NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT SENATE
85th SESSION, 2005-2006
SENATE MINUTES
Regular Meeting, Wednesday, September 21st 2005
President Hinton called the Senate to order at 7:30 PM
Opening Roll Call
There were thirty-six (36) Senators (Adams, Barnes, Brannan, Cariaga, Carter, Collins, Compton, Fabricius, Gardner, Gluck, Griggs, Haggard, Hankins, Heath, Hoy, Hutcherson, Lam, Mckethan, Melton, Musick, Oluronbi, K. Phillips, Rice, Salama, Santiago, Saunders, Shaw, Shivers, Langley for Stephenson, Templeton, Walton, Weston, Whitehouse, Winfree, Wood, Yasin) present. There was also one (1) non-voting member (Toms) present.
There were eleven (11) Senators (Chamblee, E. Evans, M. Evans, Godfrey, Hardy, M. Lloyd, Moye, Sevits, R. Smith, Sohail, and Waldrup) absent. There was also one (1) non-voting member (F. Hinton) absent.
The following official was also present: Piavis.
A quorum was present.
Receipt of Petitions and Correspondence:
- Mr. Charles Meeker, Mayor of Raleigh
General notes: (we) Need to look at the noise ordnance, as was from a time when there were problems with Brent rd. We can have a party, just needs to be in the correct place.
Improved student perceptions: I like the current perceptions. Some times there are neighborly issues but by in large the folks here in Raleigh are happy with the students in the area. 30% of the students, who attend here, will stay here.
Spoke about the Hillsborough street projects, the plan for 7 round-abbots. Brought up that we need expanded public transportation to serve Raleigh.
Q/A:
Sen. Hutcherson: Question about the lights across Hillsborough, for people with disabilities. (Length issue)
A: We can look at specific cases, but this is part of the bond issue coming up.
Sen. Hoy: Roundabouts. It is not wide enough,
A: Instead of making it wide we are planning to make it smaller, slow the traffic down and make it more pedestrian friendly.
Sen. Hoy: In my area there are problems. (with crime)
A: I was speaking in general, our crime is relatively low.
Sen. Hoy: Water shortage?
A: Voluntary water - the reserve is down 1-1.5 feet. We have enough water for 4 months without any rain.
Q: asked about getting businesses to invest in Hillsborough St.
A: we are looking into working on getting the environment better.
Q: Student issues coming up?
A: no big issues coming up.
- Mr. Paul Cousins, Director of Student Conduct
Varieties of issues with the judicial branch. Used to be a peaceful co-existence. In the past 1/2 a dozen years it has gotten less amiable. It is my intent to seek a severance of the judicial branch to make it an offshoot of the office of student conduct. What does this mean for students? The code of conduct is a robust and ever changing code. I don't anticipate the process changing much. It will still work with a judicial executive who is elected. There are issues with finances and offices. We are looking into who makes the decision for these issues. The office of student conduct is willing to take on the expenditures for the judicial branch. I think there are only positive things to be gained from this split.
Q/A:
Sen. Hutcherson: Funding for integrity week, will it be provided by the office of student conduct?
A: It will.
Sen. Fabricius: Short term - vs. - large term | Should we have confirmations of the rest of the assistants.
A: The governing docs do not require confirmations. So table the confirmations indefinitely.
Sen. Fabricius: issue of money
A: All the current members would go without if Student Government stopped their funds currently.
Sen. Hoy: What is the relationship between the graduate school and office of student conduct.
A: Goes from the spectrum of having a hearing to passing the items back to the graduate school depending on the severity.
Sen. Compton: What do you see as the future board. As more splitters are created how is this going to fit into the plan.
A: Dispute the calling of the Judicial Board as mine. I don't control it. Its not mine. Where would they go with the new model, they would go forward in the same fashion. Support would be different, even more.
Sen. Hutcherson: Judicial Board has held on by a string. Did not happen until Jeffrey Vizcaino. Explain why told him not to come down.
