The meeting of the 60th Student Senate was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by Student Senate President Nathasha Cole.

Senator Frady led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Moment of Silent Reflection:

MEMBERS PRESENT (First Roll Call): Senators Abreu, Angulo, Atkins, Bastardo, Benson, Cardenas, Chapman, Crabtree, Cuyler, DuBosar, Entine, Frady, Freelove, Goins, Hall, Harris, Harrison, Holman, Howard, James, Kushner, Lightner, Malone, Ondriska, Primiani, Richards, Shafter, Slade, Sokos, Thompson, Toole, Wilson, Yeager.

MEMBERS ABSENT: (First Roll Call): Senators Coakley, Emilien, English, Jackson, LaCroix, Michel, Patterson, Paul, Pierre, Whitter.

MEMBERS TARDY/LATE (First Roll Call): Senators Barbas (7:46), Fasano (8:00), Firat (8:00), Fisher (7:43), Guiddy (8:30), Hamilton (7:54), Kaufman (8:20), Loe (8:20), Oliver (7:55), Omega (8:36), Seifter (8:00), Singh (8:08).

Corrections: Ashley Findley is a member of ILS not ICS.

Student Comments: Lauren Speno of the Innocence Project of Florida said that this is a non-profit legal organization in Tallahassee that finds and frees wrongly convicted inmates on DNA evidence. She said there will be a rally on March, from 12-1 p.m. on the steps of the Old Capitol and two of the three men they are rallying for will be there. John Lines also of the Innocence Project said that these men deserve compensation and  SB766 will give them their compensation. Speno said they want students to come out and support this issue because we are the future and the criminal justice system needs fixing. He said that it is the state’s fault for not going through the proper process of a trial.   Bradley Crocker, NORML President at FSU, announced that they are having a Hempfest on March 30 and they are looking for co-sponsorship. He said that hemp is a versatile crop and it is illegal to grow hemp in the USA. Pride Student Union Members Scott, Shannon and Dan spoke to the Senate. Scott said that it is not okay to discriminate with his money. Shannon said  they are starting a pagean Pride Student Union. Dan announced that they have non-denominational Bible Study on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Pride Student Union Center. He also announced that they will have a drag show on March 21. Senator Benson said that he met with Chancellor Rosenberg  concerning Resolution 19 and he found out that there is sixty percent  merit base and three percent need base and Florida is 46 when it comes to teacher ratio. He said Chancellor Rosenberg and Rick Maxey will come to Senate next week to speak. Benson said those currently in the system  will not have their Bright Futures taken away. Sam Harden,

The Christian Legal Society President, invited the Senate to come and fellowship and enjoy the free food. Robert Powell, a Christian Legal Society member told the Senate that what they do is permissible and there group is open to anyone regardless of their beliefs and your walk with Jesus Christ. He said the only prerequisite is that you maintain the beliefs that the group adheres to. He said that to run for office you must sign a statement and have moral characteristics and not associate with people who do not share your beliefs. He asked the Senate to please rescind the decision and unfreeze their funds. Powell told the Senate that they need to protect the rights of students at FSU.

Special Introductions and Announcements: None.

Messages from the Executive Branch: None.

Messages from Agency and Bureau Directors, and SGA Organization Officers and Employees: Ann Cho, Assistant Director of the Asian American Student Union, announced that their next meeting is next week. Keenan Mahoney, IRHC Assistant Director, announced they won an award for most improved School Advisor of the Year and Aaron Hood won for Director of FARH and Alec Bogdanoff won for Associate Director of FARH. Adner Marcelin of Off Campus Housing announced to the Senate that the Off Campus Housing Fair was moved to Thursday. He asked Senators to come out and volunteer their time in helping to put this event on.  David Grimes, ILS Director, announced that “How the Marlboro Man became a liberal will be at the Claude Pepper Center next week. He went on to say that what the Christian Legal Society said is true concerning that what they are doing is permissible, but it is not permissible with A&S Fees. He said that this is a difficult issue and he is angry that people want to sue; and if you accept everyone’s money then you have to let them in. Grimes asked the Senate to please uphold their decision.

