[In these minutes: 2006-07 Vice Chair election, 2005-06 wrap-up, 2006-07 agenda items]

STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES

MAY 11, 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: Joshua Beiningen, Megan Kosse, Anthony Kouba, William Kusch, Rick Orr, Bree Richards.

ABSENT: Josh Breyfogle (chair), Nicolas Allyn, Brooke Delanghe, Blake Hogan, Leslie O’Leary, Timothy Tangen, Jeff Wencl.

1. CHAIR’S REPORT

Rick Orr began by welcoming new members and explaining the structure of the Senate and the role of the SSCC. He then noted that there was no report as the chair could not be at the meeting due to a final examination.

2. ELECTION OF 2006-07 STUDENT SENATE/SSCC VICE CHAIR

Following no nominations from coordinate campus members, Bree Richards was nominated and elected Student Senate/SSCC Vice Chair for 2006-07

3. WRAP-UP OF 2005-06 ACTIVITIES

Rick Orr distributed a report presented to the Educational Policy Committee (SCEP) on Wednesday with the results from the pilot study of the new student release questions. The pilot was sent to 1000 students in the Twin Cities and Morris, with 213 responses received. Following its presentation, SCEP approved the new questions.

The written responses are included at the end of the packet, some positive and some negative. The largest number of comments centered on making the responses more accessible.

4. AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2006-07

One-Stop Web Site
This web site needs to be redesigned to use the new question data with links to the information included on the course registration pages along with textbook information. Since the old and new data is not compatible, One-Stop should be convinced that the old data should no longer be listed since students will want to see answers to the new questions they have answered. SSCC will also need to work with Vice Provost Swan to make sure that departments are using new forms that include the new questions.

Elections
This year there was poor turnout for students to run for seats and people to vote. One way to fix this problem may be to remove Senate elections from the Twin Cities undergraduate college boards and make MSA the group that fills these seats. Students would still be elected from their college, but would be more responsible to MSA and the Senate. This system would also improve mid-term elections and might help with attendance.

SSCC might want to speak with the college boards about this plan, as well as MSA and GAPSA, since this proposal is close to what GAPSA currently does.

International Students
SCEP received a presentation on increasing international students across the campuses in the next 10 years. SSCC might want o talk with international student groups to see what they would want. Then SSCC would be ready to offer an opinion when asked.

Shared Governance
This will be an item for next year since it appears that the administration does share information, but student organizations are not aligned to be as effective as possible.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

It was reported that a majority of senators who voted did vote in favor of awarding the stipends as listed in Item 8 of the May 4 Student Senate agenda. The stipends will be disbursed in the near future.

With no further business, Rick Orr thanked all members for their service this year and adjourned the meeting.

Becky Hippert
University Senate