SGA SENATE MEETING
August 31, 2009
OFFICERS PRESENT: Glenn Gardner, Kimberly Proctor, Michael Baldwin, Gregory Bettis, Colin Al-Greene, Ashley Pittman
OFFICERS ABSENT: N/A
OFFICERS ON LEAVE: N/A
SENATORS PRESENT: Ashley Guy, Eric Beovich, Paige Perry, Daniel Reid, Jeremy Johnson, Sean Ramsey, Brandon Richardson, Will Thomas, Adam Langan, Greg Youngblood, John Miner, Benjamin Kuyk, Hannah Sanders, Lauren Gessner, Cameron Macon, Basia Smith, Julie Tanner, Christopher Jones, Sidney King, Emily Carlson, Alan Sells, Blair Segers, Brittany Sterling
SENATORS ABSENT: Lauryn Davis, Jacob Mahan, Nelson Argueta, Todd Fowler
SENATORS ON LEAVE: N/A
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion: Approve minutes of 8/24/09.
Sponsor: Guy
PASSED
OFFICER’S REPORTS:
President: Gardner thanked all organizations and senators for coming to the meeting. He also reminded everyone that there is currently an open seat for the College of Education, and that he needs a senator to sit in on those interviews.
Vice President: Proctor asked senators from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education to meet with her after the meeting.
Treasurer: Baldwin explained how appropriations would work during the meeting.
Attorney General: N/A
Chief Justice: Al-Greene is currently in need of two Associate Justices and one defense attorney. Anyone interested should see him for an application.
Student-At-Large: Pittman explained that this Friday is “College Color Day” and that students who wear red can win prizes and get discounts on food. She also talked about the pep rally on Thursday and asked for the senators’ help in setting up for this event.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Senator Guy mentioned that goals for the SGA this year are adding new parking areas and improving the Jagtran routes.
SPECIAL ORDERS:
Dean Mitchell explained the parking options available for football games this fall. The first option is to take the Jagtran from the College of Business to Ladd-Peebles Stadium. This service is free to students but will cost $5 for everyone else. The second choice is to take a shuttle from the Bel Air Mall to the stadium. Again, this service is free to all students and $2.50 for everyone else. The Bel Air shuttle will be a continuous shuttle, but the MCOB shuttle will only return once the game is over. The third option is to attempt to find a parking space at the stadium. Only student organizations will have parking passes, however, if they have not been picked up from the office before 5 PM on Wednesday, those passes will be available for students on a first-come, first-serve basis.
OLD BUSINESS: N/A
NEW BUSINESS:
Motion: Amend the budget to $84,000 and add a co-sponsorship of $15,000
Sponsor: Guy
Stating:
GUY: I just noticed there wasn’t any money recommended for the co-sponsorship and I just figured we should at least give them some money since they won’t be able to get any through appropriations.
RAMSEY: Yeah, if we do change this, we are going to have a lot of problems because we can go over our appropriations budget and we don’t want to do that because there are a lot of groups asking for appropriations.
PERRY: Um, I move to close the floor. (not seconded)
BALDWIN: Um, it’s not feasible to do what you just suggested we do. The way appropriations work, we assume a lower reimbursement rate that we approve, so this $99,000 that we approve is not in our means. Co-sponsorship, we can’t have a lower reimbursement rate so that’s not possible.
SMITH: Is the appropriations budget the recommended total, or…?
BALDWIN: The appropriations budget includes the requested values and a $7,000 buffer.
GUY: As senators of SGA, we have the right to spend as much money as we want to and allocate it as we want.
GESSNER: I think if anything we should just have a $7,000 co-sponsorship budget.
PROCTOR: Let me remind you all, co-sponsorships have always been based on if we have the money left over or not.
YOUNGBLOOD: I move to close the floor.
Motion: Roll call vote to amend the budget to $84,000 and add a co-sponsorship of $15,000
Sponsor: Guy
Stating: To amend the budget, a 2/4 vote is required.
Motion
does not pass.
Motion: Approve $99,000 as the budget
Sponsor: Smith
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Approve $27, 500 as the salary budget.
Sponsor: Ramsey
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Approve the operating budget of $56,000
Sponsor: Sells
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Approve a $1,541.02 budget to ACM
Sponsor: Ramsey
Stating:
PERRY: What is ACM and what is your project?
ACM Rep: ACM is the Association for Computing Machinery and we have a project we are working on, it’s basically going to be a solar-powered robot.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,346.77 to ACM-W
Sponsor: Gessner
Stating:
PROCTOR: How is ACM different from ACM-W?
ACM-W REP: We are similar, but we are more into getting women involved in computing machinery. So we do joint projects but we are more for women.
GUY: So is your project the same robot thing?
ACM-W REP: Well, sometimes yes and sometimes no. We will be working on their project but we also have an individual project.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $750 to ACS Student Affiliates
Sponsor: Perry
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $265.50 to the African Student Association
Sponsor: Jones
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $605 to Air Force ROTC
Sponsor: Youngblood
Stating: The group requested $2,000 but was missing names and Jag Numbers. A representative brought required names and Jag Numbers to tonight’s meeting.
YOUNGBLOOD: I would like to rescind my motion.
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Air Force ROTC
Sponsor: Youngblood
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $663 to AL-PASS
Sponsor: Thomas
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,000 to Alpha Kappa Delta
Sponsor: Carlson
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Alpha Kappa Psi
Sponsor: Tanner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Sponsor: Kuyk
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to the American Medical Society Medical Student Section
Sponsor: Perry
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $525 to the Anthropology Club
Sponsor: Reid
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Army ROTC Color Guard
Sponsor: Miner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Army ROTC Ranger Challenge Team
Sponsor: Guy
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to ARMY ROTC Scabbard and Blade
Sponsor: Segers
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $966.10 to the Astronomy Club
Sponsor: King
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $499.99 to Beta Alpha Psi
Sponsor: Sterling
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,073.56 to Biology Graduate Association
Sponsor: Beovich
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,370.35 Biology Student Association
Sponsor: Guy
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Campus Outreach
Sponsor: Richardson
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Catholic Student Association
Sponsor: Johnson
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Chi Omega
Sponsor: Macon
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $200 to Chinese Students Scholar Association
Sponsor: Youngblood
Stating: This organization was missing paperwork. They have now refilled for appropriations with correct paperwork, but to get the full amount they requested, the organization will need to come to the appropriations meeting on September 14.
Motion was rescinded.
Motion: Appropriate $312.49 to College Democrats
Sponsor: Segers
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 to Collegiate Music Educators
Sponsor: Thomas
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,000 to Communication Graduate Students Association
Sponsor: Ramsey
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $999.69 to Eta Kappa Nu
Sponsor: Kuyk
Stating:
LANGAN: What are the projects you’ll be working on?
ETA KAPPA NU REP: Um, these projects are for seniors in Electrical Engineering. It’s actually separated into about five groups and as part of graduation you have to do this project.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,467.97 to FLOSS USA
Sponsor: Johnson
Stating:
PROCTOR: Can you tell us what FLOSS is?
FLOSS USA REP: It’s a student organization that promotes the use and learning through open source software.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $811.75 to Future Farm D. Association
Sponsor: Sanders
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $300 to Geography Club
Sponsor: Miner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $975.26 to Geology Club
Sponsor: Reid
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,500 to Honors Program
Sponsor: Sterling
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,523.56 IEEE
Sponsor: Richardson
Stating:
SMITH: What is IEEE?
IEEE REP: It’s the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
SMITH: How is that different from Eta Kappa Nu?
IEEE REP: Um, Eta Kappa Nu is our honor society.
SMITH: Okay.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $953.72 to Independent Music Collective
Sponsor: King
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,425.00 to Instructional Design and Development Group
Sponsor: Beovich
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000 Jaguar Joggers
Sponsor: Gessner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,175.00 to Kappa Delta Pi
Sponsor: Ramsey
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 to Model United Nations
Sponsor: Sanders
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $500.00 to Mortar Board
Sponsor: Carlson
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $982.10 to Muslim Student Association
Sponsor: Tanner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $630.00 to National Society of Black Engineers
Sponsor: Langan
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,210.00 to Nepalese Student Association
Sponsor: Segers
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
**NSSLHA will be discussed next week.
**Object Association for 3 Dimensional Artists has had to refile their
paperwork; discussion will take place next week.
