Stony Brook University Undergraduate Student Government Senate

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Meeting called to order at 7:13 PM in SAC Ballroom B, Executive VP John Kriscenski presiding.

1.0 Attendance: See above

2.0 Announcements

-The USG Social and President’s meeting were each a success.  VP of Student Life Tilley was congratulated on his efforts at making the events successful.

-All members of the Senate not on the Budget Committee are appointed to the Budget subcommittee for budget hearings. Treasurer Khan will be holding training sessions for senators.

3.0 Approval of the Minutes from 2/2/2010

-Sen. Graber made a motion to mark VP Tilley as late.  Seconded and approved without objection.  Sen. Machalow made a motion to mark Junior Class Rep Chan as late.  Seconded and approved without objection.  Sen. Machalow made a motion to approve the minutes as amended.  Seconded and approved without objection.

3.5 Confirmation of Appointment to the Senate College of Arts and Sciences

-Jennifer Hand, presented by PPT Haq.  Ms. Hand addressed the Senate and took questions.  Sen. Machalow made a motion to confirm Ms. Hand.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken, and Ms. Hand was confirmed 12-1-0.  Sen. Hand was seated immediately.

4.0 Special Services Council Allocations

-Chairman Mashouf presented the following allocations to the senate for approval:

-Korean Christian Fellowship: $816.80.   Sen. Ahmad made a motion to approve the allocation.  Seconded.  After a brief debate a vote was taken and the allocation was approved 13-0-1.

-Craft Club: $560.  Questions were taken.  Sen. Harounian made a motion to approve the allocation.  Seconded.   After no debate a vote was taken and the motion carried 12-2-0

-Computer Engineering: $93.70.  A discussion was held on the club and its activities.  Sen. Machalow made a motion to approve the allocation.  Seconded.  A debate was held.  A vote was taken, and the motion failed to pass (0-12-2).

5.0 Special Services Recommendations for Line Item Budget Status:

Chairman Mashouf presented the following groups:

-SBU Freethinkers: Sen. Kashan made a motion to approve.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken.  Motion carried (12-1-1).

Sen. Cushner arrived at 7:33 PM

-SBU Pre-Law: Sen. Cushing made a motion to approve the group.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken.  Motion carried (13-0-2).

-ASCEND: Sen. Graber made a motion to approve ASCEND.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken and the motion was approved unanimously (15-0-0).

-Korean Christian Fellowship: A discussion was held.  Sen. Haq made a motion to approve KCF for line item status.  After a brief debate, a vote was taken and the motion carried (14-1-0).

6.0 ALLOCATE Presentation:

Sen. Dimitriyadi presented the Allocate system to e-track vouchers for clubs.  He gave a brief demonstration of the program’s capabilities.  A lengthy discussion was held and questions were taken.  11 clubs are currently testing the system.

7.0 2010 Office of Web Technologies and Financial Informatics Act:

Sen. Dimitriyadi, the author of the act, presented it to the Senate and took questions.  A lengthy discussion was held.   Sen. Graber made a motion to amend Sec. 6.3 to read “USG Agency or Branch.”  No second.  Sen. Cushing made a motion to approve the Act.  Seconded.  Sen. Machalow made a motion to amend Section 7 to have numbers instead of a, b, c, etc.  Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken and the amendment was approved unanimously (15-0-0).  Additional debate was held on the Act.  Debate ended and a vote was taken.  The Act was approved (14-0-1). 

8.0 Appropriations Act 9 – $4700 for USG Office Operations

-Treasure Khan presented the Act.  A discussion was held.  Sen. Khan made a motion to approve. Seconded.  After no debate, the motion carried unanimously (15-0-0).

9.0 Appropriations Act 10 – $5000 for SUNY Student Assembly

-Treasurer Khan presented the Act.  Sen. Fan made a motion to approve.  Seconded.  After a brief debate a vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously (15-0-0).

10.0 Appropriations Act 14 – $4500 for Computer Equipment for USG

-Treasurer Khan presented the Act.  Sen. Fan made a motion to approve the Act.  Seconded.  After no debate the motion was approved unanimously (15-0-0).

11.0 Confirmation of the Presidential Appointment of Senior Class Rep

-PPT Haq presented the candidate, Jackson Georges, Jr., for Senior Class Representative.  Sen. Kashan made a motion to approve Mr. Georges.  Seconded.  After no debate, a vote was taken.  Mr. Georges was approved (14-0-1).

12.0 Moved to item 3.5 per Executive VP Kriscenski

13.0 Confirmation of the VP of Student Life’s Assistants:

-Andrew Nanayakkara (present)

-Patrice Zapiti (not present)

VP Tilley presented the candidates to the Senate.  Questions were taken from the floor. Sen. Benelyahoo arrived at 8:13

A lengthy discussion was held.  Sen. Fan made a motion to confirm Mr. Nanayakkara.  Seconded.  A debate was held.  Sen. Khan called the question.  Question called (15-1-0)

A vote was taken and Mr. Nanayakkara was confirmed 11-3-2.  Sen. Graber made a motion to postpone the approval of Ms. Zapiti to next meeting.  Seconded.   A debate was held.  Sen. Cushing called the question (passed, 16-0-0).  A vote was taken on the original motion to postpone the confirmation.  The motion failed, 2-13-1.  Sen. Ahmad made a motion to approve Ms. Zapiti.  Seconded.  A debate was held.  Sen. Khan called the question (passed, 16-0-0).  A vote was taken to confirm Ms. Zapiti.  Motion carried 14-2-0.

14.0 2010 Senate Resolution Establishing an Ad-hoc Committee to Examine Proposed Tuition Increase

-Presented by Sen. Machalow, who spoke on behalf of the resolution.  A discussion was held.  Sen. Fan made a motion to approve the resolution.  Seconded.  Debate was held.  Sen. Graber called the question (passed, 12-4-0).  A vote was taken on the original motion.  Motion carried (7-6-3).

15.0 P.A.S.S. Act Revision

– Sen. Dimitriyadi presented the revision to the Senate.  Sen. Dimitriyadi made a motion to strike Sec. 2 in its entirety and renumber the following sections.  Seconded.  After no debate or objection, the revision act was amended.  Sen. Machalow made a motion to change “original” à “existing” in the subtitle and add a period.  Seconded and passed without objection.  Sen. Graber made a motion to pass the revision. Seconded.  After no debate a vote was taken.  Revision approved (15-0-1).

16.0 Open Agenda

-Sen. Benelyahoo discussed FSA issues, including Student Health insurance, Kelly dining renovations, signs on buildings, and a food cart in library.  Any ideas on food services should be presented to FSA.

-Aarti from NYPIRG addressed the Senate.  Campus activism workshops are scheduled to be held.  Brendan from NYPIRG spoke about Lobby Day.  Students from all over the state are going to Albany on March 9 to meet with legislators.

VP Kriscenski adjourned the meeting at 8:54 pm.