Seventh meeting of the tenth Senate was called to order at 5:00 pm on Tuesday November 15 , 2011.

There were 32 senators present. Senator Mullins moved to approve the minutes from last week. Passed unanimously.

Officer reports

  • President Billy Stephens

This past week there was a retroactive payment of $15,000 for Provide a Ride. The search for a new provider has come to a halt until we can figure this out and whether it was paid last year or not. Have a good weekend.

  • Executive Vice President Kendrick Bryan

The executive branch will meet tomorrow in the SGA office. State Auditor Adam Edelen will likely attend Dine with Decision Makers on Dec. 1. Keyana and I are planning the Campus Safety Walk. I worked with the Academic Affairs committee on the TRC legislation. Please review it in your packet. More details are coming soon regarding the Rally for Higher Education in February.

  • Administrative Vice President Devon Hilderbrandt

The budget report was read aloud.

We have a bill up for org aid in old business and one in new business. They are Great organizations.

  • Speaker Kaylee Egerer

No senate meeting next Tuesday so you can go home for thanksgiving.

Staff Reports

  • Chief of Staff- Katie Stillwell

Thanks for being here, this is good attendance. If you want to know why your name is in the paper please let me know. I need a few volunteers to help set up decorations. If you are interested let me know. The Rally in Frankfort will be February 7 and you will get a provost excuse so you can miss a day of class. We will get a solid sign up sheet online later and any student can go. Get the word out.

  • Director of Academic and Student Affairs -Travis Taylor

Tomorrow is HODS deadline application so I will soon be reviewing and interviewing.

  • IT Director- Cory Dodds

I'll be working to get an RSVP form on website for Dine. Looking for an early December deadline for the website update.

  • Director of Public Relations- Jane Wood

Working onposters for both Dine and the Rally and helping set up for Dine. It would be great if the PR committee could please help and be there between 4:00 and 4:30. Vote T-shirts came in the office so come get a shirt if you voted. The best kind of PR is word of mouth so get the word out. Make an effort to get our name out there.

Committee Reports

  • Campus Improvements-Keyana Boka

Hello everyone! A big thank you to everyone who participated in theDUC Name Change Resolution debate last week.I am currently at a doctor's appointment, but will be returning soon for the campus improvements committee meeting, as usual it will be after senate and down the hall.We will discussing some new ideas for campus. I look forward to it. See you there!

  • Public Relations- Cody Murphy

Talked to some groups this weekend and we will be meeting after senate.

  • Academic Affairs- Brittany Crowley

One bill up for first read. We hope to get through scholarships so expect a lot of bills up after Thanksgiving.

  • Legislative Research- Eileen Forsythe

Meeting on Wednesday at 4:30 down in SGA office.

  • Student Affairs- Natalie Broderick

We have a bill up for second read. Short meeting later.

Special Reports

University Athletic committee: Kaylee Egerer

Speaker Egerer: As you all know the defensive coordinator for WKU was charged with a DUI in Louisiana. He talked to Ross Bjork immediately and met with a friend in Louisiana. He had conversations with police in a bar when he left the distance from the restaurant to the hotel was only a few blocks. The police followed him and pulled him over. He blew over the limit. He is like any other staff member and they would also get punished but no fired. We wouldn't be hearing about it if this was a professor. He is a good coach and a good guy but he is getting repercussions. We had xix sports with 100% graduation rate. We are in the lead for an award for best school in the Sun Belt. And we won last night!

Judicial Council: Chris Jankowski

Chief Justice Spalding: Committee heads keep sending attendance to Rachel Calhoun. Send those to me as well. Sure you saw the herald today. I didn't want to release the names of those brought to review. You shouldn't be ashamed, it's just business. It was a well written article and should not be detrimental. Please continue to send attendance. There are only two meetings left so let’s finish strong with no further problems.

Speaker Egerer: That is public record. Also there will be no committee meetings next week.

Unfinished Business

Bill 13-11-F

Senator Asbery motioned to have bill constructively read. Passed.

Devon Hilderbrandt: These five organizations came to us, they need the money and will spend it well. Let's get it passed.
Senator Shaw: Just a suggestion in the last whereas replace comma and “and” with a period.Bill Passed.

Bill 14-11-F

Senator Cottrell moved to have bill constructively read. Seconded. One abstention. Passed.