Motion: Appropriate $258.06 to Pi Theta Epsilon Occupational Therapy Honor Society
Sponsor: Guy
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $290.00 to Sigma Alpha Iota
Sponsor: Perry
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,139.99 to Society of Anime and Gaming Experience
Sponsor: Smith
GUY: Can we elaborate on what this society would use this money for?
BALDWIN: The organization requested money for website upkeep, a trip to Anime South convention, and anime DVDs.
PERRY: Can you or the representative elaborate on how this is educational? Cause if I’m not mistaken, shouldn’t it have an educational benefit?
BALDWIN: The rule 700.1 is as follows: ‘Activities being subsidized or funded by the SGA must benefit the students in a timely and direct manner.’
PROCTOR: Okay, I’m going to read this rule and I want Senator Ramsey to explain how he interpreted it. ‘700.1.6: SGA will not pay for equipment such as but not limited to any type of media equipment, digital cameras, computers, printers, videos. The only exception would be for equipment that is not available on campus and is vital for the organization to function.’
RAMSEY: Well the DVDs are needed for the organization to function, so the artists can get their works out.
PROCTOR: Will the representative explain how you will use this equipment?
REPRESENTATIVE: Well the DVDs are what we use to make our club run. We use these to show at our meetings and it’s good because a lot of our members are graphic design majors and it gives them a chance to see some new styles and improve their work. And they would be stored in the Communications Building, in our Sponsor’s office.
GUY: What kind of things are on these DVDs?
REPRESENTATIVE: They are anime DVDs.
GUY: What does it say? I just don’t understand what’s on the DVD?
REPRESENTATIVE: Different shows.
GUY: What kind of shows?
REPRESENTATIVE: Anime.
GUY: But what is that?
REPRESENTATIVE: It’s like a cartoon.
GUY: How is that educational?
REPRESENTATIVE: It’s a different style of cartoon, mainly Japanese animation, so it’s multi-cultural. And a lot of the shows are in a different language and the art is different from American cartoons.
SMITH: You’ve got a lot of groups like Equestrian, Longboarding, Sailing, Soccer, Independent Music Collective, stuff that’s not educational but still ask us for money. So I don’t see how this is different because it’s good for artists, graphic design majors, even film majors.
REID: I feel that the Senators are being kind of closed-minded about this, because it’s not something they’re interested in doesn’t mean that other students wouldn’t enjoy being a part of it, so I want you guys to think about that.
KING: I just wanted to agree with Reid. I think a lot of students could benefit, and I think we just need to be a little more open-minded.
Motion: Appropriate $1139.99 to Society of Anime and Gaming Experience
Sponsor: Richardson
PASSED BY ROLL CALL
VOTE
Motion: Discuss why Society of Automotive Engineering wants $9,078.54
Sponsor: Johnson
Stating:
PROCTOR: I’d like to ask the rep what this money would be used for?
REPRESENTATIVE: Well that money would be used for their senior projects. They have a lot of projects, and all that money would be going to help pay for it. They have several design competitions that they need to be at. They understand there is a $2,000 limit.
RICHARDSON: Have you thought about doing any fundraising for it?
REPRESENTATIVE: They really go out and try to get money from organizations and put their name out there but it’s still a lot of money.
SMITH: IF you knew there was a $2,000 limit, why didn’t you apply for a co-sponsorship?
REPRESENTATIVE: Well we talked to the treasurer beforehand and we found out there wouldn’t be any money for co-sponsorships this year so we decided to ask for it through appropriations.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $900.00 to Society of Strategy Gamers
Sponsor: Kuyk
Stating:
GUY: What is the money for room rental for?
REPRESENTATIVE: We rent a room in the Mitchell Center every Friday night. Anyone can come, whether they are new or already know how to play or just want to learn. We also conduct our club meetings in that room.
