STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 7, 2003

MLK ROOM CAMPUS CENTER

                                        4:35 pm

 

 

ATTENDANCE

                    Absent: N. Saputo, V. Santana, J. Trompke, E. Mead,

S. Doiron, S. Boucher

                    Arrived Late: W. Lappas

                  Left Early: None

Guests: Carmen Amado (MSA Secretary), Melissa Miranda

(MSA Vice President), Mr. Jay Carey (MSA Support team),

Shawn Newton (MSA Advisor), Juen Marshall (MSA

Chairperson of West Indies), Fatima Abdalla (MSA President),

Abraham Scarr (MASSPIRG), Bruce Perry (Campus Center),

Jonathan Ring (Student Trustee)

 

                       

 

                               I.      Minutes
 

· Chair Lappas pointed out that under the Governmental Relations report, it said that it was voted to make all college materials available for the blind, but it was not yet voted, it was just being voted on.

 

     MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to accept the

       Minutes from September 30, 2003.

                                    Batastini/ Runyan (Unanimous)

 

 

                            II.      PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

· President Dalton thanked everyone for participating in our last week’ s meeting.  She realizes it was long and tough, but she expressed her gratitude to everyone for sticking with it.  She feels as though everyone learned a lot and we got a lot done.

 

  ·President Dalton gave out water bottles to the members on Senate who did not go to Merrowvista.  Everyone that did go had already received his or her water bottles from the E-Board.

 

·President Dalton told everyone to look over the list of the members of the contract and non-contract committees and to check for mistakes.  She explained that there were some issues in trying to fit everyone on the committees of their choice because of the high demand for certain committees.  Dr. Brossoit added that if you did not get into the committee of your choice than there is still some chance.  A lot of times students sign up and are unable to attend the committee meetings so you still may have an opportunity to be on the committee you requested.  Many people gave input and requested to be put on certain committees that were open. 

 

MOTION:  President Dalton entertained a motion to appoint the following people to the following committees:

                                 · Academic Policies Committee: Alyssa Batastini, Michael 

Skorker, and Christina Ryer,

 · All College Committee: Andrea Dalton, Christopher

    Garvey, and David Mazza,   

                                 · Curriculum Committee: Melissa King, Sandra Leahy, and

    Jen Trompke,  

· Library/Media Development Committee:  Wayne Lappas     

   and Jessica Peralta, 

· Student Life Committee:  Melissa King, Ryan Cahill,   

   Sandra Leahy, Janelle Williamson, Charlene Abreu,

   Michelle Spano, Jen Trompke, Alyssa Batastini, and Julissa

   Alfonzo,

· Main Strategic Planning Council: Andrea Dalton,

· Academic Computing Committee: Orlando Jimenez and   

   Wayne Lappas, 

· Academic Speakers and Honorary Degree Committee:

   Alyssa Batastini and Jessica Peralta,

· ADA/504 Task Force: Andrea Dalton, Orlando Jimenez,

   and Rose-Marie Theberge,

· Affirmative Action Committee: Ryan Cahill, Orlando

   Jimenez, and Victor Santana,

· Athletic Council:  Ryan Cahill, Ashleyne Alexis, and Johan

   Pereira,

· College Bookstore Council: Christopher Garvey, David

   Mazza, and Ashleyne Alexis, 

· College Union Policy: Kimberly Chambers and Alyssa

   Batastini,

· Financial Aid Committee: Mekonnen Meshesha and

   Jeffrey Laine,

· Food Service Committee: Sara Boucher, Alyssa Batastini,

  Mekonnen Meshesha, Jen Trompke, and Andrea Dalton, 

· Counseling and Health Services Advisory Committee:

   Victor Santana,

· Honor/ Memorialize the College Community Committee:

  Orlando Jimenez and Kent Leung,

· Policies and Procedures at the O’Keefe Complex: Jessica

   Peralta, 

· President’s Advisory Committee on diversity and Minority

   Affairs: Ashleyne Alexis, Wayne Lappas, Victor Santana,

  Daniel Thomas, and Kent Leung,

· Safety Committee:  Melissa King,

· Senior Awards Committee:  Kent Leung, Jenn Runyan,

   Michael Skorker, Melissa Ryan, and Candice Milan,

· Student Scholarship Committee:  Kent Leung, Michelle

   Spano, and Sandra Leahy,

· Who’s Who:  Julissa Alfonzo, Johan Pereira, Daniel

   Thomas, and Jenn Runyan,

· Parking Task Force:  Jenn Runyan, James Esterbrook, and

   Jeremy Flagg.

                                Runyan/ Alexis (Unanimous)

 

·President Dalton asked for opinions on the types of Senate training that was introduced at Merrowvista. She is willing to set aside a senate meeting if the senate feels they would benefit from it.  She opened the floor up for suggestions and received many.  Senator Abreu liked the idea of a time management program, Senator Leung was interested in a clarification on individual roles, Chair Lappas suggested a Robert’s Rules workshop, and Vice President Batastini expressed her interest in a program on organizational skills.  The Senate all agreed that workshops for Senate Training would be valuable.  President Dalton is going to try to set something up next month to see how it goes.  Chair Lappas suggests that there should be different workshops after every meeting that concentrates on one topic a week so that we do not take time away from anything.

 

· President Dalton spoke about the concert and just informed the group that we are in the preliminary stages and that information will be available as soon as possible.

 

· President Dalton brought up our annual trip to the COSGA conference in Texas.  Senator Jimenez looked into other options for a conference, but so far he thinks Texas will be best.  President Dalton told everyone about her experiences at the conference last year.  She explained that there will be speakers, workshops, and tons of other schools.  She thought it was neat to be able to hear ideas and problems from other schools around the country.  She announced that next week she will hand out applications to attend.  Treasurer Garvey added that the trip last year was great.  His favorite part was the round tables where he sat around a table with people from other schools while a COSGA delegate throws out issues.  He thought it was both interesting and educational to get other inputs.  He was able to bring a lot back to SSC last year from the conference.

 

· President Dalton informed the group that the E-Board met with Lt. Anglin, from the Campus Police, and we discussed parking issues and bus issues.  Lt. Anglin is going to ride the buses tomorrow to see how it goes and to show that the buses are not running according to their new schedule.  Chair Boucher is planning on inviting a police officer to talk at one of our meetings so that we can have the opportunity to ask any questions we might have.  President Dalton advised everyone to get the word out so that we can get a good number of guests and more people can be informed.  Vice President Batastini talked about Central Campus Parking and explained that the lot was painted the other day so the yellow spots are for students, the green spots are for faculty, and the blue spots are reserved for the Enterprise Center.  She told the group that Campus Police is really working to fix this complicated issue. 

 

· President Dalton told the group that the President is working on a parking task force and she needs 2 residents to join.

 

· President Dalton talked about her meeting with a representative from congressman Tierney.  Congressman Tierney is working on trying to limit the costs of college and he is interested in coming into one of our meetings to get some input.  He was a graduate from Salem State and was the President of the Student Government.

 

· President Dalton announced a Student Advisory meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2003 in Framingham if anyone is interested in attending.

                  

 

                         III.      VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

MOTION:  Vice President Batastini made a motion to accept the

   President’s report. 

         Milan (Unanimous)

 

· Vice President Batastini reminded everyone that if they have not yet signed up for both Haunted Happenings and the Blood Drive, you must see her later because these events are mandatory. 

 

· Vice President Batastini reminded the group that on Thursday, October 9, there is a Haunted Happenings meeting at 4:00 in the Vet’s Hall.  This meeting is mandatory.  At this meeting all groups and clubs must have a supplies list or they will not get any supplies.

 

·Vice President Batastini announced the Viking Spirit Award applications were due by October 10 at noon.  She also said that they are looking for males to apply so it is not to late.

 

· Vice President Batastini announced that she will be meeting with a representative from the Red Cross to discuss the Blood Drive October 20, and to figure out ways to draw greater crowds.  The goal this year is to get 50 people to give blood, so please, if you can, help out and bring your friends.

 

        MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to accept the Vice  

       President’s report.

                              Runyan/ Milan (Unanimous)

 

                         IV.      TREASURER'S REPORT 
      
· Treasurer Garvey informed the group that the new desks for the office were ordered about a week ago. 

 

                        · Treasurer Garvey brought up the speaker series tickets, he will    

                       let everyone know next week how we are going to distribute

                       them.  Alyssa mentioned that there is going to be a raffle and that

                       two premium seat tickets will be awarded to whoever the group

                       chooses as “Senator of the Moment”.  We will vote next week in

                       Senate meeting to see whom the lucky winners are.

 

MOTION:  President Dalton entertained a motion to accept the 

 Treasurer’s report.

                              Cogliano/ Alfonzo (Unanimous)

 

 

 

                            V.      ASST. TREASURER’S REPORT

 

· No Report.

                       

                MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to accept the

  Assistant Treasurer’s report

                        Cahill / Cogliano (Unanimous)

 

                         VI.      SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

· Secretary Spano asked if there were any volunteers to take charge of the Homecoming banner.  She explained that we do not have to have it done by Thursday because we are not making a banner to win money, we are making a banner to show our spirit.  Senator Alfonzo accepted the job and will be talking to people for help very soon.

 

MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to accept the Secretary’s report.

                                Peralta/ Pereira (Unanimous)

 

 

 

                      VII.      STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

·        FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

          · Treasurer Garvey informed the group that the finance

            committee met with MSA, who requested money to go to

            the Black Wax Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.  The

            Finance Committee decided to to give them $1044.55 out   

            of their original request of $1324.  Melissa Miranda,

         MSA’s Vice President, took a minute to thank the

         committee for considering their proposal and she told us a

         little about the trip.  They plan on going, in November, to

        the Black Wax Museum where they will learn a history of

        African Americans.  They will stay in a hotel, go to the

        museum the next day, go to a galleria mall, and then eat at a

        restaurant called Soul Food.  The purpose of the trip is to

        unify the general body.  After the trip there will be a

        meeting to share their experiences.  She did express her

        concern that they did not receive the full amount because

        she didn’t think they could get their general revenue.

        Sharon and Treasurer Garvey that they can get their general

        revenue now.

 

     MOTION: Treasurer Garvey made a motion to  

     Fund $1044.55 for MSAs trip.

            Batastini (Unanimous)

 

   · Treasurer Garvey said that there were no scheduled

     meetings right now unless someone requests money from

     the committee in which case it will be proposals will be

    posted in all committee members’ mailboxes.

 

   · Johan asks if anyone can go to the Finance Committee to

     request money.  Treasurer Garvey explained that in order

      to get funded you must be a recognized group or club.

 

  · Dr. Brossoit suggests that the Finance Committee

    consider requesting a small poster made by the group that

    they funded that shows what they did on their trip or at

    their event.  Treasurer Garvey says that that is something

    that will be discussed at the next finance meeting.

 

·        RULES COMMITTEE

 

MOTION:  Chair King entertained a motion to appoint Jessica Peralta to the Rules Committee.            

                 Runyan/Batastini (Unanimous)

 

·Chair King passed around a copy of the Constitution

 changes proposed by the Women’s Center for their new

 constitution.  She urged everyone to look it over and then

 we will vote on it.

 

· Chair King mentioned that next week at the Senate meeting we will be voting on two new amendments.  The first has to do with adding senate reports into the agenda in between E-Board reports and Standing Committee reports.  The second has to do with special elections.  She handed out copies of the proposals to everyone and told them to look them over and give input so we can vote next meeting.

 

· Chair Lappas suggested adding in a sort of index in the front of the constitution so that there is no confusion about terms.

 

·Chair King talked about her meeting with her committee.  They basically went over everyone’s thoughts on last meeting.  She changed her meeting times to Tuesdays after senate meetings and she will be alternating with academic affairs.  Her meetings will be at 7:00pm in the campus center.

 

·        STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE

 

No Report

 

                    ·   ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

 

  MOTION: Chair Skorker entertained a motion to appoint

     Nicole Couture to the Academic Affairs committee.

 

· Chair Skorker announced that at his meeting last Tuesday everyone threw out ideas and the first project they will be working on will be class cancellations posted online.  He would also like to set up an e-mail drive where he will try to get everyone’s e-mail so they can know what is going on. 

 

· The next Academic Affairs meeting will be next Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30 at his dorm.

 

· Treasurer Garvey urged Chair Skorker and the rest of the Chairs to post their meetings downstairs in the SGA office.

 

· Vice President Batastini asked Chair Skorker if he thought of using the Salem State e-mail addresses because that it what they are used for.  She also pointed out that it is impossible to send something to the whole school because there is a limit of how many e-mails you can send.

 

· Dr. Brossoit talked about college regulations and he thought that Chair Skorker’s ideas were more public relations than academic affairs.

 

· Chair Lappas informed Chair Skorker that he had worked on the e-mail project last year and he had several issues with the Salem State e-mail addresses.  He also suggested that he use a link to interest forum.

 

· Sharon told Chair Skorker that some groups and clubs use Yahoo Community.  With this students have the option to join and the option to say how they choose to receive information.

 

 

                             · GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

 

      MOTION: Chair Lappas entertained a motion to appoint

          Jonathan Ring to the Governmental Relations

              Committee.

        Runyan/ Milan (Unanimous)

 

· Chair Lappas informed us that there are no debates in the Senate or the House.

 

· Chair Lappas asked what happened when MASSPIRG called the Governor.  Senator Theberge and Senator Williamson told him that the Governor’s secretary lied and said that the issue they were trying to fix was already passed.  She was very rude and told them that they were stampeding her with phone calls and that they were not helping their cause.  She told them that they were taking away from abused homeless women.  So they had stopped calling and filled out forms to send to the Governor instead.

 

 

·        JUDICIAL AFFAIRS

 

No report

 

·        PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

· Chair Ryer announced that she will be taking pictures for the web site today after the meeting.  She also gave the option to make them up if anyone is feeling exceptionally unpretty today.

 

· Chair Ryer announced that she was holding a meeting Wednesday, October 8 downstairs in the Campus Center.

 

   MOTION: Chair Ryer entertained a motion to

    appoint Jeremy Flagg as Assistant Chair of the

    Public Relations Committee.

         Garvey/ Mazza (Unanimous)

 

     · President Dalton told all the chairs to make an  

     appointment with her.

 

                   VIII.      OLD BUSINESS
 
None

 

                         IX.      NEW BUSINESS

 

       MOTION: Chair King entertained a motion to accept

          the changes to the Women’s Center’s Constitution.

                                    Alexis/ Peralta (Unanimous)

 

 · Senator Alexis thanked everyone for coming out to MSA’s

Traffic Light Party; there was a great turnout.  She announced

that MSA’s next general body meeting on Wednesday, October 15

at 4:30 in the Underground.  After the meeting they will be

watching Final Destination 1 and 2. 

 

· Jonathan Ring announced that on Thursday, October 16 at 3:00 in the Heritage Room he is holding a general information meeting for anyone that wishes to get more information about what the Board of Trustees discusses.  He will be going over several issues including part time student status proposals.  Also on Monday, October 29 there will be a Board of Trustee meeting that all can attend.  He will give more information at a later date. He mentioned that although you can’t speak at the Board of Trustee meetings, it is good to be seen there to show that you care.

 

· Senator Leahy mentioned that at Merrowvista we discussed making surveys.  Yesterday she wrote some ideas for survey questions and placed it in everyone’s mailboxes.  She would like input and ideas form everyone.

 

· Senator Pereira asked how much money MSA made in total at their last party. 

 

· Treasurer Garvey asked the Senate if they were interested in the financial information.  He is willing to make a presentation at the next meeting.  Senator Leahy thinks that it will be a great idea.  Chair Lappas suggested adding that to the workshop series.  Treasurer Garvey will be giving a presentation at the next senate meeting. 

 

· Senator Alfonzo announced that the Hispanic American Society will be holding a dinner on Wednesday, October 15 at Vet’s Hall.  There will be a dancing group, a speaker from Harvard, and more.

 

                            X.      DISCUSSION

 

None.

 

                         XI.      ADJOURNMENT 5:55 p.m.

 

  MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to

   adjourn the meeting.

                        Runyan/ Alfonzo  (Unanimous)

 

 

SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE L. SPANO