1993-94 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA No. 2
STUDENT SENATE MINUTES
DECEMBER 2, 1993
The first meeting of the Student Senate for 1993-94 was convened
in 25 Law Center, Minneapolis campus, on Thursday, December 2, 1993, at
11:30 a.m. Coordinate campuses were linked by telephone. Checking or
signing the roll as present were 38 voting student members. Mr. Erick
Harper presided.
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action
APPROVED
II. MEETING SCHEDULE
Information
Other 1993-94 meetings of the Student Senate are scheduled as
follows:
Thursday, February 17, 1994
Thursday, April 14, 1994
Thursday, May 19, 1994
III. REPORTS
Information
STUDENT SENATE CHAIR -- Mr. Eric Harper, Student Senate Chair, announced
the recent hiring of Brian Jensen as the student legislative director
and that the Student Lobby Advisory Committee (SLAC) would be meeting
later in the afternoon to look over the legislative agenda and discuss
budget issues. Mr. Harper said he has been attending the Student
Advisory Council Coordinating Board meetings in order to keep informed,
and that a member of the Graduate and Professional Student Association
(GAPSA) testified at a recent Financial Aid Task Force meeting on behalf
of the University.
STUDENT SENATE VICE CHAIR -- Mr. Rabun Taylor, Student Senate Vice
Chair, reported on the Council of Graduate Students (COGS) and the
GAPSA. The COGS is still in the discussion stage of U2000 and no
resolutions have been forthcoming as yet. It is also working with the
new Associate Dean of the Graduate School to improve the student
environment in that unit. The GAPSA passed two resolutions relating to
U2000. The first expressed support for the general direction of the plan
but called for additional consultation with the University community.
It also called for the Administration to present the plan more
informatively so that it is more user-friendly. A second resolution
expressed strong disapproval about the lack of consultation involved in
the restructuring of the health sciences. The GAPSA strongly
recommended the Administration consult with student government in future
reorganization and planning efforts.
STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR -- Ms. Anne Sales, Student
Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC) Chair, reported on the activities
of that committee. The SSCC, she said, is discussing how consultation
has been occurring in each of the assemblies and to facilitate
communication, an electronic bulletin board, similar to Faculty Writes,
will soon be accessible to the students through Gopher.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONAL POLICY -- Mr. Craig Bursch, member of
the Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP), reported that the
SCEP had been meeting weekly throughout the quarter to discuss and
respond to strategic planning efforts. It also developed the academic
calendar for the Twin Cities Campus for 1996-97. It is anticipated that
will be brought before the Assembly at its February or April meeting.
SENATE SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE -- Ms. Donna Warren, member of the
Senate Social Concerns Committee, reported that the committee has
addressed three important issues during fall quarter: 1) the Bovine
Growth Hormone, 2) the University's investments in companies with
operations in South Africa, and 3) the final report of the Select
Committee for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns. Senate Finance and
Planning Committee Ms. Susie Torgerson, member of the Senate Finance and
Planning Committee (F&P), said the F&P has also met on an almost weekly
basis to discuss issues relating to U2000, including joint meetings with
SCEP and the Faculty Consultative Committee. In addition, it has
discussed issues relating to the University's budget.
SENATE STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE -- Mr. Gary Lind, member of the Senate
Student Affairs Committee (SAC), reported that the committee has not met
often and there appears to be some confusion about the committee's
jurisdiction. In fact, a subcommittee has been established to address
issues relating to the SAC's role with the Minnesota Daily and other
student publications.
IV. UMD 2000
Information and Discussion
Mr. Love Goel, UMD Senator, reported that UMD has been working on
its own strategic plan during the past three years (UMD Vision 2000).
With the creation of U2000 it is believed, he said, that higher
education within the state will change, perhaps opening greater
opportunities for UMD.
Mr. Jimmy Lovejoy discussed a plan known as "Above and Beyond"
which addresses the issues of outreach and how students receive credit
for teaching within the community. The plan has four objectives, he
said: 1) to enable and encourage children and teenagers in the community
to utilize natural resources from the University--that is, the students,
2) to narrow the gap between the University and the community, 3) to
help University students apply their knowledge, and 4) to develop growth
in the University and in the community. He encouraged students to
provide input as the plan unfolds.
V. UNIVERSITY 2000
Discussion and Action
Mr. Love Goel, moved the following resolution for discussion and
action by the Student Senate:
RESOLUTION
We, the Students of The University of Minnesota, hereby present our
perspective vis-a-vis U 2000.
Whereas we recognize the unprecedented urgency for a strategic plan at
the University of Minnesota, and
Whereas we believe that U2000 has evolved through detailed discussions
and extensive deliberations and in good faith between the administration
and the constituent groups at the University of Minnesota, and that we
would like to commend this effort, and
Whereas we broadly agree with the strategic directions of U 2000; we
would like to reiterate certain aspects that we believe should be the
cornerstones of any evolving strategic plan for the University.
The University of Minnesota should:
A. Provide a high quality of instruction and services. It should
adopt fresh initiatives and innovative approaches to deal with
its primary mission to educate and serve its students.
B. In keeping with cherished land grant mission of the University,
and our unique and strategic position in MINNESOTA; develop,
define, and promote activities that enable us to participate
actively in our community. In essence, the development of
outreach cannot be overemphasized.
C. Encourage recognition, understanding, and respect of cultural
and human diversity by students, staff, and faculty; increase
diversity on campuses and in the curriculum. Simultaneously,
the University should strive to render free speech and
expression to all groups and create open and healthy environs
for candid intellectual, academic, and other discussion without
subscribing to restrictive "politically correct" measures.
D. Ensure that students, staff, and faculty are treated as an
integral part of the governance process; in conceptualizing,
defining, and implementing strategic and other programs thereby
enhancing the level and quality of interaction, and creating a
healthy, inclusive and cordial atmosphere in the University.
The resolution as presented raised a number of questions. Why is
there an unprecedented urgency for a strategic plan as described in the
second paragraph? Who are the constituent groups referred to in the
third paragraph? Why include language relating to free speech and
expression in a document discussing strategic planning? Why is the
Student Senate being asked to act on a resolution that has not gone
through the consultative process, including review by the Student Senate
Consultative Committee?
AT THIS TIME, A MOTION TO TABLE AND REFER THE RESOLUTION TO THE
STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WAS APPROVED.
TABLED
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A recommendation to address the issue of student attendance at
Senate and committee meetings was presented. The recommendation was
referred to the Student Senate Consultative Committee.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
NONE
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
Martha Kvanbeck
ABSTRACTOR