GUY: Well I have another question. I can see how the Society of Anime Gaming Experience is educational and beneficial to students, but how is this one educational?
REPRESENTATIVE: Well instead of just watching a film you actually have to think.
GUY: So you’re just playing video games?
REPRESENTATIVE: No, well, we could play video games but mostly we play strategy games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, other card games, not like poker or anything, but games that promote imagination, math skills, socialization. I feel that strategy games are educational; they require a lot of thinking and not just sitting there.
BEOVICH: Could you not just use a room in the Student Center for free?
REPRESENTATIVE: Um, no. We could but our event lasts until eleven o’clock on Fridays. Our advisor set the time and he scheduled it for six o’clock because he has a family and can only be there later. And a lot of our members have jobs and so we have to meet at that time. Also, the maker of the game set a time on Fridays so that people all over the country would be playing the same game at the same time and they do tournaments at that time. Also, the Student Center had not been reliable. There were times where we paid our fee and reserved it and they told us last minute we couldn’t have the space. The Mitchell Center is far more reliable and they cost about the same.
Motion: Appropriate $900.00 to Society of Strategy Gamers
Sponsor: Sells
PASSED BY ROLL CALL
VOTE
Motion: Appropriate $1,500.00 to Society of Women Engineers
Sponsor: Thomas
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,178.16 to South Alabama Pre-Law and Government Association
Sponsor: Miner
Stating:
LANGAN: Can you define ‘equipment’?
REPRESENTATIVE: That would mainly be LSAT and GRE books to help the students study and prepare for those tests.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,342.00 to South Alabama Student Occupational Therapy Association
Sponsor: Gessner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $605.00 to South Alabama Tennis Club
Sponsor: Sterling
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,418.25 to Southfit Instructors
Sponsor: Sanders
Stating:
PERRY: Is this a registered organization?
PROCTOR: Yes.
PERRY: Are these students?
REPRESENTATIVE: Yes, they are all students.
PROCTOR: And you are just their coordinator?
REPRESENTATIVE: Yes.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $355.78 to Students Today Alumni Tomorrow
Sponsor: Reid
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,842.00 to Tau Beta Pi- Alabama Epsilon Chapter (Engineering Honor Society)
Sponsor: Beovich
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $225.78 to The Martial Arts Forum
Sponsor: Jones
Stating:
LANGAN: What kind of equipment are you talking about?
REPRESENTATIVE: These would be like padded weapons, and pads for kicking and blocking. Basic things we use for practice.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,000.00 to Trails Tarmac Bike Club
Sponsor: Langan
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Open floor for discussion
Sponsor: Smith
Stating:
SMITH: I would like to know why the USA Off-Road Team was approved for $0.
BALWDIN: As far as I am aware, they needed the money for personal vehicles that are being updated, and that is against the rules for appropriations.
PROCTOR: Maybe we can get the rep to explain this to us?
REPRESENTATIVE: The thing is, we compete in five competitions and price-wise, there is no way this university has the money to help fund this project. We compete against people who are in this internationally published magazine and they are personal vehicles, but we put sweat, blood, and tears into them. I’ve been a member of this university for three years, I’ve been a senator, and I’m a Southerner and I’m just asking for this money to help us with competitions. We’re not asking for a truck. A lot of times these are $100,000 rigs, and we show up with home-built stuff, and we give it our all. We aren’t trying to take your money, buy some rims and ride down Airport. We need this to get our trucks up to par to compete in these competitions or we don’t have a chance.
PROCTOR: This seems pretty controversial and it’s getting late, so I’m gonna ask that we postpone this discussion for a little while.
Motion: Appropriate $1,000.00 to USA Equestrian Club
Sponsor: Sells
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $990.00 to USA Longboarding Club
Sponsor: Smith
Stating:
RAMSEY: What kind of equipment did you want to buy?
REPRESENTATIVE: Well most of our kids don’t wear helmets so we’d like to get some to have there that they can wear. And we’d also like to get an extra longboard for someone who might want to try it but so they don’t have to buy a board.
LANGAN: Is it true there was some trouble with this club and the campus police?
