ASNAU SENATE MEETING #17
TWENTY FIFTH SESSION
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Date: February 28, 2013 Number on council: 12
Date of Senate Meeting: February 28th, 2013 Number present: 11
Prepared by Shelby Burton
Senate Chairman Ryan Lee called the Senate meeting of the 2012-2013 Senate to order at 4:06 P.M. in the Havasupai Room A & B of the University Union.
Roll Call
The following Senators were not present at the meeting:
-Senator Anthony Lake
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Senator Reddig move to approve the minutes from last week’s Senate meeting
Second: Senator Chan
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, last week’s minutes have now been approved.
Call to the Audience
D3 Ice Jacks: Assuming that all of the senators read their letters, the hockey team is looking for additional financial support—whether that means monetary gain or being pointed toward other organizations that could possibly help them. This team never thought that they would make the national tournament; they have overcome many hurdles and did not plan on funding for it. Through this experience, they have banded as brothers. Out of 160 teams, the D3 team made the top 16. Flagstaff is not a traditional hockey region so it gets the school recognized nationally. They understand that there are bylaws, but they also see that those bylaws may be flawed and are looking for the senate to potentially reexamine them by perhaps adding a clause. They suggest that the clause be for those who have qualified for national tournaments. Perhaps the funding can be based on a percentage rather than a black-and-white cap of $3500. The players have put forth a huge percentage of money towards the team and they believe that it is ASNAU’s job to help fund the students/look for additional funding elsewhere. Senator Woodhouse asks how much they would be asking for from ASNAU. The team had set $10,000 aside, but the total cost of the tournament is $25,000. They have raised an additional $5,000, but still need $10,000. Any bit would help. Senator Fox expresses that one reason they have this cap is to ensure that every single club is equal; some clubs have not yet come to ASNAU, so what message would they be sending if they have to turn those clubs away? The team believes that their individuals have had to pay substantially more and that, based on percentages, it is just as equal. Senator Fox says that, in choosing this sport, members are aware that the cost is much higher and that they should be prepared to pay much more. As mentioned in the letter, the other student governments have provided additional funding; they believe that this is an example of how other organizations have made it work. Senator Fox says that other club sports may have the chance to attend national tournaments or major conferences, so does he think that it would be open to other club sports? The representative does believe that because he thinks that the clause would specify a certain amount of success. Senator Smart asks why they are not funded by NAU athletics; they are not funded because there are no conferences around here and that the American Collegiate Hockey Association is not an NCAA sport. President Smart suggests going to STAC (the student advisory council) for additional funding. She also shares that when they were senators, there were some teammates looking to go to an All Star Conference and they wrote a bill for individuals rather than for organizations. The Parliamentarian Jared Gorse suggests that they do a poll about funding and how much they are willing to fund. He suggests making this a discussion top as letter m on the agenda. VP Niemann says that she does not think that it needs to be taken to a poll because it does not need to be decided at this moment. Chairman Lee asks how the senators feel about waiting until next week; Senator Fox says that he would prefer a poll to see where the senators stand.
Motion: Senator McDiarmid move to add item m onto the agenda and label it “D3 Ice Jacks”
Second: Senator Fox
Discussion: Senator Smart asks how many individuals are on the team; there are 28 players.
Vote: 3 oppose, 8 are in favor, item m has now been placed on the agenda and titled “D3 Ice Jacks”
Special Events announces that Wiz Khalifa will be coming to campus on April 12th in the Sky Dome, which is free to all 23-fee paying students! Bring your ID to CTO starting on April 7th to get your ticket.
Budget: President Smart presents the budget and tells everyone to look at the section beginning with line 124. Under “unobligated,” there is no more money, so continue to approve allocations this week and the money will be drawn from the OA line. On Wednesday during their exec meeting, the team will find leftover money and reallocate it into senate organizations. Chairman Lee asks how confident she is that there will be funds elsewhere; she is very confident. After the final cost of the concert is set, they will take some from that line. They will also take the Undie Run into consideration, but all remaining money will go towards it. There is leftover money in out-of-state travels, capital improvements, and others. The funding will be heavy in this last portion of the year, but do not worry about a lack of money. Dr. Brandel confirms that the financial situation is how President Smart presented it.
