Stony Brook University – Undergraduate Student Government – Senate

Regular Meeting – Thursday, October 30, 2008

Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m. Executive Vice-President Geeta Malieckal presiding.

1.0 Attendance

Members present:

Senator Anderson

Senator Sungyong Bae

Senator Aharon Benelyahoo

Senator Ebbie Boutehsaz

Senator Aneta Bose – sent approved proxy

Senator Kevin Brady – arrived late, at 7:17 pm

Senator Shahzad Chaudry

Senator Steven Hauptman

Senator Adam Kent

Senator John Kriscenski

Senator Dae Young Lee

Senator Sean Moore

Senator Lauren Potenza

Senator Ashley Reji

Senator Kathleen Schultz

Senator Jonathan Harounian

Senator Blake Wind – arrived late, at 7:42 pm

Members absent:

Senator Jonathan Harounian – excused

Senator Shamell Forbes

Guests present:

Executive Treasurer

2.0 Approval of Minutes 10.23.08

Senator Boutehsaz moved to approve the minutes. Seconded. No debate.  Motion #1 carried unanimously.

3.0 Announcements

The Chair discussed the impending statewide budget deficit and the ongoing elections, which end tomorrow, October 31 at noon. Senator Kent asked how many Senate positions are currently open and whether or not there are candidates running for every spot. The Chair stated that there is one position for each college available and there is no candidate running for the Health Sciences position. Senator Potenza asked the Chair if the system was functioning as it was not when it was previously tested, the Chair stated that she was personally able to vote.

4.0 SSC Allocations

Senator Brady stated that the SSC Chair went home early and moved to postpone SSC Allocations until next week and asked the Senators to keep the information with them until next week. Seconded. The Chair called for acclamation. No objections. Motion #2 carried.

5.0 Clubs and Organizations Act

Senator Kent, the Chair of the Legislative Review Committee presented this bill.

The Senators asked Senator Kent numerous questions about the contents of the bill.

Senator Hauptman moved to pass the act. Seconded. No debate. Motion #3 carried unanimously with one abstention (Senator Kent).

6.0 Checks and Balances Act

Senator Kent, the Chair of the Legislative Review Committee presented this bill.

The Senators asked Senator Kent numerous questions about the contents of the bill.

Senator Anderson moved to amend the bill to add item 9 to Section 5 “The budget process is defined as the day when the budget hearings begin to the day when it is voted upon by the Senate.” Seconded.

The Senator discussed the amendment. 9 – 4 – 3. Motion #4 carried.

Senator Brady moved to remove sections 5 through 11 from the bill. Seconded.

The Senators discussed this change.

Motion #5 carried unanimously with one abstention (Senator Kent).

Senator Potenza moved to pass the act as amended. Seconded. No further debate 14-1-2. Motion #5 carried.

7.0 Open Agenda

The Executive Treasurer presented the Fall Revision Budget and directed Senator Brady, member of the Budget Committee to speak about its contents. The Senators and the Executive Treasurer discussed the budget.  Senator Benelyahoo move to adopt the Fall 2008 Budget Revision. Seconded. No Debate. 15-0-2. Motion #6 carried.

Senator Brady mentioned the USG-planned budget cut protest.

The representative from NYPIRG talked about the upcoming elections and the NYPIRG Book Exchange.

The SAB Chair thanked the budget committee and the Senate for the recent budget revision.

Senator Wind mentioned that Academic Affairs Committee will be meeting after this meeting.

Senator Kent mentioned that the Legislative Review Committee should meet after this meeting to determine when to meet next.

Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.