REPRESENTATIVE: Yes, but it wasn’t their fault. Some members decided to meet on their own and made some trouble and gave us a bad name.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 to USA Rescue Squad
Sponsor: Carlson
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,000.00 to USA Sailing Club
Sponsor: King
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 to USA Soccer Club
Sponsor: Tanner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 to USA Student Nurses Association
Sponsor: Macon
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,900.00 to Vietnamese Student Association
Sponsor: Sells
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Discuss USA Off-Road Team
Sponsor: Proctor
Stating:
LANGAN: When you’re done with the buggy, would you donate it to USA?
REPRESENTATIVE: As far as the fuel system, which is what we are asking for money for, yes. But the rig itself, no.
SMITH: Is the project, the vehicle itself, for the competition or just for club purposes?
REPRESENTATIVE: No, it is strictly for this competition. We use my rig in all our competitions but at the last one we broke some gears and as of now, we won’t have a vehicle to compete in. Other schools get $30-50,000 for their vehicles for competitions. We are just asking for money to replace these gears and the fuel system.
AL-GREENE: The lowdown says that the equipment must be stored on campus. So I’m wondering if you could store it on campus?
REPRESENTATIVE: I would love to store it on campus, but the police won’t let us because we don’t have a parking pass because it’s not a registered road vehicle. It doesn’t meet road standards because it is an off-road vehicle so we can’t get a tag for it and there’s nowhere else to store it on campus.
REID: Well I do like the idea of getting our name out there, and I understand there isn’t any room to store it. It’s a lot different than a skateboard and helmets or a tennis racket. So I also have to ask, would any student be allowed to drive it?
REPRESENTATIVE: Yeah, you wanna drive it? I’ll let you drive it.
PROCTOR: Okay, I’m gonna ask that we close the floor and discuss this next meeting.
Motion: Postpone Off-Road Appropriations Approval to September 14th
Sponsor: Perry
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 to Christian Medical and Dental Association
Sponsor: Sanders
Stating: It was assumed that the organization had not been a registered member for 3 semesters. However, the organization has existed since the late nineties and went through a name change that had not been updated in the organization registry.
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,340.00 to Council of International Student Organizations
Sponsor: Sells
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Discuss appropriations to Phi Mu
Sponsor: Sells
Stating: Shirts will be given out to USA Students and volunteers at
the organization’s philanthropy event, “Cooks for Kids”. The group requested
$700 but was had enough signatures to be approved for $1, 200.00
Motion: Appropriate $700.00 to Phi Mu
Sponsor: Carlson
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,440.00 to Indian Student Association
Sponsor: Sells
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Discuss appropriations to USA Outlaws
Sponsor: Perry
Stating:
REPRESENTATIVE: Well
we plan to spend money on shirts to wear to the games and food for tailgating.
BALDWIN: Um, point of
information, the SGA may be working with the Outlaws for tailgating at football
games.
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 to USA Outlaws
Sponsor: Gessner
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 to South Alabama Football
Sponsor: Guy
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $1,652.14 to USA Karate Club
Sponsor: Reid
PASSD BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Suspend 3-semester rule
Sponsor: Smith
Stating: This requires a 2/3 vote.
*Motion did not pass
Motion: Move USA Swing Dance Club to Appropriations
Sponsor: Reid
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $450.00 to USA Swing Dance Club
Sponsor: Guy
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Move AASA to Appropriations
Sponsor: Sells
PASSDE BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Appropriate $2,000.00 To AASA
Sponsor: Guy
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
Motion: Postpone futher discussion until September 14.
Sponsor: Sells
PASSED BY ACCLAMATION
STUDENT FORUM: N/A
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Youngblood invited Senators and Officers to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings Thursday night at 5 PM.
President Gardner invited everyone to the Pep Rally on Thursday at 7:00 PM. He also thanked senators for their patience and commended them on a job well-done at tonight’s budget meeting.
Bettis asked for senators to help work at the tailgating cookout at the game Saturday. He mentioned that office hours would be given for Senators who chose to help out at the game.
Meeting adjourned