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 there next meeting is on Wednesday, March 5, at 4:30 p.m. in room 311 A. She said that they are finishing up fall funding. She announced that Girls on Film will be in the Club Downunder on Friday, February 29 at 8:30 p.m. Molinet also announced that the movie No Country for Old Men will be showing on Friday, February 29 and Saturday, March 1 at the Student Life Cinema and Raising Arizona will be showing on Friday, February 29 at 12:30 a.m.

Messages from Campus Recreation: Adam Fox told the Senate that the committee discuss fees and the only change will be for the guests at the Leach Center. He said that they are looking at accessing locker fees.  He said the new date for Chili’s opening is now April.

Report of the Student Body Auditor: As of February 26, 2008, Senate  Projects is $15,315.19.

 

Committee Reports:

Student Affairs-As reported in the Calendar.

Budget-As reported in the Calendar.

Finance-Did not meet. Will meet on Thursday, February 28. Chairman Harrison said that he is submitting a Finance Code revisions to be placed on First Reading next week.

Judiciary-As reported in the Calendar. Chairman Entine asked that Bill 19 comes back to his committee after Finance finishes with it.

Internal Affairs-Did not meet. Will meet on Monday.

Rules and Calendar-Did not meet. Chairman Kushner made a motion to move into New Business to rescind and void the freezing of funds for Every Nation and the Christian Legal Society.

Central Reserves-No reported submitted.

Senate Confirmations: None.

Consent Calendar: None.

Bills First Reading:

Bill 19 - Sponsored by Senator Fisher. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapters 406, 803.3 and 805.1 A (6,7). Purpose: to amend statues to clarify that RSOs are not required to include a separate non-discrimination policy in their governing documents, as long as they follow the non-discrimination clauses in sections 206.1 and 803.3 and to extend investigative rights of the Senate to SGA funded organizations. AMENDED AND PASSED IN JUDICIARY AND STILL IN FINANCE.

Bill 20-Sponsored by Senator Benson. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapter 409.2. Purpose: to add a requirement to post legislation online and clarify archiving requirement. WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR IN JUDICIARY.

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.

Bills Second Reading: None.

 

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. REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, FINANCE AND THE STUDENT SUPREME COURT.

Resolutions:

Resolution 20-Sponsored by Senator Benson.

Subject: Recommending to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission to approve proposal CP0002, regarding higher education.

Resolution 21-Sponsored by Senators DuBosar and Goins.

Subject: Allowing the SGA Lecture Series to pay more than $4,000 to bring Ralph Nader and Jean Killbourne to speak at FSU.

Unfinished Business:

New Business: There was a motion by Senator Kushner to rescind and make void the motion to freeze Every Nation and the Christian Legal Society. It was noted by Senator Entine that the correct motion is to rescind and expunge from the minutes. There was a motion to allow a non Senator to speak, the motion passed. Dr. Woodyard, a professor in Business at FSU quoted Florida  Statute 1009.24 (10) (b), as basis for the removal of the freezing of funds. He told the Senate that they are going against state law. Senator Lightner said since no one else has to follow the rules concerning A&S Fees, he is going to buy pizza just for himself and not put logos on t-shirts. Senator Hall made a motion to apologize, and Senator Entine noted that there is not such motion. After lengthy debate and discussion the Senate voted 34-yes, 9-no and 2-abstentions, the motion passed. There was a motion by Pro Tempore Kushner to just hear and refer bills, the motion failed. The Supervisor of Elections Tywayne Buchanan announced the results of the SGA elections.  The Senate was unable to reconvene and was adjourned.

Closing Announcements: None.

FINAL ROLL CALL: Final roll was not taken.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.