The agenda was approved with the following amendments:

-- to modify the Resolution Concerning the Regent Selection Process to identify Jesse Berglund as an SSCC member rather than a CLA senator; and
-- to reorder the agenda.

APPROVED, as amended

Mr. Berglund asked permission to have Mr. Kevin Nicholson, Chair of the Student Senate Consultative Committee, chair this portion of the meeting. The Student Senate agreed and Mr. Nicholson opened the floor for Student Senate chair nominations. Mr. Jesse Berglund and Ms. Susan Daniels were nominated, seconded, and accepted the nomination. Mr. Nicholson was also nominated, but declined. Each nominee was given an opportunity to address the Student Senate and answer questions. Ballots were distributed and Mr. Berglund was elected Student Senate Chair.

The chair opened the floor for nominations and Heather Aagesen was nominated. Her nomination was approved by acclamation.

APPROVED

Ms. Cheryl Jorgensen, president of the Student Legislative Coalition (SLC), said the SLC is the only lobbying body for the students and is given its authority by the Student Senate. SLC is funded by and represents the students at the University. The SLCs Board of Governors includes two members from each of the five campus assemblies (Duluth, Crookston, Morris, MSA, and GAPSA) and the chair of the Student Senate.

Lobbying, she said, is more than taking a position on an issue. It is a series of highly coordinated efforts, phone calls, rally days, and letters, with the goal of communicating a message and affecting legislation. If the SLC is not the only voice lobbying for students at the University, then the students are not being well served. Anyone interested in lobbying is encouraged to join the SLC. Even if the lobbying agenda of another student organization is the same as SLC, it is important to have a coordinated effort. She then reviewed the legislative agenda for 1997-98.

The following is the Student Legislative Coalition's proposed agenda for the 1998 Legislative session. As you know, the SLC represents all students at the University of Minnesota at the Legislature. SLC's authority, however, is given to it by the University of Minnesota Student Senate. Therefore, we need the Student Senates approval before we can lobby on any matter.

We have identified the following 5 issues as being both salient to students and likely to be acted upon by the Legislature this session.

1. Capital Bonding
The University's capital bonding request to the state legislature is of crucial interest to students. This year's capital request, the first under our new president, will be an important indicator to the Legislature of the direction the new administration will take. The SLC will work to present student viewpoints to the legislature as they deliberate over the administrations request.
Position Statement: The SLC supports the Board of Regents Capital Bonding Request.

2. Regent Selection
Students have a vital interest in the selection of the Regents who will govern the University. Students are affected more than any other constituency by the decisions the Regents make. The SLC will track legislation affecting the Regent selection process closely, particularly any legislation affecting the selection of the Student Regent.
Position Statement: The SLC supports preserving the position of the Student Regent, and increasing student representation in the Regent selection process.

3. Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
The cost of attending college is becoming a greater barrier to Minnesotans who wish to further their education. In recent years the cost of a college education has risen at many times the rate of inflation. Increases in financial aid awards have not kept pace with the cost of tuition and the average debt burden of recent college graduates has become alarmingly high. The result is that many students find themselves increasingly priced out of the market for higher education. The SLC will continue to seek effective and realistic solutions to these crucial problems.
Position Statement: The SLC supports efforts to provide tuition relief to the students of the University of Minnesota, keeping fees paid by students to a minimum, and increasing State Grant awards to University of Minnesota students.

4. Student Health Care
Access to quality health care is a concern for many students. The quality of health care available to students on campus and the fees paid for those services are vital issues. All students should have access to the care they need provided at a reasonable cost. The SLC will investigate all options for providing U of M students with affordable, quality health care.
Position Statement: The SLC supports continued commitment of resources to improve health care programs available to University of Minnesota students.

5. Student Evaluations of Faculty Performance
The issue of student evaluations of faculty performance is important to many students. Providing students with access to information about evaluations of faculty would give them a useful tool to help them make better decisions regarding their education. The Student Legislative Coalition will monitor this issue within the University to ensure that it is resolved in the best interest of students.
Position Statement: The SLC supports making summary data from student evaluations of faculty performance available to all University of Minnesota students.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. It was unanimously approved.

APPROVED

President Yudof began his remarks by discussing Incentives for Managed Growth (IMG). IMG was adopted approximately six months ago under the premise that more revenues, in the forms of faculty grant money or college fees, would be returned to the colleges. It was very controversial with the faculty, although it has been adopted at other institutions. He believes the University community needs to give IMG some time to see how it unfolds. The President then opened the floor for questions.

Question: How does IMG affect departments within colleges?

Response: The arrangement is that the money will be returned to the Dean's office and then the sub-allocations will be made from there.

Question: What is entailed in the Coffman Union renovations? Will there be commercial interest? Will alcohol be served?

Response: No, alcohol will not be sold in Coffman. The renovation of Coffman Union is part of the Capital Bonding request. No plan currently exists for the renovation. One feature of the ARAMARK contract is that all money must be used for students or student initiatives; thus, part of the plan is to use some money from the ARAMARK contract for Coffman Union. The President assured students that there is no plan to displace any student organizations currently housed there. Presumably, there will be better food, which would generate greater revenue. Architecturally, there is a problem since Coffman Union sits between the river and the rest of campus. The thinking is that the sides might be clipped or the middle could be removed to tie it better to the South Mall area. If the Regents approve student housing closer to the river, then it would be important to have this link.

Question: Your administration has been vocal in its push for an increase in public-private partnerships for the next century. What do you see as the University's commitment to the current unionized labor, especially with regard to the new ARAMARK contract?

Response: An agreement has been reached with the unions for a two-year period. No one knows what will happen after that time, but the hope is that affected individuals would become ARAMARK employees or be given first priority for other campus jobs. Public-private partnerships are going to be key in the next few years because there simply are some things the University is not good at, such as food service and building residence halls.

Question: There has been some concern expressed by Duluth faculty that although the University acquired funds for a 14% increase in compensation for the biennium, the Chancellor has only offered a 7% increase. Can you comment on this?

Response: Without more information, it is difficult to reply. However, funds were set aside by President Hasselmo's administration for an 8.5% increase, not 14%.

Question: What roles do you see the coordinate campuses playing in your future goals for the University as a whole?

Response: The outstate campuses play a significant role. For example, if you look at the Capital Plan, it includes the science and math building at Morris, a new library for Duluth, and additional facilities on all three campuses. The supplemental budget rquest includes initiatives for freshwater research and digital science at Crookston. I have consulted with the three chancellors and visited the campuses and people seem to be pleased with the allocations that are being made for new buildings, renovation of existing buildings, and for providing additional services.

Question: Are you in support of making professor evaluations available to students?

Response: I support the concept, but not the negative comments that some people include in the evaluations that do not relate to teaching. At Texas, this information was on-line and it worked very well.

Question: How can the University as a whole enhance its credibility with the University community and the larger Minnesota community?

Response: This is a good question. The University has supporters, but there are others who are skeptical or cynical. The University needs to be open and listen and respect people both within and outside the University. Consultation needs to take place, but people need to understand that consultation is not the same thing as agreement.

Question: There is a proposal to build a women's soccer field on the St. Paul Campus on land currently used for COAFES research. What is the status of this proposal and why was this location selected?

Question: Will IMG be detrimental to interdepartmental institutes such as the Institute for International Studies?

Response: The President did not have the information at hand to answer the previous two questions, but said he will look into those matters and reply in writing.

Question: Last year, the administration presented a plan that would provide a laptop to every student. Is the current administration going to continue with this initiative and what plans do you have for a University-wide technology standard?

Response: The University cannot afford to provide computers to every student nor will students be required to buy computers. Labs will continue to be maintained.

Question: Can you comment on parking issues for the Twin Cities campus?

Response: Some parking will be provided with the building of the new gateway center. However, a problem will be created when the parking garage on the East River Road is removed. A plan has been submitted to the Board for an underground parking facility on the current site.

Question: Students are concerned about the national trend in binge drinking. Are there any programs at the University to combat this problem?

Response: There are some programs in place already and those are being reviewed. Discussions have also taken place with Vice President Boston on this matter. It is the Administration's hope that Minnesota can set a good example in this area.

Question: Are there plans to increase the admission standards and, if so, what would the implications be to the University?

Response: There are no plans to increase the admission standards that have been in place for the past several years.

Mr. Berglund concluded the discussion by expressing the Student Senate's gratitude to President Yudof for meeting with the Student Senate and said students hope he will be agreeable to attending future meetings as well.

MOTION

To approve the following Resolution:

Whereas, several of these bills contain language which specify the removal of the student regent,

Whereas, removal of the student regent slot would not guarantee a student presence upon the Board of Regents,

Whereas, a lack of a student perspective may prove detrimental to promotion of diversity in the decision-making processes on the Board of Regents,

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Student Senate advocates the preservation of the student regent position upon the Board of Regents, and proposes that the clauses concerning removal of the student regent be dropped from the pending bills in the state legislature.

JESSE BERGLUND, SSCC Member
SHENOA SIMPSON, CLA Senator

DISCUSSION:

Ms. Simpson read the resolution to the Student Senate. A motion was then made and seconded to approve the resolution. After an editorial correction was suggested, the resolution was approved.

APPROVED

Mr. Kevin Nicholson, chair of the Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC), reported that the feedback from the Student Senate Orientation held in October was very positive. The orientation was well attended and students found it to be very helpful in understanding the governance structure and process. SSCC, he said, will be forming a subcommittee to look at the Senate Constitution and most likely will suggest some clarifying amendments. SSCC has also taken a role in the professor evaluations that will be discussed at the University Senate meeting later in the day. Mr. Nicholson said he intends to work closely with the outstate campuses and to increase the communication and working relationship among the campuses.

Morris representative Sean Lazenby, the newly-elected Student Association President, reported that the regional fitness center referendum passed. The campus is excited about this as it shows a strong commitment to the University from the community. Students are also looking into the current technology fee and how it is being spent.

Mark Erickson, UMC Student Association President, said that in addition to the thrill of the second snowfall of the year, the campus has also been fortunate to have President Yudof visit the campus and take time with the students, as well as the faculty and administration.

GAPSA President J.P. Maier discussed GAPSA's effort this summer regarding the proposed U.S. Senate Tax Code revision which would have made all scholarships, assistantships, student employment, and tuition reimbursement taxable. The effect, studies showed, would have closed every college campus that was not completely privatized. Students worked very hard on this issue and Minnesota had the highest call rate. Other issues under consideration include parking and transportation and the ARAMARK contract.

MSA representative Shenoa Simpson reported that surveys have been conducted on professor evaluations, ARAMARK, the student regent position, and transportation and buses. Resolutions have also been passed concerning the new grading policy, professor evaluations, ARAMARK, the student regent position, and transportation services.

Mr. Nicholson, chair of the Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC), distributed the following language from the Senate Constitution to serve as the basis for a discussion on student eligibility in the Senate:
Any student who has twenty-four credits in residence at the University and at the time of voting is carrying at least nine credits in his or her institute, college, or school shall be eligible for election as a student representative to the University Senate.

The current language, he said, excludes first and second quarter freshmen from serving in the Senate. This might seem like a good idea, however, it is better to have positions filled than to have vacant Senate seats, which is a frequent occurrence. Mr. Nicholson recommended lowering the required credits in residence to 12 and including a stipulation that if no one with 12 credits in residence is interested in serving, then the seat will become open to any student. This would allow the Student Senate to fill seats that might otherwise remain vacant, he said.

One senator recommended that the SSCC subcommittee reviewing the Senate Constitution also look at the provisions for graduate student eligibility.

Another senator asked why seats are not being filled given the large student population. Mr. Nicholson responded that the restriction particularly effects the coordinate campuses and professional schools.

Senators from the outstate campuses agreed, and expressed support for lowering the requirements.

Another senator said he believes it is necessary for students to have more than one quarter of experience at the University in order to understand the issues. Mr. Nicholson replied that in the Twin Cities the college boards have a selection process in place that allows them to screen students qualifications.

What is the definition of "credits in residence?" asked a senator. Mr. Nicholson said it includes all credits completed within the University system.

Another senator asked about the seriousness of the problem and the Clerk of the Senate replied that Senate records indicate that students traditionally have had difficulty filling all the student positions. The problem, she added, varies from college to college.

A motion was then made and seconded to refer this issue to the SSCC for review. The motion was unanimously approved.

Martha Kvanbeck
Abstractor