[In these minutes: Updates,
Consultation Path for Policies, Student governance coordination, Approval of
April 30 Student Senate agenda]
STUDENT
SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES
APRIL
16, 2009
[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, Joao Boavida, Jason Einertson, Missy
Gettel, Kathy Julik-Heine, Jonathan Lundberg, Alicia Smith.
1.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Ryan Kennedy reported that he
recently met with the CSA President, the MCSA President, and a representative of
UMDSA regarding how to better coordinate the work of these bodies. Talks focus
on reviving the Student Legislative Coalition (SLC) with a revised structure and
creating a UM Leadership Council composed of the student assembly/association
presidents and the Student Senate Chair and Vice Chair.
2.
STUDENT ASSOCIATION/ASSEMBLY UPDATES
Kathy Julik-Heine noted that
MCSA elections will take place next week. The presidential candidate is running
unopposed, while there are 18 names for 16 MCSA seats. Technology fee
negotiations continue. A solution is sought for next year. The SSCC
representative for next year will be appointed on May 4.
Jonathan Lundberg said that
UMDSA’s elections were April 7-8. Josh Gillson is the new president and
three of eight Senate seats were filled. A student rights initiative is being
considered and academic advising is a topic for the association.
Jeffrey Anderson stated that
GAPSA’s election will be on April 22. Graduate and professional student
appreciation week is April 20-24. There is a graduate and professional student
conference on April 25. April 26-29, GAPSA representatives will be traveling to
Washington D.C. to lobby with other graduate and professional students.
Missy Gettel reported that
MSA’s tax program has finished. The Lend a Hand, Hear the Band, concert
is tonight. Paul Strain and Alicia Smith were elected as next year’s
president and vice president. Executive committee elections will be held on May
5.
3.
DISCUSSION OF CONSULTATION PATH FOR POLICIES
The committee walked through the
list of policies being considered for future consultation, proposing the
following changes:
- Student
Representatives to the Board of Regents should go to the Student Senate for
information
- If
the policy, Employees Campaigning for or Holding Public Office, applies to
students, then it should go the University Senate for action
- Health
Care Components (HIPAA), Protection of Individual Health Information by U,
should go to SCSA for student information and usage
- Copyright
Ownership should go to SSCC and the University Senate for information
- Student
Education Records, Protecting the Privacy of, should go to SCSA and the Student
Senate for information
- Using
Email as Official Student Communication should go to SCSA and the Student Senate
for information
- Withholding
Degrees from Students with Financial Obligations should go to SCSA and the
Student Senate for information
- Student
Employment should go to SCSA
- Emergency
Closing should go to the University Senate for information
- Telephone
Services, Using University, should go to SCIT
- World
Wide Web, Publishing Information on the, should also go to SCIT
- U
Card should go to SCSA and SCC
4.
DISCUSSION OF STUDENT RESPONSE TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL REPORT
Ryan Kennedy said that the
report has been delayed. A link to the report will be sent to all senators once
it is available. He reminded members to review the document when it becomes
available.
5.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF STUDENT GOVERNANCE COORDINATION
Members reviewed the discussion
from the April 2 Student Senate meeting, noting that it was productive since it
generated many ideas and showed how senators are thinking about the Student
Senate down different paths. Members then made the following comments:
- MSA
does not pay much attention to the Student Senate and what actions it takes
- Governance
needs to better utilize the bonds that are already in place
- All
student assemblies/associations need to discuss what the Student Senate is
- Senate
is a way to better communicate student issues with faculty and staff
- Administration
interacts more with MSA, but that body has no power to make or influence
policy
- Once
roles are defined and refined, they need to be written out for future
students
6.
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 30 STUDENT SENATE AGENDA
The agenda was approved with the
addition of an item on Student Senate mentors.
7.
OTHER BUSINESS
With no further business, Ryan
Kennedy thanked all members for attending and adjourned the meeting.
Becky Hippert
University
Senate