S.G.A. SENATE MEETING
April 20, 2015
The meeting was called to order in the Leaders Suite of the Donald G.
Bollinger Student Union at 4:00 p.m.
Presiding officer was Vice President
Mary Sauce. The Recording Secretary was Dolly McGeever.
The pledge was led by Senator Les Theriot and the prayer was given by Senator
Abigail Ledet.
The Nicholls Student Government Association Mission Statement was read by
Senator Grant Ordoyne and Senator Austin Wendt read the first value of the
Nicholls Creed.
The following Executive Board members were present:
President Adam Lefort,
Vice President Mary Sauce, Treasurer Bobby Dufrene, Director of Student
Rights and Grievances Carolanne Moore, Director of Public Relations Lillie
Bourgeois and Secretary Dolly McGeever.
The following Senators were present: Lawrence Arceneaux, III, Meah Johnson,
Les Theriot, Grant Ordoyne, Markos Picou, Trey Clark, Peyton Chiasson, Emily
Sauce, Austin Wendt, Tommy Thibodeaux, Jessica Fradella, Tiffany Durocher,
Katelyn Cortez, Abigail Ledet, Charles Johns, Darian Graivshark and Taylor
Bruce.
The following
Mistretta.
Senators
were
absent:
Yaye
Ba,
Micah
Hebert
and
Kaitlyn
Web Tech was represented by Trey Clark.
Student Supreme Court was not represented.
Election Commission was represented by Chante’ Singleton (appointed).
The following guests were present:
Dr. Eugene A. Dial, Jr., Vice President
of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services and Vincent Sbisa, Staff Writer
for The Nicholls Worth.
No Minutes were presented.
GUEST SPEAKER:
None.
OFFICER REPORTS
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – ADAM LEFORT
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Take Back the Night is this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. to promote cessation
of sexual violence. They started it last year.
Today at 7:00 p.m. in LeBijou they’re showing a movie about sexual
assault on campuses. They have role play situations.
Last week was the Rally event we’ve been promoting all semester.
I
think we had twelve students attend. It was a low turnout but compared
to the other universities, there were probably about the same amount of
students. They’ll probably have 200 overall from all universities and
colleges. There was a small forum outside with guest speakers and the
community.
There were people running for Governor and other students
speaking. We gave testimony for about three hours.
UNO was probably
the most outspoken one. They know there is something wrong. I think
they finally got a clear picture.
The Alumni Search Committee met last Thursday and made a recommendation
about who we thought would best fit.
Dr. Neal Weaver will recommend
someone and speak to Dr. Murphy about interviewing the new Alumni
Director. It will probably be in early summer.
Today is the last interview for Academic Affairs Vice President.
We
interviewed the rest last Thursday and Friday and will have a meeting
this week to discuss the top three.
This Thursday we have a Student Tech Fee Committee meeting at 3:30 p.m.
in the Multi-Purpose Room of Ellender Library.
I cannot attend and
need a volunteer. Senator Peyton C. volunteered.
This Friday is Crawfish Day from noon to 4:00 p.m.
We’ll provide
snowballs to students.
OFFICER REPORTS CONTINUED
PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONTINUED
 Next Wednesday is the SGA Banquet.
For those of you who did not
R.S.V.P. yet, please do so.
 Tomorrow and Wednesday are the Scantron Giveaways and the Blood Drive,
so be sure to tell the students.
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT RIGHTS & GRIEVANCES’ REPORT – CAROLANNE MOORE
There was some confusion last Friday about the WID/WIH. Vice President Mary
S. posts them on Moodle and you answer them.
She’s the one who checks off
whether you did them or not. I emailed the students who submitted complaints
and let them know SGA is working on them, that their concerns are being
addressed.
TREASURER’S REPORT – BOBBY DUFRENE
Today the Summer Budget comes up in a motion. At the next meeting I’ll have
the yearly budget to present to you.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS’ REPORT – LILLIE BOURGEOIS
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Our last Scantron Giveaway is tomorrow and Wednesday in the Quad. We
may have to move it to the Union. We’ll serve coffeecake and lemonade.
