Wartburg College Student Senate

Transcription

1 Wartburg College Student Senate WARTBURG STUDENT SENATE March 27th, :30 am WBC 214 Buckmaster Recorder-Elect Vogel: Roll Call/Attendance: In honor of it being national waffle day yesterday: What is your favorite breakfast food? Joke: Why did the Oreo go to the dentist? Because he lost his filling. Guest Speaker: Curtis Brundy We bought beanbags and split with senate. They are in the process of being ordered. I am very happy with this partnership with senate. I started in July and am relatively new to Wartburg. Technology has personally been an important focus to library improvements. We may be adding flat panel monitors to study rooms and also be equipping larger and mobile white boards. We are going to be changing one large group study room into a presentation practice room. The majority of implementations should be finished this summer. We are working with IT to replace some library computers with half Macs and half PCs. We are also getting some improved software such as Adobe and movie creation software. I desire a student centered library. Feel free to contact me with any questions. I am getting some surveys together for next year involving improvements. Senator Schultz: With these implementations, do you have a plan for advertisements for these new things? To make sure students know? Brundy: When I was at Creighton we had a PR committee. We currently have a PR committee jointed between the library and Pathways. Articles in the newspaper, social media (Facebook & Twitter), direct advertisement at the library, and marketing on the webpage are examples of marketing projects currently in place. Senator Lancaster: People have told me the study rooms can get blazing hot, is there anything getting done on that? Yeah they are awful! We had a pipe break and it has interfered with some temperature functions. We have some signs up; we are currently working on trying to get it done within the next week or two. Senator Revis: How successful was the book fair? 1852

2 Brundy: I asked the same question. Approximately 140 dollars was raised. That money goes into a general fund not directly to the library. Getting rid of the books is the main focus, last resort is recycling Senator Madar: I work in a library back home over the summer. There we have group study room priorities over individuals. Is there a rule in effect like that here at Wartburg? Brundy: There is a sign saying that a group has precedence over just individuals. We have been discussing options separate from this also. We have added six more tables to help with study location issues for individual studiers. A possible reservation process could be implemented in the future. We are aware of this issue, but please let us know if you have any ideas on the matter. Senator Price: Do see a lot of use out of the circular chairs outside of Pathways? Brundy: I just met with President Colson, he brought up the exact same issue. Pathways does use the chairs for some meetings. I want to make the space into more of a living room setting. Senator Ugoretz: Do you foresee any layout changes? There are small-scale things in the process such as moving computers and placing more soft-seating on the third floor. No large scale like building walls or anything. We will be getting some furniture with wheels. Thank you for your time! Please get in touch with me with any other questions. Devotion: Senator Clark Ellen video Finals are coming up which is horrifying! Message her is don t take yourself too seriously. It s okay to laugh! Devotion for next week: Zach Sommers Approval of Last Weeks Minutes: 3/20/2014 New Business Resolution # 51- Supplemental Request, Jacob Martin & Teri Mueller b. Resolution #52- Supplemental Request, WTV c. Resolution #53- Student Organization Reviews Motion to suspend the rules by President-Elect Martin; Seconded by Senator Revis. d. Resolution #54- EAD Appointment Motion to consider by President-Elect Martin; seconded by VP Crouse. President- Elect Martin: Finishing off the executive positions, Teri and I had a very difficult process. We had many great candidates. We nominate Alex Gheysens

