[In these minutes: Student release questions]

[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: Ronald Miller (chair), Neal Brown, James Faghmous, Kris Schwebler, Alicia Smith.

ABSENT: Jeni Kiewatt.

Ronald Miller congratulated Kris Schwebler on his election to the Vice Chair position. He then said that the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) will be discussing textbook cost reforms.

Neal Brown said that the Crookston Student Association (CSA) is working on a smoke-free survey for campus and adding more members to the campus recycling committee.

Alicia Smith said that the MSA express van is running, the renter’s survey is coming, a textbook resolution was approved, and MSA has paired with the United Way to raise more funds for Lend a Hand, Hear the Band.

Alicia Smith reviewed the discussion from the last meeting which lead to a revised set of questions and rating scale.

Members made the following comments:

Members approved the revised questions for inclusion on the November Student Senate agenda

Members agreed to put the textbook cost reform resolution, the fair trade coffee resolution, and the designated suppliers program resolution on the agenda for action.

The committee then discussed the problems with elections of Twin Cities student senators. In the spring there are not enough candidates running for the positions and open seats are not filled in the fall since many college boards are not functioning and others do not know that this is their responsibility. The system should be adjusted so that Student Senate seats do not go unfilled. Members proposed this as a discussion item at the meeting.

The agenda was approved as amended.

With no further business, Ronald Miller thanked all members for attending and adjourned the meeting.

Becky Hippert
University Senate