Stony Brook University Undergraduate Student Government Senate

Regular Meeting

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Meeting called to order at 7:06 PM, Executive VP Geeta Malieckal presiding

1.0 Attendance

Present

Matthew Anderson

Aharon Benelyahoo

Aneta Bose

Ebbie Boutehsaz

Kevin Brady

Shamell Forbes

Daniel Graber

Jonathan Harounian

Steven Hauptman

Adam Kent

John Kriscenski

Dae Young Lee

Kirin Mahmud

Sean Moore

Adal Regis

Kathleen Schultz

Blake Wind

Excused

Shahzad Chaudry

Lauren Potenza

Ashley Reji

A quorum is present.

2.0 Minutes from 2/19/09

Motion made by Sen. Benelyahoo to approve the minutes.  Seconded.  2 items/corrections 1) Sen. Wind’s name appeared as both present and absent. 2) Sen. Benelyahoo name omitted from Motion #1.  After no further discussion, a vote was taken by voice.  Motion #1 carried 17-0-0.

3.0 Senate Appointments

Executive VP Malieckal relinquished the chair to Sen. Kriscenski  at 7:12 in order to present the candidates

3.1 College of Arts and Sciences: Syed Haq presented for candidacy and questions.  Sen. Boutehsaz made a motion to vote on Mr. Haq’s candidacy. Seconded. After brief discussion a vote was taken.  Motion #2 carried 16-0-1.  Syed Haq elected to Undergraduate Senate.  A round of applause was given to Sen. Haq.

3.2 Health Sciences:  Sassan Mesbah presented for candidacy and questions.

Sen. Anderson made a motion to approve Mr. Mesbah.  Seconded.  After brief discussion a vote was taken.  Motion #3 carried 15-0-3.  Sassan Mesbah elected to Undergraduate Sentate. A round of applause was given to Sen. Mesbah.

Executive VP Malieckal resumed the chair at 7:20

4.0 SSC Allocations

-SBU Freethinkers budget request ($1350) for guest speaker presented.

Sen. Kent made a motion to approve the motion with an amendment to decrease the hotel stay for speaker from 3 nights to 2 nights. Seconded.  After some debate, a vote was taken with  to approve the allocation for $1200.  Motion #4 carried 11-5-3.

-Bowling Club allocation request for $375 presented.

Sen. Graber made a motion to approve the allocation for the bowling club. Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken.  Motion #5 carried 17-0-2

-Vincent Chin Memorial allocation ($997) presented:

Sen. Kent made a motion to strike the $500 for Glossy print lit from the allocation.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken.   Motion carried #6 carried. 18-0-1

Sen. Graber made a motion to approve the allocation for $497. Seconded Sen. Forbes exited at 7:35. A vote was taken. Motion #7 carried 15-2-1

5.0 Appointment of President’s Assistant

Pres. Akita took the floor.

Sen. Forbes returned at 7:37

Natasha Jean-Lovis presented as candidate for President’s Assistant.  A discussion was held.  Sen. Shultz made a motion to approve Ms. Jean-Lovis.  After no debate, a vote was taken.  Motion #8 carried 19-0-0.

6.0 Announcements

Executive VP Malieckal congratulated Sen. Regis and Sen. Brady specifically, and then the entire senate on a successful protest.

Sen. Regis spoke on the success of the protest. 500-600 attended.

A round of applause was given to NYPIRG.

-Senate reports due by tonight to Executive VP.

-Send Office Hours to Executive VP ASAP.

Pres. Akita commended the exceptional job of the Senate and NYPIRG helping at the protest.  He charged all members of Senate to identify needs on campus for allocation of remaining funds.  Bring proposals to Senate floor.

Point of Information by Sen. Kent.  Proposals for funding should go to budget committee.

7.0 Open Agenda

Sen. Kent presented a Resolution for Constitutional Amendment Committee.   Questions were taken.  Sen. Anderson made a motion to approve with one spelling correction.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken to approve the Constitution Amendment Committee with spelling correction.   Motion #9 carried 15-0-4

Sen. Brady presented a proposal for an Additional $400 requested for March’s Leadership day to cover cost of food.

Sen. Benelyahoo made a motion to approve $400 allocation for March Leadership day.  Seconded.  Sen. Hauptman left at 7:56 After no debate a vote was taken.  Motion carried 17-0-0

Sen.  Regis mentioned that Gov. Patterson would be on Long Island tomorrow speaking at a local school.

The meeting was adjourned by Executive VP Malieckal at 7:58.