Stony Brook University Undergraduate Student Government Senate

Regular Meeting

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Meeting called to order at 8:36 PM in Room 311 of the SAC

Executive VP John Kriscenski presiding

1.0 Attendance

A quorum is present.

2.0 Announcements

Executive VP Kriscenski made several announcements to the Senate.

-He noted that Sen. Tilley resigned his Senate seat as well as his position as President Pro Tempore after being elected VP of Student Life

-He congratulated new Senators on their election and announced their appointments to committees.  Sen. Graber appealed the decision of the Chair to make such an appointment with the position of President Pro Tempore being vacant.  The motion was not seconded.

3.0 Approval of minutes from 10/22/09

Sen. Graber made a motion to clarify which Sen. Khan made several motions.  In Section 3.0 “A.” should be inserted.  In Section 4.0 under ASBO “M” should be inserted, in “Pull Off Your Shorts,” “A.” should be inserted.  In section 5.0 “A” should be inserted before Motion #4; “M” should be inserted before the motion to approve amendment to section 5.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was held and the motion carried.  Sen. Machalow made a motion to make 2 grammatical corrections: insert “made” in section 5.0, and changed “would” to “will” in Section 6.0.  Seconded and passed without objection.  Sen. M. Khan made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded and passed without objection.

4.0 Executive Council Reports

President Wilson made a report to the Senate.

VP Reji made a report to the Senate.

VP Mazza made a report to the Senate.  A written report is provided.

VP Tilley made a report to the Senate.

Senior Class Rep Yu introduced herself to the Senate.

Junior Class Rep Chan made a report.  A written report is provided.

Sophomore Class Rep introduced herself to the Senate.

5.0 Agency Reports

Special Services Council Chair Mashouf made a report.  A written report is provided.

Student Activities Board Chair Davis provided a written report.

6.0 Special Services Council Bylaw Revisions

Executive VP Kriscenski announced that Senator Haq raised a point of order regarding last week’s vote.  According to the USG Constitution, all legislation and bylaw revisions must be approved by a majority of the filled Senate seats and the Amendments to Sections 2C and 8A received a vote of 7-6-1.  Therefore, as per the constitution, these Amendments did not pass (17 Senate seats were filled at time of vote).  Since it was announced improperly at last week’s meeting, Executive VP Kriscenski allowed the Senate to revisit these revisions.

Sen. Graber made a motion to refer the Special Services Bylaw Amendments 2C and 8A to committee.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken.  Motion carried (15-0-1).

7.0 Appropriations Act #2

An appropriation of $576 for the Community Service Club was presented for approval.  Sen. Haq made a motion to postpone this act until next Senate meeting due to procedural issues with the appropriation.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken (15-0-1).

8.0 Appropriations Act #3

An appropriation of $7500 for the Special Services Council was presented to the Senate by Sen. Haq.  Questions were taken by S.S.C. Chair Mashouf and Sen. Haq.   A lengthy debate was held on the amount.  Sen. Ahmad made a motion to approve the appropriation.  Seconded.  After no further debate a vote was taken.  Motion carried and Appropriation Act #3 was approved (15-0-2).

9.0 Act to Repeal the Executive Council Visibility Act

Presented by Sen. M. Khan.   A discussion was held.  Sen. M. Khan made a motion to repeal the Executive Council Visibility Act.  After no further debate a vote was taken.  Executive Council Visibility Act was repealed (13-3-0).

10.0 Open Agenda

Sen. Haq thanked Sen. Graber for his effort in getting new office chairs.

Executive Vice President Kriscenski announced that the resignation of the President Pro Tempore was received after the meeting’s agenda was printed.  He announced that the election would be on next week’s agenda, but entertained any motions on the issue if the Senate felt it necessary to hold elections now.  A discussion was held, but no motions were made.

Sen. Benelyahoo encouraged Senators to come to him or Pres. Wilson or Sen. A. Khan with ideas for changes to food services, etc. for FSA.

Pres. Wilson addressed the Senate regarding Flex increase.  VP Mazza spoke about potential tuition increases to hire additional faculty.  Student input is important.

The meeting was adjourned at  9:40  pm.