STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) DISCUSSION

March 4, 1998

PRESENT: Ryan Falk (chair), Jesse Berglund, YeeLeng Hang, Deanne Nordberg, Martin O'Hely, Kelli Rusch.

REGRETS: Mark Uszenski.

ABSENT: Jason Anderson, Brandon Lacy, Gita Uppal.

GUESTS: Sue Eastman, Maggie Towle.

Because there was not a quorum, no official meeting was held. The members present did discuss the following items:

Student for the Sesquicentennial Committee
Sue Eastman, staff for the Sesquicentennial Planning Committee, said that the co-chairs, Professor Jones and Berscheid, asked that another student be found for the executive committee since Jessie Roos was unable to serve. Student participation and input is of great concern to the committee, so the student position needs to be filled. The committee has been meeting since fall quarter and has dean, faculty, staff and student representation. The executive committee meets once a month for 2 hours, with the next meeting scheduled for Monday, March 29, from 1:00- 3:00.

Ryan Falk said that he would be willing to attend the next meeting, but another student would need to be found since he is graduating this spring. He said that one problem in finding a student is that nobody is exactly sure what the committee is supposed to do. It was suggested that a role and responsibility description be e-mailed to various lists (MSA, GAPSA, COGS, and the Senate) to solicit interested students. Sue Eastman also suggested the desire to have a Student Advisory Committee to the Sesquicentennial Committee, and will forward a description of roles and responsibilities for this as well.

Chair's Report
Ryan Falk said that a Parking and Transportation Subcommittee has been formed. He along with Laura Beauchane will serve as the co-chairs. Martin O'Hely said that Bob Baker, Director of Parking and Transportation, is scheduled to talk to a group from COGS at the end of the month. Any relevant information would be relayed back to the committee.

Coordinate Campus Invitation
The committee discussed the invitations and guest list. It was decided that Student Reps to Regents would also be included on the guest list, along with the new UMM student body president and the UMM faculty advisor. The invitation and additional itinerary were approved.

Presentation on Coffman Renovations
Maggie Towle, Director of Coffman Union, distributed several documents to the members. She said that funding was awarded by the Student Fees Committee, but with a four year phase-in period, so that the students who will be using it will be the ones paying for it. Coffman is projected to close for 18 months, beginning next January, with the building reopened for Fall Semester 2001. Student organizations have asked to be moved in summer, prior to school starting, which will help since asbestos abatement will be an issue and might force Coffman to close earlier. Information will be published notifying students where all of these services are located.

Renovation is part of the complete South Mall project. A building advisory team has been established, with 9 students serving. They will start meeting immediately with the goal of identifying an architect this spring, with student and Regent approval in September. She then opened the floor for questions.

Q: Will national restaurants chains be available?

A: Yes. Aramark has this flexibility. The advisory team will also be working with local businesses to see about moving into space in Coffman. The students have already expressed interest in a University Bookstore branch, a 24-hour food court, and a 24-hour computer lab.

Q: Is liquor a possibility in the union?

A: It is a possibility. Campus Club, which operates on the fifth and sixths floors, currently has a liquor license. The University would need to talk to them about using the license on nights and weekends. The University would need to assure the Campus Club that responsible drinking can occur, which could happen if it was modeled after the pub in the Madison Union which serves other non-alcoholic drinks as well and employees off-duty police officers.

Q: Will groups receive equal space in the new union?

A: Yes. Preliminary figures indicate that students space allocation might increase from 10,000 square feet to almost 15, 000 square feet. Coffman will be speaking to the current student organizations to see what their needs will be, since some might increase while others decrease. Study and lounge space will also be increased.

Q: The new plan calls for more open space. Won't Coffman be losing square footage under this plan?

A: No, since the current underground parking lot will be incorporated into the building. 13,000 square feet will also be gained from the Campus Club. Space will only be lost on the second floor under the new plan.

Q: Where will student organizations be housed during the renovation?

A: There is not much space available on the East Bank. Coffman's main operations will be moved to the St. Paul Campus, along with any interested student groups. If this isn't an option, then Coffman will look for space on the West Bank, rent space in Stadium Village, or rent trailers. All relocations will be finalized before the end of spring quarter.

Q: Will the space in the Coffman garage be replaced?

A: A new underground parking ramp is being built in conjunction with the South Mall project, which will include 600-700 short-term parking spots. The University is also considering free parking on Sundays and a flat rate in the evenings, which would allow more students to utilize Coffman. The University is looking at having certain parts of Coffman open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Traffic will also be increased upon completion of connecting tunnels from the parking ramp, Comstock, and Weisman.

Q: What will happen to Coffman employees during the renovation?

A: They will be relocated to other areas, since operations will continue in different locations. All employees will have the option of returning to Coffman.

Policy on Academic Progress for Undergraduates
Martin O'Hely said that SCEP had approved the recommendation from MSA regarding the third section of the policy, which removed language prohibiting students from enrolling in a program who were not full-time. In regards to language for the first section, SCEP decided not to approve the language change since it was unclear what group was intended. SSCC discussed this language and then decided to send it back to MSA for clarification.

Other Business
Jesse Berglund asked that ideas for the April Student Senate docket be forwarded to him.

Rebecca Hippert
University Senate