The meeting of the 61st Student Senate was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Student Senate President Bobby Seifter.

Senator Moallem lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Moment of Silent Reflection:

MEMBERS PRESENT (First Roll Call): Senators Assidon, Barnes, Bauman, Blair, Bonderud, Chance, Charlemagne, Cuyler, Donoho, Dougherty, Dunnington, Fabre, Fistel, Flemming, Ghaneie, Goins, Gold, Gonzmart, Grossman, Howard, Humphries, Hutchinson, Joseph, Kushner, Lampi, Lias, Malone, Melbourne, Moallem, Mroczkowski, Sargent, Scandling, Schlesinger, Sieglitz, Simmons, Theodore, Triay, Walker, Zielasko.

MEMBERS ABSENT: (First Roll Call): Senators Callahan, Gilzean, Johns, Johnson, Losito, McKanstry, Peterich, Richards, Shubitz, Tunis, Underwood, Waltz, Williams, yarbrough.

MEMBERS TARDY/LATE (First Roll Call): Senators Daniels (7:44), Hall (7:55), Holmes (8:04), Wood (8:50).

Corrections: None.

Student Comments: Nick Thompson thanked the Senate for sending the FSU Speech Team to their Nationals to represent the university. Jacqueline Watson asked the Senate to please support Bill 37 to have PeaceJam here every year.

Special Introductions and Announcements: Rody Thompson, of PeaceJam, told the Senate that they are asking for $4,500 to pay affiliate fee to be a member of PeaceJam which will bring a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to speak at FSU and connect with the students. She said that 50 FSU students served one weekend as facilitators in the conference. Jamie Bayo told the Senate that he was an intern for PeaceJam and he worked with FSU students and learned about public relations, planning events and publicity. Alicia Crew and David Peters of Campus Recreation showed the Senate the plans for renovations of the intramural facilities that will be completed by the fall semester 2009. Peters also showed the new Salley Hall renovations for the tennis courts that are located there.


Messages from the Executive Branch: Rob Jakubik, Student Body President, told the Senate that SGA had their first annual Sustainability Day and Earth Day and 40 students attended the Sustainability Walk. He gave special recognition to Sandy Simmons for his work on this project. He said that President Wetherell had a town hall meeting yesterday and he talked about the budget and how it will effect the university. He said that all of the state university presidents will have a press conference on tomorrow at the Capitol. Kelly-Ann Fasano, Student Body Treasurer, told the Senate that they interviewed five people for the position of Student Body Deputy Treasurer and selected Richard Benson. She asked the Senate to support Resolution 47, which will pay the Deputy Treasurer while she is in London for the first six weeks of the summer.

Messages from Agency and Bureau Directors, and SGA Organization Officers and Employees: IRHC had a banquet and passed out awards for: Hall of Year (Cawthon), IRHC Week winners (Jennie-Murphy). They are preparing for their conference in May. Ian Johnson, AASU Director, told the Senate that it has been a pleasure to serve and he has learned a lot. He introduced the student that he asked the Senate to support as the new director.

Messages from the Congress of Graduate Students: None.

Messages from the Senior Class Council: None.

Messages from the Judicial Branch: None.

Messages from the Union Board: Carter McMillan, Union Board Vice Chair announced that the Union Board will not meet on April 29 due to finals week and they will not meet again until the fall semester 2009. They took a survey today at the Integration Statute to get an idea on who students wanted for this year’s homecoming PowWow and all students that completed the survey got free pizza. There will be no Market Wednesdays during the months of May and June, but they encouraged student groups to promote their organization through Seminole Discovery, which will be in conjunction with new student orientation. Seminole Discovery takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer. The Chuck-it-for-Charity move out initiative is taking place all week long and this program will provide students the opportunity to give unopened and gently used items to other people who are in need, and these items will be distributed to relief agencies on April 25 on the Union Green by the Integration Statue. Movies this week include: Monty Python and the Holy Grail on April 22 at 7:30 and 10 p.m.; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Thursday, April 23 at 7 and 10:45 p.m., Friday, April 24 at 8:45 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 at 7 and 10:45 p.m.; and the Princess Bride on Friday, April 24 at 12:30 a.m. Club Downunder events are: Dengue Fever with Chicha Libre tonight at 9:30 p.m., $10 for non-students; Be Kind, Unwind, Thursday, April 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Dinosaur Jr. and Mike Watt at the Moon on Thursday, April 23 at 9 p.m., and An Evening with Dave Willis and Dana Snyder on Friday, April 24 at 9:30 p.m., free for all. Please go to union.fsu.edu for more information.