A: This is only the most recent case. Only two appropriate answers, you heard both answers that night. It is part of our internal selection. The 2nd answer is higher ethically. My response was you have all you needed to do. You have already answered to all the people. It was just to make him jump through hoops. And I advised him to not attend. They are not political, they are more of a service. And in fact did not matter.
Oath of Office:
Eleven Freshman Senators and One Graduate Senator sworn in.
Reports of the Officers
- Ms. Jennifer Edwards, Student Chief Justice: No Report.
- Mr. Seneca Toms, Student Body Treasurer
Appointment of Anita Sivikmar to the office of the Treasure. Appointed to be Assistant Treasurer for Appropriation. Comptroller is up for consent agenda.
- Mr. Whil Piavis, Student Body President
Read aloud written Report. Spoke on R22 and his veto of that bill. In addition to the written report the President reported on the Transportation crisis. He stated that there would be an expected 10-20% increase in parking pass costs. Fee/tuition board was also mentioned.
Q/A:
Sen. Hutcherson: I find it disturbing that you mentioned yourself in the veto. Your web-master failed to provide assistance. I sent emails and phoned about the appropriations.
A: I did not get your messages. I talked to students about the veto.
Sen. Hoy: Asked about several positions lapsing.
A: I did not feel that they needed to be filled. I filled the standing committees and me cabinet.
Sen. Walton: In regards to your veto. Have you been in contact with administrators.
Did you talk to deans.
A: no. Students and teachers.
Sen. Walton: Why did you sign this unprofessionally?
A: I was gonna make it all professional like, but being that I did not have the time for that, I did the doodling.
Q: Could you provide professional letters?
A: No.
Q: Could you appoint a translator.
A: There will be someone appointed.
Q: The quotes in the technician were in English, could you provide us the same.
A: They asked questions when I was not expecting it.
Q: Board of trustees, questioned his support for an increase in tuition.
A: There were things I can't talk about. Financial issues. quite a swell meeting.
Fabricius: Risk that your remarks to the boards will be taking as students support a rise in tuition.
A: Not calling for a tuition increase.
Q: do you wear your pirate outfit with the trustees.
A: I dress more dapper.
Sen. Hoy: How do you characterize your relationship with the NC Legislation and the Alumni.
A: I have a wonderful relationship with them.
- Mr. Hisham Salama, Student Senate President Pro Tempore
Report about the faculty Senate, notified them of R22 and got positive feedback.
- Mr. Forrest Hinton, Student Senate President
Attendance at committee meetings is high which is good. We have moved away from Government Bills which is good! Update: Committee on Appointments is going great! Finish up in 2 weeks. Tuition’s and fees: Expected increase in tuition of $400 and $200 in fee requests. Shout out to the finance committee: Great job working with the excess budget. Senate Retreat: All are expected to come. Tickets: They did not do enough. Did not take enough of our recommendations. J-Board: Problems with appointments. Should they be a part of SG? Appropriations: Opens tonight. Contentions tonight. Please remember you have one vote.
Q/A:
Hoy: The retreat looks relevant and good.
A: You will be there. Yay!
Reports of Standing Committees.
Academics Committee
Chair Hankins: (Andrea Irby) from Virtual advising center. Asked questions about advising. Had a good discussion. Wrote a bill: Will be first read. Spoke briefly about the General Education Requirements Taskforce.
Campus Community Committee
Chair Adams: Ticketing: Met with Campus Police and Athletics: Athletics was not amiable to our suggestions. Appeals: reviewed the current appeals process for Ticket issues. Tailgating: Suggestions for having a cook-off, projection screen. Looking at doing a cook-off currently. Students just want to hang out together. Next game after UNC-CH. Crowding. Will address it later. (after it breaks again) Senior Ticket Allotment: Please vote in the positive for this. Talked about the extended tailgating hours resolution.
Finance Committee
Met about the surplus. We have a bill for the floor tonight for reallocation of the budget.
Government Operations Committee
Chair Hoy:
- R41 no further action
- GB12: Lots of support from graduate students and English department. (consent)SB21: Stay in committee
- R26: Site. Who is gonna do it. (consent)
Public Affairs Committee
Chair Carter: Devan Barbour came by. Talked about parking going to k-12. Talked about the bill to give the scholarships in state tuition.
R24: Stayed in committee.
Tuition & Fees Committee
Chair Lam: Fees are coming up. Moved the fees for first reading.(blank)
University Affairs Committee
Nothing to report due to long meeting.
Reports of Senate Select Committees
Select Committee on Appointments
Chair Fabricius: All appointees have to attend the last meeting as the committee will be dissolved.
- Reservation for the Bridsell appointment.
- Tabled Viscinio. Provisional Negative reports.
- Appointment 19 was also tabled.
Select Committee on Appropriations
Chair Hutcherson: packet is online now, and it opens tonight.
All student organization needs a senate sponsor. They will come to you for information about this process. 5th of October by 5pm.
Q/A:
Sen. Hankins: What if a college only has one senator, and they can't have a sponsor.
A: we have checks and balances to prevent bias to the process.
Sen. Lam: Sponsoring - need a pool of people to be sponsors for organizations.
Will send out an email about the process to help you help them.
Sen. Hinton: We are going to really enforce the rules.
Comments/Announcements
Carla Babb spoke about the upcoming Senior Events
Minority Career Fair upcoming
Approval of Appointments
Moved into executive session (proposed by Sen. Fabricius)
- SR 30, Director of Community Service (Crutchfield) Confirmation
Sen. Diamond: what plans to get senators to be involved
A: I can't make senators do anything but I will request them to join us for service projects.
Sen. Sawrey: Responsibilities of the position:
A: Service projects, directing student wide projects.
Debate:
P: Walton: I am in firm support of this nomination.
Consent to end, Consent (Passed by consent)
SR 28, Chief of Staff to the SBP (Birdsell) Confirmation
SR28: Birdsell: I love this university, I love the students who go here. There is a large population of students who don't get a say in what happens. As part of being the CoS all the others answer and report to the CoS. I have been acting as an Ear for Whil. I have been trying to guide him in certain directions. All I can give is advice. The limits are boundless as to what I can do for the students. There are a number of things in the works.
Sen. Fabricius: Who have you met with on your staff.
A: gave a few names of students and their positions.
Sen. Fabricius: I meant the folks that you oversee, the staff
A: Just gave one name
Sen. Hoy: archives. Incompetent and embarrassing (the president). Can you work with and help the president with your experience.
A: Fee review committee, I suggest folks for this committee, and advised the president not to back down from the balking of some of the appointments. I advised him to change his approach for the veto.
Sen. Walton: You were a member of the 85th session and once you lost the pro temp position and then resigned.
A: The two occurrences have nothing to do with each other.
Sen. Walton: Why do you feel you can work in this position better.
A: Set time. Senate is set times and I don't have blocks of time like this to do. I was previously in contact with Tony for executive. I was previous limited with rules, and meaningless debates. I did not feel like I was doing everything I could do for the student body, and I wanted to live up to the potential.
Sen. Yasin: What are something’s that you can bring to the table, and make you good at your job.
A: I am familiar with the senate. I am troubled with the division between the executive and the senate. I want to bring the two houses together. I want to work with Whil and the senate. A lot of students don't even realize what go on. I want to increase awareness.
Q: the pirateese could be changed to be more effective.
A: I have already started to address this issue with the president. The first step is translation.
Treasurer Toms: is the translation for everyone
A: Yes.
Sen. Hoy: If this body does not approve you what will you do
A: I will continue to work with the senate.
Q: I think its silly that we need a translator for the president. I think a lot more will be accomplished if this was stopped. Will you work to change it.
A: Camios and the senate are when he uses the talk. The students think it’s hilarious. They don't understand the importance of the senate and executive working together. He feels attacked. It feels personal.
Q: do you think the president should continue to be the pirate capt.
A: There is a time and a place, and people respond to the Capt.
When it comes to serious matters, he needs to be Whil, and he has good ideas and needs to get those across.
Debate:
P: Sen. Hankins: His is a positive candidate because he worked hard with the CALS delegation. He worked hard as a senator to get the CALS groups together.
N: Sen. Fabricius: we need a peace making mediator. This is not him. He burned bridges and holds negative impressions.
P: Sen. Melton: On the Capt: He was elected as the Capt. We need to accept that fact. and work with him.
N: Sen. Hoy: Travis is not the person to help build a bridge.
P: Sen. Compton: We need to move on into the future. We need to stop looking at the past. We need to look at what he has said he will do.
Q: can he be re-appointed CoS again
A: No, other things Yes.
N: Walton: I don't feel he is the right person for this job at this moment. I am troubled by his resignation from the senate. The time commitment also troubles me.
Q: number of applicants,
A: Under 5.
Q: about the time statement
A: He does not have the senate block of time.
P: Sen. Yasin: We are here to do stuff for the students. Travis did say he would work to get things done. He would bring a unique view to the position.
Q: amount of stipend
A: $600
Q: where is it listed as a query
N: Sen. Sawrey: I have no idea about the past. (freshman) I only have to go off what he said tonight. His responses were what make me stand up in the negative. The time and place for the dressing up, he mocked the senate by not including the senate in the list for the time and place.
P: Sen. Diamond: The past was silly. If he is not good we can remove him.
N: Sen. Fabricius: He has experience with the senate, bad experience. It’s not one event why he resigned. He wanted to lead the body, then says that he does not have the time to lead it. What he says is good, can he do it, I say no.
P: Time, he can do it. Capabilities, he has served in leadership roles. At the moment every thing he says sounds good.
N: Sen. Gluck: Burning bridges and making new bridges. How can he mend bridges if he has burned them. I tried to talk to him and he walked away.
Fabricius move to lay the SR to be laid on the table.
2nd Consent. (Failed)
Move to reopen debate:
Consent
P: Sen. Mickey: He has a good personal relationship with the Capt. The personal tie will help us.
N: Sen. Adams: I know there is someone who can do a better job. I think Travis can do something else better. I don't see him taking the stand that needs to be taken.
SR 16, Judicial Executive Assistant (Minn) Confirmation (tabled)
Reopened to open session
SR 30 Passes by consent
Roll Call to Adopt SR 28, Chief of Staff to the SBP (Birdsell) Confirmation 9-21-2005
Adopted: 26-20-8; 5 absent
There were twenty-six (26) Senators (Cariaga, Carter, Compton, Culp, Dimond, Gardner, Griggs, Gula, Hankins, Heath, Hughes, Kling, Michael Lloyd, Mickey, Miller, Moye, Musick, Santiago, Sevits, Rondell Smith, Sohail (em), Waldrup, Wally, Weston (em), Wood (em), Yasin) voting in the affirmative.
There were twenty (20) Senators (Adams, Barnes, Bellamy, Chamblee (em), Collins, Fabricius, Gluck, Godfrey, Haggard, Hoy, Kersh, Melton (em), Kasey Phillips, Salmon (em), Sawrey, Shivers, Stephenson (em), Templeton, Walton, Winfree) voting in the negative.
There were eight (8) Senators (Brannan, Hutcherson, Lam (em), Mckethan, Oluronbi, Salama (em), Saunders, and Whitehouse) present but not voting.
There were five (5) Senators (Erica Evans (em), Maria Evans, Hardy (em), Rice (em), Shaw (em)) absent.
A quorum was present.
The motion to adopt SR 28, Chief of Staff to the SBP (Birdsell) Confirmation, requiring majority approval, was agreed to by a margin of 26-20.
Veto Messages from the Student Body President
Veto of R 22, Professor Notification Act [originally passed 9/7/05]
Sen. Hankins: Moves to override Veto of R 22
Sen. Hutcherson 2nd motion
Debate:
P: Sen. Hoy: At other universities are required to post this. This sends a message that there is a problem. Not the bill that is important, but the message.
N: Sen. Loyde: As recently as today, I had a teacher not come. He sent us a message, afterwards. I was not upset that he has a emergency. Our teachers are professionals.
P: Sen. Salama: The faculty senate meeting did not have anything negative to say about this bill.
N: Sen. Yasin: I spoke in favor of this bill last time. I asked the CoT about the bill, and we took a vote and they said they did not want us to override the bill.
P: Sen. Walton: CoE we are for this bill, this is only a suggestion for the provost. He would be happy to help us move along, even though he was neutral.
N: Sen. Mickey: The bill says 45 minutes before class.
P: Sen. Fabricius: What is the impact. It is just a recommendation. If this legislation was policy it would be bad. But it’s just a recommendation, the wording and actual policy would be different.
N: Sen. Waldrup: I am military minded. Effective in your flexibility. Just work face to face with professors.
P: I tried to ask the president what his objections were. He did not answer this. We are expected to be professional. The professors should treat us the same.
N: Sen. Diamond: Spoke with constituents. This is a waste of our time. There are more pressing matters. We should move on.
Move to end debate:
Roll Call to Override veto of R 22, Professor Notification Act 9-21-2005 Adopted by two-thirds: 35-11-8; 5 absent
There were thirty-five (35) Senators (Adams, Bellamy, Cariaga, Carter, Chamblee (em), Collins, Compton, Dimond, Fabricius, Gluck, Griggs, Hankins, Heath, Hoy, Hutcherson, Lam (em), Mckethan, Melton (em), Mickey, Miller, Oluronbi, Kasey Phillips, Salama (em), Salmon (em), Santiago, Saunders, Sawrey, Shivers, Rondell Smith, Sohail (em), Stephenson (em), Wally, Walton, Whitehouse, Winfree) voting in the affirmative.
There were eleven (11) Senators (Barnes, Brannan, Gardner, Godfrey, Gula, Musick, Sevits, Waldrup, Weston (em), Wood (em), Yasin) voting in the negative.
There were eight (8) Senators (Culp, Haggard, Hughes, Kersh, Kling, Michael Lloyd, Moye, and Templeton) present but not voting.
There were five (5) Senators (Erica Evans (em), Maria Evans, Hardy (em), Rice (em), Shaw (em)) absent.
A quorum was present.
The Hankins motion to override the veto of R 22, Professor Notification Act, requiring two-thirds support, was agreed to by a margin of 35-11.
Veto overridden
First Reading of Bills and Resolutions
- R 46, Transportation Fee Act (Lam)R 47, Athletics Fee Act (Lam)
- R 48, Recreational Sports Fee Act (Lam)
- R 49, Student Self Service Fee Act (Lam)
- R 50, Student Center Operations Fee Act (Lam)
- R 51, Student Health Fee Act (Lam)
- R 52, Student Publications Fee Act (Lam)
- R 53, Advisor Assessment Act (Hankins et. al.)
- SR 54, Hillsborough Street Commission Chair (Polumbo) Confirmation
- SR 55, Hillsborough Street Commission Vice-Chair (Summey) Confirmation
- SR 56, AD for Recreate State (Lovell) Confirmation
- SR 57, Elections Commissioner (Lovell) Confirmation
- SR 58, AD for Capital and Funding (Woolard) Confirmation
- SR 59, AD for Service Raleigh (Boswell) Confirmation
Second Reading of Bill and Resolutions
- AB36:
Fabricius: Consent on the Amendment:
Consent on the Bill:
Passed by Consent
- R26:
Hankins: I had a hard time getting in touch with my council.
