STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2003

MLK ROOM CAMPUS CENTER

                                        4:05 pm

 

 

ATTENDANCE

                    Absent: L. DesRosiers, N. Saputo, A. Rodriguez, A. Alexis, M.

                        Meshesha, K. Chambers, K. Leung

Arrived Late: J. Trompke, E. Mead, M. Cogliano

                    Left Early: J. Trompke, E. Mead

                    Guests: P.J Murray (HAS, MSA, PC, RHA), Abe Scarr

                        (MASSPIRG), Daniel E. Rooney, Stephanie Dorian, Missy Ryan

(Rules committee), Jennifer Clark (Co-advisor of RHA), Steven

 Sorkin (Director of Development)

                       

                 MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to accept the

         Minutes from September 9, 2003.

                                    Cahill/Batastini (Unanimous)

 

                               I.      PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to accept the results of the freshmen elections. 

         Runyan/Santana (Unanimous)

 

· President Dalton introduced the new freshman senators (Julissa Alfonzo, Orlando Jimenez, Mekonnen Meshesha, Johan Pereira, and Matthew Cogliano) and invited them to say something about themselves.  They were then invited to the table. 

 

                   MOTION:  President Dalton entertained a motion to accept

         Emily Mead to Junior Senate.

                                    Runyan/Garvey (Unanimous)

                     

      · President Dalton mentioned that on our Merrowvista retreat 

 we will be working on goal- setting and coming up with ideas  

 that we are going to work on throughout this year.

 

  ·President Dalton introduced Steven Sorkin the director of development who spoke about the speaker series.  He went over each speaker (Goldie Hawn, Dominic Dunn, and Christopher Reeve and Robin Cook) and asked us to sponsor it.  He would like to know if we will sponsor the speaker series again this year and if so, on what level will we sponsor. 

 

·President Dalton also introduced Jennifer Clark who gave a brief overview of the principles of Robert’s rules and the parliamentary procedure.

                  

 

                            II.      VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

MOTION:  Vice President Batastini made a motion to accept the

               President’s report. 

           Trompke (Unanimous)

 

·Vice President Batastini went over what was covered on Saturday at the Groups and Clubs orientation. Part one of the orientation went over resources, policies and procedures, booking rooms, what the groups need to know about the SGA office, and budgets.   Part two of the mandatory groups and clubs orientation is on Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 4:00 p.m.  All are welcome to attend, but every group’s President and Treasurer must attend.

 

·Vice President Batastini announced the Leadership Induction Ceremony on Thursday September 25, 2003 at 4:00. This is a ceremony to bring in new leaders and all are welcome to attend.  If you wish to attend, call Helen, the administrative assistant of the Campus Center in room 222, so that she can get a head count.

 

·Vice President Batastini announced the Viking Spirit Award, which is an award given to one male and one female based on G.P.A, leadership, and involvement on campus.  Applications are available now and can be picked up in Room 222 in the Campus Center.

 

·Vice President Batastini informed the group that the candlelight vigil on September 11th was a big success and thanked everyone who came. 

 

· Vice President Batastini told everyone about the Merrowvista contracts that were handed out.  Merrowvista is required, if you know that you cannot attend for extenuating circumstances then do not sign, talk to the e-board immediately.  Once the contract is signed, you must attend, if you don’t you will have to pay $142.  Alyssa invited Dr. Brossoit to talk about Merrowvista.  He told everyone to read the constitution for constitutional jeopardy.  He explained that we will be working on ethics and goal setting and that we will all be more connected after we interact together on this fun-filled weekend.  He answered questions from the group like we are leaving at 4:00 from Peabody Hall and that we will be riding in a coach bus so bring VHS movies. 

 

MOTION: President Dalton entertained a motion to accept he Vice President’s report.

                              Runyan/Trompke (Unanimous)

 

 

 

                         III.      TREASURER'S REPORT 
      
· Treasurer Garvey named the groups and clubs whose budgets were frozen and they included CESA, Chemistry Society, Criminal Justice Academy, HAS, PC, Salem Geographical Association, Ski and Snowboard club, Sociological society, SSC Log, SFL, and SSC Republicans. These groups will be unfrozen as soon as the President and Treasurer both meet with Treasurer Garvey. 

                  

· Treasurer Garvey announced screen-ins next Monday, September 22, 2003 during community time 11-12:15.  Applications are now available and are due back by Friday at 5:00pm.  He also explained the screen-in process, which includes filling out an application, getting interviewed by E-Board, getting chosen by E-Board, and then getting accepted by senate.

 

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

                              Cahill/Runyan (Unanimous)

 

 

 

                         IV.      ASST. TREASURER’S REPORT

 

No Report

 

 

 

                            V.      SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

· Secretary Spano reminded the senators that they must hold office hours at least one hour per week and they are to use that time to represent the students.  Office hours started this week, and only five people have signed up. The rest of the Senate must sign up with Sharon immediately.  All office hours must be completed so even if you sign up for a day early in the week, you still have to make that hour up either at the end of the week or by serving 2 hours next week.  Failure to do so will result in an absence. The new freshman senators and junior senator Emily Mead have to sign up this week and will begin their office hours next week.

 

· Secretary Spano also told everyone that next Tuesday after the senate meeting there will be a meeting to discuss what the SGA float and banner will look like for the Homecoming Parade. 

 

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

                                Runyan/Trompke (Unanimous)

 

 

 

                         VI.      STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

·        FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

MOTION: Treasurer Garvey made a motion to appoint Melissa King, Matthew Cogliano, Victor Santana, Ashleyne Alexis, Kenny Rowell, and Ryan Cahill to the finance committee.

      Trompke (Unanimous)

 

·        RULES COMMITTEE

 

MOTION:  Chair King entertained a motion to accept Michael Skorker to the rules committee. 

      Cahill/Leahy (Unanimous)

 

·Chair King sent around a sign up sheet for people interested in joining the rules committee.  Then she spoke about some of the things that she would be working on including the referendum, special elections, and getting more people to vote.

 

·        STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE

 

     · Chair Boucher informed us that the students were

  interested in having a concert this year and that

                                   they would be willing to spend $15 on tickets.  She

           also looked into locations and met with Pamela Perkins  

  and informed us that Mainstage holds 700 people and

  O’Keefe holds 1500 people.

 

  ·She also told us her plans for recycling and a web site.

  She researched other schools activities and shared some of

  them with the group. Some of these included picnics, end    of semester massages, henna tattoo, twister, and many more.

 

 

·        GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

 

No Report

 

·        ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

 

MOTION: Chair Skorker entertained a motion to appoint Kent Leung, Sandra Leahy, Matthew Tslanco, Michael Raskevitz, Laura Downay, Kat Lima, and Kara Micherone to the academic affairs committee.

        Cahill/Trompke (Unanimous)

 

· Chair Skorker went over some of his ideas for his committee.  He looked online at other schools and would like to work on an advising week, a memo to teachers explaining tardiness due to the new bus schedule, and a way to register online.  He would also like to look into making a scholarship pamphlet, making more online classes, and starting mid-semester progress reports.

 

 

·        JUDICIAL AFFAIRS

 

No Report

 

·        PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

MOTION: Chair Ryer entertained a motion to appoint Jeremy Flagg, Michael Skorker, and Melissa King to the public relations committee.

                              Cahill/Runyan (Unanimous)

 

·Chair Ryer would like to get started on updating the SGA web page so she will be bringing a digital camera to the next meeting for those who want their picture on the web page.

 

                      VII.      OLD BUSINESS
 
None

 

                   VIII.      NEW BUSINESS

 

 

MOTION: Treasurer Garvey made a motion to appoint Matthew Cogliano to the finance committee.

                                        Runyan (Unanimous)

 

·Treasurer Garvey mentioned that the E-Board is currently looking into new office furniture for the SGA office.

 

·Dr. Brossoit handed out information on Merrowvista and reminded everyone that the signed contracts are due Friday, September 19 by 5:00pm. 

 

· Senator Williamson invited everyone to a MASSPIRG general meeting at 7:00 in the MLK room Tuesday, September 16.

 

 

                         IX.      DISCUSSION

 

     · Chair Boucher would like to know if there is any other        construction plans coming up.  She suggests building a second level to the O’Keefe parking lot, but Treasurer Garvey informed her that the only place that that would be possible is at the Peabody parking lot because it is not slanted.  Chair Boucher also suggests making the field at O’Keefe out of astro turf so there will be no divots in the field. 

 

       · Dr. Brossoit announces that he will be working on the parking problem because that is the number one complaint that students have.  He also mentions that Dean Stoll will be coming in to speak with us sometime in October.

 

·Chair Runyan mentions that on Thursday, September 18, 2003 there will be a drive-in movie for commuters on the lawn at 8:30 pm.  They will be showing the Lord of the Rings for commuter appreciation days.  Also there will be a free lunch for commuters on Friday, September 19, 2003.

 

· Daniel Rooney expresses his feelings on not being accepted into SGA and he feels all students should automatically be appointed on.  President Dalton instructed him to speak with the E-Board after the meeting to clear things up.

 

 

.

 

                            X.      ADJOURNMENT 5:05 p.m.

 

  MOTION: President Dalton entertains a motion to

   adjourn the meeting.

                        Batastini/Runyan (Unanimous)

 

 

SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE L. SPANO