1993-94 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 1993
The first meeting of the Student Senate for 1993-94 was convened in 25
Law Center, Minneapolis campus, on Thursday, October 28, 1993,at 3:15 p.m.
Coordinate campuses were linked by telephone. Checking or signing the roll
as present were 39 voting student members. Mr. Erick Harper presided.
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - action
APPROVED
II. MINUTES FOR MAY 20, 1993 - action
APPROVED
III. STRATEGIC PLANNING/UNIVERSITY 2000 - Discussion
Mr. Harper welcomed Senior Vice President Infante to the discussion on
strategic planning. Dr. Infante thanked senators for the opportunity to discuss
U2000 with them. Changes are occurring in higher education, he said, not only in
the State of Minnesota, butacross the United States. The University needs to pay
attention to those changes, particularly to the changes in demography and the
number of minorities and women that must have access to the U of M. In response to
those changes, the University has developed a plan that includes partnerships,
making the University more user-friendly, and a number of strategic directions
(research, graduate and professional education, undergraduate education, and
outreach and access). President Hasselmo initiated a program of emphasis in
undergraduate education a number of years ago that was central to the reallocation
plan that took place not too long ago, and that, he said, is to be maintained.
The University must also maintain its land grant mission and its relationship with
the citizens of Minnesota by providing access to its programs. One idea that has
come forth is the concept of a University College that could provide a diverse means
of educational delivery and support to its students. One of the University's failings
has been to treat all students alike, as if their needs were the same. It is clear
there is great diversity at the University and it needs to recognize that. A concept
such as University College will be important in the future because learning is life
long and the citizens of Minnesota need to be able to access higher education over
and over again throughout their lifetime.
Vice President Infante emphasized that the planning process will be dynamic.
What has been set before the University community is a set of ideas that need to be
examined and honed. Using the usual channels, such as the governance system and the
colleges, faculty, staff and students will be involved in the different planning
stages right through implementation. One student expressed concern that if planning
occurs at the departmental level, students willnot have an opportunity to be involved.
In response to a question about the need for a University College, the Vice
President said he believes the number of parttime students is going to continue
to increase, particularly as people pursue career changes and upgrade their skills.
Another student asked whether the plan will address class loads, advising,
financial aid, tuition, etc. U2000 will address many areas, said Vice President
Infante. The University can be proud of its capabilities, but for some reason the
environment is not right. The freshman and sophmore environment for students on
the Twin Cities campus is somewhat like the Port Authority bus station in New York
City--it is a highly effective, highly efficient environment but it is not very
comfortable. The University needs to address the issue of user-friendliness.
It also needs to increase merit scholarship funds so it can attract the kind of
students it wants. It must also build a higher sense of community,such as providing
more dormitory space for undergraduates andappropriate housing for graduate and
professional students. Tuition is an ongoing concern and certainly will be addressed
in U2000.
Hearing no further questions, Mr. Harper thanked Vice President Infante for
joining the Student Senate meeting.
IV. REPORTS - information
-- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA COALITION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION(UMCHE):
Mr. Harper reported that the UMCHE has received endorsement by the MSA and the
Morris Assembly and that Duluth, GAPSA, and Crookston will be voting on it soon.
MSA has begun work on a budget proposal for the organization.
-- 1992-93 STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Ms. Denise Tolbert said she would be working with the new chair of the Student
Senate Consultative Committee to assist in a smooth transition of leadership.
Working in student governance, she said, has been a rewarding experience and
she challenged incoming student leaders to work together in effecting change
at the University. She briefly discussed the governance retreat and the draft
of the Directions Framework, and said evaluations from the retreat would be
available by the next Student Senate meeting.
-- STUDENT SENATE CHAIR:
Mr. Erick Harper discussed the draft Student Senate budget for 1993-94 and
briefly reviewed some budget policies. He encouraged students to call
Ms. Kvanbeck in the Senate Office with any budget questions.
-- STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) CHAIR:
Ms. Anne Sales said the SSCC will be working diligently on coordinating student
consultative efforts with regard to the U2000 proposal. It also has been asked
to recommend students to serve on a number of task forces and search committees.
-- SENATE STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
Mr. Gary Lind said the committee has only met once since the quarter began and
the focus of the discussion was on strategic planning.
-- SENATE SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE:
Ms. Eidsvoog reported that the committee has been discussing freedom of speech
and particularly the recent incidents surrounding the fair for new student
organizations.
V. OLD BUSINESS
NONE
VI. NEW BUSINESS
NONE
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Martha Kvanbeck
Abstractor