The sign-up sheet will go around. If you missed it last week, be sure
to sign it today because this is mandatory. If you can’t attend, send
in your excuse.
Crawfish Day is Friday and Mr. & Ms. Nicholls will be announced at 3:45
p.m. Be sure you are there because we have some SGA officers up there.
Please R.S.V.P. to the SGA office this Thursday by 4:30 p.m. for the
Banquet. You don’t have to pay by Thursday, you can pay at the event.
Please let us know if you have a preference of if you want to sit with
someone.
VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT – MARY SAUCE
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I’d like to commend Senator Darian G. on her WID/WIH.
She made a
survey.
She and Senator Emily S. went to the cafeteria and handed
people the surveys requesting they write their complaints. You should
be thinking of doing things like that. Give people a chance to respond
to questions.
A small survey like that is perhaps the incentive they
need to write something down.
If you see the Women’s Tennis Team, congratulate them.
They are the
Southland Conference Champions which is amazing.
Director Lillie B. and I need to know who is interested in serving as
the Student Representative on the Homecoming Committee. It’s a lot of
work and a lot of time. You have to be free to attend these meetings
and you have to be able to express what students want and not back
down.
You have to stand up to what the students want and to what
they’ll need. Senator Abigail L. volunteered.
I went to the Capitol and even though we had a small turnout from our
students, our signs were great. So the money for them was well spent
and our voices were heard. We also had Senators come up to us trying
to give us business cards and telling us they were excited we were
doing this. I really think we made an impression.
When you’re scheduling your classes, remember that you’re an SGA
Senator and need to attend the meetings.
ACTIONS TAKEN ON OLD BILLS
S1415-072
I move to increase the budgeted amount of the Spring 2015 Senator Projects
line item of the budget from $15,000 to $21,000.
The money will come from
unallocated funds. Passed and signed.
STUDENT SUPREME COURT REPORT – Dane Vizier, Jr.
Vice President Mary S. reported on behalf of Justice Dane Vizier, Jr.
SPA Announcements:
 Crawfish Day is a closed event, open only to students, faculty and
staff with a Colonel Card. Solely online students are not eligible to
attend because they do not pay student activity fees.
Al Thibodaux
will be an invited guest as the originator of Crawfish Day and his wife
as well.
 They’ll have food vouchers at the Baseball game this week.
 They’re providing a sexual assault video in conjunction with Sexual
Violence Awareness Week.
ELECTION COMMISSION REPORT
No report.
WEB TECH REPORT – Trey Clark
Later today on the Nicholls website SGA page, I’ll encourage students to
attend the Scantron Giveaways and encourage and promote Crawfish Day.
Once
we know who Mr. and Ms. Nicholls is at Crawfish Day, that will be on there as
well as the announcement.
I’ll also have the rest of the Executive Board photos updated, as well as the
Senators that graduated.
SGA SENATE COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance Committee – Tiffany Durocher, Chair
Present:
Senators Tiffany Durocher, Lawrence Arceneaux, III, Peyton
Chiasson, Trey Clark, Katelyn Cortez, Charles Johns, Meah
Johnson,
Markos
Picou,
Emily
Sauce,
Les
Theriot,
Tommy
Thibodeaux, Jessica Fradella and Darian Graivshark.
Absent:
Senators Yaye Ba and Micah Hebert.
Guest:
Treasurer Bobby Dufrene.
Today we discussed the following:
 A motion to purchase spatulas, digital scales and two sizes of china
caps for the new Culinary Institute building.
 A motion to purchase a permanent outdoor suggestion box.
 A motion to purchase outdoor lights for Bowie Road and the Library
parking lots.
 A motion to approve the Nicholls Awareness Campaign Banners.
 A motion to buy 2-way radios for the Mass Comm Dept.
 A motion to purchase pencil sharpeners for Peltier Hall.
 A motion to purchase a new screen for LeBijou Theater.
 A motion to approve retaining the attorney’s services for next year.
 The summer 2015 budget.
All motions were found to be highly favorable.
Judiciary Committee – Lawrence Arceneaux, III, Chair; Austin Wendt, Co-Chair
Present:
Senators Lawrence Arceneaux, III, Austin Wendt, Trey Clark, Meah
Johnson, Markos Picou, Tommy Thibodeaux, Emily Sauce, Charles
Johns, Katelyn Cortez, Darian Graivshark and Taylor Bruce.
