[In these minutes: Campus Updates, Accountability for spring semester Student Senate Projects, March 2 Student Senate agenda]

STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES

FEBRUARY 16, 2006

[These minutes reflect discussion and debate at a committee of the University of Minnesota Senate; none of the comments, conclusions, or actions reported in these minutes represent the views of, nor are they binding on, the Senate the Administration, or the Board of Regents.]

PRESENT: Nicolas Allyn, Anthony Kouba, William Kusch, Rick Orr, Timothy Tangen.

ABSENT: Josh Breyfogle, Blake Hogan, Dion Turgeon.

1. CHAIR’S REPORT

Rick Orr announced that Josh Breyfogle would not be at today’s meeting, so he would stepping in a the Vice Chair. He said that he is still working on student evaluations. He needs to meet with Professor Rodriguez to determine the pilot test. Once this is complete, students will need to keep pressure on the Educational Policy Committee and Vice Provost Swan to get the evaluations in place for this spring

2. CAMPUS UPDATES

MSA – A new SSCC representative, Joshua Beiningen, was elected. Work has been done on the budget and fees request. MSA approved sponsorship of a Housing Conference and a Governors’ Debate.

GAPSA – GAPSA will also be helping with the Housing Conference and discussed the new Minneapolis city ordinance that was approved. GAPSA is also helping students who are being taxed by the state on past monies received from grants. Civic engagement is also a topic of discussion. Recently four GAPSA representatives went to a conference for graduate and professional organizations; it appears that GAPSA is the best run and offered assistance to other institutions.

3. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SPRING SEMESTER STUDENT SENATE PROJECTS

Members noted that SSCC needs to keep reminding students to get project work completed, as well as finishing SSCC’s own projects. Those who have made progress should make presentations at the March 2 Senate meeting. An email should be sent to all senators reminding them about the projects, asking for volunteers for March 2, and stressing the deadline of the end of the semester.

Will Kusch said that he talked with two members of the student election group on the Twin Cities campus and they thought it best for each campus to focus on their own voter turnout rallies this year due to the tight timeframe. Any ideas that work well should be shared between campuses.

4. MARCH 2 STUDENT SENATE AGENDA

Members noted that there needs to be more on the agenda. It was suggested the three people be contacted to provide reports and a position statement on civil engagement be added. The agenda was approved as amended.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

Rick Orr said that part of his position is to plan an annual conference for student government. He idea is to have it more focused than last year, and just invite college board presidents. The focus would be on how these groups and the Student Senate work better together and how to make representatives more accountable.

With no further business, Rick Orr thanked all members for attending and adjourned the meeting.

Becky Hippert
University Senate