STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, AMENDMENTS TO THE PREVIOUS MINUTES: There were no amendments to the previous minutes for November 19.

Transcription

1 STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2013 The Senate President called the meeting to order at 7:38 pm and announced that the meeting may be filmed or audio taped and may be available to the public. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL: Roll was called and quorum was established with 86 senators present. Not there for roll call: Chan Pong, Christina Filipelli, Michael Pourreza, Alireza Sanz, Liat Schiff, Jake Vuong, Marry Langley, John AMENDMENTS TO THE PREVIOUS MINUTES: There were no amendments to the previous minutes for November 19. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: - Chairman Bean made a motion to approve SB Funding for Falling Gators Skydiving Club by unanimous consent. The motion was properly seconded and no objection was made. - Chairman Bean made a motion to approve SB Funding for Culinary Arts Student Union by unanimous consent. The motion was properly seconded and no objection was made SB Funding for Culinary Arts Student Union - Chairman Sherman made a motion to add SB Resolution Condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement by unanimous consent. The motion was properly seconded and no objection was made. - Senator Bowdoin made a motion to approve Elections Commission appointment Celeste Thacker by unanimous consent. The motion was properly seconded and no objection was made PUBLIC DEBATE: Senate President Cory Yeffet presented the rules and procedures of senate to guest/visitors before proceeding with debate. o 2 question clarified - Chairman Sherman expressed the goal of judiciary committee is to take raw legislation and make the language appropriate. After informing senators SB Resolution Condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement has gone through massive changes, he highly encouraged them to read the final revision and gave a friendly reminder resolutions do not change any codes. - Senator Reid-Renaud informed everyone about that BSU Leadership Development is having a toy drive for Alachua County boys and Girl Club. Goods are to be dropped off on the third floor SAI office.

2 - Senator Kleinfield informed students about her new student organization created by several individual including Senator Leah Miller and herself. Dream Team provides pre-health/premed hands on experience application are out and due after winter break. Contact senator kleinfield or miller for more information and reach out to constituents to join. - Andrew Pentland a senior studying history expressed his views on the senate BDS bill. Stated the bill is immoral and that first we must question what is BDS. He continued to express supporting this bill says slavery is bad but losing study abroad programs and PepsiCo is much worst. His final sentiments were do not support this bill. - Senator Larue announced her resignation due to school, job, and senior recital. She thanked everyone for helping her grow as a leader and individually. - Senator Loguerre urges senator to give back this season by donating toiletries to the World Aids drive. This helps local HIV positives and the travel size toiletries are due Dec 5. In a shoe box is preferable so the boxed can be decorated as a holiday gift. - Rami Okasha thanked everyone for being present at the meeting. Stated the bill was controversial and hastily proposed. He expressed that the bill was detrimental to our campus and can create harsh climate for students. - Tesneem Shraiteh stated that the bill will silence over voices, is a bad representation of everyone, and is a target towards BDS. - Elizabeth Pantalean thanked writer for making the bill. Presented facts about UF and South African oppression such as Nelson Mandela. Stated both sides of this bill should check their facts before making a decision. - Former Senator Dhari thanked everyone for being present at the meeting and being involved. - Amanda Nelson stated writers of the bill were not transparent and most of student body was aware last minute in the middle of finals. It was done hasty and secretively if the bill went forth. - Larry Glines expressed that the bill points out the U.S s relationship to Israel and imply that we should not be critical of our nation s policies. However the same way we condemn our human rights violation we should be able to do the same with Israel violation especially because of the US relationship. - Zubin Kapadia stated that part of the UF Mission statement is to create a diverse atmosphere to succeed including three elements teaching, research and scholarship, and service which span all the university's academic disciplines and represent the university's commitment to lead and serve the state of Florida, the nation and the world by pursuing and disseminating new knowledge while building upon the experiences of the past. The bill ignores Israel human rights and it will marginalize the student body and doesn t foster discussion like other university. - Hasan Rasheed stated that the voice of students is not being represented. Encouraged everyone to do what is right and listen to the voices of people that they are trying to take away. - Zullcor Khon gave a story about an individual malnourished that drew shoes on their feet- an example of being subject to humiliation. Similar he told a story of a Palestinian man being humiliated by an Israel solider. This is like a situation between the Jews and Nazi according to Zullcor. He stated information in the bill is irrelevant. BDS doesn t target Jews but targets Israel. The damage is done with this bill already.

3 - David Masten is a third year English and math major. Instead of being at Gainesville Quaker, he is here to state he is anti BDS bill. He expresses it would be unwise to vote under the current condition and invited senators to reflect on own motives and realize the bill will silence those who hold the truth of the Palestinian people. - Former Senator Flayman stated as a JSU member UF has a large number of Jews. Jewish people can disagree on a lot but they agree on the support of Israel. It s a great ally, good place to visit, and heading in research. These reason and more are why we should approve the bill tonight. - Kareem Tabbaa is a law student speaking about the BDS bill. He states that it s not an anti-jewish Movement. The movement simply puts pressure on the government to change policy towards Palestinian. He concludes that you can support BDS and Israel at the same time so there can be peace. - Sohab Ahmad says passing the BDS resolution is not representative of the population. Most people are unaware of the bill. The country represents everyone including minorities and gives us basic human rights. This bill denies Palestinian basic human rights. - Farrah Khan states this bill lacks transparency. The writer are not are of what BDS does and they did not fact check. The bill is weak and superficial. It is an attack on Palestinian students and hopefully the senate will make the right choice. - Leora Lieberman gave a story of her experience saving lives in a summer program abroad. Due to have a valuable experience she express other students are entitled the same and BDS is threatening that. - Abby Newman is a student that stayed in Israel. She expressed how important it is to visit Israel due to its vast history and beauty. She concluded vote yes for the BDS Bill so student can continue growing a connection to Israel. - Eric Brown expressed that BDS is an issue he is passionate. Israel is not exceptional because discrimination in Israel is wrong and so is denying human rights. It is selfish to say vacation time is more important than other human rights. - Former Senator Umair Ashgar stated this topic is a waste of time since there are other issues to discuss that directly affect UF. Finally he expressed that the BDS is not anti- Israel but pro human rights. - Melanie Miller expressed that she lived on the Israel ground and BDS does directly affect the U.S. Israel is an asset to the U.S. She believes that BDS creates an antagonist environment for students so senator control this and protect her religious home Israel. - Smantha Klazkin stated BDS campus facts such as affecting hummus on campus and study abroad programs. If BDS is implemented UF will be greatly affected - Senator Phillip stated the bill is about UF and the constituency. With BDS implemented we do not control what companies withdraw such as McDonalds and more. This bill doesn t lack transparency because it has been publicized and it is about the student body. - Former senator Sydney Kaplan spoke on in favor of the BDS senate bill. She presented several facts including an internship in NY and states that she doesn t support a movement by anti-sematic radical people. - Avi Gridi explain that its UF s moral obligation to deal with this bill. She expresses that stop being distracted and focus on the facts. Minority in Israel are not discriminated against, they are involved in the community. Take a stand and vote yes on the bill.

