[In these minutes: EVPP Search Nominations, Reports, Regents Philosophy Statement on Athletics, Alcohol Policy Resolution, Full Time Resolution]

STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES

NOVEMBER 29, 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, Ryan Brux, Daniel Buechler, Nick Cecconi, Christina Frazier, Shawn Lavelle, Kari Lindeman, Matt McBlair, Ryan Osero, Rose Samuel.

REGRETS: Trevor Ewanochko, Jason Stingl.

GUESTS: YeeLeng Hang, Jason Reed.

1. EVPP SEARCH NOMINATIONS

The committee discussed the student nominations received for the EVPP search committee. The recommendations will be forwarded to the President.

2. SLC AGENDA DISCUSSION

The SLC Agenda was not discussed since no one from SLC was present to answer questions.

3. REPORTS

SSCC CHAIR
Khaled Dajani and Rose Samuel reported on the University’s financial situation following reports from Richard Pfutzenreuter, Chief Financial Officer for the University. He said that the state outlook, on which the Governor made his forecasts was too optimistic. This will lead to a budget shortfall for next year.

A letter was sent to the President outlining a 5-10% budget cut, which amounts to $30-67 million. A solid economic forecast will be available next week, but it appears that the $36 million University allotment for next year might not be available. The Governor is asking all units to submit a list of cuts to him by December. The University’s strategy will be to submit a vague list without specific line items.

What this means for the University is that tuition increases and retrenchment will need to take place to cover the cut. The formula for tuition is that a 1% increase is needed for every $1 million cut, so students might be looking at a 10% increase in addition to the 11% increase that is already scheduled for next year.

Chris Frazier noted that at the recent SAC meeting, HESO discussed that it is also being asked to submit budget cut information. The priority will first be administration, then programs, and finally financial aid. This could amount to double the problems for students since tuition might increase and financial aid might be cut.

STUDENT SENATE VICE CHAIR
Shawn Lavelle reported that his issues were the Student Senate agenda and Student Senate Chair elections. He has appointed Chris Frazier the SAC representative and Kari Lindeman the SLC representative.

CROOKSTON
Matt McBlair noted that UMC students are participating in a town-wide merchant raffle and that a leadership workshop will be held on December 10, to which the entire CSA Executive Committee will be attending.

DULUTH
Nick Cecconi stated that UMDSA is collecting student feedback on the Kirby Renovation and student evaluations. Two weeks ago, evaluations were taken in classes involving 22 professors, up from 8 professors last year. Results will be posted soon on-line at: www.d.umn.edu/~umndsa/emails.

GAPSA
Trevor Ewanochko could not be at the meeting, but sent a report that GAPSA will be considering approval of the Fees Committee slate next Monday.

MSA
Khaled Dajani noted that MSA approved the Fees Committee slate and is working on the full-time policy and instituting shade-grown, fair trade coffee on campus. MSA committees are dealing with a pub in Coffman, the Como Avenue zero tolerance policy, campus safety, and late night buses.

MORRIS
Ryan Brux said that Morris has started using plagiarism software as a test, but students are upset that were not consulted before the trial began. First year seminars are also being examined. He then noted that Yudof’s visit to campus has been postponed due to the weather.

SCEP
Chris Frazier said that SCEP is dealing with four issues. First is getting student participation on the Classroom Advisory Subcommittee. MSA, GAPSA, and the Senate are being asked to find interested students.

SCEP passed a motion to require mid-semester early warning reports for students who are in danger of receiving a ‘D’, ‘F’, or ‘N’ in a class. The warning, for 1XXX-level classes, will be sent to the student, faculty, and the student’s advisor by the Office of the Registrar. She noted that Crookston already has as similar policy in place.

A third item is the 13 credit minimum requirement. SCEP had a heated debate during which time it was noted that SCEP is behind on this issue, since it considered collecting student perspectives on the subject when student organizations are already weighing in on the subject. The committee does want student responses though, so two students will be invited to the January 23 meeting to talk with SCEP.

The last topic is withdrawals. SCEP passed a motion that withdrawals would require advisor approval and the faculty member’s signature between three and eight weeks. The reason stated for the requirement was that it would create more contact between students and their faculty and advisors. Committee members were in favor of the principle behind the policy, but felt that three weeks was too early since it is possible that no course work has even been completed by the third week. Additionally, the committee stated that the withdrawal policy should be instituted in conjunction with the mid-semester warning, and therefore not be institute until the sixth week of the semester.

SCFP
Rose Samuel combined her report with the SSCC Chair.

SCSA
Jason Stingl could not attend the meeting, so he supplied a written report on tuition payment by credit card.

4. STUDENT SENATE CHAIR ELECTIONS

Khaled Dajani reported that Matthew Wohlman has resigned from the Student Senate, and therefore an election will take place on December 6. Chris Frazier has expressed an interest in running for the position, and GAPSA supports her running.

5. REGENTS PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT ON ATHLETICS

Khaled Dajani said that the Philosophy Statement was placed on the Senate docket, but there were some student concerns in the wording. Therefore Khaled asked that FCC and SSCC take another look at the language, with the possibility that it might be pulled from the docket if resolution is not found. He then asked Jason Reed to provide information on the student concern.

Jason Reed said that the Advisory Committee on Athletics (ACA) and the Faculty Academic Oversight Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics (FAOCIA) both reviewed the statement in light of the basketball scandal.

Student concern arose in Subdivision 13 which states that faculty are in control of athletics. He would like to have the statement read ‘faculty and student control’ so that student athletes are aware that students on ACA are involved in athletic decisions.

When he raised the issue, the chair was unsupportive and the Senate staff indicated that the NCAA mandates that faculty have control over athletics. His opinion is that the NCAA requirement is satisfied as long as faculty control is mentioned, but whould not be violated if student control is added.

Q: How do the other students on ACA feel about the issue?

A: The other non-student representative also feels strongly about including student control.

Khaled Dajani thanked Jason Reed for attending and said that this issue would be raised at SCC.

6. ALCOHOL POLICY RESOLUTION

Khaled Dajani presented the resolution, noting that he revised it since the previous version was too weak.

Q: Should the resolution include a statement that the current policy is adequate?

A: The policy, as now written, can be strictly enforced if so desired since federal law permits the University to contact parents if a student is a financial dependent. Therefore, there is no statement on the policy’s adequacy, but the first resolution addresses the fact that the current policy should not be implemented to its full extent, as is now being done at Duluth.

Q: To whom does the current policy apply?

A: The current policy, and any changes, applies campus-wide, which is why any changes should be made only after extensive student involvement. Students would likely be in favor of relaxing the policy.

Q: Should a resolved statement be added on the Duluth situation?

A: A statement on Duluth would detract from the rest of the resolution and UMDSA is making efforts to address the issue itself.

Khaled Dajani said that he would be working with the Student Representatives to the Regents on this issue.

The resolution as stated was approved to take to the Student Senate.

7. FULL TIME RESOLUTION

Khaled Dajani said that President Yudof has sent his statement to the Chancellors with the recommendation that they implement it on their campuses. He then asked members to read the resolution and make comments.

Q: Why does the resolution address full-time status versus the 13 credit minimum?

A: The two issues are similar but the real issue is allowing students to attend part-time. In either case, more student input is needed on the issue.

The motion, as amended, was approved to take to the Student Senate.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

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

Becky Hippert
University Senate