March 1, 2010 Meeting
Posted on March 1, 2010 by karriNo Comments
March 1st’s meeting started off with a few students raising concerns about Open Meetings Law regarding last week’s approval and voting of the signing of the Student Reps letter. Go Green Consulting visited us and asked for support with their “Recycle Trivia” day on April 5th. We listened to a presentation by Mr. Lynn Schattner about Cyber Solutions, a possible candidate for a new Housing Guide host. We also heard from Internal and External Committees and Officer Reports. Two pieces of legislation were discussed and a few new business items were brought to light.
Student Issues and Concerns
Mr. Max Taylor and Ms. Rachel Mattke both brought concerns to the Senate about Open Meetings Law. They feel the Senate acted irresponsibly and illegally last week in voting on the signing of the Student Reps letter. They feel this action violated Open Meetings Law because it was not on the agenda and posted before the meeting.
Senator Andrew Whaley addressed the Senate about the difference between abstaining from voting and voting “ay” or “nay.” Abstaining from a vote is equal to voting “ay” in a sense.
Senator Stephen Jansen received a complaint from a constituent about the wording of updates online and consideration of Senators and Directors using computers and cell phones during the meeting. This issue has been addressed by the PR Committee previously and will be addressed again if need be.
Speakers
Green Initiative: Mr. Cooper, Ms. Abrahms, & Mr. Treutler
- Go Green Consulting (Speech 460) We are working with a local non-profit organization to promote sustainability.
Why we are here…
- Requesting student government support for sustainability project
- Need help building a “Trash Mountain” (i.e. recyclables!)
- Creation will be displayed during out “Recycle Trivia” event at the UC on April 5th
- These events coincide with a PSA Competition we are organizing
What we request from Student Government…
- We would like the PR committee to assist us in development
- We would like WSG Representatives to represent us inside classrooms
- We need help in collection of recyclable materials and building the model
What does this do for you?
- By joining our pledge team, WSG Representatives gain face-to-face interaction with students inside classrooms and faculty departments. Your participation will increase student visibility of Student Government, and help engage students in a cause important in society today.
The Senate moved to table the issue to the Public Relations Committee for review next week.
Cyber Solutions: Mr. Schattner
- Mr. Schattner is currently in South Dakota giving a presentation over Skype about the Housing Guide, trying to sell the Senate his company for a new housing guide.
- His service can provide 24/7/365 service, can import the existing housing guide information at no additional cost, can simplify the housing guide and user interfaces, can improve cash flow by accepting payments at the time of posting, can accept information feeds from inside and outside resources, can allow listings to be posted until they rent for one low price, among other things.
SUFAC: Mr. Draayers
- Finding a recommendation for the Sustainability Proposal, a possible Green Fund for campus.
- SUFAC’s recommendation is to have WSG create an Ad Hoc Committee to make sure the people who originally wrote the proposal were part of it and that there was some guidance from a SUFAC committee member.
- More WSG involvement is being requested because last year’s Senate charged the SUFAC committee to find something to do with the possible Green Fund.
- SUFAC will be part of New Business next week.
Internal Committee Reports
Con. Revis: Senator Ian Vaver
Meetings are Mondays 5 p.m. outside the office, UC 140
- Discussing External Committee appointments, brainstorming, especially regarding new senators and their appointments.
- Changes to the current section 10 Election rules and starting a new draft that will completely take over the current rules including online voting.
- If you have any suggestions regarding the SUFAC process feel free to bring them to the committee meetings.
External Committee Reports
General Ed. Review: Senator Karen Drydyk
- Student opinion has been requested by Professor Chris Henige, committee chair
- LEAP-Liberal Education America’s Promise
- Objectives, assessments linked to course goals
- Will aid students in showing how their education is linked and plays off each other
- The committee wants to review the progress of courses and hope for more to be not considered General Education classes
- They want to see a better connection of essential learning goals of the college to specific learning courses.
Dining Services: Senator Curtissa McMillian
- Senator McMillian was not present at the time of External Committee Reports
Officer Reports
President Tim Scully
- All 26 schools signed onto the Student Reps letter but not everyone agreed with the mandatory buy-in and it’s being looked into.
- Meeting Tuesday, March 2 @ 5 p.m. in UC 261 -OPR Office Planning and Review for the Office of Residence Life, last chance to do so in the next 5 years
Sarah Herlache/Academic Affairs
- Academic Affairs Thursday 2 p.m. in office
- AAS Thursday 9 a.m.
- Internship Week!!
- ResLife OPR for Students Tuesday 5 p.m.
- Police Forum Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Hyland 2203
- Dining RFP meeting Wednesday 3:30 p.m.
- Tai Chi -Thursday at 12:15 p.m. UC 266
Unfinished Business
S09-10:03: Differential Tuition Policy
The Senate passed this piece of legislation 14-0.
S09-10:04: Resolution to Amend Article 7 of the Whitewater Student Government Constitution
The motion failed 11-3.
New Business
Assembly Bill 698: Mr. Scott Coenen
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill amends the 2009-11 Authorized State Building Program to add one project for the University of Wisconsin System. The project consists of a renovation of Carlson Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The project is financed with $17,000,000 in existing general fund supported borrowing authority.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
Ride Share & Advertisement Bulletin Board: Mr. Luke Schlewski
Students of UW-Whitewater are in need of a ride share program and an advertisement board. The ride share board will be in the UC and will consist of a quality map of WI and part of IL and a place for people to put their information. The advertisement pillar is located in the UC’s concourse. Look for more information next week from Luke.
Announcements
P.E.A.C.E.: Senator Karen Drydyk
3rd annual Rock for PEACE is this year Friday, April 30th 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at the Greenhouse Cafe. Union made t-shirts in the US are sold for $10 and profits go to Invisible Children in Uganda. Money will also be donated to the Whitewater Community Garden for the food to be donated to the Whitewater Food Pantry.
Panhellenic Council: Senator Megan Arney
“Big Man on Campus“ is accepting applications. Inner beauty male pageant. Ask Megan if you have questions. Career & Leadership Development has applications.
Whitewater Student Governmenent is the voice for UW-Whitewater. We want to hear what you have to say whether it’s good, bad, or ugly! We meet every Monday at 7 p.m. in the University Center room 259. Come sit in the gallery and see what we’re all about, we’d love to have you!
If you ever have any questions/comments/concerns either stop by our office in the Warhawk Involvement Center in the UC room 140, call the office 262-472-1166, or e-mail ScullyTA20@uww.edu.