Absent:
Senators Yaye Ba, Peyton Chiasson, Jessica Fradella, Micah Hebert
and Kaitlyn Mistretta.
We discussed the following:
 Motions that included an Election Commission appointment.
 Various Bylaw changing motions.
 A 2015 Sexual Violence Awareness Proclamation Motion.
 A Scantron Giveaway mandatory motion.
The committee found them all highly favorable.
We went over two absentee forms which were excused.
SGA SENATE COMMITTEE REPORTS CONTINUED:
Meet the SGA/Social Events: Mr/Ms Nicholls/Banquet - Homecoming/Christmas) –
Grant Ordoyne, Chair
Present:
Senators Grant Ordoyne, Payton Chiasson,
Theriot, Tommy Thibodeaux and Taylor Bruce.
Absent:
Senators Emily Sauce and Austen Wendt.
Guest:
Director Lillie Bourgeois.
Abigail
Ledet,
Les
We discussed the following:
 Arrangements and script for the banquet.
Senators will specify who
they want to sit with and how many people are going to be at their
table.
 Talked about the Scantron Giveaways that will be held this week.
 Crawfish Day and the need for volunteers to work the snowball stand if
needed.
Campus Improvements Committee – Peyton Chiasson, Chair; Tommy Thibodeaux, CoChair;
Present:
Senators Peyton Chiasson, Tommy Thibodeaux, Katelyn Cortez,
Tiffany Durocher, Charles Johns, Abigail Ledet, Grant Ordoyne,
Austin Wendt and Taylor Bruce.
Absent:
Senators Jessica Fradella and Kaitlyn Mistretta.
We discussed the following:
 The motions that will be funded by the Campus Improvements budget.
These are the motions for “lights for the parking lots” and “the
outside comment box”.
 Complaints towards the SGA that we do not have many activities around
campus. It was resolved that those complaints should be brought to
SPA’s attention.
 Issues with broken clocks in Peltier, a broken bench in the Quad behind
Ayo Pool and the recycle bins around campus need to be emptied.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
S1415-074
I move that the Senate accept Chante’ Singleton for the position of Election
Commission Member.
Chante’ is the appointment of the SGA President, Adam
Lefort, and the SPA President, Taylor Degruise.
1.
2.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-16
Against-1
Jessica Fradella
Austin Wendt
Abstained-0
S1415-075
I move that the Senate purchase five (5) manual pencil sharpeners to replace
the old ones in Peltier Hall.
The total cost will be $124.03.
They cost
$24.86 each. This will come from the Senator Projects line item of the
budget.
1. Austin Wendt
2. Tommy Thibodeaux
Discussion: Senator Austin W. said we need these sharpeners to replace the
old ones that have been taken down because they were broken in Peltier Hall.
I asked around and was told pencils are still used and they’re having issues
finding a good place to sharpen them.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-17
Against-0
Abstained-0
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
S1415-076
I move that the Senate allocate $5,000 for the purchase of Ballast, Lamps and
Photo Cells to replace burnt and broken lights in the Bowie Road and Ellender
Library parking lots. The total cost of the lamps and other related
electrical devices are estimated at $4,686.82. This will be taken from the
Campus Improvement line item of the budget.
1. Peyton Chiasson
2. Tiffany Durocher
Discussion: Senator Peyton C. said this is a motion that was brought to my
attention that it wasn’t safe parking around campus at night with the parking
lot lights out. We looked into the getting lights. What Treasurer Bobby D.
and I did was allocated funds in the Campus Improvements budget to take care
of these nights.
The total price is there and the University will pay for
the manual labor needed so we won’t pay for everything, just the lights.
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week.
S1415-077
I move to combine the descriptions of letters d. and e. of Article III,
Letter B., Number 1 in the Bylaws.
It will be read as “d. Meet the SGA –
responsible for planning and executing all events for the SGA, such as an
Annual Christmas Social, Spring Inaugural Banquet and SGA Homecoming Display
and all events representing the SGA, such as Family Day and Freshman
Orientation.
