ASNAU SENATE MEETING #20
TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Date: March 14, 2014 Number on council: 12
Date of Senate Meeting: March 13, 2014Number present: 11
Prepared by Amy Edgerton
Senate Chairwoman Shayla Woodhouse called the Senate meeting of the 2013-2014 Associated Students of Northern Arizona University Senate to order at 5:04 P.M. in the Havasupai Room A & B of the University Union.
Roll Call
The following Senators were not present at the meeting:
-Nicole Ortega
Approval of Minutes
Motion: SenatorHoward move to approve the minutes from last week’s Senate meeting
Second: Senator Startt
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, last week’s minutes have now been approved.
Call to the Audience
Unfinished Business
Motion: Senator Cabral move to remove Item A: IA: Hillary Stirlen, $237 from the table
Second: Senator Libby
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item A:IA: Hillary Stirlen, $237removed from the table
Motion: Senator Howard move to vote on Item A: IA: Hillary Stirlen, $237
Second: Senator Lulay
Discussion: Chairwoman Woodhouse reads information that was sent to her by Hillary Stirlen who couldn’t be here. The conference she attended gave many opportunitiesin themusic industry offers connections and a lot of learning experiences. There are many programs for music and music education majors and they call it Generation Next. She learned so much that she plans to utilize in future classrooms. She also saw many presentations and booths, and funding will go toward transportation and lodging fees.
Questions: Senator Simon asks what her individual contribution was. It is not listed in the budget. Senator Gorshe says the budget does not include food and this may be her contribution.Senator Cabral would like to see her contributions and fundraising regardless of what the budget says. Senator Simon points out that lately it has been made a standard that the person should be here, but if everyone else is comfortable she is okay moving forward. Senator Gorshe asks Chairwoman Woodhouse why she is not here, and she responds that Stirlen is at work. Chairwoman Woodhouse adds that she may be able to make it here after spring break. Senator Lulay agrees to wait. Senator Gorshe also agrees after learning that Stirlen did not know until recently that she needed to be present at the meeting.
Motion: Senator Startt move to table Item A: IA: Hillary Stirlen, $237 has been tabled
Second: Senator Libby
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item A: IA:Hillary Stirlen, $237 has been tabled
New Action Business
Motion: Senator Cabral move to add Item S:Changes to Governing Documents to the agenda
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item S: Changes to Governing Documents has been added
Motion: Senator Tillinghastmove to vote on Item A: Club Recognition: Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research
Second: Senator Cook
Discussion: Representative is cofounding SSBTR here on campus, as a satellite organization to the established organization in Phoenix. The primary focus is to raise funds and promote awareness for Brain Tumor Research. The club on campus here will do these things just as the Phoenix Organization does. Senator Tillinghast asks what events they have in mind. They plan to do small fundraising activities to supplement the larger events such as the SSBTR Walk in Phoenix.
Vote: Unanimous, Item A:Club Recognition: Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research has been approved
Motion: Senator Howardmove to vote on Item B: IA: Chelsea Schinker, $400
Second: Senator Cook
Discussion:She is here to request funding for a trip to San Diego where she will present curriculum changes at the National Art Education Association Conference at the end of this month. The trip is very expensive for lodging and the funding will help this as well as travel. This is a large conference with many representatives in the United States.
Vote: Unanimous,Item B:IA: Chelsea Schinker, $400 has been approved
Motion: SenatorLibby move to vote on Item C: OA: Alpha Kappa Psi, $131.14
Second: Senator Startt
Discussion:Alpha Kappa Psi representative is here to as for refund for gas money to and from a leadership conference at ASU three weeks ago. They went to see how the ASU Chapter runs and to bring back new ideas to the chapter at NAU. Senator Tillinghast asks what the club is, and representative replies that it is a professional organization open to all majors. They strive to create leaders in every aspect of the world. Senator Libby compliments representative on the budget.
