May 2, 2010

Dearest Beloved Constituents,

I hope the end of the semester finds you in good spirits, well-prepared for finals.  As the semester draws to a close, I hope you take advantage of the beautiful weather and the beautifully-blooming campus.  As usual, I’ve taken great pleasure in serving you over the past month.

Prior to the first meeting in April, I was quite busy.  Along with my distinguished colleague, Senator Geckle, I worked on two resolutions.  The first one, in response to repeated state-level budget cuts, condemns the state budget cuts to Stony Brook, resolving that New York State must stop slashing Stony Brook University’s budget, properly fund our institution of higher learning, and reminds legislators that students, as voters, have the ability to vote against those who do not believe in funding the education of the next generation.  The second resolution, in response to the Administration’s decision to close down the campus at Southampton, condemns that action and the rapidity at which this decision was made.  It resolves that Southampton is important to the University community, that the state needs to adequately fund Stony Brook (and thus not force the University as a whole to absorb $34 million in cuts this year alone), and that the decision to curtail operations at Southampton must be rescinded.

For those of you who are wondering what these resolutions do practically, unfortunately, our resolutions are non-binding expressions of the will of the undergraduate student body, but they still make great press releases, and hopefully garner attention so that our opinions are taken into consideration.  One of the first duties assigned to the Undergraduate Student Government is to “provide leadership that will ensure the undergraduate student voice will be a powerful force in all decisions made at Stony Brook.”  One of the duties assigned specifically to the Senate is to write and pass resolutions “on issues of importance to the undergraduate student body in regards to academic policy, student rights, and student welfare” these two resolutions were just publicizing the feelings of the student body.

Additionally at the first meeting in April, the Senate was faced with tough decisions.  The 2010 Employment Act outlines the various offices in the Executive branch, the number of hours per Office per week, and made hiring and termination of employees much more streamlined.  The 2010 Due Compensation Act was intended to adjust payroll and clearly outline how much each official/employee was to be paid.  Of utmost importance at that meeting, the Senate voted unanimously to extend the deadline on the 2010-2011 Undergraduate Student Government Budget.  The Treasury was given until April 30^th to come back with a new, revised budget that took into account the displaced Stony Brook Southampton students.

The second meeting in April proved to be quite interesting and very informative.  After viewing a presentation by Dr. DiMonda on the Campus Recreation Center, the Senate took up the 2010 Establishment of Student Life Act.  After reviewing the bill at least twice before in committee, I was happy to see that all of the Legislative Review Committee’s hard work was fruitful.  Overall, I thought the bill was well put together, yet it still needed to be amended on the floor, just to insert a few clarifying lines.  Personally, I didn’t believe debate should have been cut off, but by allowing the Senate to vote via secret ballot, people were able to vote with their consciences.  In the end, the bill passed 16-4-0.  The final thing on our agenda that evening was Senator Geckle’s brainchild, the Senate Resolution Decrying the Scheduling of Classes during Campus Lifetime.  I motioned to approve it, as the nearly 20-year old tradition of Campus Lifetime is being encroached upon by classes that do not necessarily have to be scheduled during what should be the campus-wide break.

Prior to the final meeting in April, I was appointed to an ad-hoc committee to vet President Wilson’s nominee for one of the openings on the USG Supreme Court.  His confirmation passed by a vote of 14-2.  Also at this meeting, we voted again to extend the budget deadline to give Treasurer Khan and the Budget Committee time to meet with the clubs from Southampton and transition them onto the budget this weekend.  The Office of the Executive Vice President Act clarified the duties of the Office, and restated the constitutional duties of the Executive Vice President.   The final act on our agenda dealt with the issue of Southampton.  I believed it was defeatist to remove the structure governing Southampton now, when the buildings are being maintained.  The campus and its academic programs could reopen in the future, when there is a more positive economic outlook, in which case, the USG Code will need to be amended again.

As always, I’ve enjoyed serving you immensely.  Best of luck on finals!  Enjoy summer!

Warmest Regards,

Deborah Machalow

USG Senator