Unfinished Business
Motion: Senator Fox move to vote on item a, Bylaw Revisions
Second: Senator McDiarmid
Discussion: Chairman Lee asks Dr. Brandel if he searched into the bylaw revision concerning alcohol; he did not, but he will do that immediately tomorrow morning. The legal office and president’s office is still unaware of it. Senator Fox suggests keeping it tabled. Senator McDiarmid stresses that this is the sixth week that they have been waiting for a response and that there is a time concern. He would like to know how people feel, if the bylaw gets legal approval. An overview of the situation: PRISM wants to rent out the Orpheum theatre, but the Orpheum has an open bar. With the current bylaws, ASNAU cannot sponsor an event that is related to alcohol. Senator Woodhouse suggests having an email vote for the bylaw on Tuesday so that they can have the bill ready by the next senate meeting. Senator Fox agrees. Dr. Brandel will follow up with an answer tomorrow. He is just concerned with the microscope that has been put on the student governments’ actions. Other organizations sponsor funding in a similar way, so perhaps they can look into those. Senator McDiarmid informs the senate that those organizations have the same bylaws. Chairman Lee suggests suspending the bylaw for this situation only. Senator Fox is concerned with the federal, state, and NAU/ABOR issue and would like an understanding of the legal position first. Senator Creer sees this situation as the same as tailgating. Senator Cross asks if they plan on having the bar open; it is impossible to not have open. Senator Cross says that it is no different than sponsoring events at the High Country Center, as it has a bar in it. Senator Lopez mentions that the bar in the Orpheum is very well gated off. Chairman Lee asks for an informal opinion of those in favor of suspending the bylaws. Majority rules in favor of helping this organization, but Chairman Lee warns them that there will be abstentions and oppositions. There will be an email to follow up.
Vote: By unanimous vote, item a (Bylaw Revisions) will continue to be tabled
New Action Business
Motion: Senator Fox move to vote on item a, OA: Student Health Advisory Committee, $145
Second: Senator Creer
Discussion: This money will fund an event that will hold a health career panel, where they will invite a variety of health career professionals and students will be able to ask questions regarding jobs and discuss the pros and cons of certain jobs and how they got them. In addition, they can ask any questions involving grad school and networking opportunities. This will motivate future health care professionals to help educate them in moving towards their goals. Senator Woodhouse asks if they hosted this event before; this is their first time hosting it. Senator Chan asks if there is an entry fee; it is free.
Vote: 1 abstains, 10 are in favor, item a (OA: Student Health Advisory Committee, $145) has been approved
Motion: Senator Woodhouse move to vote on item b, OA: NAU Climbing Club, $500
Second: Senator Lopez
Discussion: This will reimburse the club for a team building trip to Red Rocks, Nevada during the past weekend. This was an opportunity for members to learn about each other and to climb outside of Flagstaff. This was the first trip they have ever had with these objectives and they got to further their knowledge. Senator Woodhouse asks how they plan on expanding the club; they plan on doing more trips, especially ones outside of Arizona.
Vote: Unanimous, item b (OA: NAU Climbing Club, $500) has been approved
Motion: Senator McDiarmid move to vote on item c, OA: NAU Men’s Lacrosse, $500
Second: Senator Boruch
Discussion: This funding will go toward a league fee of $3600. The club charges $1200 per person upon coming into the team, which is about one-third to one-half of what other leagues charge. They pride themselves on keeping member fees down. Senator Woodhouse asks how they plan on keeping the club more sustainable; they collect member dues and are working on fundraisers. In fact, they have even worked with someone to have a fundraiser once a week.