Messages from Campus Recreation: Adam Fox introduced Matt Wilson who will take over as the new chair of the Campus Recreation Board. Matt Wilson thanked Adam Fox for doing a great job during his one and one-half years of service. Wilson told the Senate that if they have any issues to please come see him.

Report of the Student Body Auditor: As of April 21, 2009, Senate Projects is $3,393.00 and Senate Unallocated is $5,000.


Committee Reports:

Student Affairs-As reported in the Calendar. The committee tabled today in the Union and got almost 200 surveys.

Budget-Chairman Howard said the committee did not meet.

Finance-As reported in the Calendar. There was a motion to go into Committee of the Whole to debate Resolution 45, the motion passed. Senator Fabre made a motion to withdraw the resolution; he then withdrew his motion. Senator Daniels was made a co-sponsor and he debated the resolution and it passed without objection. Senator Dougherty made a motion to move out of committee of the whole; motion passed. Senator Barnes made a motion to accept the decision of the committee as the decision of the Senate, the motion passed. There was a motion to confirm the candidates for the two fund distribution boards, the motion passed and the following were confirmed by the Senate: Benjamin Salazar, Brianna Frank, Rebecca Rhoda, Natalie Champion, Lauren Blankert, Adam Schwab, Chris Spencer and Valeria Obi. Senate President Seifter said that former Senator Al Heartley was not able to come tonight to be sworn in, he will be sworn in at a later date.

Judiciary-Did not meet.

Internal Affairs-Chairman Chance made a motion to move into Committee of the Whole to interview two candidates, the motion passed. The Senate interview and passed Richard Benson for Student Body Deputy Treasurer and Adam Fox for Office of Legislative Affairs Director.

Rules and Calendar-Chairman Cuyler said that the committee deliberated on absences. Chairman Cuyler made a motion to move into Committee of the Whole; the motion passed. The Senate interviewed and passed Matt Hunter for Graduate Studies Seat 7.

Senate Affairs-Did not meet.

Sustainability-No report submitted.

Central Reserves-As reported in the Calendar.



Senate Confirmations: Richard Benson for Student Body Deputy Treasurer, Adam Fox for Office of Legislative Affairs Director, Matt Hunter for Graduate Studies Seat 7 and Benjamin Salazar, Brianna Frank, Rebecca Rhoda, Natalie Champion, Lauren Blankert, Adam Schwab, Chris Spencer and Valeria Obi all for Fund Distribution Committee Members.

Consent Calendar: None.

Bills First Reading:

Bill 34-Sponsored by Senator Ghaneie. An allocation of $2,500 from Senate Projects to The Wesley Foundation. Purpose: to provide food for the week of finals, April 27 through May 1, 2009, to all students who want to eat. FAILED IN COMMITTEE 4-21-09.

Bill 36-Sponsored by Senators Sargent and Blair. A revision of $2,000 within CPE from Food to Expense. Purpose: to transfer monies to purchase a couch for the office. FAILED IN COMMITTEE 4-21-09.

Bill 38-Sponsored by Senator Sargent. A transfer of $27,134.46 from Central Reserves to Master Control Account. Purpose: to help cover shortfall. NOT REFERRED PER DR. HOWARD.

Bill 39-Sponsored by Senator Hall. A revision to the Student Body Statutes Chapter 100.6. Purpose: to change the amount of credit hours required to participate in a major office over the summer to allow for substantive classes that are less than three (3) credit hours. REFERRED TO JUDICIARY.

Bill 40-Sponsored by Senator Howard. A transfer of $207,900 from the Old Funding Boards to RTAC and PAC and Organizational Fund. Purpose: to transfer money from old funding boards to new Fund Distribution Committees. REFERRED TO FINANCE AND BUDGET.

Bills Second Reading:

Bill 33-Sponsored by Senator Howard. A revision of $150 within Senate from OPS Wages to Clothing/Awards. Purpose: to cover a deficit in Clothing/Awards. PASSED.

Bill 35-Sponsored by Senator Walker. A revision of $275 within Senior Class Council from Contractual Services to Expense. Purpose: to utilize unused funds for the promotion of the Protect our Professors initiative. (Amended in committee from $3,500 to $275). WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR.


