1993-94                    UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA                   No. 5
                           STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

                               MAY 19, 1994

	The fifth meeting of the Student Senate for 1993-94 was convened in 25 Law
Center, Minneapolis campus, on Thursday, May 19, 1994, at 11:30 a.m.
Coordinate campuses were linked by telephone.  Checking or signing the roll
as present were 16 voting student members.  Mr. Erick Harper, Student Senate
Chair, presided.
	
                          I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 
                                 Action
	
                                                                 APPROVED
	
	
             II. MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 17 and April 14, 1994 
                                 Action
	
                                                                 APPROVED
	
	
                             III. REPORTS 
                              Information
	
	STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR--Mr. Love Goel expressed
disappointment that the Governor vetoed the Conference Committee's
recommendation to allocate $9.1 million to the University.  He commended
student leaders for their active participation at the Legislature this year
and said that in spite of the veteo there was strong support for U2000
initiatives at the Capitol.  In addition to lobbying efforts, meetings
between student leaders and Vice President Hughes and Dr. Josie Johnson have
been held at which it was reported that University initiatives in the area of
diversity are on target.  Two of the primary goals set by the Diversity Task
Force (increasing students of color to 10% and doubling the hiring of
minority faculty) have almost been met.  The Student Senate Consultative
Committee has also met regularly with President Hasselmo throughout the year
to discuss issues affecting students and particularly U2000 initiatives.
	
STUDENT LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR--Mr. Bryan Jansen reported on some of the
outcomes of the bonding bill, which included appropriations for the School of
Management, Mechanical Engineering, University Archives, and UMD Medical
School projects, and life and safety facilities renewal.
	
STUDENT COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES--No official report was given but students
interested in serving on Senate or Assembly committees during 1994-95 were
encouraged to contact Michael Witt at 612-589-6086.
	
STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE--Mr. Gary Lind reported that the Student Affairs
Committee together with representatives of the Student Affairs Office have
spent a good deal of time this year discussing the Boynton Health Service Fee
request, housing issues, and the Greek initiative.  Some issues that are
expected to be addressed next year include security at University events,
food service at student organization events, and Student Health Advisory
Committee representation on the Student Affairs Committee.  Because of the
nature of the committee, strong student representation is needed and student
senators were encouraged to volunteer for service.
	
	
                       IV. STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS 
                                  Action
			
	Due to the poor attendance, a motion to postpone the elections of the Student
Senate Chair and Vice Chair until the first meeting of fall quarter was
approved.
	
                                                                    APPROVED
	
	
        V. STUDENT SENATE GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE, AND RESPONSIVENESS 
                                Discussion
	
	Mr. Love Goel, Student Senate Consultative Committee Chair, opened the
discussion on student governance concerns.  A number of student leaders have
discussed this issue, he said, and believe the Student Senate needs to be
more responsive to student concerns and interests and to develop ways to
encourage greater participation. Student attendance and participation has
been very poor this year and before the Student Senate tackles new issues, it
must deal with this problem.  One senator cited the brevity of the Student
Senate agendas and suggested students do not attend the meetings because
there doesn't appear to be much substance to them.  Reasons for lack of
attandance are probably manyfold, argued others, including scheduling
conflicts, disinterest, and even forgetfulness, and it will be important to
determine why students are not attending before attempting to solve the
problem. In conclusion, the students agreed to establish an ad hoc committee
to work on this issue over the summer months with Mr. Eric Strauss serving as
chair.  In connection with this, senators also thought it would be useful to
have an orientation early fall quarter to educate student senators about
their role and responsibilities as elected representatives.
	
	
                         VI.  OLD BUSINESS
	
                                NONE
	
	
                         VII.  NEW BUSINESS
	
	Ms. Jennifer McKeever announced that all hurdles associated with the
establishment of the University of Minnesota Coalition for Higher Education
(UMCHE) have been passed and that effective fall quarter the UMCHE will be
replacing the Student Lobby Advisory Committee (SLAC).  A planning meeting is
scheduled for May 26, at 3:00 p.m., in 626 Coffman Union and all senators
were invited to attend to discuss the UMCHE's Constitution, the transition
committee, and budgetary issues.
	
	
                         VIII. ADJOURNMENT
	
	The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
	
                                                           Martha Kvanbeck 
                                                                Abstractor