STUDENT SENATE
Meeting of February 18, 1999

BH 136a (Adamson Wing)

05:39 PM MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

05:39 PM ROLL CALL

Senators Present: Charlie Anthe (CIT) – 1, Jamie Chang (MCS) – 0, Mike Creegan (BHA) – ½, Heather Devine (HSS) – 0, Larry Fabbroni (CFA) – ½, Dominic Falso (MCS – M@L) – 2, Beth Ferrick (HSS – M@L) – ½, Nick Fitzkee (MCS) – 1, Ashley Gross (CIT) – 1½, Rodolfo Guerrero (SIA) – 1, Neil Guzy (HSS) – 0, Ika Hardjanto (SCS) – 1, Marcin Jeske (SCS – M@L) – 0, Deval Joshi (MCS – M@L) – 1, Jason Katcoff (CIT) – 0, Eric Koch (CIT) – ½, David Liber (HSS) – 0, Alex Markle (CIT) – ½, Prashanth Mekala (CIT) – 1½, Joshua Merry (HSS) – 1, Abhisek Mitra (HSS) – 1, Matt Monroe (CIT) – 0, Robb Moskowitz (HSS) – 0, Amy Ng (CIT) – ½, Adam Phelps (SCS) – 2, Eric Silverman (MCS) – 0, Drew Stovall (MCS – M@L) – 1, Mike Strauss (SCS) – 0, Reagan You (SIA) – excused – 1 ½

Senators Absent: Erin Fitzgerald (CIT) – 1, Zak Jones (CFA) – 4, Monica Malhotra (SIA) – 1, Missi Nickle (CFA) – 2, Adam Retchless (MCS) – 0, Cory Shopper (CFA) – 3

05:41 PM Approval of Minutes

Accepted by voice vote

05:42 PM AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

05:43 PM EX-OFFICIO REPORTS

AB (Activities Board) absent

GSA (Graduate Student Assembly) absent

Greek Council absent

05:44 PM Student Affairs (Denise Fazio)

National University of Singapore (NUS) and CMU exchange information session on Wednesday, February 24 from 5-6pm in the University Center’s Pake Room
Housing Reservation Fee Requirement of $200 must be deposited by February 25 (Wednesday) in order to participate in Room Draw 1999
Housing Services & Student Life will offer special programs first week of March; Look for posters, information in The Tartan, and email

Oakland Open House
First-Year Info Sessions

Students needed to be a reader for the Student Employee of the Year Recognition Award: See Pati Kravetz (Career Center)
Reading nomination forms & nominating materials of 10 finalists
2 to 3 hour time commitment
Receive packet March 12 and have until March 24 to return the packet
Reception: April 9 from 5-7pm in the University Center’s Peter/Wright Rooms

05:46 PM Student Dormitory Council / SDC (Dom Falso)

Upcoming SDC Elections
Nominations for President & VP will be held Wednesday, February 24
Elections will be held on Wednesday, March 3 (arbiter is Dom Falso)
Food Surveys will be given out soon around Highlander
Sex Week was a great success with about 1800 total attendance
Motioned to keep broadcasting meetings approved
Time of rebroadcast to be determined

05:51 PM President (Sarah Gross)

Morewood Basement
Surveyed area with AB members Ben Henty, Subjojit Mookerjee, and Matt Silverstein to discuss stereo/lighting systems
Next week will choose furniture with Tim Michael
Book Store Task Force Statement will be drafted by Sarah Gross and Jennifer Church
Help will be needed for planning an opening event for the Morewood Basement space
Patty Stacer is looking for student participants in the University Shoppe Forum
Meeting with Linda Anderson to discuss some of the HUB’s policies
Computing Issues meeting with Sarah Gross, Amy Ng, and Tracy Futhey coming up
Dean Murphy is waiting to hear back from PAT regarding CMU’s counter-offer; information will be upcoming
Monday Seminars/Dimensions issues discussed
Why they exist
Whether or not they should be combined
Possible subjects for Town Meetings before Spring Break
Tuition raise
Food

If you’d like to help out with any of these issues or have question, comments, or ideas, please contact Sarah Gross

05:58 PM Treasurer (Keith Rothschild)

Office hours will resume next week
Will raise further points later on in the meeting

05:59 PM Joint Funding Committee / JFC (Drew Stovall)

Had first two organizational meetings; approximately 35 out of about 82 organizations attended
Joint Meeting is approaching

06:00 PM STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

06:00 PM Academic Affairs / AA (Amy Ng)

University is considering placing statute of limitations on changing course grades
Considering a one-year limitation following graduation is under consideration
As with any University policy, this can be negated on a case-by-case basis with the Dean
Calendar Committee
This year, UACC does not intend on moving the dates of Spring Break
Working on making minis the same length within each semester

In an attempt to eliminate conflicts between mini 1, and 3 final exam dates and semester-long class time, UACC is considering a midsemester exam period similar to finals week
There is an increase of minis amongst undergraduate courses, i.e., Intro Physics & Intro MechE

Pass/Fail classes
As a way to protect students, instructors should not know if students are enrolled as Pass/Fail in class; however, there are a few computer glitches which allow instructors to know about the P/F status of a student

Steps are being taken to fix computer glitches

Discussion of plus/minus grading system has been brought up: We will ask talk about this in the Special Order of as stated on the agenda
Will ask for student feedback about the reaction to Calculus as a mini class

06:05 PM Campus Affairs / CA (Neil Guzy)

Webpage is almost completely finished; should be up and running by the week of February 22^nd
Cluster Issues
Will be working along with AA to address concerns about campus clusters
Poster Policy work continuing
Will distribute to everyone (including Greek community) and will post on boards
Ski Connection: Hoping that it will be recognized through an existing organization
Heating in Academic Buildings
Is there anything we can do to maintain steady and constant levels of heat?
Campus Clocks
Will make sure they all work and are on the same time schedule
Food
Looking to work with SDC to improve food around campus

06:12 PM Funding and Recognition / F & R (Alex Markle)

Still resolving re-recognition issues from last semester
New online form for special allocations and there will soon be an updated recognition form as well
"We are rich, so now is the time to hit us up for those big-ticket items. Bring it on!"
Will probably be doing joint work with Student Activities to create a new handbook for student organizations

06:14 PM Internal Affairs / IA (Mike Creegan)

Passed three resolutions to come up later tonight during New Business from Committee

Will be approving election dates and Elections Board later in the meeting

Contact IA if interested in being on the Elections Board

Our meetings are Tuesdays at 9pm in Conference Room (UC 318g)

IA Chair’s office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5pm in UC 318f

Cosmic bowling planned for February 19: Meet in 318 suite at 11:30pm

Planning Senate retreat next week

Suggestions: email committee at internal-affairs@andrew or come to meetings or office hours

06:15 PM Public Relations / PR (Ika Hardjanto)

Radio Show
Wednesday, February 17: Lunar Gala representatives; SPIRIT to talk about Black History Month
Wednesday, February 24: Paul Fowler from Career Center to talk about career opportunities and support (i.e.: Tartan Trak & internships)
Wednesday, March 3: Chad Herman (business communications professors) to talk about CMU, including the professor/student relationship
Wednesday, March 10: Dean Murphy and President Cohon
Working on publication and advertising
Formal for CMU
Trying to throw a campus-wide formal at the end of this semester & are working with many different organizations
Goal: promote student senate, spirit, enthusiasm, and cooperation between organizations
Pictures
Will be taking pictures of senators either this evening or during committee meetings
Working on ideas for Happy Hour

06:17 PM Chair (Robb Moskowitz)

JFC meeting is April 8^th
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance wants to take students out to lunch on February 19
Union Grill, 3pm, 10 spaces
There is now a web-based system to inform about resolutions
Looking into the free use of NT servers
Vacancy for H&SS senator seat

06:19 PM Vice Chair (Charlie Anthe)

Printer approval questions
Process of authorizing internal Senate spending (by IA investigations)

06:20 PM Motion to recess for five minutes to read the Committee to Investigate the Actions of the

Treasurer Final Report

Hand vote is tied; Chair breaks for recess

06:29 PM Meeting resumes

06:29 PM REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE (Mike Strauss on behalf of Committee)

Conclusion of report read as follows:

Recognizing that these wrongdoings are almost certainly isolated incidents and that the Student Body Treasurer has had many unreported favorable dealings with individuals and organizations, the Committee feels that the gravity of these charges neither demand nor warrant action by Student Government.

However, we encourage the Student Body Treasurer to fulfill all of the duties prescribed by the office, and attempt to act with the decorum appropriate to a Student Government official in the future. Should the Student Body Treasurer fail to carry out these duties or should he commit other acts outside his powers, we encourage Student Senate to take punitive action against him.

Question taken by Mike Strauss on behalf of the Committee

06:32 PM Move to adopt the report

Seconded

06:32 PM Discussion

06:36 PM Treasurer states objections to some sections of the report; requests more detail and clarification

06:36 PM Treasurer asks to recommit report to the Committee

06:36 PM Move to enter report into minutes as if read

Fails (voice vote)

06:37 PM Discussion

06:38 PM Move to lay it on the table (to be brought up later)

Seconded

06:39 PM Vote to lay it on the table

Fails (hand vote)

06:39 PM Move to amend that only the recommendations should be entered into the minutes

Seconded

06:40 PM Discussion

06:41 PM Motion to close debate

Passes (voice vote)

06:41 PM Vote on amendment to enter only the recommendations of the Committee into the minutes

Fails (voice vote)

06:41 PM Discussion

06:42 PM Motion to enter report into minutes as if read, pending its approval by Senate

Seconded

06:43 PM Vote to enter the report into the minutes as if read, pending its approval by Senate

Passes (voice vote)

06:44 PM Discussion resumes

Senate can either accept the report or recommit it to the Committee

06:47 PM Motion to accept the report of the Committee

Seconded

06:47 PM Discussion

07:04 PM Move to end debate

Seconded

07:04 PM Roll call vote to accept the report of the Committee

C. Anthe – Y J. Chang – Abstain E. Fitzgerald – Absent M. Creegan – Y N. Fitzkee – Abstain Z. Jones – Absent

H. Devine – Y J. Katcoff – Abstain M. Malhotra – Absent

L. Fabbroni – Y R. Moskowitz – Abstain J. Merry – Absent

A. Gross – Y A. Phelps – Abstain A. Ng – Absent

R. Guerrero – Y M. Strauss – Abstain M. Nickle – Absent

N. Guzy – Y A. Retchless – Absent

I. Hardjanto – Y C. Shopper – Absent

N. Kapadia – Y R. You – Absent

E. Koch – Y

D. Liber – Y

A. Markle – Y

P. Mekala – Y

A. Mitra – Y

M. Monroe – Y

E. Silverman – Y

Motion Passes, 16 – 0 – 6

07:07 PM Move to put new business S99-012 as next item

Seconded

07:09 PM Vote to present S99-012 as next item

Passes (voice vote)

07:10 PM Special Allocation to SoundBytes (S99-012)

SoundBytes is performing a concert on Saturday the 20^th, in the Alumni Concert Hall, along with two other groups. One group is asking SoundBytes to cover their transportation expenses, approximately $20-$30. The other is a professional group, "Ball in the House," and charges between $750-$1000 for performance. No contract has been signed, but the group has agreed to perform with the promise of a payment in the requested range. Additional expenses include approximately $100 for AB Tech. SoundBytes will be charging $3 at the door, and they expect an attendance of approximately 200. Funding and Recognition is recommending an allocation of $350 for this event. This amount is only to cover this event, and is only to cover up to the difference between income and expense. Any excess funds up to that amount will be returned to senate’s account.

07:11 PM Questions

07:12 PM Discussion

07:12 PM Vote on Special Allocation S99-012

Passes (voice vote)

07:13 PM SPECIAL ORDER (from Sarah Gross for Amy Ng)

CMU is discussing a plus/minus grading policy
Brief history of CMU’s grading policies given
If you have questions, opinions, or feedback, please contact Amy Ng, AA Chair
Please note: This is just a survey to get feedback and to test student reaction; it is not officially being looked into yet

07:23 PM NEW BUSINESS FROM COMMITTEE

07:23 PM Move to put S99-014 as next item

Seconded

07:24 PM Vote to put S99-014 as next item

Passes (voice vote)

07:26 PM Re-recognition of CMU Aiki Ju Jutsu Club (non-funded) S99-014

The purpose of this organization is to promote self-protection and defensive capabilities AND the control of physical and mental actions through the study of the martial arts. There are currently 6 members.

07:27 PM Questions

07:28 PM Discussion

07:28 PM Vote to re-recognize the CMU Aiki Ju Jutsu Club (S99-014)

Passes (voice vote)

07:28 PM Resolution S99-006

Reading and explanation; No discussion to be held tonight (first reading)

07:30 PM Resolution S99-007

Reading and explanation; No discussion to be held tonight (first reading)

07:31 PM Resolution S99-008

Reading and explanation; No discussion to be held tonight (first reading)

07:34 PM Resolution S99-009, Approval of the following dates for Senate elections: March 30^th, 31^st,

and April 1^st

07:34 PM Discussion

07:35 PM Vote to approve election dates as presented in S99-009

Passes (voice vote)

07:36 PM Resolution S99-010: Approval of Recommendation for Policy revisions

07:37 PM Questions

07:40 PM Discussion

07:52 PM Move to divide the combined policy revision recommendations into its three separate parts