3 for EAD. I yield the floor to Senator Gheysens so he can explain his plans for next year and why he should be elected. Senator Gheysens: I was born and raised in Belgium and I am an international student. I have been involved in several cultural organizations including diversity, I- club, and German club. Some ideas I have for the role of officer of diversity is to keep mix-it-up night going. I foresee some more global connection programs where students learn about different cultures. I hope to introduce some more programs and interactive groups with events such as ice breakers. I want more opportunities for international and domestic students to get to know each other. Senator Simelane: I view some of the major issues involving the director of diversity is the relationship with minority students. What is your take on representing minority groups and your leadership behind minority students as the executive director of diversity? Senator Gheysens: I want to raise awareness on issues through different cultural events. Panel speakers is a great way to spread cultural awareness. Senator Simelane: Do you have any policy ideas in mind, not just reaching out to students on diversity matters? Senator Gheysens: Policies? Senator Simelane: Yes, such as institutional changes for the college in regards to diversity. Also, leadership ideas for the college. Senator Gheysens: As for that, I do not know at this time but will look into it. Senator Clark: What kind of time commitment do you expect to have while serving also as an Exec in ETK? How to you feel you will balance. Senator Gheysens: I have learned how to manage my time through the various organizations I have been involved in. I serve on several committees and balance them accordingly. I believe it is going to be a challenge but I believe I can manage it. President-Elect Martin: We did consider time commitment in our decision of candidates. Senator Ugoretz: Is there any existence with ETK, Senate, and other executive positions serving at the same time? President-Elect Martin: No, there is not. Dr. Loers: Because of the way RAs pay are calculated. The President for instance cannot also be an RA. We want to keep student hours to 20. Senator Gheysens: We also discussed how ETK and senate could work together with an executive serving in both organizations. Resolution #54 Passes. Opposed: Senator Clark. Abstained: Senator Simelane and Senator Gheysens. e. Resolution #55- Administrative Ombudsperson Appointment Motion to consider by President-Elect Martin; Seconded by Senator Schultz. President-Elect Martin: We selected Senator Lancaster to serve as Administrative Ombudsperson. We had many great candidates for this position. I yield the floor to Senator Lancaster.

4 Senator Lancaster: I applied to this position because I feel like this year we have done a good job with communicating with students. I want to continue this with visible changes such as improving hall council. As far as SRC goes I want to make sure that student organizations are kept in track. We also want to get more organizations started. Resolution #55 Passes. Abstained: Senator Lancaster. f. Resolution #56- Academic Ombudsperson Appointment Motion to consider by President-Elect Martin; Seconded by Senator Revis We have selected Alec Steils to serve as Academic Ombudsperson. He had a lot of crucial background experience and many great ideas. I yield the floor to him. Senator Steils: I have been working below the Academic Ombudsperson for many years and I feel this makes me uniquely qualifies for understanding the position. There are three things I hope to build upon while in office. 1) I desire to integrate a resume and four year plan into the curriculum of IS classes. 2) I want to make sure new and existing faculty know the role of Honor Council and understand fully what it does. 3) I will improve curriculum listings on MyWartburg so they fully describe what the course does and when it occurs. Resolution 56 Passes. Obstained: Senator Steils. Motion to reinstate the rules by President-Elect Martin, seconded by VP Crouse. Opposed by Senator Smith Passes. Old Business Resolution #50- Supplemental Request, Rugby Football Club i. $1465 / $900 Motion to consider by Treasurer Budding, seconded by Senator Geysians Treasurer Budding: I yield the floor to Derick Norton. Derick Norton:This is a request to help fix difficult positions from last year not receiving allocations last year because of previous leadership. We have improved structure to provide more constancy in leadership. Main portion of money asked for is through tournament fees; this refers to entry fees. We have15 active members. Our goal is to work with other rugby clubs so we have a consistent schedule. We want to be part of the new organization of club rugby and hopefully host a tournament at Wartburg. Other items include registration with USA Rugby. Most of these are required fees and being recognized as official intercollegiate rugby team, and would make sure we are covered on an insurance plan. I know it is a lot but we appreciate all of your help, without senate we would most likely cease to exist.