Bill 37-Sponsored by Senators Goins and Simmons. An allocation of $4,500 from Senate Unallocated to FSU Foundation. Purpose: to provide PeaceJam with the annual affiliate fee. (Amended in committee from Senate Projects to Senate Unallocated and from PeaceJam to FSU Foundation). PASSED.

Constitutional Amendments: None.

Resolutions:

Resolution 45-Sponsored by Senators Waltz and Fabre.
Subject: Excusing the HLSU and the BSU for turning in resolution late for an event that has already happened.
(Resolution was withdrawn last week by Senator Waltz. Finance passed it out of committee 4-1-49).
PASSED.

Resolution 47-Sponsored by Senator Blair.
Subject: Paying the new Student Body Deputy Treasurer for the first three pay periods of the summer.
PASSED.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: None.


Closing Announcements: Senator Dougherty thanked Senators Lias, Barnes and Seifter for coming to the Sustainability Walk. Senator Theodore told the Senate that he is taking a trip to the Capitol on Friday and he is asking any Senator that wants to join him to please do so. Senator Blair told the Senate that he went to the Capitol and passed out the Resolution to the State Representatives and their aides. He said they are hearing what students are saying and he challenge Senate to contact their friends and parents to call the legislators. Senator Ghaneie thanked the Senate Program Assistant for all the help she provided him with his bill. Senator Humphries recognized the leadership of the Senate saying that both Seifter and Cuyler work hard for the money. Senator Hall said that he is graduating this summer and joining the Navy. He told the Senate that SGA is important and take it seriously don’t make it your life. Senator Simmons thanked everyone who came to the Sustainability Walk. Senator Moallem said that COGS is interested in having legislation that will make the relationship between Senate and COGS much better. Senator Flemming said that he works at the Capitol and he was glad to see FSU students passing out the resolution. Senator Barnes said there are “awesome” squirrels at FSU. She thanked the Senate for making her feel at home. Senator Theodore said that he is honored to be involved in the Senate. Senator Daniels announced that he is going to Rwanda for 3 weeks. He told the Senate that Senator Hall is very passionate and very knowledgeable about Senate so be his friend. He asked everyone to give him a slow clap. Senator Howard told the Senate that he has a squirrel story also. He told the Senate that a lot of legislation gets passed during the summer and it is also the best time to learn about Senate, and there will be a lot of new appointments. Dr. Howard wish everyone a safe and fun filled summer. Senate Pro Tempore Cuyler had everyone to sing happy birthday to Dr. Howard. He congratulated the members of the newly formed Fund Distribution Committee. He told the Senate that he is on the University Budget Crisis Committee and the mail he gets from Panama City Campus addresses him as “Dr” and he said he finds that pretty funny, since he is still an undergraduate. Cuyler begged the Senators to contact their legislator and tell them you do not agree with HB5001. He wished everyone good luck on their finals. Senate President Seifter said that he participated in the Alpha Delta Piathalon and he had a good time. He said that the interviews for the Fund Distribution Committee was an experience and there are so many great students at FSU. He told the Senate that he participated in the Sustainability Walk today and he thanked Senators Barnes, Dougherty, Lias and Simmons for participating. He asked the Senators who had not filled out an intent letter for the summer to do immediately because we are going to need Senators for the summer. Seifter explained the letter that he wrote to the Senate and told them that there is talk about what SGA can do to support the university and this body has final say over where there money should go. He said they will look at re-allocating money to go to different areas of the university and he asked them to be prepared and open to what is happening.

Final Roll Call: PRESENT: Assidon, Barnes, Blair, Bonderud, Chance, Charlemagne, Cuyler, Daniels, Dougherty, Dunnington, Fistel, Flemming, Ghaneie, Goins, Gold, Grossman, Hall, Holmes, Howard, Humphries, Hunter, Hutchinson, Joseph, Kushner, Lampi, Lias, Melbourne, Moallem, Mroczkowski, Sargent, Scandling, Schlesinger, Sieglitz, Simmons, Theodore, Triay, Walker, Wood, Zielasko. ABSENT: Senators Bauman, Callahan, Donoho, Fabre, Gilzean, Gonzmart, Johns, Johnson, Losito, Malone, McKanstry, Peterich, Richards, Shubitz, Tunis, Underwood, Waltz, Williams, Yarbrough.

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Bobby Seifter
Student Senate President

Mattie Durham
Student Senate Program Assistant