The meeting of the 60th Student Senate was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by Student Senate President Nathasha Cole.
Senator Loe led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moment of Silent Reflection:
MEMBERS PRESENT (First Roll Call): Senators Abreu, Arnston-Kynn, Atkins, Bevil, Born, Cardenas, Charlemagne, Colley, Copeland, Crabtree, Cuyler, Daniels, Dawson, DuBosar, Eliadis, Emilien, English, Fasano, B. Fisher, Z. Fisher, Goins, Greb, Guiddy, Howard, Jackson, James, Kaufman, B. Kushner, L. Kushner, Loe, A. Malone, P. Malone, Misita, Mitchell, Mook, Oliver, Ondriska, Omega, Parks, Pierre, Pisternik, Sifter, Simmons, Slade, Sokos, Tomlinson, Toole, Velasquez, Vigilant, Yeager.
MEMBERS ABSENT: (First Roll Call): Senators Auger, Barbas, Frady, Hall, LaCroix, Patterson, Sexton, Whitter, Wilson.
MEMBERS TARDY/LATE (First Roll Call): Senators Alexander (8:17), Benson (8:26), Heartley (10:20).
Corrections: None.
Student Comments: Danyell Shackelford, BSU Political Action Co-chair, announced that the “Divided We Fall Conference” will take place on April 11-13, and will feature Dick Gregory and JoAnn Martin. She invited the Senate and said that in order to eat you have to register: there will be free t-shirts, also . Asha Brewer-Fields, NPHC President told the Senate that the Greek Funding Board is a product of Greek Life, and they make sure they are accountable for the money. She asked the Senate to support the bill that is coming up tonight.
Special Introductions and Announcements: Louis Dilbert, former Senate President, congratulated the new Senators and advised them to be ethical and work across the isle. David Grimes introduced the USSA delegation. He said that the USSA is group that believes that education is a right and dues are twenty-five cents a student, which is less than FSA. He said USSA represents 276 campuses and 5.5 million students. Grimes said that he was elected Southeast Regional Vice Chair.
Messages from the Executive Branch: Laymon Hicks, Student Body President, told the Senate that he is looking forward to working with Senate and he is looking for die hard students that care about students. Student Body Vice President Ryan Powers said he is looking for increased corporation between the Senate and the Executive. Hicks asked the Senate to please support Patrick Emilien for OLA Director and Sara Moallem for Chief of Staff. He said they picked someone who they could work with and that fits the puzzle.
Messages from Agency and Bureau Directors, and SGA Organization Officers and Employees: Jose Requena, HLSU Director, announced that their week, “Voices, Vision and Traditions,” starts Sunday with a concert at the Moon and their events are very diverse and reaches out to the student body. Ashley Finley, ILS Secretary, announced that Representative Dave Aronberg will speak at COGS on Thursday, at 7 p.m. Jessica Redling, 2008 Homecoming Chair, told the Senate that their theme for Homecoming 2008 is “Unconquered Legacy”, and she asked the Senate to please support them. Sandra Miles congratulated and welcomed the newly elected Senators and asked them to reach out and talk to people, which will help them to be more effective to the students. Joyce Howard also welcomed the new Senators. She advised them to ask questions and listen to the debate and vote in the best interest of the students.
Messages from the Congress of Graduate Students: None.
Messages from the Senior Class Council: None.
Messages from the Judicial Branch: None.
Messages from the Union Board: Sadie Molinet, Union Board Chair, announced that their next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 9, in room 311 A at 4:30 p.m. She said they will be electing a chair and putting students on funding boards.
Messages from Campus Recreation: Adam Fox, Campus Recreation Chair, welcomed and congratulated the new Chairs.
Report of the Student Body Auditor: As of April 1, 2008, Senate Projects is $10,655.00.
Committee Reports:
Student Affairs-Chair Toole explained what the committee does.
Budget-Vice Chairman Howard explained to the new Senators what the committee duties entailed.
Finance-Chair Fasano explained to the new Senators what the committee does.
Judiciary-Chairman Seifter explained to the new Senators what the committee does. He also announced that Senator Goins is the new Vice Chair. The committee will meet on Mondays at 5:15 p.m.
Internal Affairs-The committee elected Senator Kaufman and the new Chair and explained to the new Senators what the committee does. She made a motion to go into Committee of the Whole to interview candidates. The motion passed and the Senate interviewed and passed the following: Patrick Emilien for OLA Director and Sara Moallem for Chief of Staff. There was a motion to make the decision of the committee as the decision of the Senate, the motion passed.
Rules and Calendar-There was motion to forward Carter Harrison for Arts and Sciences Seat 1. The motion was withdrawn and Mr. Harrison will be interviewed next week.
Senate Confirmations: Patrick Emilien for OLA Director and Sara Moallem for Chief of Staff.
Consent Calendar:
Bill 31-Sponsored by Senator Alexander. An allocation of $134.00 from Senate Projects to College Republicans. Purpose: to pay for a party for its members for hosting the CRF State Convention. REFERRED TO FINANCE.
Bills First Reading:
Bill 25-Sponsored by Senators Richards, Paul and James. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapter 612. Purpose: to make the Golden Tribe Lecture Series an initiative of the Senior Class Council. LAID ON THE TABLE 3-26-08.
Bill 30-Sponsored by Senator Cole. A transfer of $4,500 from Senate Projects to SGA Administration. Purpose: to cover the annual contract necessary to allow FSU membership in Peace Jam, a coalition of Noble Peace Laureates. REFERRED TO FINANCE.
Bills Second Reading:
Bill 21-Sponsored by Senator Kushner. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapter 807.2. Purpose: to put the Greek Funding Board in line with actual practice. PASSED.
Bill 29-Sponsored by Senator Benson. A revision of $1,197.00 within SGA Elections from OPS Wages to OCO. Purpose: to purchase a new computer for the Elections Office. PASSED.
Constitutional Amendments:
Constitutional Amendment 1 (one)-Sponsored by Senator Lightner. Adding Article X, Sections 1, 2,3 and 4. unequivocal protections for all of the members of the student body within the Student Body Constitution in a way that will not infringe upon the Expressive or Associative Rights of students or student organizations. CHIEF JUSTICE HILLERT EXPLAINED THE COURTS ADVISORY OPINION. THE AMENDMENT IS NOW REFERRED TO FINANCE AND JUDICIARY.
Constitutional Amendment 2 (two)-Sponsored by Senators Harrison, Toole and Entine. Adding Article V, Section 8. Clarifying what information shall appear on the official ballot of the student body elections. REFERRED TO STUDENT SUPREME COURT FOR AN ADVISORY OPINION.
Resolutions:
Resolution 30-Sponsored by Senators Abreu and Oliver.
Subject: Allowing the HLSU to spend more than $4,000 to bring a band for their annual Gala.
PASSED.
Resolution 31-Sponsored by Senators Dawson, Sokos, Seifter.
Subject: Forward Senator Jeff Entine into the Senate Hall of Fame.
PASSED.
Resolution 32-Sponsored by Senator Kushner.
Subject: Pledge to make an honest effort to work together for the good of the student body.
PASSED.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business: None.
Closing Announcements: None taken.
FINAL ROLL CALL: Present: Alexander, Arnston-Kynn, Atkins, Benson, Bevil, Born, Cardenas, Charlemagne, Colley, Copeland, Crabtree, Cuyler, Daniels, Dawson, DuBosar, Eliadis, Fasano, Z. Fisher, Goins, Greb, Guiddy, Heartley, Howard, James, Kaufman, B. Kushner, L. Kushner, Loe, P. Malone, Misita, Mitchell, Mook, Oliver, Parks, Pierre, Pisternik, Seifter, Simmons, Slade, Tomlinson. Absent: Senators Abreu, Auger, BArbas, English, B. Fisher, Jackson, LaCroix, A. Malone, Ondriska, Patterson, Sexton, Sokos, Toole, Velasquez, Vigilant, Whitter, Wilson, Yeager.
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 a.m.
Nathasha Cole
Student Senate President
Mattie Durham
Student Senate Program Assistant