The Director of Public Relations shall be included as a
member.” This motion will delete letter e. from the Section.
1.
2.
Trey Clark
Lawrence Arceneaux, III
Discussion:
Senator Trey C. said it states in the Bylaws in two separate
letters, that we have a Meet the SGA and a Social Events committee. We’d like
to lump them together into one committee to share things for SGA and Social
Events.
This is just changing the Bylaws to reflect what we do as a
committee.
Rather than having a separate letter for the things that we do
like the Christmas Social and Homecoming and rather than having them separate
outside of Scantron Giveaways, we put them altogether under that title.
Vice President Mary S. said this motion will also be tabled for one week
because it’s an amendment to the Bylaws.
S1415-078
I move that the Senate allocate up to $300 to purchase China Caps for the
Chef John Folse Culinary Institute. The cost breakdown is as follows:
10” China Caps
China Caps
TOTAL
= $16.89 each
x 12
=$202.68
This will come from the Senator Projects line item of the budget.
1.
2.
Tiffany Durocher
Grant Ordoyne
Discussion:
Senator Tiffany D. said the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute
will have a new building and these items are things we can buy for the
culinary students. This is one thing that they need. These china caps have
a handle with a rim around it. It has a mesh comb so soft food can be pushed
through it to strain really small things.
This is one of the things they
need.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-17
Against-0
Abstained-0
S1415-079
I move that the Senate purchase
set of 16” Silicone Spatulas at
Spatulas at $6.39 each.
These
Institute. The total amount for
24 - 14” Silicone Spatulas at $5.59 each, a
$6.19 each and another set of 14” Silicone
spatulas are for Chef John Folse Culinary
these spatulas will be $436.08
1.
2.
Austin Wendt
Jessica Fradella
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
Discussion:
Senator Austin W. said since the Institute is getting a new
building, they need new supplies and they need help purchasing these. These
spatulas would be really appreciated.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-17
Against-0
Abstained-0
S1415-080
I move that the Senate allocate up to $500 to purchase Fine Mesh China Caps
for the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.
The cost breakdown is as
follows:
8” Fine Mesh China Caps =
$25.59 each
China Caps
x 16
TOTAL
=
$409.44
This will be taken from the Senator Projects line item of the budget.
1.
2.
Tiffany Durocher
Peyton Chiasson
Discussion: Senator Tiffany D. said these china caps are like the previous
ones only the mesh in finer.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-17
Against-0
Abstained-0
S1415-081
I move to delete letter f. of Article III, Section B, Number 1 of the Bylaws.
It will remove the Communications Committee from the Bylaws.
1.
2.
Discussion:
Senator Les T. said just like
communications that falls under the direction
Relations so this committee is not needed.
Les Theriot
Lawrence Arceneaux, III
the Meet the SGA motion,
of the Director of Public
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week because it
is an amendment to the Bylaws.
S1415-082
I move that the Senate purchase one Two-Way Radio Package at $1,399 for the
Mass Communications Department.
Shipping will cost $10 and the total cost
will be $1,409.
This will come from the Senator Projects line item of the
budget.
1. Darian Graivshark
2. Emily Sauce
Discussion: Senator Darian G. said the Mass Communications Department needs
these radios.
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week because it
is over $500.
S1415-083
I move that the Senate purchase a new Projection Screen for the LeBijou
Theater. The cost will be $3,240.31. This includes screen and installation.
This will come from the Senator Project line item of the budget.
1.
2.
Austin Wendt
Jessica Fradella
Discussion: Senator Austin W. said I’ll have more information next week on
the student organizations that use LeBijou. Basically, we need a new screen,
a bigger screen for the new projector they purchased last year. The LeBijou
is the second most used facility in the Student Union. It’s used on a weekly
basis.
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week because it
is over $500.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
S1415-084
I move that the Senate allocate up to $1,200 to purchase Digital Scales for
the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute. The price breakdown is as follows:
Escali Digital Scales 13 lb. limit = $70.00
Scales
x 16
TOTAL
= $1,120
This will come from the Senator Projects line item of the budget.
1.
2.
