[In these minutes: Student Senate Office, Resolution on the University’s Alcohol Policy, Resolution on Student Evaluations, Resolution on Tuition, Discussion of the University’s Mission, Coordinate Campus Visits, Resolution regarding All Campus Election Commission, Senate Relations]

STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES

OCTOBER 18, 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: Khaled Dajani (chair), Judy Berning, Daniel Buechler, Nick Cecconi, Shawn Lavelle, Kari Lindeman, Ryan Osero, Jason Stingl, Matthew Wohlman.

REGRETS: Christina Frazier, YeeLeng Hang, Matt McBlair, Rose Samuel.

ABSENT: Ryan Brux, Trevor Ewanochko.

GUESTS: Denny Olsen, Allison Rhodey.

Khaled Dajani started the meeting by noting that there will be two meetings each month, with one meeting conducted by ITV with a guest speaker and reports. The second meeting will have a few topics on which the committee will spend more time discussing.

1. SENATE OFFICE

Khaled Dajani said that he proposed a Student Senate Office to Joe Massey, who had several reasons why he felt that it was not a good idea. Khaled wanted to discuss it with the SSCC to see if he should continue to pursue the idea. The committee commented that several questions would need to be answered, such as where would space be found, how would it be furnished, would office hours be required, how would access be limited, and would non-senators be allowed access. In general, the committee was in support of Khaled pursuing an office, preferably in Morrill Hall.

2. RESOLUTION ON THE UNIVERSITY’S ALCOHOL POLICY

Khaled Dajani noted that this topic was mentioned at a Regents Subcommittee meeting in September, and will continue to be talked about by the Regents, therefore a statement from the Student Senate is needed. The resolution was approved as amended.

3. RESOLUTION ON STUDENT EVALUATIONS

Khaled Dajani stated that SCEP is reviewing student evaluations, but will focus on peer evaluations first. This resolution asks that the two be handled at the same time.

Shawn Lavelle noted that the Duluth faculty are unionized, so there are additional complications for evaluations on his campus.

Q: Do any schools have automatic consent for the release of evaluations?

A: This is not clear, but it should be looked into.

The resolution was approved.

4. RESOLUTION REGARDING TUITION

The committee discussed the resolution, noting that while the administration can do what they choose, SSCC should state reasons against an increase in this resolution, including decreased accessibility. It was decided that the resolution should be tabled for more input on striking a balance between increased tuition and University initiatives.

5. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA’S MISSION

Khaled Dajani said that this is an issue that the University will need to address, therefore SSCC should also be considering the issue. The University is trying to fulfill its land grant mission, as well as be a top research University. The question is whether these two goals are mutually exclusive? Also involved is how the MnSCU system helps the University provide access.

Committee members then made the following comments:

6. COORDINATE CAMPUS VISITS

The Crookston visit will take place on October 29. An e-mail will be sent to all members with more information.

7. RESOLUTION REGARDING ALL CAMPUS ELECTION COMMISSION (ACEC)

Khaled Dajani stated ACEC is the central body for electing the Twin Cities undergraduate student senators and MSA members.

Ryan Osero reported on a recent meeting that he attended regarding ACEC. Those present included Nick Dehnert, Patrick Pederson of GAPSA, a representative from SLC, and a representative from MPIRG. Nick Dehnert and Dan Kelly, from MSA, feel that ACEC is not doing its job effectively and did not appropriately handle complaints that have been filed in the past. They would like to disband ACEC and create a new body. When asked for concrete reasons to disband ACEC, none were given, but MSA would like to establish a new body.

Committee members felt that it was corrupt if an organization builds its own election procedures and body. Instead, the system should be revised if changes are needed.

Denny Olsen said that ACEC reports through the CIC and the unions. Some changes have already been made internally, but if MSA wants to dissolve ACEC, a referendum needs to be passed first during elections.

Q: Did ACEC make the changes that MSA has suggested in the past?

A: It is not clear whether ACEC is obligated to make changes that MSA suggestions, or if any changes have been made in the past.

The resolution was then approved as amended.

8. SENATE RELATIONS

The SSCC held a closed session to discuss Student Senate relations with other student assemblies.

With no further business, Khaled Dajani thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting.