Senators Jawahill, Sexton, and Bayly Were Absent
CUSA MINUTES
October 31, 2016
1) CALL TO ORDER:
The regular weekly meeting of the CUSA Senate was held on Monday, October 31, 2016in the Student Center Multipurpose Rooms, the President being in the chair and the Secretary being absent.
2) ATTENDANCE:
Senators Jawahill, Sexton, and Bayly were absent.
3) READING, CORRECTION, AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approve by unanimous consent.
4) GUEST SPEAKER:
Susan Powers, Professor & Associate Director for Sustainability - All students need to be thinking about sustainability!Huge amount of progress made in the last five years. Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become “resilient” (what do we do differently to become sustainable). First time making Sierra Club’s “Cool School” list, we are number 43. We have gone from STARS Silver to STARS Gold.Best score at Clarkson was academics, meaning we have a solid curriculum (including extracurricular) in sustainability. Operations are more difficult - we burn a lot of heat and have moderate waste - long way forward.
Number one goal is to work on President Collin’s climate commitment; GET TO NET ZERO. Food is a big chunk, with natural gas, electricity, and transportation as other major contributors. How do we get to net zero? Use renewable energy, turn off electricity when available. Biggest challenge is a lack of data, as we do not have enough information on our power and consumption. Plan is to put meters on buildings for starters.
This year implement a solid waste plan that prevents sending waste to landfill. More food waste goes to anaerobic digester, more items to recycling. Ran a short activity to demonstrate what is recyclable and what is landfill. All recyclables need to be clean of food residue. Take it or leave it program is coming in the spring - leave clothes, refrigerators, etc. at the end of the school year. Also collecting food waste from apartment buildings.High priority on involving students. Major way is through the sustainability fund, which gives students a chance to work on proposals.
The hydro dam on Maple Street is working (near Thai) and we are buying all of the power coming out of it. There is also a dam near Cactus Grill in town, but that is not working yet - Village will need to find money.
5) VISITORS COMMENTS:
None
6) COMMENTS:
None
7) OFFICER REPORTS
President
President Riley - Met with the Environmental Cultural Awareness group, will be launching an awareness campaign over the next few weeks. Idea is to have a video with minority and majority students making statements. Send President Riley any suggestions.
Met with President Collins this week, talked about where the money is going for Cheel -seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars from student Activities Fee which covers one third of the cost of Cheel. Half of the renovations will be spaces for students (rock wall, communal areas, etc…), other half to hockey.
Pit recording studio was flooded this week, resulting in a loss of assets. Technically not a CUSA space, though radio claimed ownership for a number of years. RAs are told it isn’t their space, we are told it isn’t our space. Need input to figure out whether we fix the area and make renovations, and figure out what the space will be used for and who will own it. Dean: this will be a recurring issue if we do not figure it out; flooding happens somewhat frequently. Corey: we are also trying to find another place for the recording studio and have all of radio in one place. Might be worth talking to EHS since frequent flooding is an issue for sure.
Activities did an amazing job at Sausage Fest, thank you!
Vice President
VP Fidler - Conduct Board is in final stages of putting together student panel - joint meeting in one or two weeks with faculty and the panel. If anyone has interest in being on student panel contact Gen or Kelsey.
Public Relations Director
PRD Abplanalp – Snapchat takeover is a go, Krista will be taking care of that and running the account for a day. Send in committee reports for the next edition of the newsletter, which will come out next week.
Treasurer
Treasurer Pike – Inventory is grouped out for new Senators to take; freshmen and sophomores will be assigned groupings. There will be an inventory check on Friday, come to it if you are interested!
We are currently looking into how CUSA pays clubs. In process of figuring out how that will be evaluated. Thinking about hiring an MBA student to evaluate CUSAs budgeting and policies. Spread the word on campus!
Secretary
Secretary Reger – Send in nominations for Senator of the Month, this will be decided next week.
Advisor
Advisor Deso – Discussions need to be unbiased; it is the expectation of the student body to make decisions for the student body and not for you. Try to remember that when you are making motions or voting!
8) COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs Chair Kocsis - Spent last meeting discussing the survey that will be sent out (what students like, don’t like). Towards the end of this week, it should be sent out to campus and information will be evaluated afterwards.
Activities
Activities Chair Bayly - Open skate went very well, so well that we ran out of skates. For Sausage Fest we have a lot of extra pumpkins, but it was good overall.
Future events might be a hockey game trip up to Canada, Turkey Trot 5k for food pantry fundraiser, and an Ugly Sweater Open Skate on the 30th.
Elections & Policy
Elections & Policy Chair Sexton- No report, nothing to bring back.
Student Life
Student Life Chairs Nathanson & Duque - Brian Grant approved the survey on transportation, will go out soon.
Inclusion Initiatives
Inclusion Initiatives Chair Ferrari - Members on task forces for Safety and Environment. Working with Suong Ives on looking at Ombudsman program, Lehigh has a program that might serve as a good model. Thursday will be a committee discussion on several focus groups.
GSA
GSA Chair Ferrari- All efforts towards unionizing have been postponed; healthcare complaint was addressed.
9) OLD BUSINESS:
None
10) NEW BUSINESS:
Senator Friedman moved 10-31-16a, “approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee to grant $1000 out of club contingency to Muslim Student Association for an event” Seconded by Senator Friedman. Motion passed on the condition that the event is held in the ERC Forum.
11) ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None
12) ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
James Abplanalp, CUSA VP
1