Vote: Unanimous, Item C:OA: Alpha Kappa Psi, $131.14 has been approved
Motion: SenatorCook move to vote on Item D:OA: Epilepsy Now, $225
Second: Senator Soto
Discussion: Emily Miller is the Vice President of Epilepsy Now, which is a student organization designed to raise awareness on campus and support for people in Flagstaff with epilepsy. They will hold a seminar called Epilepsy 101 that will provide more information to attendees about how to approach a seizure and they are asking $225 for the Ashurst Auditorium rental. Senator Simon asks if Sodexo is providing food, yes. Senator Soto asks if there is certified training to teach this, and Millerexplains that a neurologist in Flagstaff is coming to speak for the event.
Vote: Unanimous, Item D: OA: Epilepsy Now, $225 has been approved
Motion: Senator Cabral move to strike Item E:OA: NAU Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, $500
Second: Senator Lulay
Discussion: See Discussion for Item F: NAU Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, $2025
Vote: Unanimous, Item E: OA: NAU Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, $500 has been struck.
Motion: SenatorTillinghast move to vote on Item F:SB 26-83: NAU Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, $2025
Second: Senator Lulay
Discussion: The Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team is asking for funding for individual team memberships, because USAU Memberships are required for members to compete and they are $50. They went to tournaments in Irvine and Vegas, and the money will also cover gas. Senator Libby asks how they did at the tournaments, and representative replies that in Vegas they won one game and Irvine they won four. They competed against six different teams. Senator Soto asks how many teams there were total and representative responds that there were 40 in Vegas and 11 in Irvine. Senator Tillinghast asks if the bill is for the total amount, Senator Howard explains that it is and the OA may not be needed. The USAU fees are included in the bill as well as gas and tournament costs. The OA will be struck.
Vote: Unanimous, Item F: SB 26-83: NAU Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, $2025 has been approved
Motion: Senator Startt move to vote on Item G:OA: NAU Hiking Club, $500 and Item H: SB 26-84: NAU Hiking Club, $500
Second: Senator Howard
Discussion: Jacob is president of the hiking club. They are requesting $1000 for a spring break trip to Southern Utah. This trip will include hiking, backpacking and other activities for member attending. The funds are for transportation money and entrance fees.
Vote: Unanimous,Item G: OA: NAU Hiking Club, $500 and Item H: SB 26-84: NAU Hiking Club, $500 have been approved
Motion: SenatorCabral move to vote on Item I:OA: PICATU, $500 and Item J: SB 26-85: PICATU, $570
Second: Senator Cook
Discussion: Treasurer is here to ask for $1070 to attend a regional tournament in Salt Lake City Utah. 20 members will be attending this Pokémon Tournament and he personally placed in the top ten out of 500 at a previous tournament. Each member is paying for food and tournament fee, so they are asking for gas and lodging funding. A lot their members cannot play sports, so this tournament means a lot for them. Senator Gorshe asks what they do. They play the Pokémon card game and the Pokémon video game. They have 10 members competing in the card game and 15 in the video game. Senator Tillinghast asks what type he uses; the treasurer replies that his favorite is dark type. Senator Libby didn’t know there were types.
Vote: Unanimous, Item I: OA: PICATU, $500 and Item J: SB 26-85: PICATU, $570 have been approved
Motion: Senator Soto move to vote on Item K: OA: UTV62, $500 and Item L: SB 26-86: UTV62, $3500
Second: Senator Cabral
Discussion: This is the school of communication’s first combined effort to create a feature film festival competition. The funding will help with fees, costumes, equipment, and more. Senator Startt asks if the costumes and such can be rented, because ASNAU cannot fund something that is bought to be kept. He says they can be rented, but Senator Howard mentions that the Hexapus was voted on, and these things will be kept for campus use as well. Senator Tillinghast thinks the process is very ambitious and great. They hope it will be the first of many.
Senator Cabral has looked over the bylaws and ASNAU is not funding anything that is not allowed through this vote.