Senator Rodriguez: This is the sixth annual PFT Thanksgiving dinner and it is a great cause. This will service international students who can't go home and also police officials on duty. Senator Shaw: I suggest a period after dinner in the purpose clause. Bill passed unanimously.

New Business

Bill 15-11-F

Senator Hughes motioned to suspend the by- laws. One opposedand one abstention.Senator Hughes movedBill 15-11-f to new business.Senator Hughes motioned to have bill constructively read. Four opposed. Passed.

Devon Hilderbrandt: Since there is no meeting next week we want this passed so these organizationscan get money to them.
Senator Shaw: I suggest a period after purpose and capitalize club.
Senator Smiley: What is ACM?
Devon Hilderbrandt: Association for computing machinery, like an IT club.
Senator Costa: What is educational about this?
Devon Hilderbrandt: They are trying to get people to go to school here and they did well last year. They usually pay for their own stuff. They do fundraising and pay out of pocket.
Senator Crowley: Friendly amendment in the fourth whereas clause capitalize Bowling Green.
Senator Costa: The by-laws should not be suspended. I'm voting against it because it should go in front of LRC always and not just when it's convenient.
Senator Shaw: Normally I would agree but this is in order to expedite the process. It would be an additional week because of break. Bills should not be constructively read when moved from old business to new business.

One opposed and one abstention. Bill passed.

Bill 16-11-F

Senator Murphy moved bill 16-11-F into old business. Three opposed and two abstained. Passed.

Senator Crowley: The TRC contacted Kendrick about their need for technology. They had numerous things listed and this would get a lot of use. It’s beneficial and on the cheaper end of those things on the list. Students get wait listed for items and this will help them out.
Speaker Egerer: Kendrick spent over an hour talking with them and there is always a waiting list.
Senator Costa: Why is this urgent?
Senator Crowley: The sooner they can get the equipment the better. It might not be until next semester if we waited.
Senator Shaw: Who buys stuff for the TRC?
President Stephens: The funding is different every year. They got $8,000 this year.
Senator Costa: No one is dying and no one is going to die next week, it's not urgent. The by-laws state that all bills go to LRC. If we want to change them then let’s do it but don’t throw the rules out the window.
Senator Shaw: The TRC does provide an excellent service. My problem is the TRC wanted money and we gave it to them. We don't have much money. We need to pressure the university to give departments more money. We can't throw our money everywhere.
Senator Murphy: The people using these are students themselves so we benefit and it will be during finals so they will be used so it is urgent.
Senator Costa: How soon will they have the camera?
Devon Hilderbrandt: It has to go through Stephanie first but about a week or two weeks.
Senator Costa: Let’s be realistic people can't use it in two weeks before the final, I don't think it's urgent.
Senator Johnson: Is there a problem with the bill? I understand the other issues.
Senator Costa: I am voting against it because I don't support suspending the by-laws but the bill is not a part of it. I am not against the bill. Senator Johnson motioned to vote.

Division. Twenty-three Senators in favor, five opposed and two abstained. Bill passed.

Senator Crowley motioned to move back into by-laws. One opposed. Passed.

Presidential appointments: Cain Alvey and Andreu Edge

Cain Alvey: I'd like tokeep going in the direction of this Senate and keep to the rules and to what SGA is known for: to make leaders out of people.

Andreu Edge: I have always been interested in SGA but due to other obligations I have never had the time to devote to it. I have time to join now. I am excited to serve here and give back. I appreciate the opportunity.

Two opposed and one abstained to move out of the by-laws. Passed.

Passed unanimously to approve the two senators. Chief Justice Spalding performed the swearing in.

Senator Mullins motioned to move back into the by-laws. One opposition. Passed.

Announcements

Katie Stillwell: I suggest that we remain practical. The legislative process does take time. If people aren't voting then we will do a hand vote every time. Be respectful in debate and of those writing bills.

Senator Forsythe: We will no longer be meeting because there is now new legislation.

Senator Murphy: The football game is at 11:30 on Saturday and you can move in your dorm at 10:30 that morning.

Jane Wood: Everyone should go to Griff's for dinner for Panhellenic Pride week. 10% of proceeds go to Circle of Sisterhood.

Meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm on Tuesday November 15, 2011.