4 - Skye Schmelzer spoke on refuting arguments. He presented teachers will not be fired, study abroad programs not cut and it is inappropriate to compare to NAACP. She concludes the senate and institution doesn t have enough education to make a decision. - Senator Christ thanked senator Larue for being an independent voice senator and welcomed former student party senators. Stated the bill wasn t hastily proposed, it has gone through several changes, and the bill affects UF and its financial integrity and richness. - Senator Pesek stated that he know the BDS subject well. Both sides present propaganda. He is in favor of the bill which split down to two decisions pro UF and non UF. If concerned about bigger issues he suggests that one would have to lobby politicians. - Senator O Quinn explains due to the late nature of the bill it should be tabled. He adds because it is controversial it should be supported as a referendum in the spring. The controversy marginalizes students and speaking to constituents is necessary OFFICE OF THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT: - Ricky Salabarria gave a short overview of what STARR is and the upcoming events/ideal including a multicultural extravaganza. - Frank Plageman gave an overview of upcoming ideas which include a farmer market on campus, a green cord for graduation, and more. PRESIDENT S REPORT: - Announced that there will be no meeting next week on December 10 - Announced that January 7 will be the next Senate meeting - Acknowledge the resident hall forum put on by resident senator and Chairman Fisher. - Ryan Garcia, Reitz Union liaison, gave a brief report that 3rd floor of Reitz will be shut down so rooms will be affected. COMMITTEE REPORTS: REPLACEMENT & AGENDA: - No meeting this Sunday due to cancelled meeting - Applications for open seats will be due January 3 rd by noon - Stay tuned for new community service idea BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS: - Announced that Ronald McDonald house community service was a success and looks forward to doing it again - Congratulated Chairwoman Lowstetter on being accepted to dentistry school - Stay tuned for budget hearing dates ALLOCATIONS: - Thanked the Senate for passing allocations bills - Shouted out new senate mentee - Encourage senate to attend generation sketch comedy Thursday or Saturday 8-10pm

5 JUDICIARY: - Shouted out new senate mentee Sorrentino - Announced that the committee is collecting clothes to send to the Philippines bring by the law school - Announced met Monday to discuss BDS bill RULES & ETHICS: - Unable to meet this week but encourage senator keep up attendance - Constituency deadline Friday 5pm - Congratulated campus senator - Acknowledge senator Larue INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION: - Acknowledged Senator Christ - Spoke about the mentor/ mentee and acknowledged Senator Reid - Announced for everyone to take the exit survey to get feedback on the Senator orientation and improve rules and procedure RULES & PROCEDURES AD-HOC: - Met prior to meeting to discuss section 6-10.Halfway done with standing committee section. SECOND READING: None FIRST READING: - SB Resolution Condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement o 5 minute bill presentation o 5 minutes of questioning: 4 questions o Con Pro Debate Round 1 Con: 1 Richey, 1 Burns and 1 O quinn Round 1 Pro: 1 Chirst, 1Pesek, 1 Wilsom, 1 Bean. D, and 1 Philipp, Round 2 Con: 1 O Quinn and 1 Goldsmith Round 2 Pro: 1 Phillip, and 1 Miller. L Round 3 Con: 1 Pourreza, 1 Burns, and 1 Richey Round 3 Pro: 1 Miller, 1 Bean. D, 1 Pesek Round 4 Con: 1 Goldsmith, 1 Garcia. S, and 1 Sullivan Round 4 Pro: 1 Hoeck, 1 Phillip, 1 Christ, 1 Fisher o Final privilege for authors-4 min o Motion to table till Jan 7 th. standing vote 40 in favor 35 not in favor ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Senator Christ encouraged senators to go to Thursday volleyball game - Senator Pesek encourage senator to check out college republicans FB page to volunteer with animals - Senator Richards invited senator to a holiday events provided y cicerones - Senator O quinn thanked senator donating clothes to Philippians drive

6 - Senator Garcia M invited senators to HAS winter forum on Friday at the Hippodrome - Chairman Sherman if on judiciary help senator Garcia bring clothes to car - Senator miller contact more information on dream team - Senator Reid reminded senator drop off goods. - ROLL CALL: A motion to use voting records for final roll call passed. No Vote Record Received: Bouhid, Bruna Fosmoe, Courtney Chan Pong, Christina Filipelli, Michael Pourreza, Alireza Sanz, Liat Schiff, Jake Vuong, Marry MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting adjourned at 10:20 pm.