ASNAU SENATE MEETING #14
TWENTY-EIGTH SESSION
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Date: February 17,2016 Number on council: 14
Date of Senate Meeting: February 11, 2016 Number present: 12
Prepared by Kyra Johnson
Amanda Dietlin, Vice President of Academic Affairs, called the Senate meeting of the 2015-2016 Associated Students of Northern Arizona University Senate to order at 4:03pm in the Havasupai Room A & B of the University Union.
Roll Call
Absent: Senator Nunnally and Sivage
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Senator Roos moves to approve last weeks’ minutes.
Second: Senator Moore-Sharp
Vote: Unanimous, last weeks’ minutes have been approved.
Call to the Audience:
Chair Dietlin:For all the clubs and organizations here today for recognition, when I call your name you can come to the podium, tell us about your club, what you want to do with it, how many members you predict you will have and how it will benefit the students. For all clubs and organizations here for funding when I call your name come to the podium, tell us what the funding is for, how many people, what you hope to gain, and how it will benefit the students.
Unfinished Business
Item A-Green Fee
Motion: Senator Graham moves to untable Item A- Green Fee
Second: Senator Anderson
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item A- Green Fee has been untabled.
Chair Dietlin: So this was from last week.We have three options: 25% of student body supports it then we put it out as a vote, then a referendum and it is majority rules, the there’s writing a resolution.
Senator Moore-Sharp: Is anyone here from the green fee? Did we ask for an update on numbers?
Student: What is the referendum?
Parker: Upon a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the Senate, any issue can be referred to all members of ASNAU for a vote. Referenda shall be ratified by a majority of all votes cast in an election in which the referenda are placed on the ballot.
Chair Dietlin:By using true blue connect, students could vote and that could be used as evidence on how many student support it.
Student: Out of the three options, I thought there was one werestudents didn’t have to vote.
Chair Dietlin: Option 1: 15% of student body would have to vote and then it would come to senate, Option 2: referenda would be sent out as a student vote, and Option 3: a resolution is when a senator would write a bill and it would come to senate. All of this leads to us saying asnau as a whole support it.
Student:If we are already petitioning it can they work together?
Chair Dietlin: If you want. Aresolution needs to be written by one of the senatorsand once it goes through legislative it comes here to senate.
Senator Moore-Sharp: They are gathering data for ABOR?
Chair Dietlin: Yes
Senator Moore-Sharp: What part of the referenda don’t you support?
Student: I don’t know if you have seen the lumberjack there are two articles and it is clear that they don’t know what it is. We want to be clear on what it is for. Without fully explaining it would be more of a bias.
Senator Moore-Sharp: I haven’t seen true blue connects, but would it be able to put that info on there?
Chair Dietlin: We could have, as much information as you want, there is no limitation to it.
Senator Carr: I understand their concerns, most people click to make it go away and vote without being informed. Maybe you have to watch a video before you are able to vote?
Chair Dietlin: Kristine can we do a video first?
Kristine: Yes, but there is no guarantee they will actually see it.
Senator Rosic: How much is UofA’s and ASU’s green fee?
Kristine: We did some research and found that they don’t charge a green fee like you said they do.
Cindy: I talked to their administrator and we worked with the president. They had it approved, but never charged a fee. The other school had it apart of the tuition so it doesn’t float with enrollment as the students increase. $200,000 supports the office and $400,000 goes to the fee. It must have a student engagement element for each program. At ASU we are having a hard time figuring it out, but we know there is no separate fee on the campus for it. I reached out and there is a program and they couldn’t comment on how it supports efforts on the campus. They said we actually think you have more student engagement then us.
Senator Ridge: Do you think you could hold a forum for students about it? I think it is a valid concern.
Manager: I have called them about the amount of money for it and I can give you some paper that talks about it. We will never get a curve out. I can follow up with some information with the exact contacts.
President Buchta: I was wondering if you have a budget that you have operated on and what happens if it doesn’t pass.
Chair Dietlin: They told us last time; I will send it to you.
Senator Rosic: I would recommend that we don’t want to move ahead without a vote so lets vote to do a referendum.
Chair Dietlin:Article XIII: ReferendaUpon a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the Senate, any issue can be referred to all members of ASNAU for a vote.Referenda shall be ratified by a majority of all votes cast in an election in which the referenda are placed on the ballot.
Senator Rosic: I personal like the referenda.
Senator Carr: If I want to write a resolution, whatever senators want to sign on they can.
Chair Dietlin: It would be the same format
Senator Carr: Can we do both?
President Buchta: Yes, but six people that sign on it isstill likesaying all students’ support it.
Senator Sowerwine: I would still like to see the student body vote.
Senator Graham: When do we have to have this done by?
Chair Dietlin: It doesn’t have to align with their two week.
President Buchta: ABOR is though looking at tuition at April.
Student: If it fails then we have another year.
Senator Moore-Sharp: To wrap this up, I can’t go forward with putting our stamp with out student input.
