarfa: the area will still be there.
h) Amber Spry: they want it to be more of a conscious place.
i) Rahilla Tarfa: they want it to be a more passive place.
j) Amber Spry: what makes brochures so much more desirable?
k) Rahilla Tarfa: when you have brochures there and you sit with your friend, you’re going to pick one up.
l) Jen Kent: why don’t they leave TV and add brochures. I guess I don’t get the point of the space to begin with. Is it a place that people can go? I don’t get it.
m) Rahilla Tarfa: They want to start by having brochures and posters there. When they see a lot of people sit there, they can set something up.
n) Jen: they should leave the TV. You can watch news programs. I think they can benefit for that.
o) Rahilla Tarfa: I didn’t get who removed the TV. Person that spoke about social justice, I can talk to them about that.
p) Jen Kent: if they removed it with the intention to promote social justice, or if there’s another reason.
q) Toby Le: where is the social justice place?
r) Rahilla Tarfa: it’s by the end of the the sub shop
s) Sunaina Khandelwal: where are they putting the TV?
t) Rahilla Tarfa: I’m not sure
u) Steve Gilmore: is that space is going to be bigger in the spring since they’re moving the sub place on the second floor?
v) Rahilla Tarfa: they’re going to implement this plan later on. They’re going to talk about that later. I’ll get back to you on that.
w) Steve Gilmore: Originally, they decided one day to name it social justice theatre. Instead of saying, why have it? They said, why not? I’ll just say if there’s a plan to do something about it, then it’s fine. If it’s the same thing a couple of years ago to name it to make something of it… why not just have a TV over there?
x) Whitney Torchia: I guess we’ll just wait to hear back. If they propose that they put it in certain channels… I think we’ll just have to wait and see.
y) Amber Spry: I’m definitely on the same page. I’d be interested in what their long term goal is. If they have a plan to make something out of the social justice idea. If they don’t, compromising something else, making it a social capital initiative would be a good idea. We have to have a place like that on campus where there’s not an agenda. I think that’s an important part of campus life. It’s important to have social justice but people just need a place to be people.
z) Aditi Srivastav: I feel like eating is when you get a break from everything. Why take valuable place where to make something that’s not an attractive place to sit around?
aa) Rahilla Tarfa: You can still go there and sit down. We just don’t have a TV there. They think TV defeats the purpose of it.
bb) Amber Spry: What’s the place supposed to be?
cc) Rahilla Tarfa: social justice.
dd) Amber Spry: I don’t know on the top of my head what the sign says. I appreciate social consciousness but let’s make sure that if we’re altering student space to make it valuable.
ee) Rahilla Tarfa: they want it to be the same space as it is now. They just want a show with brochures from different departments.
ff) Aditi Srivastav: But we have a front desk for that.
gg) Sunaina Khandelwal: and they have their own offices.
hh) Dave Hoffman: maybe we can invite someone from the commons to talk about it as well.
ii) Sunaina Khandelwal: who is this person?
jj) Rahilla Tarfa: SEB’s Adam Kurtz.
kk) Gabe Rettaliata: Anybody else have anything to say about this? When’s the next meeting for that?
ll) Rahilla Tarfa: Friday at noon. If you want to attend it, it’s going to be in this room.
mm) Aditi Srivastav: Is it open?
nn) Rahilla Tarfa: Any students can come in.
oo) Jen Kent: most of the committees are open. Just ask me first.
5. Gabe Rettaliata: are we ready to move on? We already did DVD committee. You want to talk more about that Chidi?
6. Chidi Ukonne: well we kind talked to Joe Clark, he hasn’t presented me the movies yet. I think there’s a big decision… a lot of movies people keep requesting it but then they stop requesting it at a certain time. Do we want to get those kind of movies, or do we want to get new movies… since we have limited funds. We’re also understaffed. Not a lot of people know they can get movies in the library. Youtube ads of the DVD section of the library. Mini ads in the commons. They get random consensus from students. When students ask for movies, they make a note of them. We’re trying to get more movies that would cover a more diverse population. He wants to get a list of movies. When we meet, we’ll talk about that.
a) Whitney Torchia: do you have that list of DVDs that maybe we can look at?
b) Chidi Ukonne: he said that he’ll email it to me and I’ll email back.
7. Sunaina Khandelwal: RSA. Meet Tuesdays. Block party was coming up. What each community was going to do and backup plans. Nominations next week. Rep for commons advisory board. UMBCtv came to get his proposal supported and they passed it as well.
8. Jen Kent: Writing board. They are there to promote writing in general. For the past 3 years, they’ve been looking for a writing director to work with faculty members to make a syllabus to make a writing intensive course. They’re creating a faculty development center instead of hiring a writing director. Minor thing but… writing board is done through undergrad education, since they deal with grad requirements, general committee that deals with it. Huge proposal in the works. Important part: there’s also an ongoing debate about what to do with transfer students that transfer in the school. If they’ve already done a writing intensive class in another school, should they do it there as well? They’re trying to figure it out. What do you guys think about that? Do you guys understand what I’m asking?
a) Sunaina: do we know if other universities have writing intensive courses?
b) Jen Kent: I’m not really sure.
c) Sunaina Khandelwal: How can we judge? Some people can be really qualified and we’re going to make them take the course again.
d) Jen Kent: It’s hard to figure that out. It’s harder to evaluate whether or not the course is writing intensive. There’s a certain amount of writing involved in it. Feedback, transfer review, etc. To judge whether or not they’re doing it, it’s pretty intensive. You have to talk to that specific professor about it. It was definitely brought up about who’s responsibility it was to figure it out.
e) Neketa Kakar: They can’t just accept it because we don’t know their knowledge about it. It should be some kind of application or some kind of test thing. Give them opportunity to prove themselves. It might be good enough.
f) Aditi Srivastav: I agree that you have to take a writing intensive class. A lot of people come in thinking they know how to write. I was looking at taking a class at another university and applied as a transfer student, one of my English classes didn’t transfer. I had to show them a syllabus. I had to send them a writing sample from that class. There are other schools that have it. It’s not called writing intensive but it’s something like that.
g) Jen Kent: My biggest concern: It could probably affect people graduating. As of now, some departments don’t have that many writing intensive courses. Some departments may even only have one. It’s something that should be taken with your major that won’t throw you off track. My concern is that there would be students transferring have already taken the class, they have to retake the same class or they have prerequisite to it which will add more classes.
h) Amber Spry: How long has UMBC have had writing intensive requirement?
i) Jen Kent: your year (Class of 2011)
j) Matthew McNey: Is it a standard university thing?
k) Jen Kent: Writing board approves it. They present a syllabus. Course outline. We look at the amount of writing that’s going to happen in the class. If you write 2 papers, it’s not going to count. We’ve denied classes that have had a lot of writing without feedback. Point is to be a better writer. There’s no specific criteria but the board decided basically.
9. Whitney: Transcript fee. Raised 8 dollars. We’re trying to change that. We’re trying to figure out why. There’s an article in the Retriever that’s not to our benefit. Talk to registrar about what’s going on. Previously did not have transcript fee. New company that registrar is working with. This company charges them certain amount of money and they charge us in return. Estimated $8 per transcript. Lot of graduates, etc. need transcripts and it adds up to a lot of money. A lot of research around schools.. and there’s only a few that charges $8 or more. They’re usually less or free.
a) Gabe Rettaliata: Biased article. 3 of them have a higher fee than us. 3 of them are free. Others are less. They only mentioned the more expensive than us. They talked to registrar.
b) Aditi Srivastav: our school is making no profit.
c) Whitney Torchia: According to them. They totally forgot people that are applying to grad school. Next question is, where is the extra money going to?
d) Aditi Srivastav: What do they do all day? Chill out? I don’t understand
e) Whitney Torchia: That’s our question. They said the office was so crowded before. But now, I’ll ask them what they do now.
f) Chidi Ukonne: As regards to retriever weekly, I was just wondering if there’s a kind of criteria for checking the kind of info they put out.
g) Aditi Srivastav: no it’s the student voice.
h) Steve Gilmore: I wouldn’t bash them. They only reported what was told. They went on this without prior knowledge. Even if it was biased, they reported what they were told.
i) Whitney Torchia: it’s just one person’s opinion. We’re not going to give up.
10. Gabe Rettaliata: Anything else this week? University Steering Committee met Friday. Nothing great. Dr. Hrabowski was pushing MD charities group. They put a thermometer out there last year. They want us to be the biggest givers in the state. I think we won it last year. Dr. Hrabowski also came to talk about the budget. Same as what Josh was saying, cuts are forthcoming. Dr. Hrabowski wants to protect academic core as well as the people. Engaging in conservative budgeting. Smoking policy. Three years old now. They are still saying it’s a pilot program. Someone is smoking; they give them a card telling to go smoke somewhere else. Smoking policy updated online. What can happen to you if you’re caught? Students get written up in judicial affairs. Staff reported to their supervisors. There are now places where you can deposit cigarettes. Increased areas. 46 from 22. Someday they’ll enforce it for real.
a) Neketa Kakar: You can now smoke in the balcony of Chesapeake now. Who enforced that?
b) Steve: RSA can do their own plan is what it’s supposed to be. Universal, pick out spots and have them grow. There’s no 20 feet rule anymore. This is where you can smoke. Nowhere else. People get confused on where 20 feet is. Whole idea is that there are convenient places to go to so there’s no confusion. It’s still in the process where it’s a pilot program, but at least it’s more clear now.
c) Chidi Ukonne: are you allowed to walk and smoke?
d) Steve Gilmore: No. It used to be from the library to the RAC, you can smoke anywhere.
e) Amber Spry: A minute ago, you mentioned considered consecutive budgeting. Can you elaborate?
f) Steve Gilmore: We know we’re going to cut about 5% of our budget. His point was, the last time they had to do this, they didn’t have to lay people off. Whatever happens, we’re not letting people go. He has to make sure we have enough people teaching classes. He was very vague about it.
g) Tascha Ebhomielen: They will let us know before they do anything or process anything?
h) Steve Gilmore: We’ll know when they know. A lot of the decision is going to be coming after elections come around.
11. Gabe Rettaliata: SGA steering committee. It was an intense meeting. We got our issues out. Couple of things: use Corp time as much as possible. Any meetings you’re doing, just make sure it’s on there so we know when you’re free. Feel free to use it to schedule meetings. If anyone doesn’t know how to use it, just let me know. I can show you. We also brought up an issue how we present ourselves in body meetings. Particularly finance board meetings. Student organizationss trying to get money. Make sure we’re careful on how we present ourselves.
12. Chidi Ukonne: I met with Cindy Paige of residential life. I proposed of having bulletin boards in residential dorms. Or stuff that will give info about SGA. Also having SGA members going to staff meetings and talk about election night extravaganza. They’re up for it. They want us to make a template of what info we’re going to be relaying to students. Pass around times of when they’re going to have meetings. I’ll pass it around of when you can come in. Information you’re going to relay to them. It should be about two weeks from now.
a) Steve Gilmore: Can I get a copy of that? So I can get people that are a little bit more knowledgeable of it.