This is somewhere I can go to and contact my council.
Q: who would do it?
A: The bill does not address that.
Passed by consent.
- GB42:
Committee amended the bill. Removed graduate school, moved 15% to 20%
2nd sponsors added.
P: Adams: Have not heard anything in the negative outside of the senate. Mock wolf aids all voted in the affirmative. Great way to start a tradition.
N: Salama: If I was to ask each of you if you wanted a 100 bucks you would say yes. Each year you would lose. You are taking on a gamble, for which game this game will fall on.
P: Hankins: as a sophomore, I would support this bill. You will enjoy this game, and cherish it.
N: Fabricius: Its a question of equity.
P: Heath: Grad students have not been here four years. Over 1/2 of the students on the petition were not seniors. A lot of business students are for this.
Senior week was a special time in high school. Why complain about 1 senior event.
Q: Seniors only once?
A: Yes just once.
Q: Carla gave a presentation, were grad students allowed?
A: No they are in the same pool.
Amendment. to change the 20% to 15%
Hutcherson.
Vote on Amendment: Nays have it
division
Nays have it again
N: Cariaga: The biggest problem I have is the division of the games, The last game could be one of the big ones.
Amendment: Fabricius: to strike block to non-block and block.
Vote: proportionally. 27 aye. 10 nay
Move prev question. Consent. Consent is Objected to.
P: Collins: There are alums and grad students who signed the petition.
I will not benefit but I still support it.
N: Salama: We are talking about people who have not come yet. Not for all students.
P: Hankins: When the new freshman come in, they will not know about it, and know it as a tradition. If they object they can run for senate and change it. I might be screwed and screwed but the last time, I will have the opportunity to go to the last game.
N: Cariaga: Will you be less excited about lesser games?
Prev Question: Aye's have it
Vote: 2/3 passes.
- GB25:
Tickets
Consent: Passed by consent
- GB12:
Hoy:
Hutcherson: The adm. is crisp and clear. That documentation is clear and properly documented.
Point of Order: Congress and local legislation: must us modern standard English.
There were lots of insertions throughout the statutes.
Amendment:
vote: 37 aye - nay 7
Passes by vote
- R43:
Whitehouse: Counter some of the negative image for Greek life. They have positive , we need to show that.
Debate:
Prev question: Ayes have it. (unanimous)
Passes by unanimous vote.
- R45:
Compton: since 1960, they are trying to change the act, screwing the students. Halt all increases of Pell grants to.
Barbour: There is a national deficit. Free's leap work and Pell grants till 2013. More students applying and less funds. Cost average of 3k more per students.
Proposed 13 Billion cut.
Q: inflation adjusted
A: yes
Friendly Change ASG to SG. Shall formally oppose. 30 - A student Voice.
Acclamation moved:
Highest form of Consent.
Passes by Acclamation.
Closing Roll Call
There were fifty-three (53) Senators (Adams, Barnes, Bellamy, Cariaga, Carter, Collins, Compton, Culp, Dimond, Dubeau, Fabricius, Gardner, Gluck, Godfrey, Griggs, Gula, Haggard, Hankins, Hardy, Heath, Hoy, Hughes, Hutcherson, Kersh, Kling, Lam, Michael Lloyd, Mckethan, Melton, Mickey, Miller, Moye, Musick, Oluronbi, Kasey Phillips, Salama, Salmon, Santiago, Saunders, Sawrey, Sevits, Shivers, Rondell Smith, Sohail, Stephenson, Templeton, Wally, Walton, Weston, Whitehouse, Winfree, Wood, Yasin) present.
There were seven (7) Senators (Brannan, Chamblee, Erica Evans, Maria Evans, Rice, Shaw, and Waldrup) absent.
A quorum was present.
The following officials were also present: Forrest B. Hinton, Toms
Senate Adjourns