Vote: Unanimous, Item K: OA: UTV62, $500 and Item L: SB 26-86: UTV62, $3500have been approved
Motion: Senator Howard move to vote on Item M: OA: NAU Wushu Team, $500 and Item N: SB 26-87: NAU Wushu Team, $3004
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: NAU Wushu Team is looking for funding for a tournament in Maryland; it is the largest collegiate tournament in the U.S. This year the tournament is special to them because the coach has just graduated and many teams do not make it past this obstacle. Senator Simon asks what Wushu is, and the representative explains that it is a form of Martial Arts. Senator Soto asks how many teams will compete, 20 different colleges.
Vote: Unanimous, Item M: OA: NAU Wushu Team, $500 and Item N: SB 26-87: NAU Wushu Team, $3004 have been approved
Motion: Senator Gorshe move to vote on Item O: SB 26-88: Capstone Team, $3122.88
Second: Senator Libby
Discussion: Representative explains that they will be going to Las Vegas to compete with their wind turbine as a capstone team, and the funding will go toward transportation and lodging. He has been working on this for a year. Senator Tillinghast asks how many members there are on the team, 18 total representing a few different majors. This competition is to further wind energy sources. Senator Lulay confirms that their idea will be implemented after a natural disaster, as the previous representative had stated earlier in the week. It takes 10-15 minutes to set up and is 45 centimeters in diameter. It can be scaled. Senator Cabral asks if ASNAU can fund capstone projects, but Senator Libby explains that ASNAU is not funding the project just the transportation and lodging costs. Chairwoman Woodhouse says two years ago they sent a Capstone Team to Florida to present their findings, so it has been done in the past. Dr. Brandel can be contacted if necessary. Senator Buchta doesn’t see a problem with this. Senator Gorshe says they are not paying for any credit hours or anything also. Senator Lulay says that they have a grant for the actual project, so it is acceptable to fund to get them there. There is nothing in the Bylaws that says this can’t be done.
Vote: Unanimous, Item O: SB 26-88: Capstone Team, $3122.88has been approved
Motion: Senator Howard move to table Item P: SB 26-89: Psychology Students, $1720
Second: Senator Cabral
Discussion: Senator Tillinghast explains that they will be present the week after spring break.
Vote: Unanimous, Item P:SB 26-89: Psychology Students, $1720 has been tabled
Motion: Senator Startt move to vote on Item Q: SB 26-90: NAU Adventure Club, $612.84
Second: Senator Tillinghast
Discussion: The NAU Adventure Club is a combination of other activity clubs, and partially includes hiking, cycling, climbing, and running. They get members together to network on campus and go around Northern Arizona together. They are requesting funds to take six members on a backpacking trip. Funding will go toward campsite fees and transportation. Senator Cabral asks how this will benefit NAU. It allows student to explore Arizona while networking and building relationships on campus. Senator Gorshe asks what they will gain from this. Representative explains that everyone going will gain the experience of the backpacking trip and seeing Northern Arizona, this will also help with future club recruitment.
Senator Tillinghast will abstain, as he is a part of the club.
Senator Gorshe does not know what will be brought back to campus by this. Senator Simon feels that this is like a vacation, and there are actually students who pay $1200 to go on this trip. Senator Lulay asks how this is any different from the Hiking Club. He is right, says Senator Libby and Senator Simon. Senator Startt agrees with Senator Lulay. Senator Libby says that her roommate has been on this trip for school credit, but this is more of a personal endeavor. However, she felt that her roommate benefited from this. Senator Gorshe would like to hear how it would be educational. Representative explains that it is the experience with other students bonding and bringing their experiences back to students here and the NAU campus as a whole. Senator Lulay says that ASNAU doesn’t always have to be funding educational things, because social events are part of a club or organization as well.
Vote: 10 in favor, 1 abstain, Item Q: SB 26-90: NAU Adventure Club, $612.84 has been approved
Motion: Senator Soto move to vote on Item R: SB 26-91: NAU Tennis Club, $875.86
Second: Senator Cook
Discussion: The NAU Tennis Club is asking for hotel, gas, and entry tournament fees for their last tournament in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Senator Soto asks if he has heard back about another tournament, and representative replies that they do not yet know.