V. Project Updates
A. Increased Library Hours
1. Neketa Kakar: We talked about we wanted... Not necessarily 24hrs yet. We’re still trying to set up meeting. Friday library policy meeting we’ll go. Questions we’re going to ask them. What’s ultimate goal. To get longer hours. Atrium. More problems with that. It’s not quiet enough to study. Not enough tables and outlets.
2. Sunaina Khandelwal: Also, we could negotiate. One floor open instead of the entire thing for like 2 hrs longer. Specific things like that.
3. Tascha Ukonne: Power outlets, ask why they closed the ones on the floor.
B. Stress Free Zone
1. Jen Kent: Informal brainstorming meeting last week. We want to move it. We want to do less chips and food. We want to do more doughnuts and stuff. We want to do something on academic row. More beneficial that way. We’re not going to have shirts with the dog anymore. We’re going to get rid of the dog. We’re going to get shirts that are eye grabbing. We just want to do bigger events. We want a scream wall. Basically idea of canvas where people can vent. It’ll be awesome. We’ll leave it up all week. You can paint over people’s stuff. We want to do that. We want a nap zone. Instead of student orgs as hub, we can have air mattresses instead. We want to do car smashing. Tough but get it done anyways. We can do make your own stress balls. Move stuff we want to do out of student org and put it in academic row. I want to get a bunch of fake money and throw it into the commons. Then they can come to SGA office and give prizes. Alternative to doing it, hide it around campus. During finals week, people find them. Much safer but a little bit boring. Any questions?
a) Tascha Ukonne: About the money part, it will be more fun… how many times are you going to do it?
b) Jen Kent: it’s just an idea. Have a meeting on Wednesday. On the1st. SGA office. Noon to one.

C. Reaching out to International Students
1. Amber Spry: We had a brainstorming kind of meeting last week. Discuss main goals and reaching out to international students. Working on developing on working on a defined mission. 2 main focuses. One is to create a permanent organization designed for student outreach. Increasing awareness. Another thing we want to start working, hertage day. Heritage week. different student orgs African student association, etc. can have a spot… food from different countries. Traditional clothes. Traditional food. Informal way to see what’s going on. International students can see things that can remind them of something other than America.
2. Chidi Ukonne: that’s definitely it. I spoke to Damola yesterday for his diversity outreach for the executive branch of SGA. We hoped we’d be working together. We also spoke about joining other organizations to partner with us. International festival week in November, we will be having a table there. Meet students and talk about SGA. Brainstorming thing: memoirs of an international student. We would have clips of alumni/professors that have gone outside of the university that have done research. Studied abroad or are international students about challenges and how they’ve overcome it. Forum. Nancy Young or someone from residential life. Make an open forum to bring ideas and talk. Next step would be to contact Mike to do clips on UMBCtv.

D. Digital Campus Sign
1. Whitney Tochia: Black and Gold campus signage. Aditi and I met last week. Brainstormed. One of the things I did was to email Myriam, responsible to do 40th anniversary banner. She hasn’t gotten back to me yet. Asked about company she worked with to make signs. It’ll hopefully be a big jumpstart. Design, etc. we’re definitely thinking academic row.
2. Aditi Srivastav: Donna from landscaping. I told her this was our idea. I told her I was new to the process of collaborating. SGA asked to do a lot for us… would love for her feedback. Suggestions on who I can go to and how we can implement it. I also did an informal research online. Pricing for these banners are reasonable. I also emailed Jill and thinks that it’s a good idea.

VI. New Business

A. SL09-0809- Confirmation of Toby Le as First Year Ambassador
1. Gabe Rettaliata: So tell us about yourself.
2. Toby Le: bio chemistry. I’m a commuter.
3. Aditi Srivastav: why did you apply to be a FYA?
a) Toby Le: I was the president of my high school. I was involved in a lot of activities. I want to continue with that. I think it’s a good start.
4. Neketa Kakar: What do you hope to gain from this experience?
a) Toby Le: Hopefully the end of this year, to learn a lot more about UMBC.
5. Whitney Torchia: what other activities are you involved with?
a) Toby Le: VSA. I don’t really want to overwhelm myself.
6. Steve: what’s the thing you like more about UMBC so far? What should we improve in?
a) Toby Le: One thing I like is the service that UMBC provides for commuters. Shuttle bus. One thing I don’t like is that the lack of trees.
7. Gabe Rettaliata: Three words describe you best
a) Toby Le: Enthuiastic. Outgoing. Corporative.
8. Motion by Neketa Kakar to approve SL09-0809.
a) Seconded by Sunaina Khandelwhal
b) VOTE: 10 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstaining, 1 absent (Brian)

B. SL10-0809- Confirmation of Matthew McNey as First Year Ambassador
1. Matthew McNey: Political science. I’m in the Newman club. Students life. I live on campus. I live in Patapsco.
2. Whitney Torchia: What past experience have you had in high school?
a) Matthew McNey: I was in the class board.
3. Amber Spry: what made you decide to come to UMBC
a) Matthew McNey: in-state tuition.
4. Aditi Srivastav: What plans do you have if you’re confirmed as first year ambassador? What do you want to get done here?
a) Matthew McNey: Sidewalks because they don’t make sense at all.
5. Tascha Ebhomielen: Would you describe yourself as ambitious… did you really just come in as in state tuition?
a) Matthew McNey: Yes. I thought UMBC was totally wi-fi. It was a letdown.
b) Tascha Ebhomielen: is there anything that will stop you fro leaving UMBC? If you had to go to another school, is there anything else?
c) Matthew McNey: no.
6. Rahilla Tarfa: how do you like the transition so far?
a) Matthew McNey: I like it a lot.
7. Motion to approve SL10-0809 by Aditi Srivastav
a) Whitney Torchia: I object. I want to talk a little bit more. I want you to ask the three things…
b) Gabe Rettaliata: alright. three words to describe yourself.
(1) Matthew McNey: Charismatic. Hard working. Industrious
c) Aditi Srivastav: Out of place, but why did you select Matthew? Why did you feel like he was qualified?
(1) Gabe Rettaliata: For all 3 of them... Process was, we interviewed for 15 minutes. We had them describe why they applied for position. What they were involved with. one thing they liked about UMBC. One thing they didn’t like. If they could do one thing under the sun regardless of rules, what it would be. Three words described them best. Asked them questions that related to their application. We’d describe finance board and senate. All 3 had excellent interviews. Interesting plans for their position. All of them had good backgrounds. Involved in other stuff on campus. I didn’t pay too much attention to 3 words. All of them had different answers. I didn’t put a lot of weight but it definitely helped. So these 3 had excellent interviews compared to everyone that applied. I feel confident.
d) Sunaina Khandelwal: This might be repetitive but: one thing you like about UMBC so far? If it isn’t, what are some things that you don’t like and how can they be carried differently? Welcome week, classes, Patapsco, dining hall food, etc.
(1) Matthew McNey: Dining hall food. One of the best things here is student outreach. Lunch room. There’s a change of guard. My friends that had different suggestions was heard there. Next week, his suggestion was implemented. Interesting for me to see the level of commitment.
e) Rahilla Tarfa: how many applications where there
(1) Gabe Rettaliata: 20 applied, 17 went to interviews
f) Tascha Ebhomielen: can we talk to all of three of them because we’re asking them all the questions?
(1) Gabe Rettaliata: They are separate pieces of legislation, so we cannot.
g) Gabe Rettaliata: any more questions for Matthew? Do we want to discuss this?
h) Objection removed by Whitney Torchia.
(1) Motion seconded by Amber Spry
(2) VOTE: 9 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstaining, 2 absent (Rahilla and Brian)

C. SL11-0809- Confirmation of Simmi Singh as First Year Ambassador
1. Simmi Sing: Bio major. Red Cross. Best buddies. Pre med society.
2. Neketa Kakar: why did you apply for this position?
a) Simmi Singh: I wanted to get involved with SGA. My high school wasn’t open to it. I wanted to try something new. I looked online and saw your initiatives, and wanted to be a part of it. I was interested in attending these meetings to see how it goes. I wanted to be a part of sga next year.
3. Aditi Srivastav: what are your plans as FYA?
a) Simmi Singh: Taking what we do in the senate meetings, and talking to other people. I was interested in spreading what the SGA has done. SEB has free access pass for $10. Other things that you guys worked hard to give to students that hasn’t spread.
4. Tascha Ebhomielen: Do you have any idea what you want to be when you leave UMBC? What motivates you when you wake up in the morning?
a) Simmi Singh: I want to be a doctor. I really like helping people, as cheesy as that sounds. I did a lot of charity work.
b) Tascha Ebhomielen: to make money?
c) Simmi Singh: any way possible. I did a lot of charity work on my own. I really like science. That’s basically my driving force.
d) Tascha Ebhomielen: do you work well in a setting that’s charity than politically or financially lead?
e) Simmi Singh: I’m branching out. Testing the waters.
5. Amber Spry: What are the most exciting things that you found out about UMBC since you came here?
a) Simmi Singh: top 5 upcoming schools. That’s exciting. Just how tight knit communities are. My dorm, everyone knows each other. I haven’t missed home at all. That’s pretty surprising in a good way. A lot of students are enthusiastic. I thought a lot of people came here with a negative attitude. They’re actually happy to be here.
6. Gabe Rettaliata: 3 words that describe you
a) Simmi Singh: Passionate. Dedicated. Friendly.
7. Motion by Sunaina Khandelwhal to approve SL11-0809.
a) Seconded by Tascha Ebhomielen
b) VOTE: 10 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstaining, 1 absent (Brian)

D. Oath of office administered by Gabe Rettaliata.

VII. Executive/ Ex-officio Reports
1. David: This Thursday night, first debate watch in the sports zone between vice president candidates. Debate starts at 9. Ice cream starts at 8:30. Next Tuesday and following Wednesday, theyre doing it as well. Staff meeting this morning, reports that we get from students about their office. These things impact affect students. We’re talking abt how we can learn more. Posted something on my blog. So how have you experienced campus services? Hopefully people will start to talk there about their experiences.
2. Steve Gilmore: There’s been a petition going around for use of the UMBC shuttle to BWI train station stop. Apparently the marc train has been running late. For students using that for the morning, often times have missed their morning classes. Apparently there’s been more transportation through halethorpe. Satellite parking. There was a petition to lower that route and increase BWI train. I met with Ramona today to get more data. Wednesday at free hour, there’s going to be an interest open forum UC 310. People that use marc train station can voice their concern so we can get a better feel. A lot of names on the petition but it doesn’t mean that they use the station. They’re talking about… both routes, riders are up 25%. It can be UMBC students or staff and faculty. Ramona said to up the route for the marc train. It’ll cost $4500. Cutting “Jest for fun” for commuters to fund that pilot program if needed. She also was hinting about sponsorship with SGA. We won’t worry about that. I’ll be going to that forum. If anyone is interested, it’s at UC 310. Positive thing… there was a few students talking about the posting policies… student advertising. Getting bulletin board paper and giving that out to student orgs to advertise in Main Street. I ran the idea with Lee and she’s supportive. I’ll be taking to other orgs for approval. Next Wednesday at 5, SGA dinner for the whole SGA. It’ll be a good chance to meet others. That’ll be a good chance to see what’s going on in other branches.

VIII. Announcements
1. Sunaina Khandelwal: Frank Warren is coming. 8pm.
a) Jen Kent: Guy from post secret. He has books and a website. If you notice by mesquite bbque, there’s postcards on that wall from UMBC students.
2. Chidi Ukonne: I was eating in the commons today, the meal is getting changed from 1 pizza to 2 pizza for a meal.
a) Whitney Torchia: I’m on the food service committee. We’re not meeting for 2 more weeks. Anything you want to tell them, let me know and I’ll take a big list. It’s not every week like they used to be.
b) Amber Spry: I was just going to say, really cool meal deal more visible. Brighter or bigger. Especially at the grill. Maybe more diverse options for the meal plan. I don’t eat beef and chicken sandwich cost more.
3. Chidi Ukonne: Increasing student pride. We see a lot of fliers about passive information but they don’t have anyone to talk to. Do you guys think it’s possible that maybe people that put up fliers have students to talk to. Informing students by talking to them.
a) Toks Elegbe: I saw the post secret but I had no clue what it was until you said something. I don’t think it’s physically possible. Maybe like a video blog or something.
b) Chidi Ukonne: campus wide not the student org stuff. The events that everyone is encouraged to go to.
c) Jen Kent; I’m with Toks. I don’t think it’s a good idea but it’s not possible. We could encourage student orgs to do it but it’s not required to. Fliers really aren’t most effective but it’s easiest.
d) Tascha Ebhomielen: We have all these websites, but we’re still having problems to get information out to people. Why do we have problems when we have all these means?
e) Gabe Rettaliata: let’s continue this discussion outside of the meeting. Anyone who wants to talk about it, talk to Chidi.