(S99-010a = Disorderly Conduct Policy, S99-010b = Riotous and Disorderly Behavior Policy, S99-010c = Damage to Carnegie Mellon Property Policy)

Seconded

07:53 PM Vote to divide the policy revision recommendations into its three separate parts

Passes (voice vote)

07:53 PM Vote to endorse Disorderly Conduct Policy revision recommendations (S99-010a)

Passes (voice vote)

07:53 PM Discussion of Riotous and Disorderly Behavior Policy revision recommendations

07:56 PM Vote to endorse Riotous and Disorderly Behavior Policy revision recommendations (S99-010b)

Passes (voice vote)

07:57 PM Discussion of Damage to Carnegie Mellon Property Policy revision recommendations

08:07 PM Vote to endorse Damage to Carnegie Mellon Property Policy revision recommendations (S99-

010c)

Fails (voice vote)

08:07 PM S99-011: Special Allocation to Activities Board

AB’s printer has finally completed its slow demise and is no longer usable. They want a new one. Because they do a lot of printing of posters for publicity, a printer that does 11 x 17 is necessary. Funding and Recognition is recommending an allocation of $1,612.39 for an HP 5si. This is one of the cheaper printers that can handle 11 x 17 printing, and it has a good reputation for durability (They are used in many clusters).

08:07 PM Questions

08:12 PM Discussion

08:18 PM Vote on S99-011: Special Allocation to Activities Board

Passes (voice vote)

08:18 PM S99-013: Special allocation to the Thistle

The Thistle has requested funds to purchase a long focal length lens and a flash for their camera. Their current camera equipment is not appropriate for long range photography such as sports, or big events. A flash is also important for indoor sports and other indoor or nighttime events. The cost of the lens is $240, and the cost of the flash is $55. These items are both compatible with the Thistle’s current equipment. Funding and Recognition is recommending an allocation of $295.

08:19 PM Questions

08:21 PM Discussion

08:26 PM Vote to accept S99-013

Passes (voice vote)

08:26 PM S99-015: Re-recognition of Baseball Club (funded)

The purpose of this organization is to play baseball. They need funding for equipment.

08:26 PM Questions

08:26 PM Discussion

08:27 PM Vote on S99-015 to re-recognize the Baseball Club

Passes (voice vote)

08:27 PM S99-016: Re-recognition of Lacrosse Club (funded)

The purpose of this organization is to play lacrosse. They need funding for equipment.

08:27 PM Questions

08:28 PM Discussion

08:28 PM Vote on S99-016 to re-recognize the Lacrosse Club

Passes (voice vote)

08:29 PM S99-017: Approval of Elections Board member Louis R. Cohen

08:29 PM Questions

08:33 PM Discussion

08:37 PM Vote to approve Louis R. Cohen as Elections Board member

Passes (hand vote)

08:37 PM NEW BUSINESS FROM FLOOR

08:38 PM Proposal to send Senate’s recommendation on Damage to Carnegie Mellon Property Policy

revision recommendation

08:39 PM Vote to entertain the motion

Fails (hand vote)

08:39 PM Move to refer proposal to IA committee

08:40 PM Discussion

08:42 PM Ask for unanimous consent to withdraw motion to put the proposal to a committee

Proposal will be brought up next Senate meeting: March 4^th, 1999

08:48 PM Motion withdrawn

08:48 PM Move to reconsider

Seconded

08:49 PM Discussion

08:56 PM Move to end discussion

Seconded

08:56 PM Vote to end debate

Passes (voice vote)

08:56 PM Vote to reconsider

Fails (voice vote)

08:56 PM POINTS OF DISCUSSION

Suggestion made that organizations not in Senate who attend meeting be allowed to present their issues earlier
Discussion on the report of the Investigation of the Treasurer
For Elections Board members: Contact individual leaders (or organizations) through personal emails or contact instead
Feedback should be given to organizations that contact Senate who are only asking for Senate’s approval/advice/suggestions
When can Senate intervene in the inner-workings of student organizations?
Would be positive for all senators to stay through Points of Discussion at every meeting
Suggestion made that issues regarding the Senate Chair be brought up as business in the next Senate meeting (March 4^th, 1999)
Request: When agreeing, during discussion, with someone who is speaking, please do not bang on the table, but rather snap in agreement

09:30 PM ANNOUNCEMENTS

Senate Bowling trip: $2 to M. Creegan
Senate Webpage is updated in terms of format

09:31 PM Move to adjourn

Passes (voice vote)

09:31 PM Meeting adjourns

Submitted by: Lia L. Rozmiarek