GOVERNMENT BILL 64

Chairman Sarah Lindh submitted the following report regarding Government Bill 64, "AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STUDENT BODY DEPARTMENT FOR RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES", to the Student Senate on Wednesday, April 1st 2009, on behalf of the Government Operations Committee, and pursuant to its Monday, March 30th 2009 recommendations, with 3 members voting in the affirmative, 0 in the negative, and 1 having abstained from voting:

As provided by Senate Rule, the committee requests that the Senate President place Government Bill 64, on the calendar for second reading.

Attendance:

There were four (4) members (D. Johnson, Layton, Lindh, Jacquelyn Smith) present.

There were two (2) members (Ashok, Chiang) absent. There was also one (1) suspended member (Brackett) absent.

The following official was also present: Dawkins.

A quorum was present.

Purpose of Legislation:

GB 64: Research and Communication Services Act, sponsored by Senator Kenneth Webb, proposes the development of the Department for Research and Communication Services within Student Government. The Department for Research and Communication Services shall support the mission and goals of Student Government by providing coordination of knowledge management activities, research activities, recruitment for special needs, and communication activities.

Background Information:

8-9 individuals who are appointed by Executive members and approved by Senate are governed by the Chief Knowledge Officer who oversees 2 divisions of the Department for Research and Communication. The Research division is under oversight by University Affairs Committee and the Communication division is under oversight by Campus Community Committee. The entire Department is under the oversight of Government Operations.

Debate:

-What budget is this Department under and where is the money going to come from?
-The Advisor of the Department has to be dedicated to help form and operate this organization along with maintaining his/her duties with the University.
-This looks good on paper but will it get started and function effectively? (example: Public Defender failure)

Recommendations:

Government Operations Committee recommends that the Senate passes this bill in hopes that the incoming executive cabinet is mindful of the development of this organization. This Department is pending on the effectiveness of who is chosen for these positions, their desire to serve and knowledge of the division in order to run successfully. The Advisor also must be willing to be the active Administrator to assist this organization in all of their pursuits of enhancing this University.