IX. Roll Call
A. Present:
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Natasha Ebhomielen
4. Neketa Kakar
5. Sunaina Khandelwal
6. Amber Spry
7. Aditi Srivastav
8. Rahilla Tarfa
9. Whitney Torchia
10. Chidinma Ukonne
11. FYA Toby Le
12. FYA Matthew McNey
13. FYA Simmi Singh

X. Adjournment 7:09PM

XI. Pass the Gavel

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

I. Call to order 5:32PM

I. Roll Call
A. Present
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Sunaina Khandelwal
4. Whitney Torchia
5. Neketa Kakar
6. Brian Frazee
7. Amber Spry
8. Tascha Ebhomielen
9. Rahilla Tarfa
10. Chidinma Ukonne
11. Aditi Srivastav
12. FYA Matt McNey
13. FYA Toby Le
14. FYA Simmi Singh

II. Approval of Minutes

A. Minutes approved by general consent.

III. Special Guest- Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of UMBC

A. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: This is by far the most rich and diverse group of its type at UMBC in 20 years. Congrats on the leaders to do just that. I will give you my first challenge. In my 21 years at UMBC, I can only remember one woman president in student government. Does that mean women don’t aspire to be president? I want my male president to encourage my women students to think about the need for young women to see women leaders because if there was a woman college president people will be already thinking about it. Since it’s a male, people may or may not think about it. This is not saying it’s for a given year but just to think the need for leadership for all types of group. I had a woman president one year. She was also from Jamaica. Second thought is that I do honestly believe that each of you has the opportunity to be a major leader on campus. You get to hear critical news. This is the place that values transparency. If we have problems, Dr. Young will tell you what they are. I can tell you some good news that I want you to hear right now. When I got to the stock market, we close up 11%. That’s a big deal. We went up 900 some points. It is good news. Most important, nation will have more confidence in itself. I tell you that to say this, the governor will be announcing cuts and the bad news is everyone gets cut. Good news is the governor is being supporting to universities as much as we can. Major serious problems. Universities represent 20% of discretionary money. He’s cutting budget by 300 million dollars. That would’ve been 60 million to the system which would’ve been 5-6 million to us. It won’t be anything that bad. We’ll know in the next day or 2 for sure. When all of that said, we’ve been planning for a cut. We knew the economy wasn’t good. No surprise to us. 70% of the money goes to the people. Either slow down hiring or you keep hiring or lay people off. We don’t believe in laying people off. Teaching and learning process is important. Making sure you have the support. Making sure that we give people security with their jobs to support students and faculty if possible. This is not the first time we’ve had this problem. We have to manage the budget as carefully as possible. That’s our challenge. Let me stop there and I can take any questions you may have.
B. Jake Steele: This is a serious question. A good friend of mine had a birthday Saturday and that evening he was robbed at gunpoint. Almost noon today, emergency alert came up. I was disappointed at the lack of speed. If there was something going on, armed robbery could’ve been a shooting. Isolated incident could’ve been a group effort. Robberies go, that’s what happens. If you do all your dirty work at a short amount of time, it’ll be more successful. Just wondering why it came out so late. There were other students walking that could’ve been victims. 2 students walking the loop. Cellphones, credit cards, wallets were stolen. Someone had a gun.
1. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: What is our policy on how soon we tell people?
2. Nancy Young: Depends. Police assess the credibility of it. If it’s an immediate risk, we let people know. Why they made that judgment over the weekend, I don’t know.
3. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: We will check for you
4. Jake Steele: I do understand the point not to panic student body
5. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: I would assume when it happened, next 24 hrs they would be more vigilant to look for those kinds of things in those areas. We can find out the rationale for it. Fortunately it’s unusual. I would say this to you… we are so safe relative to many different places. It could happen in any campus. What do we tell people walking late at night? From my point of view… here’s the challenge, if the loop had gated entrances, then the loop could be considered comfortable part of campus. Without gate entrances, walking around the loop is like walking on Wilkens Avenue. We would think it’s the campus. For the most part, it’s fine. This is that one time. I want to make sure young women shouldn’t even be walking at 2s. Anyone could just drive into campus. We get a level of comfort because it is a comfortable place. I’m surprise we don’t have more. If people realize how comfortable people are here, it’s scarier. If you think about it, why would we think the loop would be less dangerous than Wilkens Avenue? Anyone can come in there back and forth. I don’t have the answer.
6. Nancy Young: We took that very seriously. They’re reported it Sunday at residential life. Other efforts were taken to make sure people were secure. Locks were changed.
7. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: Asking student leaders… help us decide if there’s anything else we should be saying to the campus. Should we be saying more to students living on campus at night? I don’t have the answer. What should we be saying? I just hadn’t thought about it.
8. Nancy Young: We’ve been extremely fortunate. Police circle the campus because it’s the most vulnerable part of campus. I know police will be forthcoming when they know. Remind people that nowhere is a sanctuary. I’m going to add, young men, be careful too.
9. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: I’m also worried about physical assault for women. I am saying… it’s worth for you all to think about the language we should be using. We want to make sure our students are much more careful particularly around the loop at night. We need to think through.
10. Jason Brand: Education on what to do if something like this happens to you. I don’t know what it is but talk to people.
11. Dr.Freeman Hrabowski: Give them what you got when they ask for it.
12. Nancy Young: Depends on if they want your stuff or if they want you.
13. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: Don’t get into a car with anybody. Having sessions about those kinds of things, it won’t be that bad.
14. Nancy Young: Not unusual for students to be mugged in some communities. We’re fortunate we’ve only gotten a handful. Hopefully it’s an isolated incident. We still need to take precautions because you’ll never know.
15. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: It would help to educate the students. The same people that did it before could still be out there. We need to give people education.
16. Aditi Srivastav: Something that would be effective, I don’t really know how to use the blue light emergency system. I don’t even know where all of them are. Resource we could look into. I know there are also escorts available.
17. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: People get too comfortable. It’s always good to hear what students have to say. People wanted better lighting before.
18. Amber Spry: Public service announcements. We have resources like UMBCtv to do something like that.
19. Steve Gilmore: Going back to what Jake was saying.. We don’t really know what the cause is. When the whole VTech happened, we came up with the text plan. Situation incident like this, text didn’t come up until Monday, people got worried to see if the system is actually working.
20. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: People need to know the safety issue. If it’s an emergency situation, the text message will work. What is the policy regarding timing?
21. Nancy Young: Helpful for some group of students to share to the group that could talk with the police. Where is the boundary of what you want is sent out? Helpful thing to hear is… how far you want text messaging to go?
22. Jake Steele: My greatest concern, a simple text message saying armed robbery would be sufficient. Cops deal with this on regular basis… a little bit more hardened for armed robbery. Looking into these factual messages. Students are worried just in case they were there on the loop at midnight at the same time.
23. Matthew McNey: I think it’d be better to send a message quickly when the actual event has been recorded. Right then rather than later on.
24. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: Get to experts to see what they say. It is not immediately communicated because they may be in the middle of catching the person. Communication message might prevent them. You just don’t know. You can’t second guess the experts. We do want to be safe rather than sorry. Let’s find out about the situation.
C. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: What can we do for a typical person on campus to know more activities that they may be involved in? And would you agree with me that we should have activities on the weekend than during the week?
1. Aditi Srivastav: I definitely think we need activities on weekends. I feel if there were things to do, people would say. Weekend programming would be a good idea. Reaching out to typical students to UMBC: we’ve tried. The easiest way is to continue what we’re doing and doing personal thing as supposed to emails and posters. Students are open to you walking to them and telling them about activities. Most people don’t know. Personal touch would be more effective.
2. Jason Brand: with RSA, we tried to do events on weekends… it seems that as hard as we try, it’s hard to get people to come out on weekends. If you get one of these programs that are worthwhile, you’ll get some people to stay…. You just have to keep trying to get programs in.
3. Jen Kent: I don’t think we need more but bigger events. There’s a ton of events but they’re tiny things. A lot more bigger events will draw in more people… and then you start doing smaller events.
4. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: If we can do something Saturday nights… 2-3 weekends a month, that would be great.
5. Sunaina Khandelwal: An event like Postsecret is an exception. If we want to do Postsecret on a weekend, it’ll be the same amount. We need to start big and good events on weekdays. Check it out and they really enjoy it so next year they’d remember and go to it.
6. Freeman Hrabowski: When people come and see Saturday night with nothing, even if people are in their room studying… there’s such a need a few good Saturdays.
7. Sunaina Khandelwal: I think we need to build up.
8. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: If we have good events like that, you know it’s going to be a success. You want people on campus.
9. James McCauley: A lot of that, people going home on weekends is a big deal for us. People go home on weekends because university shuts down on weekends. Food in commons is closed on weekends.
10. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: If we can figure out how many students stay on certain Saturdays, maybe a movie or something would work. Then that’d be a way to work with commons staff to have it open.
11. Yasmin Karimian: coming from the side that funds the events, people advertising is our problem. I’d argue that we have 3 weekends in a month that’s over $1500 funded. The problem is the turnouts are low because word doesn’t get out. I wouldn’t say there’s not anything to do.
12. Chidi: I would start by saying, beginning of semester… freshmen came up to me… and asked what was next since welcome week was over. Honestly speaking, academics are important and social life is also important. They want to sleep during the weekend. They don’t want to go anywhere where there isn’t anything fun going on. If we get faculty involved in campus, they do have to study for exams but they also have to socialize.
13. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: some majors require more studying. It’s not the faculty, it’s you all. We can be supportive of you all but you decide what to do.
14. Amber Spry: my main concern is that… this lack of participation… it’s such a part of UMBC culture. It’s not the question of whether or not we’re having the right events…. The fact that there aren’t places to eat on campus during the weekends… we can’t just pinpoint on one thing. We start with small stuff first.
15. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: You guys have a lot of money for a student program. There’s a need for stronger student leadership to get the spirit out there. If you can get hot events... should be on Saturday nights… students should be really involved. If you could choose certain Saturdays that have really good events, and have something else during the day, we can work to have more places to eat because we’ll guarantee to have a certain amount f people go there.
16. Nayana Davis: Reaching out to typical student… connected to at least one student organization. Amber and I… working on a Halloween fest… first thing we did to advertise the event was not to go to people… 16 student organizations who would also be advertising to us. I think another thing about building up to the weekend. We can’t expect students to stay in the weekends unless we show them what we’re capable of. Follow up more events like Postsecret.
17. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: number one strength of UMBC is that we have broken all records in the number of students that have done academic success. That’s the reason. The reason we are 5th in the country is that reason. No other MD schools in that group. Once we have that out of the way, I still want people to have fun.
18. Nayana Davis: events should be much more accessible.
19. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: Most students don’t experience the amazing events that other students organizations sponsor.
20. Nancy Young: I think Freeman has laid out a challenge for you. I think we need help in changing perception. Starting connections between student leaders… join together. We’re struggling with space. We did the first 3 weeks of welcome week, and then there were 3 more events planned. How you do space and how you do connections. Listen to some of the ideas you put out tonight. Not ideas for the future because you’re already doing them. We need real leaders.
21. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: I’m glad people are studying but I want them to have fun too.
22. Aditi Srivastav: Something that would help, something you just said… if you said that to people… people will listen to you. If our own president will say that, they might listen.
23. Dr Freeman Habrowski: The culture is such that people do tend to hang in groups. They do their thing in groups. We should have the regular opportunities to see a lot of people having fun. If you could have something once a weekend, that will really help a lot. I will your PR person if you show me the activities. I challenge you that by the beginning of spring let us know what your plans are and how we can be supportive.

