Stony Brook University – Undergraduate Student Government – Senate

Regular Meeting – Thursday, November 6, 2008

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

1.0  Attendance

Members present:

Senator Matthew Anderson

Senator Sungyong Bae

Senator Aneta Bose

Senator Ebbie Boutehsaz

Senator Kevin Brady

Senator Shahzad Chaudry

Senator Shamell Forbes

Senator Daniel Graber

Senator Steven Hauptman

Senator Adam Kent

Senator John Kriscenski

Senator Dae Young Lee

Senator Sean Moore

Senator Adal Regis

Senator Ashley Reji

Senator Blake Wind

Senator Jonathan Harounian

Members absent:

Senator Aahron Benelyahoo (excused)

Senator Shamell Forbes (excused)

Senator Lauren Potenza (unexcused)

Senator Kathleen Shultz (unexcused)

Guests present:

President Jeffrey Akita

2.0  Old Business – SSC Allocations

The SSC Chair was present to answer questions about the SSC allocation. The Senators asked numerous questions about the scheduled allocation.

Senator Hauptman moved to approve the $750 allocation for the International Relations Society. Seconded.  14-0-3, Motion #1 carried.

3.0  Announcements

The Chair welcomed the newly elected Senators (Senators Regis and Senator Graber). Senator Shultz welcomed the Senators. The Chair also announced the protest against the budget cuts. Senator Anderson asked if there are any plans in the works to go to Albany to lobby the State legislators. The Chair stated that although USG has no plans, NYPIRG may be doing that.  Senator Regis asked who the representative from NYPIRG is. The Chair stated that the representative is usually at the Senate meetings.  Senator Graber asked what the course of the events at the protest will be and the Chair stated that there is no agenda for the protest.

4.0  Executive Council Reports.

Vice-President of Academic Affaris Brian DeRosiers did not appear as scheduled.

Other Executive Council members submitted reports which the Senators reviewed.

Senator Shultz asked if a Vice-President of Clubs and Organzations has been appointed. The Chair stated that the former Sophomore Class Representative was appointed to the post, and according to the “Checks and Balance Act” which was passed last week would need confirmation from the Senate.

Senator Kent indicated that the President will be vetoing the act. The Chair stated that the Senate will wait for the official veto and if vetoed, the act will then come back to the Senate for a re-vote.

Senator Anderson asked if the act goes into effect when the President signs it? The Chair it goes into effect when it goes it is signed.

President Akita appeared to answer questions about the act which he was possibly vetoing.  The President and the Senators engaged in a dialogue about the contents of the “Checks and Balances Act”.

The President and the Senate discussed the upcoming USG-sponsored budget cut protest and the possibility of protesting in Albany.

5.0  Committee Changes

Senator Brady was removed from the Programming and Activities Committee and assigned to the Legislative Review Committee.

Senator Hauptman was removed from the Legislative Review Committee and assigned to the Programming and Activities Committee.

Senator Graber was assigned to the Legislative Review Committee and Programming and Activities Committee.

Senator Regis was assigned to the Rules Committee and the Academic Affairs/Clubs and Organizations Committee.

6.0  Open Agenda

Senator Kent stated that Legislative Review Committee will be meeting in the Senate office after the Senate meeting.

Senator Anderson stated that the Rules Committee will be meeting after the Senate meeting and stated that the Budget Committee may also be meeting.

Senator Brady mentioned how successful turnout efforts on Election Day were.  Senator Kriscenski stated that we had a 90% turnout on campus.

Senator Anderson stated there have been significant changes in the State Senate may help education efforts.

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm.