Senator Ondriska led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Moment of Silent Reflection:

MEMBERS PRESENT (First Roll Call): Senators Angulo, Atkins, Chapman, Crabtree, Coakley, Dawson, DuBosar, Emilien, English, Firat, Fisher, Frady, Freelove, Goins, Hall, Harrison, Holman, Howard, Jackson, James, Kushner, Malone, Oliver, Omega, Ondriska, Paul, Richards, Seifter, Slade, Sokos, Thompson, Toole, Vouvalis, Whitter, Wilson.

MEMBERS ABSENT: (First Roll Call): Senators Abreu, Barbas, Bastardo, Brandow, Cardenas, Entine, Fasano, Guiddy, Kaufman, LaCroix, Loe, Michel, Patterson, Pierre, Primiani, Segura, Singh, Yeager.

MEMBERS TARDY/LATE (First Roll Call): Senator Hamilton (8:15).

Corrections: None.

Student Comments:

Special Introductions and Announcements: Vanessa and Erin from USA Today newspaper said that the newspaper readership program at FSU started 10 years ago and they need Senate’s help in determining how to “up” the readership program. Erin said that they met with the Tallahassee Democrat today and they are looking at getting newspaper bins that are more attractive and they would like for the Senate to give them some ideas. Steve, of Teach for America, told the Senate that he thinks it is an injustice that only fifty percent of students from low income families will be able to attend college, and those students that live in low income areas are behind all the students in the suburban schools.  He said it is a great way to change lives and make a difference and you get a full salary and $10,000 in addition to your salary. Steve told the Senate there are 5,000 Teach for America members and for more information e-mail him at stephen.deman@teachforamerica.org.

Messages from the Executive Branch: None.

 

Messages from Agency and Bureau Directors, and SGA Organization Officers and Employees: AASU Director Monique Velasquez reminded the Senate to RSVP for the Lunar Banquet to be held at Miller Hall on February 12 at  7 p.m. She said there will be entertainment and free food. Nicole Vouvalis, ILS Assistant Director told the Senate that the court case was dismissed because of lack of jurisdiction and she said she thinks the court does not want to deal with the issues. She announced that they had a liberal lunch today at the Pride Center.  Keenan Mahoney, IRHC Assistant Director, told the Senate that they are the only school that has put in a bid to host the conference for 2009. He also announced that he is running for Registration Affiliation Coordinator.  TyWayne Buchanan, Supervisor of Elections announced that elections packets are available and are due next Wednesday at 4 p.m. He said there will be a meeting on Monday at 8 p.m., place to be announced.

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: Tom Kester announced that the Union Board has started doing funding for Fall 2008 and they have finished the space process and posted it this evening.  He said that Chili’s is now scheduled to be open at the end of the Spring semester and they are working on having a DVD rental kiosk.

Messages from Campus Recreation: Adam Fox, Chair of Campus Rec Board, said that Chili’s is $150,000 behind schedule because of ventilation and color scheme.  He told the Senate that children are not allowed in the Leach Center. Fox said that they are meeting tomorrow and he looks forward to raising the rates for graduates, faculty and staff for the Leach and Aquatic Centers.

Report of the Student Body Auditor: As of February 5, 2008, Senate  Projects is $17,315.19.

Committee Reports:

Student Affairs-Chairman Toole announced the committee now meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Senate Office.

Budget-As reported in the Calendar.

Finance- As reported in the Calendar.

Judiciary-As reported in the Calendar.

Internal Affairs-The Senate interviewed and passed Jazmyn Peralta for HLSU Public Relations Officer.

Rules and Calendar-The Senate interviewed and passed Richard Benson for Business Seat 4 and Jeremy Lightner for Graduate Studies Seat 5.

Senate Confirmations: Jazmyn Peralta for HLSU Public Relations Officers, Richard Benson for Business Seat 4 and Jeremy Lightner for Graduate Studies Seat 5.

Consent Calendar: None.   

 

Bills First Reading:   

Bill 14 - Sponsored by Senator DuBosar. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapter 400.4. Purpose: to define what will constitute a quorum for the Senate. WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR IN JUDICIARY MEETING.

Bill 16 - Sponsored by Senators Howard, Slade and Seifter. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapters 402.2 and 402.4. Purpose: to amend the presidential veto process.  REFERRED TO JUDICIARY.

Bill 17 - Sponsored by Senator Fasano. An allocation of $557 from Senate Projects to Honors Council/Special Interest Allocation Committee. Purpose: to host the honors Coffeehouse and movie panel discussion.  REFERRED TO FINANCE.

Bill 18 - Sponsored by Senators Toole and Crabtree. An allocation of $3,000 from Senate Projects to Senate Clothing/Awards. Purpose: to pay for SGA t-shirts to be worn and distributed during the Got Issues Campaign on March 5, 2008.  REFERRED TO FINANCE.

Bills Second Reading:

Bill 15 - Sponsored by Senator DuBosar. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapter 803.11. Purpose: to clarify printed materials and logo requirements. STILL IN FINANCE.

Constitutional Amendments: None.

Resolutions: None.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: Senate Pro Tempore Brett Kushner showed the difference between the 59th and 60th Student Senates.  Senate President Nathasha Cole called for elections for Senator of the Month for January. Senator Briana Toole was elected.

Closing Announcements: Senator Thompson said that Sigma Pi will be chartered on March 1.  Senator Coakley told the Senate that she has coupons for twenty percent off at Express.  Senator Emilien announced that One Here One There will auction off student leaders at the Claude Pepper Center.  Senator Sokos said that she is excited about Dance Marathon and she wants Senate and SGA to sponsor a group.  Joyce Howard asked the Senators to e-mail her if they want her to nominate them for Torch Bearers. She also announced the schedule for SGA lecture series. Senate President Cole asked the Senators to please wear their polos to Senate and around campus. She announced that this is CSA Week and she will be the host for One Here One There. Cole shared a letter from a former Senator who was not pleased with the Senate.

FINAL ROLL CALL: Present: Angulo, Atkins, Benson, Chapman, Crabtree, Coakley, Dawson, DuBosar, Emilien, English, Firat, Fisher, Frady, Goins, Hall, Harrison, Holman, Howard, Jackson, James, Kushner, Lightner, Malone, Oliver, Omega, Ondriska, Paul, Richards, Seifter, Shafter, Slade, Sokos, Thompson, Toole, Vouvalis, Wilson. Absent: Senators Abreu, Barbas, Bastardo, Brandow, Cardenas, Entine, Fasano, Freelove, Guiddy, Hamilton, Kaufman, LaCroix, Loe, Michel, Patterson, Pierre, Primiani, Segura, Singh, Whitter, Yeager.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.