[In these minutes: Alcohol Task Force Report, 2004-05 Student Senate Budget
Approval, Reorganization vote follow-up, proposed Welcome Week discussion,
2004-05 SSCC/Student Senate Vice Chair election]
STUDENT SENATE
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES
MAY 6,
2004
[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: Dan Weiske (chair), Joshua Colburn,
James Kanten, Scott LeBlanc, Seyon Nyanwleh, Tom Pielow, Colin Schwensohn,
Charles Stech, Jeremy Steil, Stace Vonderhaar, Nathan
Wanderman.
ABSENT: Sean Bell, Derek Brunsberg, Levi Kary, Adam Van
Wagner.
GUESTS: LeeAnn Melin.
Introductions of the 2004-05
members were made
1. FINAL REPORT OF THE ALCOHOL TASK
FORCE
Charles Stech presented the final report of the Alcohol Task
Force, noting that it encompasses the comment received via email and at the
meetings from members. He asked for feedback from the committee.
Members
made the following comments:
- Topic is worth further discussion; it is hard to reach a conclusion at this
time
- Expanded service and sale of alcohol on campus should be further considered
because of the dangers involved in unsecure locations
- Connection with Student Affairs is needed
Q: If the task
force came to a conclusive decision, then why is another committee
recommended?
A: The working group recommended alcohol be served on
campus, but the next committee should determine in what manner the service take
place and what the implementation timeframe should be.
Q: How wsa
information collected?
A: The working group received information from the
General Counsel’s Office, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug group, the
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety, Boynton, and past committee work on
the topic.
The committee then approved the report as amended. The report
will be presented to student senators and placed on the SSCC web
site.
2. APPROVAL OF THE 2004-05 STUDENT SENATE
BUDGET
Charles Stech then presented the Student Senate budget
request. It includes a 15 percent stipend increase to compensate the rate of
tuition increase, a separate informational meeting at the beginning of the year
for student committee members, ITV for Student Senate meetings to increase
communication, funding for officer travel to the coordinate campuses, and a
stipend for the Student Affairs Committee Chair. The budget was then approved
with the provision that the total request be the same as the previous
year’s allocation.
3. FOLLOW-UP ON THE REORGANIZATION
VOTE
Dan Weiske said that the electronic vote on two motions from the
April Senate meeting has been completed, but neither item received the votes
needed for approval, so both motions will return to the Senate next September.
A member noted that it is unfortunate that another vote needs to take place so
early next year when there will be so many new senators.
4. DISCUSSION
OF THE PROPOSED WELCOME WEEK
LeeAnn Melin, Director of Orientation
and First Year Programs, said that a Welcome Week for all new students is being
proposed for 2005. All entering freshmen will start five days early, on the
Wednesday before Labor Day. This will be an opportunity to build on
orientation, present students with more information, build a sense of tradition,
help students find their place, and connect with their college and academics.
With this program, New Student Weekend will no longer be offered.
She
then distributed an overview of the proposal. Wednesday will feature dorm
move-in and kick-off events. Thursday will feature small group discussions,
convocation, transition to campus, and student life issues. Friday will focus
on the colleges in the morning with academic and research advising and the
afternoon will be for student organization connections. Saturday and Sunday
will focus on connections with the community through service learning
opportunities, as well as introductions to arts and athletic events on campus.
Monday will be reserved as a relaxation day before classes start, but a trip to
the State Fair will be offered. Each night will have late-night programming
scheduled. She then asked members for their feedback on the
proposal.
Members made the following comments:
- There should be a bigger push for student organizations and leadership
opportunities
- Many students are dissatisfied with the level of preparation they receive as
a freshmen
- This program will be a positive step from the New Student Weekend
- A Target and grocery store run should be offered
- A trip to the bookstore should also be incorporated so students can buy
their books before classes start
- Students should be provided with entertainment options around the
Cities
- Student life issues will be a hard sell for some students, who might choose
to duck out
Q: How will this program be funded?
A: All
students will be charged $125, with other departments providing other funding.
800-900 students currently pay $110 to attend the New Student Weekend.
Q:
Will participation be required?
A: All entering freshmen will be required
to attend. This will be challenging the first year, and as through some of the
programming.
Q: Will commuter students be provided on-campus housing
during the Welcome Week?
A: No since these rooms will be allocated to
other students moving onto campus. Park and ride locations, as well as bussing
options will be made available for commuter students. The same activities want
to be provided for all students. Tents set-up on the mall might also be a
possibility to keep commuters on campus.
Q: How many students will be
participating?
A: Roughly 5300.
Q: Will this program allow the
University to offer a one-day orientation just focused on academics?
A:
It is possible that orientation could be slightly shortened, but a full session
needs to be offered since most students come from a distance. More also needs
to be done for transfer students. This program, however, will allow orientation
to go slower and focus more on academics rather than student life
issues.
Q: What role will student leaders play?
A: The program
will provide 40 students a leadership opportunity, however more students are
needed to finalize program planning.
5. ELECTION OF THE 2004-05
STUDENT SENATE/SSCC VICE CHAIRTom Pielow was elected as the 2004-05
Student Senate/SSCC Vice Chair.
6. OTHER BUSINESSDan
Weiske said that under the Senate proposal, the number of student
representatives on SCC will be reduced from nine to seven. Six of the seven
seat assignments have been made, one from each campus and the Student
Senate/SSCC Chair. The last seat still needs to be decided. There are two
proposals, either the Student Senate/SSCC Vice Chair or a second representative
from the Twin Cities undergraduates. A member noted that the Twin Cities
undergraduates form the largest student group and should receive a second
representative. Another member then proposed that the discussion be postponed
until next year and a decision be made by the next SSCC. The motion was
approved.
With no further
business, Dan Weiske thanked all members for their service this year and
adjourned the meeting.
Becky Hippert
University Senate