Vote: Unanimous, item c (OA: NAU Men’s Lacrosse, $500) has been approved
Motion: Senator Chan move to vote on item d, SB 25-68: NAU Men’s Lacrosse, $3000
Second: Senator Lopez
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, item d (SB 25-68: NAU Men’s Lacrosse, $3000) has been approved
Motion: Senator Woodhouse move to vote on item e, OA: Women’s Club Volleyball, $500
Second: Senator McDiarmid
Discussion: This club is a longstanding and competitive program that attends tournaments throughout the year. They have attended San Diego and UCLA for tournaments recently, doing well in both and even winning second at UCLA. They pay club dues of $800 per person. During tournaments, they try to stay at teammates’ houses and they pay for their own food. In addition, the girls put on fundraisers to raise money, and are even looking into t-shirt sales. The national tournament will be in Dallas, Texas and the entrance fee is $900. The plane tickets are expensive, as are the hotels that they are required to stay at. Thus, they have requested funding for these expenses. Senator Fox asks if the $800 membership fee is per semester or per year; it is per year. Senator Boruch asks how many people are in attendance; nine teammates and one coach will be attending.
Vote: Unanimous, item e (OA: Women’s Club Volleyball, $500) has been approved
Motion: Senator Lopez move to vote on item f, SB 25-69: Women’s Club Volleyball, $2460
Second: Senator Chan
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, item f (SB 25-69: Women’s Club Volleyball, $2460) has been approved
Motion: Senator Boruch move to vote on item g, SB 25-70: Gabaldon Hall Association, $1400
Second: Senator Fox
Discussion: Gabapalooza will take place at the end of April, which is a 15-year old tradition. It is a campus-wide event that is open and free to all students. In the past, they have had around 400 attendants. The funding will cover the food and will be budgeted based on last year. Based on last year’s numbers, they have decided to cut down on the food—reducing the cost. Chairman Lee asks how their relationship is with RHA and if they expect to receive funding; they have not spoken to RHA, but are wanting to get some hall association members to present there. Senator Fox asks why the food total and the bill total were not the same; Senator Woodhouse replies that she rounded up and that it is only a different of approximately $25. Senator Creer asks how much funding they are expecting from RHA; they are not sure at the moment, but hoping for the same amount.
Vote: Unanimous, item g (SB 25-70: Gabaldon Hall Association, $1400) has been approved
Motion: Senator McDiarmid move to vote on item h, SB 25-71: NAU Young Democrats, $2085
Second: Senator Boruch
Discussion: This funding will subsidize the club for the Leg Con conference. The representative attended his sophomore year as a member of ASA and is excited to have the opportunity to attend it again. It is a 3 to 4 day seminar, where they will be able to discuss politics related to students; the event culminates with a scheduled lobby meeting with the congressional representatives. Afterwards, he became a member of the ASNAU senate and he started the NAU Young Democrats. He became more politically engaged and worked for Ann Kirkpatrick. It opened his eyes for political opportunities. Senator McDiarmid says that in the bill, it mentions “at least 3 members;” the representative confirms that it is definitely 3 members. Senator Woodhouse says that she feels that ASNAU has been covering all costs. Senator Cross feels that they have funded similar events before. Senator Fox says that they project that each member will be putting forth $120 towards food and that that is fair.
Vote: Unanimous, item h (SB 25-71: NAU Young Democrats, $2085) has been approved
Motion: Senator Boruch move to vote on item i, OA: Chi Omega, $800
Second: Senator Tenney
Discussion: This funding will go towards their Rock-N-Bowl philanthropic event and are asking for the money to cover the venue. The event is on Sunday at Starlite Lanes. There will be 41 teams, each of them are paying $20 (which is for charity). They have been tabling down in the union to make sure that the NAU community knows thatit is open to all students. There are 4 to 5 students on each team. Senator Fox asks how much Chi Omega is contributing; they will be putting forth $3450.