[In these minutes: Updates, Smoking Ban resolution, Legislative discussion, Spring semester agenda items, Stipend review]

[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: Ryan Kennedy (chair), Jeffrey Anderson, Katie Best, Joao Boavida, Jason Einertson, Missy Gettel, Alicia Smith.

GUESTS: Mikael Moseley.

Ryan Kennedy said that he has been spending time at the capitol this semester listening to talk of a potential $150 million cut to the University in the next biennium. This number could increase if the February forecast worsens as some have predicted.

Katie Best said that there is a Support the U Day post card campaign at Duluth.

Jeffrey Anderson said that Support the U Day still needs volunteers. The President spoke to the House on Tuesday. GAPSA’s spring social and family bowling night is coming up. A decision on the route for the central corridor was decided in December.

Alicia Smith said that Support the U Day materials have been printed and students are being encouraged to attend. Three buses will be making round-trips from each part of campus. Last year only 25 Twin Cities students attended. The goal this year is for 250 undergraduates and 50 graduate/professional students. Students can sign-up on the MSA website.

Joao Boavida said that he and Mikael Moseley, from the Finance and Planning Committee (SCFP) met with Vice President Pfutzenreuter on December 7 to discuss student fees and a potential tuition increase. Vice President Pfutzenreuter did not think that a tuition increase would be close to double-digits. Vice Provost Rinehart has charged a Student Capitol Fee Committee. Joao Boavida said that he is looking to schedule a meeting with President Bruininks to discuss student input into the college compact budgeting process. SCFP and Faculty Consultative Committee (FCC) members recently had a breakfast with President Bruininks to discuss the budget situation. Lastly, a revised Twin Cities Master Plan is due next week. He will forward it to members for review.

Mikael Moseley presented the Smoking Ban Resolution that he drafted and was revised by other students. Members discussed the resolution, making several revisions to the language.

Q: Why is the Student Senate making a resolution on this topic?

A: The original survey was done by a campus group with a specific agenda, so the survey and its results are flawed. If the Student Senate does not take a stand, then it is not doing its job.

The resolution was approved as amended. It will be sent to student senators for an electronic vote.

Support the U Day
A committee member said that MSA is planning a competition between student groups to see which can get the highest number and percentage of their members to attend the event. The winners will receive an MSA sponsored pizza party.

Another member said that this event should qualify as a University-sponsored event, according to the policy, but that the University does not want it to be advertised in this manner.

Legislative Certificate Program (LCP)
Ryan Kennedy said that MSA has a legislative certificate program which trains 10 student interns to lobby at the capitol on student interests, such as increased funding for the University and resolutions approved by MSA.

A committee member said that legislators are talking positively about the students they are meeting in this program.

Q: What does the Duluth Student Legislative Coalition (SLC) entail?

A: It is composed of one paid lobbyist who travels to the legislature once per month, and also helps with the Duluth city council and organizing Duluth lobbying events.

Q: How is the lobbyist paid?

A: SLC is a separate organization which receives funding through student service fees.

Members then made the following comments:

Members made the following list of potential items for spring semester:

With no further business, Ryan Kennedy thanked all members for attending and adjourned the meeting.

The members of the Stipend Review Committee met and determined the stipend amounts to recommend to the Student Senate for approval on March 5.

Becky Hippert
University Senate