Motion: Senator Moore-Sharp moves to vote on referenda for Item A- Green Fee
Second: Senator Davis
Student: How long would the vote be out for?
Kristine: Do we have to call a special elections or regular election?
Chair Dietlin: It is not outlined in the constitution. The election guideline is this.
Parker: Article XV, Section 3: All special elections shall be under the discretion of the Elections Commission and shall be held in accordance with the procedures established in the ASNAU Election Code
Senator Carr: What is a substantial number?
Chair Dietlin: It says a majority of all votes casted out of the total amount in the election.
Senator Carr:If it fails can they come back in a year?
Student: If we gain your support and it’s after the deadline, does it roll into next year?
Cindy: The advertising is two weeks alone so I think your time frame is too short. If you have enough forms and tabling then you wouldn’t have to put it out to a ballot. I also know this is being floated the same time as other things, soif you send out avote and receivea no, then you are done. There is no coming back, if it doesn’t get approved.
Senator Carr: Do you have a count?
Student: No I only have 400 people in my pocket.
Senator Carr: If you really try this week you could get 3,000 and this couldbe the first avenue and we could vote that we support it.
President Buchta: When it comes in you vote yes and that it is correct and we support it, but it needs to go out to student body.
Kristine: We still have to have time to look at all the signatures.
Chair Dietlin: If we do a referendum it needs to be open at least a week.
Parker: Section 6 states that Notification in NAU Student Media of any special referenda must be made no later than two (2) weeks prior to the date of the election.
Student: What would it take to show you it is supported?
Senator Moore-Sharp: In light of what Cindy and Kristine are saying, I think we would be willing to factoring in both with 15% and weight it in. If you had enough signatures it could be possible for us to support it.
Senator Carr: We could support it by them showing a bunch of signatures.
Chair Dietlin: It’s not required, if that’s what you want to do with signature then Senator Carr could write it.
President Buchta: It’s not about being green, it about students being charged $40 more a year to attend NAU.
Senator Ridge: I think if they want it they will support it and I think we need to respect the intelligence of student body.
Student: We can’t send out a vote next week and have itdone with a resolution next week?
President Buchta: So basically to our understanding is you have to advertise it for two weeks before the vote.We are here to help you out with that.
Student:That’s a three-week process and it will be too late, will it be rolled over to next year.
President Buchta: To say ASNAU supports it, we would need that stamp of approval, it isn’t the same. They will need to write the resolution for it tocontinue on.
Senator Carr: If we do write, it will it be good for next year? I have to disagree, it is money, but I am okay to pay more for this than something else.
Senator Sowerwine: I still see the best option as a student vote and going through the right process
President Buchta: For me I wouldn’t feel comfortable approving it either.
Senator Moore-Sharp: Is it okay to table it?
Chair Dietlin: yes
Senator L’Ecuyer: If they bring 3000 signatures is that the same exact thing as the campus vote?
Chair Dietlin: No it’s a majority of all students that vote. A referendum needs 2/3 of senate needs to vote and amajority of votes cased.
Senator Carr: I think 3000 + signature shows a lot more support then the other way based on the email they got and having it from properly informed on their decision.
Senator Moore-Sharp: I would disagree with that even if people don’t vote, we could still say we gave you access to that.
Senator Sowerwine: I think it is a great tool, but I don’t feel comfortable with that.
Chair Dietlin: If the student body votes no that eliminates the referenda.
Student: I love the discussion, but that doesn’t fit our deadline. If it is not going to be done in time we don’t want it rushed.
Chair Dietlin: Nothing will be done in your timeline, it is a week to write it, two weeks advertise it, and one-week vote. The senate is not comfortable singing something without student support.
President Buchta: We don’t have another vote ABOR till April that still leaves three weeks until ABOR for you all to prepare. I don’t think it is crunching your timeline.
Student: It takes time to get it on the agenda and still have to get presidents approval as well.
Cindy: I think that’s correct.
Senator Mathew: Is a referendum the only choice or we can table it?
President Buchta: Giving them the option of a referendum is giving them the chance and they can say no and not do it.
Chair Dietlin: Is that what you want? If not we should not vote on it.
Manager: They requested everything by next week.
Motion: Senator Mathew moves to table Item A- Green Fee
Second: Senator Ridge
Discussion:
Kali: Is it possible to be put on the agenda and then be taken off it needed be?
Chair Dietlin: No it is set.
Vote:Unanimous,Item A- Green Fee has been tabled.
Item B- SB 28-48: NAU Ice Jacks DII Hockey Team
Motion: Senator Graham moves to untable Item B- SB 28-48: NAU Ice Jacks DII Hockey Team
Second: Senator Sowerwine
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item B- SB 28-48: NAU Ice Jacks DII Hockey Team has been untabled.
Discussion:
Senator Sowerwine: I believe we talked about tabling this because of the 5 coaches that were going.
Chair Dietlin: I was in contact with the club this week and only 3 of the 5 coaches are going. Also the funding would onlyinclude transportation not lodging for them and we have approved funding for other sports for the same thing.