IV. Open Discussion

B. Review of past week
1. Sunaina Khandelwal: RSA met and they were all talking about Halloween. Following different activities for different residential halls. How to budget. Told about SGA Halloween fest. They wanted info about election night extravaganza to collaborate.
2. Jake Steele: Athletics committee. Review UMBC official visits. We also discussed how specifically athletic department could commit climate task force of lowering carbon footprint on campus. We have begun NCAA recertification D1. I am sitting on the academic sub committee. We are in charge of developing tactics on how to increase our ability to graduate scholar athletes at the university. We continue to have high academic results. UMBC sets a benchmark for high academic scholar.
3. Brian Frazee: elections night extravaganza met last week. Final touches. Final debate party is this Wednesday.
C. Transcript Fee Update
1. Whitney Torchia: Met with Yvette. Really good meeting. Expressed concerns of students. Told her what we’ve been hearing. Give us input on everything. Said everything Robinson said. She’s willing to look into first 3 free to see how it’s done in other schools. See if it’s possible for us to do it.
2. Gabe Rettaliata: I was scared at first because she said she wanted to see how you can help me. As we went on to discuss our fears on how we can compromise with their issues, she became receptive on how other schools are doing it. When Robinson got here, they had a fee in their old school. Didn’t really look at other options that were available. Possibly opened Yvette’s eyes. How to keep track on how many free transcripts have gone.
3. Nancy Young: her eyes are open
4. Gabe Rettaliata: hopefully progress will be quick with that.
5. Nancy Young: I think it’s important to stop and recognize success. Wherever you land, you may not always agree with the solution but you’ve been heard.

V. Project Updates
A. Increased Library Hours
1. Neketa Kakar: Met on Friday. A lot of questions, we tried to get answered. Set up meetings with a lot of people. If you have any other questions, please let us know since we’re just on the process of setting meetings up.
2. Gabe Rettaliata: Suggestion heard from Dr. Young- Re-designing atrium.
3. Neketa Kakar: That’s what I mentioned to them. Changing the environment and the tables and things like that.

B. Stress Free Zone Revamp
1. Jen Kent: No real updates since last time. Meeting next Monday. That’ll be at 10am. More planning. I’m still taking suggestions. Want to see happen or not, let me know.
2. David Hoffman: During the tour, potential new students… when tour guide brought to student org place, she talked about stress free zone. I wonder if it’s possible to continue the things we’ve been doing as well.
3. Jason Brand: Discussion last week of car smashing idea… people expressed showed cautiousness. Maybe do something like office space. Taking old printers, computer monitors and smashing them to pieces with baseball bats.

C. Reaching out to International Students
1. Amber Spry: What we’ve been going over, what we have planned, heritage day… a more formal event for international students. A whole community really. Something that’s a big presence on campus. The main thing for conversation is whether or not we want this to be a one time event to make it something in one day, festival scenario in the afternoon. Formal event in the afternoon. Or whether we want to spread event out in a week and maybe a continent featured on each day… which might be a strain on our resources. Depends on what student involvement will be like.
2. Jake Steele: What about the program mosaic did before? Provided resources in conjunction with SGA. I think that would be worth looking at. It’s already an event backed by the mosaic.
i. Amber Spry: Do they still do it?
ii. Jake Steele: as of last spring they did.
3. Toby Le: I’m meeting with the coordinator of the mosaic. I’ll get update on that tomorrow.
4. Tasha Ebhomielen: We kind of had a minor meeting. We’re thinking that we’d probably do the Asian continent on one day. African continent in another day. If we put everything together, there wouldn’t be enough space. Too much to take in. We want people to concentrate. That’s what we’re thinking of. We haven’t really discussed it yet but it’s an option.
5. Chidi Ukonne: We do recognize the fact that we have offices on campus that’s bringing international awareness on campus. Objective: work with these offices such as residential life, international student services, mosaic center, etc. bring our sources together and merge our ideas together. We’re also hoping it to be a continuous program.
6. Jason Brand: you might also want to get in contact with Chartwells. Food is culture. To get people into different kinds of food.
7. Amber Spry: we’re setting it up as a festival.
8. Jake Steele: I think it’d be cool… rather than separating it, to take the entire commons space, and turn it into a whole world wide festival. Things set up in every hallway. Set up in every available space. Close it up as close as you can to the earth. As you walk, it might take you hours to do it. It might take time to do it but it’ll be awesome.
9. Amber Spry: it seems more feasible, actually.
10. Aditi Srivastav: I really like the idea doing something in the evening. I’m never in the commons. Since it’s an international heritage day and follow something at night, people will stay. There are a lot of people that can perform that can do something in their own country and it will bring different populations. If we can get the commons or UC ballroom, that would be awesome.
11. Nancy Young: I love it because I just had a conversation with Gabe and Steve about something else that as we think about students thinking about big scale events, I think it sounds brilliant. We could be moving us in the first 6 weeks of school.
12. Amber Spry: I hope it becomes a bigger event every year.

