[In these minutes: Reports, Ad Hoc Policy Committee, Senate/TCCA Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules Amendments, Regents Policy on Student Employment amendment, Governors' Budget Proposal]
STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES
FEBRUARY 1, 2001
[These minutes reflect discussion and debate at a committee of the University of Minnesota Senate or Twin Cities Campus Assembly; none of the comments, conclusions, or actions reported in these minutes represent the views of, nor are they binding on, the Senate or Assembly, the Administration, or the Board of Regents.]
PRESENT: Jason Reed (chair), Sabeen Altaf, Amber Benning, Khaled Dajani, Paul Enever, Adam Lyche, Matt McBlair.
REGRETS: Percy Chaby, Tim Dunn, YeeLeng Hang, Reid LeBeau.
GUESTS: Matt Clark, Mike Miller, Richard Pfutzenreuter, Amelious Whyte.
1. REPORTS
CHAIR
Jason Reed said that in light of the Governor's budget proposal, the tuition
advisory committee is considering double digit increases (10 - 15%) for 2001-02
and a 10% layoff (1500 people). He noted that that Equity, Access, and
Diversity and Student Academic Integrity Committees almost have completed
memberships and will start meeting this spring. Lastly, he is following the
Health Benefits Advisory Committee discussions and RFP proposal.
CROOKSTON
Matt McBlair introduced himself as the new SSCC representative and said that
the campus recycling effort is underway, the CSA Constitution and Bylaws are
being revamped, and Crookston has 90 people to attend the Lobby Day on February
20.
DULUTH
Amber Benning noted that a UMD Medical School senator has been named and
students are rallying alumni and faculty support for Lobby Day.
MSA
Jason Reed said that the All Campus Election Committee (ACEC) rules are being
presented for approval at the next forum meeting. The Student Rep to Regents
bylaws were approved at the last meeting. MSA is competing with the other Big
Ten schools in a food drive.
GAPSA
Sabeen Altaf noted that the GAPSA Assembly has not met yet this semester.
GAPSA's fees presentation is on Saturday.
There were no reports from Morris, the Student Senate Chair, or the Student Legislative Coalition.
2. AD HOC POLICY COMMITTEE
Jason Reed welcomed Mike Miller, UMD Student Rep to Regent; Matt Clark, MSA President; and Amelious Whyte, Board of Regents Office, to the meeting. He then noted that the purpose of the Ad Hoc Policy Committee is to review each campuses' procedures and make recommendations for any needed changes. Committee members then review the procedures from Morris, MSA, and Duluth.
Matt Clark commented that the MSA procedures have moved up the election date, but as a compromise, the first forum in May has the opportunity to recall this election with a 3/5 vote. The application is still being worked on, but will be completed by March 1 for forum approval.
Q: According to the MSA procedures, the Chair of the Student Reps to Regents is a member of the selection committee. Does it matter that this person might not be a Twin Cities undergraduate student?
A: A student's status or campus do not matter.
Q: What does 'ranking' mean?
A: MSA historically has ranked its four positions.
Mike Miller from Duluth said that nothing was outlined before in the procedures, so he has developed a selection committee charge and an application to be used.
With no further comments or questions, the procedures were approved. It was noted that procedures from Crookston, GAPSA, St. Paul BOG, would be collected for future review.
3. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS
Jason Reed read through the three amendments: term limits for student senators, term limits for student committee members, and eligibility for committee on committees members. Members then held a discussion on the language for the student senator term limit amendment, noting that there should be at least one year between terms to ensure turnover. The amendment was then changed to read, "...no more than four one-year terms in any six year period." The three amendments were then approved.
4. REGENTS POLICY ON STUDENT EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT
Jason Reed distributed the policy amendments and noted that Vice President Carol Carrier reacted favorably to this effort. He said that he still needs to talk with the Director of Student Employment for support. Members then discussed the amount of power that SSCC would have in student employment decisions, but noted that consultation is needed. The amendment was then approved.
5. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 22 STUDENT SENATE AGENDA
Members asked that the text of the Classroom Advisory Subcommittee resolution be circulated for approval before being placed on the docket. With no further comments, the docket was approved.
6. GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL DISCUSSION WITH RICHARD PFUTZENREUTER
Richard Pfutzenreuter joined the meeting and provided the following details:
A: This would not affect the University. It just allows property taxpayers to see where these funds are being spent while broadening items included in the state sales tax.
Q: What would happen if the University just received the $40 million?
A: A combination of tuition increases and layoffs would need to happen. If only tuition was affected, the increase would be close to 12%; if only layoffs occurred, there would be a 7% reduction in the first year.
Q: Politicians keep mentioning the waste and bureaucracy at the University. Is this being addressed?
A: The same issue arises every time there is a tight budget, but this budget includes a 2.5% cut.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Matt Clark said that SLC will be having a rally on Northrop Plaza on February 15 and Lobby Day is February 20 at the capital. Additionally, SLC is teaming with MCSA and MCUSA for a rally and speakers at the capital on February 14.
Jason Reed noted business for the March meeting: financial aid discussion with Craig Swan and Peter Zetterberg and campus plan discussion. He asked members to forward any issues for April and May. With no further business, he thanked the members for attending and adjourned the meeting.
Becky Hippert
University Senate