Senate of the Undergraduate Student Government

At Stony Brook University

The regular weekly meeting of the Undergraduate Student Government was held on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at 8:38 PM in room 311 of the Student Activity Center, the Executive Vice President being in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved as corrected by the Chair.

1.0 Attendance was taken; quorum was achieved:

Senator Tiffany Abrishamian                              Present

Senator Tahir Ahmad                                           Present, left at 10:48 without leave.

Senator Ory Baum                                                Present

Senator Aharon Benelyahoo                                                Present

Senator Aneta Bose                                               Present

Senator Spencer Cushing                                     Present

Senator Jordan Cushner                                      Absent

Senator Alexander Dimitriyadi                            Present

Senator Runyu Fan                                               Excused

Senator Theresa Geckle                                        Present

Senator Daniel Graber                                          Present, left without leave during the Ex. Session

Senator Michael Hagler                                        Present, arrived late 9:10

Senator Syed Haq (PPT)                                      Present

Senator Jonathan Harounian                               Present

Senator Mahyar Kashan                                      Present

Senator Aysha Khan                                             Present

Senator Moiz Khan                                               Present

Senator Deborah Machalow                                                Present

Senator Alexandria Lanza                                    Present

Senator Kirin Mahmud (CSA)                             Present

Senator Nicole Mbisike                                         Present

Senator Craig McCarthy (RHA)                           Present

Non-Voting Members:

President Jasper Wilson                                    Present

Treasurer Matt Anderson                  Present

VP of Communications David Mazza            Late

VP of Student Life Keith Tilley                         Present

VP of Clubs and Orgs Ashley Reji                   Late

VP of Academic Affairs Shamell Forbes       Late

Senior Class Rep. Alice Yu                                Late

Junior Class Rep. Jennifer Chan                      Late

Sophomore Class Rep. Kate Patestas            Absent

Freshmen Class Rep. Catherine Young         Late

2.0 Announcements

3.0 Previous Minutes. As previously noted, the minutes were amended and approved for the meeting of November 12, 2009. (Copies of amendments are in the possession of the Executive Vice President).

4.0 Executive Council Reports

The following officers presented the reports on their respective duties and activities:

(1)  President Wilson stated that the new dorm building with 600 beds is scheduled to be open in the spring, which will end the tripling issues. Groundbreaking for Recreation building is expected in January-February.

(2)  The Vice President of Clubs and Organizations submitted a written report.

(3)  The Vice President of Communications, stated his written report would be submitted after the meeting.

(4)  The VP of Academic Affairs presented his report.  He stated that there would be a midyear cut for SUNY, this year and the year after will be the worst due to the federal stimulus plan. Flex tuition is still on the table. Also, he is working with PASS.

(5)  The VP of Student Life presented a written report.  He stated there is a date for the presidential meeting: February the 9^th.

(6)  The Senior Class Representative submitted a written report.

(7)  The Junior Class Representative submitted a written report.

(8)  The Sophomore Class Representative was absent, no report was submitted as of the meeting time.

(9)  The Freshmen Class Representative submitted a written report.

5.0 Agency Reports

The Advocate General and Events Management Chair each submitted a written report for their respective offices.

6.0 SSC Allocations

No representative of the SCC was present to present this item to the Senate. Senator Benelyahoo moved to postpone the allocation until a representative is present. The motion passed. 10-8, with 1 abstention

7.0 Campus Media Outreach Act.

Senator Graber presented the bill.

Senator Graber moved for an informal vote in support of the bill. Motion passed, 19-0 with 1 abstention.

The informal vote was taken, 18 in favor of the bill, zero opposed, with 2 abstentions.

Senator Ahmad moved to pass the bill. The bill failed to be passed, 1-16, with 3 abstentions.

8.0 Appropriate Office Behavior Enforcement Act

Senator Machalow presented the bill.

Senator Graber moved to amend Section 2(B) by inserting after the word “Obscenity” the words: “(Must include all of the following:).” The amendment passed, 19-1.

Senator Haq moved to pass the bill as amended. The bill was passed 17-3.

9.0 Zebra Path Resolution

The resolution was presented by Senator McCarthy.

Senator McCarthy moved to adopt the resolution. The resolution was adopted 16-3, with 1 abstention.

10.0 Appropriations Act #7

Treasurer Anderson presented the bill relating to an appropriation of $1,530.00 for a presidential meet and greet and USG mixer.

Senator Ahmad moved to pass the bill. The bill passed unanimously.

11.0 Appropriations Act #8

The Treasurer presented a bill to appropriate $22,000 for Senior Week.

Senator Benelyahoo moved to pass the bill. The bill was passed 19-0, with 1 abstention.

12.0 PASS Bylaw Revisions

Revisions to the PASS bylaws were presented by the VP of Academic Affairs.

Senator Machalow moved to recommit the revisions to the Rules Committee. The motion passed 16-0, with 4 abstentions.

13.0 Open Agenda

Community Service Club inquired about budget confusion, which appeared to be resolved to their satisfaction.

14.0 Executive Session for Considering Disciplinary Matters

Senator Haq moved to enter executive session to discuss disciplinary issues. The motion passed 19-1.

Senator Graber moved to invite Treasurer Anderson as a guest with speaking privileges to the Executive Session. Motion passed unanimously, 20-0.

As the meeting time was about to expire, the Senate voted to extend length of meeting until issue was disposed of.  The motion, requiring a two-thirds vote, passed 18-1.

Senator Machalow moved to adopt the Resolution Impeaching Matthew Anderson, Treasurer of the USG. The vote was directed to be taken by secret ballot. The Resolutions were adopted unanimously.

Senator Haq and Senator Benelyahoo volunteered to be the case managers.  They were approved by the Senate without objection.

Meeting Adjourned by the Chair at 11:00 PM.