Student GovernmentA Voice for Students

The meeting on 09-05-12 was called to order at 7:35pm. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, opening role call, and a motion to approve the journal from the previous Senate meeting (the minutes from the 08-22-12 meeting). The journal was approved and we heard speeches from Dr. Mike Mullen, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, as well as Mary Burkey, a student serving on the Quality Enhancement Program Steering Committee. Dr. Mullen spoke to the Student Senate on the new Division of Academic and Student Affairs as well as the Fee Review process, timeline, and what it entails. Mary Burkey spoke to the Senate on the Quality Enhancement Program Steering Committee, what that committee is looking for, requesting student input, and updating us on the new focuses the committee is taking (critical and creative thinking). We then moved into Open Floor comments from the student body. Irene Cadwell spoke to the Senate on voter registration and Baljinder Kaur came and spoke to the Senate about the Art of Living Club on campus.

Before moving into reports from the Student Body Officers, a motion was made to amend the calendar to consider the appointments first. Those appointed at this meeting were (SR 25) Athina Conklin to Comptroller (equivalent of the assistant to the Student Body Treasurer), Grant Harris to a Management Senate Seat, Molly Basdeo to a College of Education Senate Seat, Jacob Langlois to a College of Education Senate Seat, and Senator Abbi Davis to the Parliamentarian position within Student Senate. These individuals took the Oath of Office at this meeting.

Next we heard reports from the Student Body Officers. Taylor Lansing, Student Chief Justice, addressed the Senate on updates from the Office of Student Conduct. Student Body Treasurer, Joseph Murray, gave updates to the Senate from the Treasury as well as Appropriations updates from his end of the process. Student Body President, Andy Walsh, talked with the Senators about Chancellor’s Liaison and items discussed at this, President’s Roundtable,  Campout, and the Tuition & Fees process from his end. Emerson Barker, Student Senate Pro Tempore, gave a speech about the Appropriations process reminded Senators of their duties in this process, his duties, the committees, duties, and also some more dates and deadline reminders. Student Senate President, Regan Gatlin, addressed the Senate on the topic of tuition & fees, the Senate’s role in that process, some basics as far as their responsibilities, reminded them of their responsibilities as Senators, and gave an update on what Athletics needs from the Senate as far as their volunteering.

We then moved into reports by the Committee Chairs. Mostly basic updates and overviews from their meetings earlier that week and also some updates as far as goals for their committees and what they have been working on and what is in the books for later this session. During Tuition & Fees Committee Chair, Megan Wright’s, report a motion was made by Senator Wright to amend the agenda to move the meeting originally scheduled for September 19, 2012 to September 26, 2012 in order to comply with the timeline of the Fee Review Committee. This would allow for the Student Senate to approve the tuition and fees legislation as a recommendation on the fees from the students before the meeting on October 2^nd of the Fee Review Committee so that the Senate President has the students’ input in the voting process. This motion was seconded and approved by the Senate.

We had no first reading of legislation, but we did have GB 32, Appropriations Timeline and Funding Efficiency Act up for second reading. Emerson Barker, sponsor of the bill, gave his synopsis and stated that they were simply statutes changes to make the process run more efficiently. Nithyananthan Poosamani, Government Operations Chair, gave his committee report to the Senate, and they passed it out of committee favorably. Debate began but was quickly interrupted by a motion of consent to end debate, it was not objected to, and the bill went into a vote. The results of the vote were 29-0 in the affirmative, and the legislation passed.

We then moved into Miscellaneous Business, Comments and Announcements, Parliamentarian’s Report, and closing role call and adjournment.

We would like to thank those guests who attended the meeting. Remember that our Student Senate Meetings are open to all students and open to the public. Individuals who are not current or former members of Student Government are allowed to speak during Open Floor Comments form the Student Body for the period not to exceed three minutes, so that opportunity is also available.

Our next Student Senate Meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2012 at 7:30 pm in Harrelson 314.

If you have any questions, feel free to email the Student Senate President, Regan Gatlin, at student-senate-president@ncsu.edu.

GO PACK!

Regan Gatlin
Student Senate President, Session 92