Vote: Unanimous, Item R:SB 26-91: NAU Tennis Club, $875.86 has been approved
Motion: Senator Howard move to vote on Item S: Changes to Governing Documents
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: These are changes that Legislative Committee has been working on for the past three weeks. The constitution will be changed minimally and the bylaw changes are in regards to the responsibilities of the Vice Chair. Most of these changes are arranging things so they will be more transparent, and the only major change is allowing a senator to oversee the hiring process of certain staff members.
Senator Tillinghast says that he would like to vote on these changes separately, and not as a whole item.
Rescind: Senator Howard rescindshis previous motion.
Chairwoman Woodhouse determines that the best course of action would be to vote on the agenda item as usual but separate the changes and vote on them one by one.
Rescind: Senator Howard rescinds his previous rescind.
Motion: Senator Cabral move to vote on changes to Bylaws Article IV
Second: Senator Startt
Discussion: Senator Libby asks what job the changes are under; it is under the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Senator Tillinghast explains that the change is to involve these positions in the hiring process of positions mainly under them, such as the Senate Clerk with the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Senator Libby asks about club headquarters, but these positions being hired under Vice President of Student Affairs are already included in the bylaws.
Vote: Unanimous, the changes to Bylaws Article IV have been approved
Motion: Senator Libby move to vote on changes to Bylaws Article V
Second: Senator Cabral
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, the changes to Bylaws Article V have been approved
Motion: Senator Howard move to vote on changes to Bylaws Article VII
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: Chairwoman Woodhouse asks someone from the Legislative Committee to explain the third sub-bullet point because it reads Move… Senator Cabral explains that every section will be moved down and it includes more than just section 5 to section 6 and section 6 to section 7 but the explanation just continues in this way after the ellipses. Chairwoman Woodhouse notes that the VP of Academic Affairs is left out of call to special session via one of the changes. Senator Tillinghast explains that this already exists, and it is just made clearerby it’s addition to the bylaws even though it is already in the constitution. Senator Cabral explains that the clarity is meant for the person in that position. Senator Lulay asks if Senator Simon has an issue with Section 24. She feels that hiring is unique to exec, and that five people already make hiring decisions and a sixth person does not need to be included. The Senate gets their say in the approval process. Six people would also be more difficult for tiebreakers. Senator Howard says he spoke with President Mastrud, and he feels that if a senator were present he or she would be more like a middleman and a person who can be a liaison to the Senate. Senator Lulay says his vision was for the Senate to be present in the hiring process, and not necessarily a part of it. It is a safeguard so the Senate will have information about voting. He also feels it would be fair for the new senate to appoint these people, and Senator Simon agrees. She feels that this is the new Senate’s opportunity. Senator Gorshe feels that this doesn’t mean that senator has any say in the hiring process other than being in the room. He says the Senate does have their time, but the current Senate does set the budget for next year and do things for next year regardless so it would be okay to appoint this person. Senator Lulay points out that a third or less of senators now will be present next year and they will not have been inaugurated yet. Senator Cabral suggests that senators could add ‘and be present’ after represent the senate in Section 24 to address this issue. Chairwoman Woodhouse says that that is a lot to ask of a senator who only works 6 hours a week to be present at all of these interviews. Senator Startt asks if they have to go, and the Senate replies yes,it would be the duty of him or her who is inaugurated. Senator Simon says that if it is already interpreted in different ways, it will be more confusing later. Senator Lulay asks if anyone would have an issue with the extra work, Senator Gorshe would. Chyna asks when the interviews take place, and Chairwoman Woodhouse says that they are in the evening. Chairwoman Woodhouse adds that last yearChairman Ryan Lee gave certain senators informal positions, and this may not have to be written in the bylaws. Senator Gorshe says if it is something the Senate is serious about, it should be written. Senator Simon agrees. Senator Howard feels that it would be easier to work together with the Executive Board and Senate, they are not trying to impede on the exec power just to allow the Senate to be informed.