SENATE RESOLUTION 111

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED

AN act to provide for the adjournment sine die of the

eighty-sixth session of the north carolina state university

student senate

 

Short Title:  Adjournment Sine Die                                                                                         (Public)

Sponsored by:  Senators WEBB (corresponding), GANNON, PHELPS and ROGERS

First Reading:  March 26, 2008                                                            Version Date:  April 1, 2008

Referred to:                                                                                                                           .

 

WHEREAS,   On April 11, 2007, the 87th session of the North Carolina State University Student Senate convened with Student Senate President Thomas Gregory “T Greg” Doucette presiding, and Student Body President Robert Duane “Bobby” Mills Jr, Student Chief Justice Lock T Whiteside III, and Student Body Treasurer David Burton Foxx in attendance; and,

WHEREAS,   as its first piece of legislation, the 87th session of the Student Senate explicitly adopted policy targets to achieve for the year with Resolution 1, the 2007-2008 MAP Act; and,

WHEREAS,   in response to the tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the 87th session of the Student Senate offered its condolences and support on behalf of the Student Body; and,

WHEREAS,   with the assistance of the Executive Branch, the 87th session of the Student Senate authored, had introduced, and publicly testified in support of Senate Bill 1392, legislation eliminating the sales tax on textbooks, during the 2007 long session of the North Carolina General Assembly; and,

WHEREAS,   through its publicity efforts, the 87th session of the Student Senate set a new record for the number of first-year students filing for Student Senate seats in the Fall 2007 election; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate established needed accountability and ethics standards relating to Student Government officials, adopted at its first-ever meeting held in the chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly; and,

WHEREAS,   for the first time in N.C. State history, the 87th session of the Student Senate ordered a special election to give every student an opportunity to express their opinions on student fee increases via public referenda; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the North Carolina State University Student Senate successfully lobbied to extend dining hall hours for the convenience of the student body; and,

WHEREAS,   continuing the work of the previous session, the 87th session of the North Carolina State University Student Senate successfully advocated for the extension of the drop date to ensure that students are able to make an informed decision about class schedule changes; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate advocated and sponsored the first Haunted Hillsborough Hike, which drew the attendance of well over 3,000 students to Hillsborough Street on Halloween; and,

WHEREAS,   also on Halloween, upon the invitation of the Carmichael Complex the 87th session of the Student Senate became the first student organization to use the newly opened expansion to Carmichael Gymnasium; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate requested that the Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs and the Faculty Senate review faculty resistance to supplying academic progress reports, and encouraged the preparation of progress reports for students at the students’ request; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate successfully advocated for the reinstatement of late night use of Talley Student Center; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate enacted several reforms and financial controls to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability within all branches of Student Government; and,

WHEREAS,   among a number of other academic efforts, the 87th session of the Student Senate worked to address student concerns regarding academic advising; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate overwhelmingly called for dialogue and the establishment of a formal hate crimes policy; and,

WHEREAS,   to build and strengthen relationship within N.C. State and surrounding communities, the 87th session of the Student Senate encouraged all Student Senators to complete a set number of community service hours; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate expedited the appropriations process by over two weeks for the benefit of student organizations and allocated over $80,000.00; and,

WHEREAS,   to combat student ticket fraud and scalping, the 87th session of the Student Senate substantially strengthened the penalties associated with such illegal actions; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate organized and sponsored a group of student leaders to advocate on behalf of students in Washington, D.C.; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate formally called for the reinstatement of the people’s burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate underwent its tri-annual reapportionment process, and created representation within the Senate for the CALS Agricultural Institute; and,

WHEREAS,   in light of students’ complaints, the 87th session of the Student Senate dramatically shortened the time campaigning in Student Government elections; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate also successfully implemented an instant runoff voting system to create efficient and fair elections while minimizing the negative impact of campaigning on candidates and the Student Body; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate called for the revision of the current Dead Week policy to respect and limit students’ workloads during the final week of classes in order to allow for adequate review of materials in preparation for final examinations; and,

WHEREAS,   to help contain the rising costs of students’ tuition and fees, the 87th session of the Student Senate successfully organized a sit-in at the February meeting of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to oppose a 6.5% tuition increase, obtaining positive media coverage from over a half-dozen television and print news outlets across the Triangle; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate organized a student petition to University administrators for the creation of Reading Days; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate supported the placement of the Old City Bell in the University’s Memorial Tower during its upcoming renovation; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate successfully organized the largest campout in the history of the University for the N.C. State v UNC Men’s basketball game; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate advocated for the improvement of the student ticket distribution system for basketball games; and,

WHEREAS,   following a 50%+ increase in the number of candidates filing for Student Senate seats, the 87th session of the Student Senate saw the 2nd highest voter turnout in University history when 7,027 students cast their ballots in the Spring 2008 elections; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate was addressed by a number of students and other guest speakers, including Chancellor James Oblinger, Provost Larry Nielsen, Wake County Clerk of Superior Court Lorrin Freeman, State Representative Ty Harrell and United States Congressman Brad Miller; and,

WHEREAS,   the 87th session of the Student Senate has confirmed numerous appointees who have served the Student Body with honor and pride; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,  by the North Carolina State University Student Senate that:

Section 1.        Any portions of the journal yet unapproved shall stand approved, effective noon, April 9, 2008. The Secretary shall provide an opportunity for online review and correction by all Senators, as provided for by Senate Rule.

Section 2.        Pursuant to Senate Rule 4, the 85th Session of the North Carolina State University Student Senate shall stand adjourned sine die, effective at five o’clock PM on Tuesday, the eighth of April, two thousand and eight.

Section 3.        In the event of vetoes or crises, the Senate President shall be empowered to suspend sine die adjournment for a period up to one week for purposes of reconvening the Senate.

Section 4.        In all cases where this act and the Standing Rules of the Senate may conflict, this act shall govern.

Section 5.        This act is effective upon its adoption.