[In these minutes: Stipend Review, Strategic Planning, Position statement on student involvement in administrative decisions]

STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES

MARCH 24, 2005

[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: Nathan Wanderman (chair), Rubens Feroz, James Kanten, Taqee Khaled, Jamie Larson, Seyon Nyanwleh, Cati Popp.

REGRETS: Colin Schwensohn.

ABSENT: Josh Breyfogle.

1. STIPEND REVIEW MEETING

The Stipend Review Committee voted to ask the Student Senate to approve the full stipend amounts for all three positions.

2. CHAIR UPDATES

Nathan Wanderman said that the student evaluation questions were presented to the Educational Policy Committee (SCEP) yesterday. The committee was supportive of the changes and suggested a few improvements. He will be meeting with the SCEP Chair to prepare a final draft. He then has a meeting scheduled with Mary Koskan on April 8 to discuss improvements to the web site.

3. APPROVAL OF MARCH 3 STUDENT SENATE AGENDA

Nathan Wanderman said that he would like some additional resolutions added to the agenda. One item is the Faculty Senate asking that central administration interview faculty who leave the University. He would like to suggest that the Student Senate recommend that students who leave be interviewed as well to determine the reasons why they are leaving. He would like a resolution on this item at the April 7 meeting.

Members made the following comments:

It was decided that Rubens Feroz would write the resolution in advance of the meeting.

Nathan Wanderman asked that there be a third resolution on the meeting agenda. Members made the following suggestions;

It was decided that members would send additional items to Nathan Wanderman by March 27, after which time he would select one to be placed on the agenda.

The agenda was then approved as revised.

4. DISCUSSION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

Nathan Wanderman said that the strategic planning document will be released on March 30 with concrete recommendations from the administrative and academic task forces. He has been working with Professor Marshak to get student issues addressed in the documents. He has also been trying to get a meeting with the President to address the fact that students were not involved in the process.

5. POSITION STATEMENT ON STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS

Nathan Wanderman distributed Wisconsin Statute language relating to student involvement in administrative decisions. He said that he would like the Student Senate to pass a resolution asking the University to approve a Regents policy guaranteeing students here the same rights.

Q: How likely is it that the Regents would consider such a policy?

A: The probability is likely higher than expected. Mention will be made at meetings with the President, Regents Chair, and Regents Vice Chair, but it will be up to next year’s Student Senate to follow through, as well as a united effort from all the student associations and assemblies

6. STUDENT ASSOCIATION UPDATES

MCSA is reviewing technology fee proposal before funds are allocated.

CSA has a new president in place. It is also working on food selection by dining services.

GAPSA has approved a resolution on program closures. It also met with the President recently.

MSA also recently met with the President, and has approved a position statement on legislative funding.

7. 2005-06 SSCC

There are no SSCC members who plan on returning to the committee next year. Therefore a transition report will be needed and all members should brief next year’s representatives on pending issues.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

Q: Are other campus stadiums financed by private companies?

A: It is more prevalent in professional sports, but it is becoming a new trend in college sports.

Q: Who is invited to stadium advisory committee meetings?

A: All people and opinions are welcomed.

Seyon Nyanwleh then discussed the student leadership conference scheduled for April 22-23. The first day will be a welcome ceremony at night, with a 9 am – 6 pm session on the second day. SSCC will facilitate the sessions with leaders of all student groups and key administrators being invited. The target is to have 100 people in attendance. The SSCC budget is limited, so participants should be asked to pay for their own lodging expenses. All groups should be invited to bring issues to discuss.

Nathan Wanderman asked that a final draft be sent to all members by April 1. The conference date should be sent to invited groups now so that they can be sure to attend. With no further business, he thanked all members for attending and adjourned the meeting.

Becky Hippert
University Senate