Seventh meeting of the tenth Senate was called to order at 5:00 pm on November 1, 2011.
There were 31 senators present. Senator Patel moved to approve minutes fromlast week. Seconded and passed unanimously.
Officer reports
- President Billy Stephens
We five bills in new business, please read over them because they are big bills. Talk to people around campus to see what they think about these as we are the student voice.
- Executive Vice President Kendrick Bryan
Over 5,000 students have a class at Glasgow and they don’t have any signs so I emailed to try and get signage. Working with Chris Jankowski to get SGA to pay for a Thanksgiving dinner for international students in PFT.
- Administrative Vice President Devon Hilderbrandt
We have two bills up, one new and one old make sure you read through them. Blue books and more scantrons in the office tomorrow.
- Speaker Kaylee Egerer
Josh Rodriguez got his braces off and he has an even more beautiful smile now. If you are an author of a bill and it is up for second read next week bring your laptop so you can have your current bill and you can make edits during the meeting. If it passes make sure it goes to . Football game this weekend! We have won four in a row and if we win two more then we get a bowl game so get out this weekend and support our team. Let's pack the house.
Staff Reports
- Chief of Staff- Katie Stillwell
Thanks to those who came out to the volleyball game. Our team is very impressive and ranked 26th. The match was short cause we shot them out. I want you each to make your own opinion on these bills and resolutions. Get out there and start talking to your friends. You represent these people so reach out to them so you don’t just go with others. If you have any questions contact the author or me. I don’t want us to be blindly passing legislation.
- Director of Academic and Student Affairs -Travis Taylor
Working on Hall of Distinguished Seniors which is due late November. It is a way for SGA to acknowledge things our seniors have done on the hill. This deadline is for December graduates and we also will recognize May graduates. You get to wear a stole for graduation as a recognition for your work.
- IT Director- Cory Dodds
I did finally get access to the new website and we should have it launched by the end of November. It is important that all bills and resolutions make it to the email so I can put it on our site for transparency.
- Director of Public Relations- Jane Wood
We have a bill up about the Hilltopper Vote T-shirts. The fronts say t-o-p-s tops tops tops and the back says v-o-t-e vote vote vote. These are for the state elections coming up so people are more aware about it.
Committee Reports
- Campus Improvements-Keyana Boka
Our bill is up for first read, please come to our meeting today at the end of the hallway if you have any questions as we will talk about it.
- Public Relations- Cody Murphy
I want people to go out and talk about the DUC name change so we can get a lot of debate and discussion next week.
- Academic Affairs- Brittany Crowley
- Legislative Research- Eileen Forsythe
We have a lot of bills to look at so come by Thursday at 4 in the SGA office.
- Student Affairs- Natalie Broderick
Brief meeting after Senate to get some new ideas, I encourage everyone to go out and talk about the DUC name change resolution.
Special Reports
Judicial Council: Chris Jankowski
We reviewed thirteen senators and ended up removing Kevin Preston and Kevin Adams. The other eleven got warnings. Make sure if you miss your committee meeting to go to a meeting later in the week. Remember you are allowed three total absences with two excused and if you have any questions I'm here.
Unfinished Business
Bill 8-11-F: Organizational Aid Appropriations for Black Student Alliance and The Western Kentucky University Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter
Senator Costa moved to have the bill constructively read. Seconded and passed unanimously. Devon Hilderbrandt: These organizations need the money and it is going to a good cause. Friendly amendment from Senator Forsythe: Succor means to help so this says "help in helping". Devon Hilderbrandt: I was going off of Wade's old bill but I can take that off. Bill passed unanimously.
New Business
Bill: 9-11-F: Scholar Development Grant Award Allocations
Bill 10-11-F: Study Abroad Scholarship Award Allocations
Senator Nowland motioned to suspend the by-laws to have Bill 11-11-F and Bill 12-11-F moved into unfinished business. Two opposed and one abstention. Passed.
Bill 11-11-F: Organizational Aid Appropriations for Women's Club Soccer Team, Hilltopper Officials Association, and The Western Kentucky University Microbiology Club
Senator Patel moved to have the bill constructively read. Passed. Devon Hilderbrandt: We wanted to have this passed as soon as possible because they need this money in the next week and a half. One opposition and one abstention. Passed.
Bill 12-11-F Hilltoppers Vote T-shirts
Senator Patel motioned to have bill constructively read. Two oppositions. Passed. President Stephens: Hopefully the shirts are done by next Tuesday and hopefully the croakies too so we can give them both away to those who voted in order to promote voter awareness. We did half of the money from general Senate and half from PR because PR needs money for Dine with Decision Makers. Senator Shaw: Point of inquiry, will they be pocket tees? President Stephens: No they will not be. Pocket tees are more expensive and we are looking into long sleeved pocket tees for the spring. Two oppositions, two abstentions. Passed.
Senator Patel motioned to move back into the by-laws. Seconded. One abstention. Passed.
Resolution 4-11-F: Resolution to Support the Downing University Center name to be changed to Downing Student Union as part of the DUC Renovation process
Announcements
Senator Murphy: If you go to Wendy's and buy a Dave cheeseburger combo you get a pair of free tickets. Also if you go to Chik-fil-a and get a milkshake you can also get free tickets.
Senator Shaw: Up to Dawn letter writing is today in the Cupola room by Redzone. I hope you show up to write letters. If you write 25 letters you get one service hour.
Senator Asbery: It is too late to do absentee ballots in mail but you can go home to your courthouse this weekend and get one.
Jane Wood: If you do write letters make sure you send it to legitimate people who will donate because it costs to send the letters and we want to get money to donate.
Speaker Egerer: If we do move bills it’s a good idea to just read through it just as a future point.
President Stephens: Please go to the game on Saturday, we are going to win.
Senator Cottrell motioned to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded and passed. One abstention.
Meeting adjourned at 5:19 pm on Tuesday November 1, 2011.