The first meeting of the Student Senate for 2003-04 was convened in Coffman Union Theatre, Minneapolis campus, on Thursday, October 2, 2003, at 12:04 p.m. Coordinate campuses were linked by telephone. Checking or signing the roll as present were 32 voting student members. Chair Dan Weiske presided.

Dan Weiske noted that due to the State of the University Address today, the Student Senate meeting must finish no later than 1:30 p.m. Any discussion not finished by 1:30 will be carried over to the October 30 meeting. He then reminded senators of the University Senate meeting at 2:30, and that their vote is needed to approve a constitutional amendment regarding the Student Senate.

Dan Weiske referred senators to the Student Senate handbook, which lists the purpose of the Senate, each senator’s responsibilities, and other governance organizations. He emphasized that senators are responsible for attending all Senate meetings. Since only one unexcused absence is allowed, senators should arrange for an alternate when they cannot attend and notify Becky Hippert if they have a conflict. Dan Weiske said that there are also a range of Senate committees to serve on, and senators are encouraged to apply. He then asked senators to read through the handbook following the meeting, and ask him any questions they might have.

Dan Weiske then directed senators to the Parliamentary procedure manual and walked them through the document.

In closing, Dan Weiske asked all senators to use the microphones when speaking so that comments and questions are recorded and can be heard by the coordinate campuses.

MOTION:

To approve the Student Senate minutes, which are available on the Web at the following URLs. A simple majority is required for approval.

http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/ssen/030424stu.html

DISCUSSION:

With no discussion a vote was taken and the motion was approved.

Dan Weiske, Student Senate Chair, welcomed all senators, made introductions of the Student Senate leaders, and wished everyone a good year. As the Student Senate is here to represent the student interest, credibility is the basis of all power. This then relies on attendance and informed participation. There are several important issues being discussed this year, one of which bisthe University Senate reorganization. He also wants the Student Senate to focus on issues important to students on each campus. He then stated that all students have the opportunity to be involved through Senate committees, as a mass email to all students just indicated. In closing, he asked that senators keep their information updated with the Senate Office and contact any of the Student Senate leaders with any questions.

Charles Stech, Vice Chair of the Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC), said that SSCC has been focusing on changes to the University Senate constitution and bylaws, and prioritizing agenda topics for the coming year.

Crookston – Kyle Rollness reported that CSA has approved changes to its bylaws and elections have been completed.

Duluth – Sean Bell said that UMDSA has been completing the same items as Crookston.

Morris – Reggie Dais stated that MCSA is dealing with budget and athletic issues, as well as planning for the year.

Graduate and Professional Student Association – Kim Canfield said that GAPSA has finished its elections and has approved a resolution on the recent off-campus housing fire.

Minnesota Student Association – Eric Dyer said that MSA has established a fund to help the fire victims and is talking about an on-campus stadium.

Dan Weiske referred senators to the reorganization proposal, noting that it is still in the draft stage. He then noted that the purpose of the reorganization was to have all University voices, faculty, student, academic professionals, and civil service staff, together at one meeting. The process was a task force established last spring with representatives from each group. The University Senate will be discussing this item on October 30, but the proposal will be presented for action to the University Senate no earlier than December 4, and possibly not until a spring semester meeting. The general theme of the proposal is a dispersal of powers among the four groups, with each still retaining direct reporting lines to the president. The number of senators for faculty and students will also be reduced to allocate seats to the academic professional and civil service members.

Q: Why are academic professionals and civil service members being included in the Senate?

A: They are being included so that there is one body with representatives from all campuses group. A researcher from another institution wrote to the Faculty Senate, noting that while students are involved in the University Senate, the University should consider including all groups to really represent the entire University.

Q: Why are faculty and student seats being reduced? Why are seats not just being added from the other groups?

A: The size of the University Senate would be too large if faculty and student seats were not reduced.

Dan Weiske reminded senators that this proposal will be discussed again by the Student Senate on October 30, as well as at the University Senate meeting on that date.

Q: What is the background on the Student Senate Chair merger constitutional change?

A: This item was brought to the University Senate last April, in the form of a bylaw and constitution change, as a way to streamline student governance by combing the Student Senate and Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC) chairs into one position.. The bylaw change was approved, but the constitutional change did not have enough votes, even though all votes were in favor of the proposal. An electronic vote was then taken, but there were not enough total votes registered through an electronic vote either. This item is being brought back to the University Senate today, and needs a smaller number of votes to be approved. The current SSCC Chair, Scott LeBlanc, was aware of the proposed change when he ran for the position and is in support of the merger.

Q: Why is the provision that the Student Senate chair and vice chair cannot be from the same campus being removed in the constitutional change?

A: It is being removed from this area because the provision was transferred to the bylaws, which were approved last spring.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:32 p.m.