Student Senate Meeting Minutes – Friday, September 2, 2011
I. Meeting Called to Order @ 12:31 pm
II. Roll Call and Introductions
Senators Present – Quorum with Chris Mondragon, Shannon Dez, Lita Owen, Arturo Baeza, and Jeff Genauer. Early in the meeting, Arturo was sworn in as a new Student Senator. Advisor present – Richard Sedillo. Students present included Filbert DeAguero, Jerome Williams, Julie Bird, Daniel Sanchez Jr., Israel Sanchez, Richard Terwilliger, and Allen Madrid. Dean of Student Services Frank Orona was present.
III. Approval of September 2nd Agenda – Approved
IV. Approval of Last Meeting’s Minutes – Approved, with correction that August 26th meeting did not have a quorum of senators present
V. Treasurers Report
Senate Account Balance is __???__ Tabled to next meeting
VI. New Business
A) Vision Committee Report
Ken Dvorak gave Student Senate a report on work done by Northern’s Visito con Committee, which is working to articulate a new strategic vision for the college. A series of meetings took place during the summer with Northern faculty, staff, students and community members. The Vision Committee was started by President Barcelo in January; it consists of Ken Dvorak, Patricia Trujillo and Julianna Barbee. The new vision is intended to be actively followed and utilized, and not to merely sit on a shelf gathering dust like previous college plans have. More student input is needed, and the Vision Committee will continue to hold meetings throughout the fall.
B) Campus Smoking Policy
Senators discussed the college’s new smoking policy (to not allow smoking within 25 feet of buildings) and voted affirmatively to ask the college to institute designated smoking areas.
C) Off-Campus Housing Crisis Problem
Senators discussed the housing problem at length, with input from several students (including one who had lived in the El Rito dormitories) and from Dean of Student Services Frank Orona. Senators recognized that this is a complex problem that must be addressed with long-term coordinated effort, but also that immediate action is needed. Senators and students support, for example, President Barcelo’s idea of having the college rent a block of motel rooms as temporary housing for students. Senators and students also support the idea of using creative action to highlight the urgency of this problem, such as student initiation of a small “tent city” on campus. Frank Orona clarified that students do have the right to take such action, and it would not raise a disciplinary problem for student/s involved. Student Senate president Jeff Genauer announced he is establishing a Student Housing Committee to catalyze more coordination and action on this issue. Several students volunteered to join the new Student Housing Committee.
VII. Old Business
D) Santa Clara Pueblo Fire and Flood Recovery – Because the previous meeting’s vote to donate funds to Santa Clara Pueblo did not have a quorum, senate revisited this proposal. Instead of donating funds at this time, senators voted to first invest time and effort in strengthening our relationship and the college’s relationship with Santa Clara Pueblo. Senators are hopeful that with President Barcelo’s leadership and our own awareness of the importance of demonstrating cultural sensitivity and respect in our interactions with Pueblo leaders and their community, that we can resolve and heal from any issues that may have negatively impacted this relationship in the past.
E) Fall 2011 Event Plans and Proposals (30 minutes)
1. VOTED YES – Student Senate Forum & Barbecue – Event postponed one week to Monday, September 19th.
$1,500 funding approved for food including hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, beans, ketchup, mustard, cold drinks, etc. Food will be sourced from local farmers and Center Market, in addition to Walmart. Event will include a table with information present by student senate, and a microphone. Northern’s Vision Committee is invited to participate.
2. VOTED YES – Land Ethic Series – first on Wednesday, October 5, 2011.
$1,500 funding approved for each of first two events in the Land Ethic Series. The first two events are screenings of the films Gasland and Green Fire. First event is scheduled for October 5th, date of 2nd event to be determined. Funding covers food, stipends and travel for potential speakers, and promotion of the event. Senator Lita Owen emphasized that after we experienced disappointing turnout for the spring semester’s Empowerment Series, all senators need to work harder to help make these events successful. This includes all senators being involved, doing more to promote the events on campus and in the community, and better planning and preparation to ensure that the events happen smoothly and purchase orders are submitted two weeks in advance. Events Committee will work on details.
3. Proposed - Faculty Lecture Series – Tabled
4. Proposed – Jazz Dance Performance – late September or early October. Lita will follow up with the jazz artist who is offering to provide a free performance. Potential for involving Jazz Studies Department with the event should be explored.
5. VOTED YES – Campus Clean-Up Day – Monday, September 26th
6. VOTED YES – Basketball Spirit Week – Monday, October 24th to Friday, October 28th.
$2,000 funding approved for the week. October 24th coincides with national Food Day, a celebration of sustainable food and agriculture. Senators supported the idea of kicking off Basketball Spirit Week with an event themed around Food Day, such as a feast featuring sustainable food. Jeff will ask the Sostenga Center to participate, and Events Committee will plan further details.
VIII. Nominations for open Senate officer positions – none.
IX. Senate comments, announcements, and/or concerns. Senators continued discussing the student housing problem.
X. Next Meeting Date – Next regular meeting of Student Senate scheduled for Friday, September 16th at 12:30 pm in the Boardoom. Also, Events Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 6th at 2 pm in the Boardroom.
X. Meeting Adjourned – 2:03 pm.