Get a closer look at SGA! Here are the minutes from our meeting on Monday, April 18th!
Ithaca College Student Government Association
Senate Meeting Agenda
Monday, April 18, 2016 7:30pm– Taughannock Falls Room
I. Call to Order.
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of the minutes
IV. Guest Speakers
A. Ezeka Allen (Diversity video with OSEMA)
· Speak about diversity video in the beginning of the school year
· Objectives: to bring forward to senate
· Goals:
o Explore student roles
o Expose students to concept of identity
o Educate students about resources
· A part of diversity is identity and knowing yourself
· People coming in and being comfortable with who they are
· This is an SGA initiative
· It would still be SGA’s project
· It would most likely be taking place during summer orientation
· Do you know any details about the form of the video?
Ø Originally they had the idea of students doing it
Ø It is a blank slate
Ø They wanted to bring it forward to SGA
· Overall themes would be the best, broad ideas
· I think this is really cool idea, I am worried with the stories that it might become a tokenization.
· I think they mean also different clubs and organizations.
· Anybody want to meet with Ezeka and Luis?
Motion to open new business: Jonathan
Second: Joe
V. New Business
A. Edits to the Allocation Handbook
· Last Tuesday April 12th, appropriations committee and myself talked about reflections from the year and we talked about different changes we would have like to have seen.
· These are just concepts, I need to find the time to put them into the handbook, into their respective locations
· Consider budgets a cost-per-person basis
· $30 per person per event
· Specifically, for programming budgets
· Is there any reporting system?
· There is not.
· What is stopping people from fudging the numbers?
· That comes down to asking questions in the meetings, and then also basic knowledge that all committees are working with.
Motion to vote: Tim
Second: Jonathan
In favor: 10
Opposed:0
Abstaining: 3
· Above $1000 there must be written documentation of outside fundraising/ support efforts
· Specifically, for programming budgets
· Programming budgets, does that include an event raising money?
· Fundraising budgets as they are allocated are treated alone, it is a different budget template.
· Would something like anonymous donations be fundraising or support?
· If there were a generous donation, yeah, I don’t see why that wouldn’t be alternate.
· Will you be asking the clubs how much they will be fundraising?
· No, this is wide open, so that the organization is making an effort.
· What organizations would this impact?
· The project generations prom, they have a prom and it is a great event, it ran about $4200 dollars this year, we would have hoped that they would go to seek some other partnership to help subsidize it to any extent.
Motion to to vote: Tim
Second: Theo
In favor: 10
Opposed:0
Abstaining: 3
· Relating to guest speakers, performers, etc. only supporting expenses that are supported in travel budgets
· Lodging, travel, airfare
· 2 meals per day max
· Why two meals per day not 3?
· Because often times the student org can provide, that sometimes there is food at the event.
Motion to to vote: Tim
Second: Ezeka
In favor: 10
Opposed:0
Abstaining: 3
· Add to Allocations handbook “will not fund water.”
· Water should be provided for free by the college.
· It is a precedent that we were upholding all year.
· Is this water bottles?
· Yeah, all water.
· The spirit of this amendment, to pressure Sodexo not to charge for water.
· I have heard there have been problems that the college wont fund water, would this come out of the group budget?
· If this is something they really wanted.
· Could this become a bill?
· It could be.
· I understand the idea behind it, I don’t think it is the right way.
· If people can’t have access to it, because were not going to pay for it. I would rather it be put up as a bill.
· I support this and I have ideas where it may not need to be a bill.
· I support it as written.
· This has already been happening, I don’t think we have the money.
· I think through Dom’s route, or through a bill that it is very possible that we can get it so Sodexo is providing water for free.
· I stand by not funding water.
Motion to to vote: Joe
Second: Ezeka
In favor: 1
Opposed:8
Abstaining: 4
Amendment not passed.
· Including taxi fares for travel budgets
· Include fare finder itemization per ride
· We expanded the thought to include travel to and from airports.
· Does this include tip?
· No.
· It is so organizations can accurately propose and appropriate amount for each taxi ride.
· It would be more accurate, that is how we treat allocations for fuel expenses.
· I think one thing that plays into Uber vs taxis, is at busy times, there is different pricing, I think that something that somebody may consider adding to this amendment would be that it is encouraged that a surge pricing free option be researched.
· If it was only getting from airport to where you need to go, maybe then it should be covered, but if it is lower it shouldn’t be covered.
· This doesn’t include subways right?
· No. Just for things like taxi’s and ubers.
Motion to to vote: Theo
Second: Jonathan
In favor: 8
Opposed:2
Abstaining: 3
B. The John F. Spring Quality Of Life Bill (Kane)
· Charles Kane
· October: I had just saw a flyer for the Sailing team, I call up and I say I am going to call my grandfather. He was on his way to the hospital, my mom took the phone before he did and said it wasn’t good to make this conversation count.
· I was emotional, I was running around trying to find a place to do this.
· I decided to run around, the best place I could find is the lobby, the entrance to my hall.
· I told him, and he said I can’t wait to watch, I finished my conversation and it was emotional.
· People came in and out, looks were of concern I wanted a private moment with my grandfather, I couldn’t find a place.
· My grandfather passed away.
· I really started to look on campus, we have seen people and ourselves where we are a little more vulnerable.
· I was surprised that so many colleges including this one don’t have an area where you can be alone.
· I wanted to look around, I thought this would be a mental health issue, after speaking with Deborah Harper, director of C.A.P.S and she says it is a quality of life bill.
· My suggestion is to have these areas in the halls.
· During my research I found there are a lot of nook spaces.
· A committee be formed with the goal of overseeing creation of such spaces in a way that it is beneficial.
· Creation of physical spaces on campus, will include staff from Res Life.
· 2 staff from facilities, 2 from Res Life and 4 full time IC students.
Questions:
· Where would the vacuums go?
· In the corner.
· You mentioned having a place not in the res hall? Would it be taking up a space that isn’t used?
· Yes.
Discussion:
· I like this idea, I think that it would be very nice to have a space. I would encourage that you possibly look for other spaces that aren’t in res halls.
· I don’t think it says a specific plan of action.
· Why did you appoint yourself as chair of the committee?
· I have a passion; I am willing to change that though.
· I support this, and I support you as chair because it think you are capable, I think the space concerns, aren’t our job, it is the job of the facilities people.
Motion to vote: Tim
Second: Joe
In Favor: 13
Opposed: 0
Abstaining: 0
C. Alumni Academic Engagement Bill (Pichiarallo)
· Originally thought of by Kyle James and Dom
· Career Services says that meeting with alumni is better for students
· Previous master courses have been taught in the past (S’Park)
· Bob Iger Skyped with students
· Barry Mendelson taught a mini course
· Larry Hirschhorn and Stew Leonard could be examples of master courses
· The mini course would come from the dean, assistant dean, or faculty member
· Questions
· Tim: Are these examples restricted to park?
· Dom: Spark is in park but people probably wouldn’t be turned down
· Dom: Aaron Tveit was a special circumstance because he was famous and so they restricted it to seniors and majors
· Tim: If we’re going to interdisciplinary why are you limiting what people are doing. why can’t students propose
· Dom: These examples are just examples
· Dom: Faculty at this college control the curriculum, this isn’t the space to try to change the way classes are created. We want to work within the system
Motion to Extend the Q&A time by 7 minutes
Passes 9 to 2
· Point of clarification: Is the wording
· Tim: want less wording that doesn’t restrict it
· Dom: if we don’t include specific examples than this wont pass throughout the institution
· Laura: How much would this cost? Did the examples consent to being examples?
· Dom: this wouldn’t be the extra burden; faculty would consent to helping this process
Motion to Vote: Ezeka
Second: Laura
Passes 12 to 0
All those in favor of passing the bill: 10
Opposed: 1
Abstention: 1
D. Ithaca College Residential Environmental Betterment Bill (Recckio)
· Convened a group that we called the sustainability working group
· We held a sprint this weekend where we build out these bills
· They came to help us craft these bills
· To establish a committee for IC on environmental betterment, background.
· IC has lost strong commitment to sustainability over the years
· We sight an article from the Ithacan
· Our comprehensive policy has not been updated since 2008
· The office of sustainability is currently the only office on campus directing these efforts
· 4 IC students
· We recommend that there is a committee and be comprised of student, faculty, staff and community members.
Questions:
· Do these people know they are being asked to be on the committee?
· They do not, the reason I say that is that this is a clear issue and it going to need clear leadership and these people no matter who is in this position are vital in this.
Motion to move to voting; Tim
Second:
In Favor: 11
Opposed:
Abstaining: 2
E. Ithaca College Committee on Environmental Betterment Bill (Recckio)
· Spirit of this bill is to help the college to help the students act better in their dorm life.
· Encourages them to learn about waste production
· 2005-2013, 50 million extra gallons were used, and our campus community only grew by 2%.
· Most of that is used when students take showers.
· Colleges like Oberlin, have instituted things like shower timers, it helps students reduce the time of their shower
· Almost 90% of energy consumed by washing machine goes to heating water.
· Colleges around the nation have introduced drying racks.
· We want this to start in the dorm community
· We recommend the res life office outline what students can do
· Better purchasing decisions
Questions:
· The one thing that sticks out to me is the shower aspect, so the timer is recommended for 5 minutes, would we be timed and only have 5 minutes for a shower?
· It is a sand timer, they don’t kick you out, it is just to keep you conscious.
· A lot of schools have done things like this, it is a visual thing where they know that they have gone over time.
· Did you talk to any students about this?
· We did hold the sustainability sprint, where we welcomed all campus. Three people showed up.