D. Black and Gold Campus Signage
1. Whitney Torchia: We are in contact with the people. We need to do our research. Adam offered to do illustration. Lisa wants us to come with a product. Willing to work with us after that.
2. Aditi Srivastav: It’s going to be a little bit more difficult since Jill is leaving. Slower process but it’s going to happen. I was forwarded to the right people. Adam is going to design it for us.

VI. New Business
1. SL07-0809- Confirmation of Damola Sijuwade as Director of Diversity Affairs
a. Damola Sijuwade: I was here before but now I’m director. I have a lot of stuff that Betty sent to Steve. I’m still in need of a team. I don’t know exactly everyone I’m going to be working with. Steve is still accepting applications. We’re starting up with heritage fest. Another goal I’m going to work is to improve quality of events like the Around the World. I’m going to start meeting with leaders of student organizations to get to know everyone.
b. Sunaina Khandelwal: Suggestion, reach out individual cultural groups we have here. Have representatives. Instead of just meeting them, have it as a post.
c. Gabe Rettaliata: Details about your plans aside from around the world?
a. Damola Sijuwade: What Betty has… host a open form discussion. Assist the department language and linguistics. Coordinate activities for international students.
d. Gabe Rettaliata: Do you have any ideas of your own?
a. Damola Sijuwade: No, not really
e. Steve Gilmore: This is a last minute thing. I’m not going a semester without a director of diversity.
f. Gabe Rettaliata: I heard some suggestions on how to do our confirmation policy. Some want candidates to leave the room.
g. Jen Kent: I disagree. I want people to express their opinions without being scared of the person being there.
h. Jason Brand: for RSA, we always have them step out of the room
i. Aditi Srivastav: I just see a lot of uncertainty in people’s faces. I think we should just vote on whether or not we want him to leave.
j. Rahilla Tarfa: Why can’t we just do this the way we’ve been doing this and have him stay?
k. Jason Brand: What are your responsibilities be as diversity chair
a. Damola Sijuwade: Getting acquainted to different cultures/organizations.
l. Gabe Rettaliata: I had this concern last time… he didn’t have any ideas. He’s basing plans based on Betty’s ideas. I wanted to see if he had ideas of his own… concern that I have.
m. Amber Spry: If he shows himself capable to execute things, he’s going to have a team of people to contribute ideas. Execution is just as important.
n. Brian Frazee: As a compromise, would you be in favor to table it and see if he can come up with any plans for next week?
o. Steve Gilmore: I think it’s irrelevant. The role is to execute, not to come up with them.
p. Jen Kent: in response to Amber’s statement… I also had the concern he didn’t have specific ideas. I’d be more comfortable in that if there was a team in place.
q. Rahilla Tarfa: in the past, I didn’t see a lot from it. I didn’t see a lot from the office last year.
r. Jen Kent: I know Betty can’t do the position… is she still going to be around?
a. Steve Gilmore: She’s still helping. The only involvement is working on the action plan.
s. Aditi Srivastav: I was just really turned off and not have a director. It made me feel like he’s just another candidate that you need because you don’t have a director. I feel like he’s just filling the position. He might be very well qualified.
a. Steve Gilmore: In the beginning, he was considered as director. Damola is a different kind of director.
t. Motion to approve SL08-0809 by Aditi Srivastav.
a. Seconded by Neketa Kakar
b. VOTE: 10 for, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining (Gabe), 0 absent.

B. JL03-0809- General Ledger Allocation for Halloween Fest
1. Nayana Davis: purpose… one of those events that would enliven our campus. right on Erickson field. Campus unifying event. Expect 400-500 people to come. Means for student organizations to get themselves out there. Almost involvement fest. Student orgs will run specific activities. Expanding campus activities. We just got our fliers printed out.
2. Jen: you should paint Erickson field.
3. Rahilla: do you know what the weather is going to be like?
a. Nayana: if it rains, a tent. We’ll be keeping an eye on that. we also booked main street just in case it rains. There are back up plans
4. Neketa: we also do fliers.
5. Nayana: we have a few shirts advertising it.
6. Jen: are the tshirts being paid for this?
a. Nayana: no. the food that we’re getting it is through Silva’ catering company. We’re also looking for giant to donate some of the food listed.
7. Motion to approve JL03-0809 by Aditi Srivastav
a. Seconded by Whitney Torchia
b. VOTE: 10 for, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining, 0 absent.

VII. Executive/ Ex-officio Reports
D. Jason Brand: Didn’t do much last week. Discussion on housing selection house force. Thinking about doing focus groups. 500-600 people on waiting list still.
E. Steve Gilmore: Had a meeting and said there was 240 people on the waiting list
1. Jason Brand: saying 5th year seniors, move off campus. If you’re interested on being on the task force… contact Jackie. Elected midnight breakfast chair.
F. Steve Gilmore: There’s this company installing cell phone charging unit… if you’re phone is dying, it’s fully charged. Won’t cost anything for student. Guy called today. Meeting with him. If you want to come, there’s a demonstration. Towson is getting this installed in 2 weeks. Election night extravaganza… meeting this Friday. 3 weeks until election. Tomorrow, I’ll be sending out sheet for homecoming volunteers. Mainly need volunteers for tailgating party. Adding on to housing difficulties, they’re looking for suggestions.
G. Nayana Davis: I put up a white board on SGA projects. If you need help with projects, you can put that on there.
H. David Indek: Swipe red card for points. Reward for each level. Encouraging students to attend events for points. 2 other projects… plans for student peer advising. Plan students on requirement side. Other project is advisors for judicial services.

VIII. Announcements
A. Brian Frazee: USM… endorsed slots. Disappointed on the way they handled it. A lot of people took it the wrong way. If students are really upset about this… we put aside our personal decisions about this for the betterment of the students.
B. Whitney Torchia: Ken Baron… said he got an email from you (Gabe)… interested in meeting with us. Based on little things, surveys for the advising from freshmen are good.
1. Nayana Davis: He’s very receptive. He’s very interested in hearing what you have to say.
C. Chidi Ukonne: Sent an email as regards to movie lists that we’re purchasing.
D. Whitney Torchia: I have my food service committee on Wednesday. E-mail me your opinions.
E. David Indek: MSAC… meeting on the 25th.
F. Gabe: Yasmin wanted me to tell you, treasurer meeting on Wednesday 3-4, ITE 233. If you’re unsure how to answer a club’s question about money, I recommend you go to this. Office hours, make sure you’re all doing them. Guest again next week is Lee Calizo. I did want to comment on what we did today. The food thing, we should keep it the way it is. This isn’t the place to be eating.
1. Nayana Davis: I like the idea but if you have classes up until now, you need to eat.
2. Amber Spry: I was just going to say… I’m on the same page as Gabe. Use your discretion. Don’t bring a 4 course meal.

