Tuesday October 25, 2005
SGA Senate Meeting Minutes
I.
Call to Order 7:07
II.
Roll Call
 Senate did not meet quorum
III.
Open Forum
 Sara Whiting wants to set up organization: Smith Gourmets
Thursday 8:00pm meeting in basement of campus center
 Bad Seeds – having pumpkin carving contest
Carve pumpkin, put picture on daily jolt, school will vote
 ASA/KASS conference November 5th
 Community service committee – two topics
Presentation to senate on the earthquakes (South Asia), Donations are very
important, get the word out, go to events, publicize. Nov. 11th – concert/cultural event
 Change in agenda, President Christ Presentation 7:15-8:00pm
 Amanda Taus – Friday at 7pm Athletic Association pep rally, next to tennis courts,
free food and live music, bon fire, to recognize success of fall sports
 Curriculum Committee holding grad school forum Thursday 4:30pm Wright Hall
Carol Christ Presentation
 Shaping the future of Smith.
 Raised 400 million dollars; built campus center, Olin fitness center, Kahn
Institute, Praxis, Engineering, etc…
 Accreditation review in two years, wants alumni voices and student voices
What areas of Smith are distinctively excellent?
What are the capacities we should develop for students at Smith?
What should every student learn before leaving?
 Class of 2009, 64% of students at smith receive financial aid, 19% of students
are 1st generation to go to college
 SGA should figure out what to do to help fellow students
 Discussion: Math/quantitative skills requirement?
Jacobson center, but for math?
Faculty having discussions
Summer/interterm courses?
 Sports? Funds cut for the athletic association
Carol Christ says she’s happy Smith is division three versus division one
because here sports are for life not all about college.
 Decline in ratings for US World and Weekly News
1. admitted a larger amount of students
2. size of classes increased, more than 19 students, less than 30
3. percent of alumni donations decreased
4. graduation rate decreased
 Smith moved from 13th to 19th
 Engineering building, financial aid, affordable housing on 36 Bedford Terrace –
99 year contract renovations, social scene, retention rate, more life-skills
programs (like women in financial independence)
IV.
Meg discusses attendance policy
a.
Check to see where you stand it terms of attendance at the end of the meeting.
b.
Miss more than 3 meetings per semester = lose senate position
c.
Late 3 times = 1 absence
d.
Late past 8:15 = absence
e.
f.
You need to be here for 45 minutes of the meeting
If having problems: come talk to Meg and work something out
V.
Christina, Vivi, and Caitlin discuss the Board of Trustees Breakfast
a.
Does this sound like something you would want to be a part of in the future?
b.
Christina did House Community, trustees were really receptive
c.
Caitlin also was at House Community, talked about dining. Trustees had a lot of
questions.
d.
Party Issues
VI.
Meg’s Model Senate Presentation: SGA Cabinet Update
a.
What does an effective presentation do?
b.
What aspects work best?
c.
How could this presentation be enhanced?
d.
Expectations for committee presentations.
e.
Senate presentations begin next week, come prepared: bring something visual, a
forum, a guest, a handout, Meg brought Carol Christ.
VII.
Knitting Needs Charter Vote
a.
Should the SGA make Knitting Needs a chartered org?
b.
If you were absent last week, you should abstain from the vote unless you feel very
comfortable in your knowledge of the charter and the issues.
c.
Senate did not meet quorum so can’t vote.
VIII.
Committee Time
a.
Short time to touch base with your committee about scheduling meetings, preparing
for upcoming presentation, etc.
b.
See Lindsay and Christina if you would like assistance in drafting a letter to an
administrator, tips on holding effective Senate events, or information about “people in
the know” to contact for questions and/or help.
IX.
New Business
 Hurricane Katrina Relief committee wants to change to Disaster Relief
committee (Change goals as well)
 Bring this motion next week, Senate did not meet quorum
 Dining/housing issues – dealing with Kathy Zieja
 “Fun committee”/morale – boosting campaign
X.
Closing Announcements
XI.
Adjournment 9:00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------A look ahead to next week . . .
o
Senate presentations begin – make sure that you are prepared!
o
Each committee will gave an update
o
We will probably be discussing a new charter – what questions do you think chartered orgs
should be able to answer?
o
Have a great Halloween Weekend!