5 Treasurer Budding: We broke down the values into individual cases. We removed athletic trainer and coach certification. Two hundred and fifty was allowed for gas. We also approved fee registration. Finally allowed 500 for tournament fees, total of 900. Resolution #50 Passes. Abstained: Senator Milius President s Report....Zach Sommers President Sommers: Moring, Afternoon. We will be partnering with library and pay half as alluded to earlier for bean bag chairs. April 13, the Sunday before finals day we will have study session held in Pathways. What I want to do is get some ideas to what else can be at the study session. Door prizes and board games will also be provided as will professors. Senator Clark: What time will it be at? Senator Ugoretz: The time is undecided. Senator Jenson: Others have asked me if we could bring in kittens and dogs? President Sommers: Reserving the amount of animals will be difficult. We will look into farms around the area. Senator Ugoretz: Therapy dogs might be in the area. We could use them. Dr. Loers Dr. Faux is teaching that class right now and we could utilize that option. President Sommers: Thank you for the ideas. Next week will be our ultimate session. Treasurer s Report...Jacklyn Budding Treasurer Budding: Nothing really to report. Allocations are going on, I will bring that up next senate meeting. Vice-President Elect (Recorder s) Report..... Teri Mueller Vice-President Elect Mueller: Nothing to report today. Thank you for your patience with me leading the meeting today. 10 Academic Ombudsperson s Report Carmen Stevens Academics Ombudsperson Stevens: Gone at a meeting. 11 President Elect (Administrative Ombudsperson s) Report..... Jacob Martin President-Elect Martin: It is really nice to have all executive positions filled. A round of applause for them as well as our elected positions. May Term Senate is coming up! Next Tuesday at 10 pm in the hub will be the mandatory meeting for May term senate. Elections will be held the week after. May senate is not a huge time commitment and lasts only three weeks. We want to work on possible themes for Outfly and back to school kickoff ideas. The application is easy and on senate website. VP Crouse: Do you have to apply next year if you are elected a May term senator? President-Elect Martin: No, you would not have to be reelected the following fall. The election is campus wide.

6 Senator Gheysens: Are senator elected per floor? President-Elect Martin: No it is not a campaign per floor. Presentence will be given to those May term senators living on their floors for regular Fall Term senate although. Senator Wessels: Is there a schedule of meeting times for May senate with how variable the class times are? President-Elect Martin: The schedule time will have to do with the May Term schedule of senators. We will also be moving forward with gender neutral bathrooms.thank you! 12 Executive Assistant of Diversity s Report....Max Chinnah Ex. Assistant of Diversity Chinnah: I don t have much. I encourage you to attend the culture fair. There will be many performances and fascinating events going on. Culture show will be Saturday by 730 in Neuman. Any questions? Senator Lancaster may be putting in a performance. We are working with issues of housing during breaks and hardships involved with that. We need to collect a lot of information. I will keep you updated. Thank you. 13 Vice-President s Report. Lanie Crouse Vice-President Crouse: Can we all give Teri a hand, she is doing a great job! April 7 th at 7 pm for end of the year senate banquet. We will give awards and pass on the torch. I will send out a poll for more information. April 4 th is the formal dance. It is only 7-9 now. DJ Battle Ax (Jason Neuman) will be our DJ. He has lights, microphones, and other cool stuff to use. Dressing wise, the dance is semi-formal. I am wearing something I wore for homecoming dance. Senator Gheysens: Can we bring friends? VP Crouse: Yes you can bring a date. Also you can bring non-wartburg guests. Please let your constituents know. Thanks everyone! 14 Committee Report Senator Newell: Could PAC meet with me after meeting? April 8 th could be the expected date for pizza and politics. 15 Dr. Loers/ Dr. Pothast We had a number of students attend CGI and they were very successful! Make sure to congratulate those who went when you see them around campus. Wartburg also had a Social Entrepreneurship team win a MIT conference in Morocco. They beat out teams from Stanford, Harvard, and other big name schools and really put Wartburg on the map! 16 Liaison Reports Senator Chowdury: April 3 rd is Holi Festival at 4 pm in Clinton Field. Senator Smith: I believe movie night is next Wednesday.

7 17 Student Issues None 18 Open Senate/Reminders Senator Gheysens: Legacy dinner is Wednessday, April 2 nd at 6:15 in the ballrooms. 19 Adjournment Motion to adjourn by VP Crouse, seconded by Senator Ugoretz. Meeting adjourned at 12:31 p.m.