IX. Roll Call

A. Present
1. Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2. Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3. Sunaina Khandelwal
4. Whitney Torchia
5. Neketa Kakar
6. Brian Frazee
7. Amber Spry
8. Tascha Ebhomielen
9. Chidinma Ukonne
10. FYA Matt McNey
11. FYA Toby Le
12. FYA Simmi Singh
B. Absent:
1. Aditi Srivastav
2. Rahilla Tarfa

X. Adjournment 7:34PM
XI. Pass the Gavel

UMBC SGA Senate Agenda
Monday, October 20, 2008
Commons 318 5:30PM

I) Call to Order (5:32 pm)

II) Roll Call

A) Present:
1) Speaker Gabe Rettaliata
2) Assistant Speaker Jen Kent
3) Tasha Ebhomielen
4) Brian Frazee
5) Sunaina Khandelwal
6) Amber Spry
7) Aditi Srivastav
8) Rahilla Tarfa
9) Whitney Torchia
10) FYA Toby Le
11) FYA Matthew McNey
12) FYA Simmi Singh

B) Absent:
1) Neketa Kakar (excused)
2) Chidinma Ukonne (excused)

III) Approval of Minutes

A) Minutes approved by general consent

IV) Special Guest- Dr. Lee Calizo, Director of the Office of Student Life

A) Lee Calizo: Thank you for inviting me. I am excited about coming to this group and have been keeping in touch with Steve about what this group is doing. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the students, it is appreciated and needed. Gabe asked me to give you a little information about student life. I wanted to tell you that we are a bit short staffed in the Office of Student Life. Our hope is that in the spring we will find one staff person. We are going full force of supporting students even without that one staff member. We have reshaped Erin Hundley- Carter’s role after she left and Erica’s new role is molded around student organizations. Over the course of this year, Erica will be spear-heading the programs of advisers for student organizations which is a huge priority. We are also trying to figure out how to keep supporting student organizations. The Event Planning and Conference Services has been a great help so that Office of Student Life focuses more on the missions, constitutions, and aid to organizations and not consumed by event planning. Our staff is committed to helping student organizations. CAS Review is another focus. A group of administrators across the country have set standards for universities. Leadership programs and event planning will be assessed and focused on this year for student life. My hope is that at some point during the process some of you will be interviewed and asked about the process. Another focus is leadership programs. The LATTE retreat for example is trying to pull leaders together. Leadershape is now the STRiVE retreat that has been developed by our own staff that will be in January. The last area I will mention today is reshaping the mission and focus of the Mosaic culture center. It is time for us to look to our partners and find the shape and purpose of center to make sure we are meeting the needs of our campus. The piece that remains the focus is supporting students.
1) Fouad Kanaan: What exactly do you guys have planned for the Mosaic space? I am a cultural peer.
a) Lee Calizo: I want that to be shaped by students and partners across campus, I do not have an exact plan at this time.
2) Jen Kent: I have a question about the retreat. What does it look like? Do we have an overview:
a) David Hoffman: It is going to be four days and three nights at Camp Letts. We are going to focus on using resources on and off campus to form the world in groups. The groups will focus on things they want to do and change. There will also be leadership simulations. We will be orienting people to recognize when leadership will be helpful. You are in a situation that is chaotic and you need to recognize when you need to step up as a leader. The students involved are Steve, Brian and Yasmin in this room.
3) Amber Spry: I know you gave a little bit of an overview about the CAS Review. What do you plan to do to meet those requirements?
a) Lee Calizo: The assessment is a checklist of must haves and things that would be good to have. We are trying to see where we stand on the standards and my guess is that we won’t quite meet what they say we have and we would hope to move in those directions. My guess is also that we have things that most schools don’t have. We are just hoping to set priorities for the next few years.
b) Amber Spry: Who reviews it?
c) Lee Calizo: Good question. Last week we had the assessment of the Greek Life, externally. For CAS Review there will be teams of 3 or 4. Each of those groups would contain one student life person and two external members outside of OSL.
4) Jen Kent: What kind of resource do you see yourself as to us?
a) Lee Calizo: Steve and I meet once a month to keep in touch. I have every Friday afternoon several hours blocked out for students so if anyone wants to meet I am absolutely welcome to meeting with you. I think I see my role with you as being a source of information and an access way to other information and resources. Whatever ways you can envision for me to being helpful, I am absolutely available.
b) David Hoffman: Lee is the point person for helping students outside of academic life. Lee is thinking about these things and she is also someone who other people turn to see with what is going on with students. So this is an opportunity for you to talk with her to say what you want other people to hear. Lee is someone who Dr. Hrabowski, for example, would turn to, to know what is going on with students.
c) Lee Calizo: Once a month I attend the meetings with a group of students and that is another place where students and administrators turn to me for what is the voice of what students would say. So I want to hear messages you want to get out.
5) Whitney Torchia: One of the main things we are working on right now is the transcript fee. We are trying to find out why it was implemented and trying to find alternate options of paying $8 for each transcript.
6) Brian Frazee: We are also working on 24 hour spaces and the only place is the atrium library and with over 4000 students living on campus we need more space that is open to all students to use 24 hours a day.
7) Gabe Rettaliata: Lee, I have a question. I was wondering if there has been any talk about changing the use of the Fireside Lounge? Students are not allowed to use that room, even though they paid for the Commons.
a) Lee Calizo: If there are students who want to take that on and look into it, I am welcome to meeting with students about it.
b) Steve Gilmore: I heard that students are welcome to the Fireside Lounge now.
c) Michael (UMBCtv): Simon says it is now able to be booked. So I don’t know what the changes are because he said it was.
8) Amber Spry: What is one of the biggest needs that you see on our campus that SGA might be able to address with you?
a) Lee Calizo: I think it is changing campus culture about what students say. We have the power to change messages such as there is nothing to do on campus and we can do that. We need to help students feel empowered to make change. There needs to be efforts to change things students do not like. Students have a whole lot of potential to make change so bring those frustrations forward and let’s do something about it.
9) Amber Spry: What is the main thing to do to change the culture of the school?
a) Lee: One thing I have been working on is marketing and we have hired students to be marketing interns. Hopefully some of their efforts to change word of mouth is changing the culture. I guess what I would offer is if there are things that you want me to be voicing opinions for students please come to me.
10) Jen Kent: I was an OPA this summer and a lot of the freshmen were extremely excited about coming here. People would say “I know there is nothing to do on campus,” I think there needs to be a change of what people say. There have been staff and administration who say such things and I think that needs to change.
a) Lee Calizo: There are people who talk about UMBC like that because they knew about twenty years ago. I absolutely agree that needs to change.
b) Aditi Srivastav: I was a woolie and students were really excited about the first few weeks of school. Students started going home after 3 weeks and things on campus shut down. SGA has been talking about students feeling like the campus shuts down and there is nothing to do. I think it would be helpful for students to move in a day early when the come in from winter break. Students move in on a Sunday and maybe it will be helpful to move in on that Saturday.
c) Lee Calizo: If any of you have ideas about the winter programs please come talk to me.
11) Jason Brand: What can RSA and ResLife do in conjunction with OSL and SGA to improve the quality of resident students’ experience?
a) Jen Kent: I know I have talked about this before, there are a lot of little things to do on the weekends and instead of spending of $500 on little programs lets combine the money and have a lot of larger programs. Condense things into big things.
b) Michael: I was a spring transfer and I did not think winter welcome week was nearly as informative as the fall welcome week. I pretty much asked other students and my roommates were a big help.
c) Amber Spry: About RSA, I think that one thing I have noticed that there are a lot of little events and we need to encourage student organizations to co-host events. Most students are a part of at least one organization, so organizations should join together.
d) Brian Frazee: I think big programming is a good idea and I think we need to gear programs towards students’ interests. For example computer games, we can do in the Commons instead of students being in their rooms.
e) Jen Kent: Things need to be open. It is not all about an event, everyone needs to eat food for example. So the Commons needs to be open.
f) Whitney Torchia: I want to Food Service Committee, they are moving the sub place to the Grill so they described it more like a Quizno’s so that will be open and students will have more options. They are going to look into who is closing early and making sure places staying open to at least 7:30.
g) Matt McNey: Why not just have a big huge blow out every other weekend? Like a giant pool party.
h) Aditi Srivastav: Things need to be visible.
i) Michael: There are a lot of students that are doing events by themselves such as Flag Football. OSL should be more proactive about finding these events and advertising.
j) Lee Calizo: Do you think that spontaneous student events carry more weight?
i. Michael: Yes. A lot of events seem like have to appeal to a broad amount of people so specializing events would appeal more to specific students.
ii. David Hoffman: That is the opposite point that Brian made.
k) Amber Spry: I just had another comment. I really feel like perception has a lot to do with culture. If we were walking down academic row and it looked more spirited people would feel that way. Where do you see yourself as a tool to making this place look more active? You cannot look at the school and tell what the mascot is.
i. Lee Calizo: Let’s talk about what it should be like.
ii. Aditi Srivastav: This is kind of like a plug. Me and Whitney are focusing on this, one of our main concerns was what are we going to get out hanging up banners that are spirited. Teachers could also be wearing UMBC colors and such. Would you be able to help us?
iii. Lee Calizo: Absolutely. I would agree there is great power within the students but it would also helpful to have faculty and staff to be spirited.

V) V. Open Discussion

A) Review of the past week
1) Sunaina Khandelwal: One of the representatives put out a proposal for an “On the Hills” program. RSA wants to host an event there and they are looking at Friday night. They are looking to have a maze and cider and such in Mid-November. There is only a proposal put in so far but it looks like it will past.
a) Amber Spry: I think they should find a location that will be a bit more central to campus.
i. Sunaina Khandelwal: They want to have it close to the apartments and residential halls.
ii. Michael: We are now looking at using the open space to Harbor where the dam is.
b) Whitney Torchia: Isn’t it going to be cold in November? Will they have a fire?
i. Sunaina Khandelwal: Everything is the planning stage.
c) Jason Brand: If anyone has suggestions, email them to me.
d) Amber Spry: What is the purpose of the event?
i. Jason Brand: It is a harvest fall themed festival. Mike and CJ are the people to talk to.
e) Brandon Cottom: I think RSA should put this out to more students and organizations rather than keeping it to itself.
f) Amber Spry: Involving many student organizations increases the amount of people that come out to events.
2) Toby Le: First Year Council met and there are about 15 students. We are reflecting on the first year experience.
3) Whitney Torchia: I have a lot of information about the UMBC food services meeting. I can directly contact Chartwells. There are open to suggestions. Next July will be Starbucks. There is going to be a revamping of the Dining Hall. You can see the cooks and interact with them and such. It will be completely different when we get back in the fall. They will provide me with the brochure next month. They’re changing Pizzarena. Higher quality. Trying to do meal plan stuff. Taco and quesadilla instead for meal plan. UC Express where Chick-fil-a will be… offer meal plans while they’re trying to get Chick-fil-a running. Join texting on campus. Go to their dining site. Sign up there. They give coupons out. They’re doing surveys in dining hall. You get free water as incentive. Recipe from home. Sub place is starting five dollar foot long. Fresh fusion place… Indian place. They can put anything you want in that spot. Anything cultural.
a) Amber Spry: for the Fresh Fushions, can they incorporate soul food? And maybe Thai Food. Also, were they working on diversity of meal options in the commons?
i. Whitney Torchia: Yea, like with the burrito thing. They’re trying to do it universally like the pizza place. They’re trying to have more than one meal option.
ii. Amber Spry: can they do a low carb meal options?
iii. Whitney Torchia: they’re actually doing wheat bagels
b) Jen Kent: I tried to get a grilled chicken sandwich with a drink and it was like $9. It was ridiculous. I think they should do something about it not being $9. It went up because it didn’t start with that. It was sandwich, fries and a drink. Maybe ask them why there was a price increase.
c) Fouad: The computer at the spot is stupid. I genuinely thing from my IT experiences, the computer yesterday night wasn’t working. I could swipe $100 and it’ll go through. It’s so retarded there and it keeps changing.
i. Simmi Singh: So I thought I had 4 meals left. Sunday night, I had to have food. This Saturday, I have to have at least 2 meals. I had 4 according online. Whoever was working there said I had no meals. I checked online yesterday night and it said I have 4 left. I just walked away
ii. Fouad: Basically, something is going there. Card services with that computer. There’s no coordination going on. Instead of talking to my boss, I’m talking to you.
iii. Whitney Torchia: That computer is the only one that’s messed up. It’s the only one that’s detached. Campus card actually comes to our meeting as well. I’ll send an email again saying there are a lot of issues. Address unlimited meal plan issues. The campus cash guy said that they were giving people a gift. They said it wasn’t Chartwell’s fault.
iv. Simmi Singh: if I’m eating in the dining hall, it’s $9? And when I get outtakes, it’s $5.
v. Whitney Torchia: You get a meal when you go to the dining hall. It’s the meal deal. You get one meal, and that’s what you get.
vi. Jason Brand: I think the reason of the way it works… I think they basically want you to eat at the dining hall.
vii. Whitney Torchia: commuters have an option to buy a meal plan.
viii. Aditi Srivastav: I remember last year when they were chosen, no more meal periods. You can swipe in whenever you want. That’s the impression I got.
d) Whitney Torchia: they’re actually proposing a plan. 200 meals, you can use it whenever you want. An athlete said that her practice schedule won’t allow her to eat on meal times. They’re working on proposing it for next semester or next fall for sure. That’s the option you’d choose.
i. Fouad: you can’t swipe 2 meals at the spot.
ii. Whitney Torchia: I was under the impression there isn’t at 200.
iii. Fouad: there is but it’s not working the way it should be.
iv. Simmi Singh: my friends have unlimited and they said they don’t have a 4th meal.
v. Fouad: it’s only that computer.
e) Whitney Torchia: re-name the dining hall. They want suggestions for that. Another input is tray-less day. That way you can get one plate… minimize having excess food. They’ve been weighing how much food we waste and it’s a lot.
f) Yasmin Karimian: I don’t really want renovations while I’m paying $10. I think they should prioritize. I think it’s clear that we want our students to eat Sunday nights so they need to fix that computer. That situation should not be happening with the register at the Spot. People that have 200 meals should get 200 meals. I’m saying that there needs to be something said that whatever you’re doing over the summer is great, but they should be prioritizing. There are situations that should not be happening.
i. Whitney Torchia: those situations are getting worked on.
ii. Yasmin Karimian: I don’t care if they are working on it, it should just not be happening.
iii. Fouad: they should have an emergency meal option.
iv. Whitney Torchia: if you have any more suggestions, please e-mail me.
4) Brian Frazee: I’ve been talking to USM council; Josh said there was going to be a bunch of budget cuts. I just supervised exact numbers. A lot of services are going to be cut. Write a letter to administration when the budget cuts are going to happen.
a) Gabe Rettaliata: This was talked about at the University Steering Committee on Friday. Lynne Schaefer was giving us overview of what happened with the budget. 1.3 million dollars is being taken out of base budget out of UMBC. To meet the cuts on the 1.3 million, so far we’re meeting that with our hiring freeze. Reducing facilities project. Cover the budget for this year…09. Fiscal year ’10 is a much tougher year. As far as the reserved funds, that’s going straight back to the state. She did forewarn that there could be more cuts.
5) Jen Kent: Gabe and I. Academic Conduct Committee. Conduct policy changes are done. We’ll bring it to the senate. McCauley and I are working on senior gift. We have been asking student organizations that are art based on feedback.
6) Rahilla Tarfa: update from the Commons Advisory Board. Social Justice Lounge. What they’re going to do is have shelves installed. Display educations pamphlets from educational programs on campus. They’re going to place frames on periodical rotations. They’re also going to keep reviewing the lounge to see how far it’s coming along when it comes to passive programming. The TV was removed because it was broken not because of the passive programming. They have a committee right now. This Friday, they will have the final proposal. They’re not going to put the TV back. When the TV was there, people just kept changing the channel to MTV. Also, the game is called Corn Wall. That’s the game they’re thinking about putting in the game room. They’re welcoming ideas that we want to see in the game room. I think that’s pretty much it.
7) Gabe Rettaliata: UMBC Steering Committee. Gave us number participation that happened last year in MD Charities Campaign. Increased in raising $120,000 to $122,000. SGA contributed a total of $40 from senate sponsored activities. They’re not pressuring us to give. Other than that, the budget thing was a big deal. Steve also talked about the security deal. Something that’s going to be coming up, PeopleSoft is going to be changing. Computer system used to do eve