Student GovernmentA Voice for Students

The meeting on 10-17-12 was called to order at 7:35pm. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, opening role call, and a motio nto approve the journal from the previous Student Senate meeting (the minutes from the 10-02-12 meeting). The journal was approved and we heard speeches from Dr. Lisa Zapata, Vice Provost for Student Development, Health, and Wellness, Caroline Yopp with Teach For America, and Ali Kensmoe and Mary Charles Hale with the Alumni Association Student Ambassador Program. Dr. Lisa Zapata opened with an overview of her position and her department and then opened the floor to a conversation where she asked for feedback on various areas that her positions covered, such as Campus Recreation, Student Health Services, etc. The Senators gave her great feedback and it was suggested that the University Affairs Committee invite Dr. Zapata to a meeting where they would discuss the Master Plan/Strategic Plan for the future, continuation, and improvements of the various areas she covers. This was a great way for Dr. Zapata to talk with the Student Senators and the Student Senators to be able to express their concerns and concerns heard from their constituents. We then had Caroline Yopp discuss Teach For America and the various opportunities after graduation this program offers. She also got a list of various advisors who have helped the Senators or are great adivsors in their departments and colleges that she can reach out to. We then heard from Ali Kensmoe and Mary Charles Hale from the Alumni Association Student Ambassador Program who highlighted the main events of Homecoming Week. They disucssed how the Senators can help spread the word and help them to get more participants and students out to these events. They also thanked Student Government for taking on the Paint the Tunnel event and creating the Mural Competition. They discussed the ways to get involved and help out as well as what to expect from the week of Homecoming.

We then moved into reports from the Student Body Officers. We began with the Student Body Treasurer, Joseph Murray, who discussed various topics and decied to hold off on disussing the Brick Funding legislation until we got to that part of the agenda. Student Body President, Andy Walsh, spoke on Campout and the successes we had from that event. He encouraged students and volunteers (Student Government/Senate) to send feedback from the event on what went well, what could be improved, etc. for next year. Overall, it was a great event! He then discussed various things happening in his branch. We then heard from our Student Senate Pro Tempore, Emerson Barker, who told the Senators they were dealing with the last bit of Appropriations checks and finishing up the process. Lastly, the Student Senate President, Regan Gatlin, addressed the Senate on thanks for Campout volunteers, the Early Voting on Campus and how to reach out to students to inform them of this, open Senate Seats, open administrative committee student spots available to be filled, and the fact that they are students first, but to still remember to go to College Council meetings to hear back from their constituents.

We then moved into reports of the Student Senate Committee Chairs who reported on updates from their committees, which can be found on their individual webpages through the Student Government website under Senate Committees. We approved the resignation of PAMS Senator, Jason Cockrell, and appointed two PAMS Senators, Sarah Cummings and Daniel Weikel, CALS Ag. Institute Senator, Michael Reaves, and CALS Senior Senator, Morgan Carter. They took the Oath of Office and we moved into First Reading of Legislation.

We had first reading of R 48, An Act to Set Decorum, and R 49, Chancellor’s List Creation. R 48 was sent to the Government Operations Committee for review and report, and R 49 was sent to the Academics Committee for review and report. We then moved into FB 47, Funding for the Brick. Treasurer Murray discussed the need for this and the mistake made in the budget where this was not included. An amendment was made on the bill in the second to last paragraph which was approved. Then bill was then approved and adopted.

We then moved into Miscellaneous Business in which the Senate President reminded students to advertise about the Early Voting dates and times. We had Comments and Announcements where individual Senators gave reports on committees they served on such as Graham Dean with the SCBOD. We also had a Senator move to amend the calendar to have the Senate meeting changed from the 31st to the 30th. This failed. We had another Senator move to amend the rules to have Senators wear costumes at the Senate meeting on the 31st because it was Halloween. This was ruled out of order and we moved into Parliamentarian’s Report and closing role call/adjournment.

We would like to thank the guests who attedned the meeting. Remember Student Senate Meetings are open to the public and open to ALL students! Individuals who are not current members or former members of Student Government may speak during Open Floor Comments from the Student Body for the period not to exceed three minutes, if you are with an organization and make a good case, I could also potentially put you on the agenda to speak to the Senate, and if you just wish to come observe, please know that option is available.

Our next Student Senate Meeting is scheduled for October 31, 2012 at 7:30pm 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