· Would the timers and things that needed to be added be funded by Res Life?
· They can advocate for this, I think once we send this along, this gives them more clout to ask for it. This is a good step towards that.
Extend by 3 minutes: Theo
Second: Atilla
· Making a friendly amendment
· Motion: Matilda
Discussion:
· Am I going to assume that they will be accessible, and will they be able for me to figure out.
· None of them were accessible and had brail on them, one suggestion is that we can work with the office of accessibility services and provide an auditory timer for students who have visual impairment issues.
Motion to vote: Tim
Second: Jonathan
In Favor: 8
Opposed: 5
Abstaining: 0
F. Healthier Food Alternatives (Mendli)
· TABLED TO NEXT WEEK.
G. New piece of business—Approval of Elections Committee co-chair designee.
· In regards to the elections act and the elections committee
· We made an oversight and we wanted to clear it up.
· It specifically specifies that senate chair must serve as a co chair of elections committee, Marieme designated Evan, because she will be running for president.
· Evan has been acting as a capacity in the elections committee, communications and discussions.
· There have been no official votes done.
· Thought it would be essential to bring up today.
· The only duties of a co chair of elections committee that are critical are guiding committee in discussions. They don’t vote.
· I have noticed a few things that need the allocation of demerits.
Motion to vote: Tim
Second: Jill
In Favor: 13
Opposed: 0
Abstaining: 0
Motion to reduce quorum by 1: Jonathan
Second: Christie
Motion to move to continuing Business: Tim
Second: Charles
VI. Continuing Business
A. LGBTQ studies bill (James)
· No update.
B. FAFSA Bill (Allen)
· Meeting next week with Julie Hickman.
C. SOTSA bill (Stewart)
· No update.
D. Committee Representation Bill (James)
· Defer to shared governance.
E. No Confidence Bill (Recckio)
· This week, two Facebook events set up, one of them is an information gathering session for SGA for presidential search, other is student session.
F. Course Evaluations (Recckio)
G. Student Bill of Rights
· Going to be going through shared governance process in future.
H. Shared Governance
· Working on decision making for college decision making process.
I. PEACE Bill
· No update.
J. Open Textbooks (Matilda)
· No update.
Motion to close: Joe
Second: Tim
Motion to open officer reports: Charles
Second: Tim
VII. Officer Reports.
A. President – Dominick Recckio
· Proud of bills that passed tonight.
· True importance of shared governance.
· Over next few weeks there will be a call.
· Please interact deeply with it.
· We need support from students.
B. Vice President of Communications – Kyle Stewart
· Event going on that Luis is running, sign up is coming up the 20th.
· If you’re in a club you go to different club meeting.
· SGA Elections if you are running you can start sharing your stuff online, still try and promote SGA elections to get people to vote next Thursday and Friday.
C. Vice President of Campus Affairs – Luis Torres
· We have an event on Wednesday with IC color.
· We need one more senator.
D. Vice President of Academic Affairs – Kyle James
· School senator don’t forget we have APC on Friday at 3pm. Thank you for going to your committee meetings.
· Next Monday, 4:30-6:30 pm are the OSEMA awards
E. Vice President of Business and Finance - Evan Layne
· Saturday, meeting.
· Spill over meeting likely next Tuesday.
F. Senate Chair – Marieme Foote
· Really happy about the bills.
· It is really important that we remember we are here as representatives.
· Be engaged.
· Create bills and do what we are supposed to do as senators and E-board members.
· Elections are fun so check out!
G. Student Trustee – Ciara Lucas
· Presidential search committee had our first meeting two weeks ago it was successful.
· I will be traveling to NYC for second meeting, on Thursday.
· Kyle and I are on committee for VP of involvement.
H. Residence Hall Association – Matthew Blezow
· Energy challenge is going well.
· RHA earth event is next Tuesday the 26th.
I. Student Liaison to the Alumni Board - Alexa Pichiarallo
· Thank you for supporting my bill, I am excited to move forward with it!
Motion to close officer reports: Tim
Second: Emily
VIII. Open Agenda.
· For seniors: SGA chords are ordered, they were ordered through the bookstore.
· Cost is going to be $5.
· They are red and white.
· This Thursday the 21st were are having platforms where we speak, 7-9pm.
· Working on a new bill, to develop secret ballot system, where votes will be private and electronic. Poll the senate
o In favor: 5
o Opposed: 2
o Abstaining: 3
· Events on Facebook, I invited 212 to the events tomorrow, even if you are not attending, share these events!
· If you can’t attend you can still post questions in the Facebook event.
· Go to the pub on Thursday, Tim is going to be painted purple to raise money for American Cancer society.
· Next week I am going to be resubmitting tobacco free bill, if anyone has any other concerns let me know.
· Active minds is doing an intersectional panel.
Motion to Adjourn: Tim
Second: Ezeka
IX. Adjournment.
End Time: 10:14
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20160424221205588