Motion:Senator Carr moves to vote onItem B- SB 28-48: NAU Ice Jacks DII Hockey Team
Second:Senator Graham
Vote: Unanimous, Item B- SB 28-48: NAU Ice Jacks DII Hockey Team has been approved.
Item C-SB 28-49&50: Sean Duncan and Nick Piring
Motion: Senator Graham moves to untable Item C SB 28-49&50: Sean Duncan and Nick Piring
Second: Senator Mathew
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item C SB 28-49&50: Sean Duncan and Nick Piring has been untabled.
Discussion:
Chair Dietlin: So I did look into if we were paying them again, but these two have already been reimbursed and the senate bills are justto make it official.
Senator Carr: Where was the money taken from if we hadn’t approved it?
Chair Dietlin: It was taken out of the executive line.
Motion: Senator Graham moves to vote onItem C SB 28-49&50: Sean Duncan and Nick Piring
Second: Senator Ridge
Vote: Unanimous, Item C SB 28-49&50: Sean Duncan and Nick Piring has been approved
Item D-SB 28- 59 to 68: Pellerin, Robinson, Bower, Lindsay, Carl, Wertz, Ceniceros, Muente, Richard, and Sabel
Motion: Senator Sowerwine moves to untable Item D- SB 28-59 to 68: Pellerin, Robinson, Bower, Lindsay, Carl, Wertz, Ceniceros, Muente, Richard and Sabel
Second: Senator Graham
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item D- SB 28-59 to 68: Pellerin, Robinson, Bower, Lindsay, Carl, Wertz, Ceniceros, Muente, Richard and Sabel has been untabled.
Discussion:
Chair Dietlin: If you all go to page 8 in the packet there is information from faculty advisor. It says, “Here is a budget breakdown that I put together to be more clear about what we are requesting. The students will cover their own meal costs as a contribution to the trip. The faculty travel will be covered through the grant and other funding sources. We have requested funds through the Green Fund. Our department will cover the travel cost and we would seek reimbursement to our department from the Green Fund or ASNAU. I believe that there was some discussion at the appropriations meeting that we were requesting $16,000. I’m not sure where that number came from, but our request is for $868 per student or a total of $9548 for 11 students. Any support, however, that ASNAU can offer, will be useful and much appreciated. Other than what I have explained above, we DO NOT have other funding sources that can help get these students to the competition.
Motion: Senator Sowerwine moves to vote on Item D- SB 28-59 to 68: Pellerin, Robinson, Bower, Lindsay, Carl, Wertz, Ceniceros, Muente, Richard and Sabel
Second:Senator Graham
Senator Rosic: I just felt that $9000 is too much for 11 students; a group of over 200 group can only get $3000. This is group. We talked about in legislative about creating a rule on that, but I think we can all agree this is group.
Senator Carr: Can I move to amend the SB to readas a group?
Senator Sowerwine: Instead of rewriting a bill for them as group, can we put it off till next week when it is done?
President Buchta: It is easier to have them asindividuals.
Chair Dietlin: For financials they have to match names on receipts to senate bills
Student: I believe there are two typos on the names. Jessica Beaver should be Bower and Michael Warte should be Wertz.
Senator Rosic: What if we did $272.17 for each person. If they can’t go we could rewrite it later on. I would like to amend the senate bills.
Kristine: There are only 10 bills but we said they were 11 people going?
Chair Dietlin: As a clarification there is only 10 right?
Student: There are 11, but I can double check.
Chair Dietlin: Do the names line up with who is going on the cap stone?
Senator Graham: Would it be possible to ask who would be no longer to go and re-amend to fit that?
Senator Carr: I think they are still waiting for the green fund and they have a lot of time.
Senator L’Ecuyer: Say we pass the bill and amend it then people can’t go; can we re-amend to distribute it different people?
President Buchta: If you want to do that why would we pass the bill now?
Senator Sowerwine: Can we still do $272 and then write it to re-distribute it?
Senator L’Ecuyer: There are people that can’t go what are we going to do?
Chair Dietlin: They general want to split $3000 for who ever want to go.
Senator Carr: I believe the concern that students might need more but I know other clubs travel and only get one club bill.
Chair Dietlin: Yes, but most clubs have club accounts hat the check goes to.
Senator Ridge: Can we motion to table?
Motion: Senator Ridge movesto tableItem D- SB 28-59 to 68: Pellerin, Robinson, Bower, Lindsay, Carl, Wertz, Ceniceros, Muente, Richard and Sabel
Second: Senator Sowerwine
Vote:Unanimous, Item D- SB 28-59 to 68: Pellerin, Robinson, Bower, Lindsay, Carl, Wertz, Ceniceros, Muente, Richard and Sabel has been tabled
Item E-SB 28-72: NAU Global Medical Brigades
Motion: Senator Graham moves to untable Item E- SB 28-72: NAU Global Medical Brigades