Discussion:
Tiffany Durocher
Tommy Thibodeaux
Senator Tiffany D. said they need scales to weigh products.
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week because it
is over $500.
S1415-085
I move that the Senate retain Andrew Wise, Attorney at Law, as Legal Advisor
for the year 2015-2016. This will grant a contract at $3,600 for twenty-four
(24) sessions for two (2) hours each at an hourly rate of $75 per hour. This
expenditure comes out of Agency Account 267350-5000 and not the SGA general
account.
1. Charles Johns
2. Grant Ordoyne
Discussion: Senator Charles J. said students pay $.25 out of their account
for these services so I think we should have him here again next year. He’s
done a good job.
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week because it
is over $500.
S1415-086
I move to make the Scantron Giveaways on April 21 st and 22nd mandatory for all
Senators to work and attend. Senators must work for at least half an hour on
at least one of the two days.
1. Austin Wendt
2. Lawrence Arceneaux, III
Discussion: Senator Austin W. said for Scantron Giveaways, we need as many
people out there to support and promote SGA and the things we do. Also, if
there are complaints we can try to solve those so it’s important to be out
there.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-17
Against-0
Abstained-0
S1415-087
I move to combine the descriptions of letters c. and g. in Article III,
Letter B., Number 1 of the Bylaws. It will read as “c. Judiciary Committee
– holds hearings on absences and monitors the absences of SGA officers and
committee members.
Interviews Presidential appointments.
Reviews Senators
who do not meet mandatory legislation/appropriation requirements for
automatic removal (see SGA Constitution, Article II, Section 5, Number 2,
Letter A). Reviews amendments to Bylaws not involving fee increases. It is
responsible for Constitutional review and review of resolutions.”
This
motion would remove letter g. from the section.
1.
2.
Les Theriot
Austin Wendt
Discussion:
Senator Les T. said this is an amendment to the Bylaws.
Technically, we don’t have a Legislation Committee.
We can make changes to
the Bylaws through the Judiciary Committee.
Vice President Mary S. said the motion is an amendment to the Bylaws and will
be tabled.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
S1415-088
I move that the Senate allocate up to $800 to purchase a Regular Pedestal
Drop Box from mailboxes.com to use as an outdoor SGA suggestion box to be
placed in the Quad permanently. The cost breakdown is as follows:
1 Pedestal Drop Box, Regular
Shipping
TOTAL
= $600.00 (Gray)
= $100.04
= $700.04
This will be taken from the Campus Improvements line item of the budget.
1.
2.
Tiffany Durocher
Peyton Chiasson
Discussion: Senator Tiffany D. said after we had the Gathering last month,
students suggested putting a suggestion box in the Quad. I found a mailbox
for the Quad.
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week because it
is over $500.
S1415-089
I move that the Senate approve the Proposed Nicholls Awareness Campaign
Banners that were budgeted for the Fall 2014 Budget for $10,000.
The cost
breakdown is as follows:
91 Banners for off campus = $7,000
82 Banners for on-campus = $3,000
1.
2.
Tiffany Durocher
Peyton Chiasson
Discussion:
Senator Tiffany D. said the money was already budgeted in the
Fall 2014 budget for $10,000 for marketing.
This is just to get Senate
approval to purchase the banners.
Vice President Mary S. said since this was budgeted, it will not be tabled
for being over $500.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-17
Against-0
Abstained-0
S1415-090
I move that the Senate approve the attached “Sexual Violence Awareness
Proclamation” to be presented at the “Take Back the Night” event on April 22,
2015.
Student Government Association Executive Order
2015 Sexual Violence Awareness Proclamation
Whereas
Nicholls State University’s second annual “Take Back the Night” calls attention to the fact
that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every community member of Nicholls State
University, the city of Thibodaux, the State of Louisiana, and the United States of America;
and
Whereas
We must work together to educate our community about sexual violence prevention,
supporting survivors and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions; and
Whereas
With leadership and dedication, we can be successful in preventing sexual violence in the area
and the state by increasing education, awareness, and community involvement; and
Whereas
The Student Government Association strongly supports the efforts of national, state, and
local partners and of every citizen, to actively engage many efforts to prevent sexual violence.
Therefore be it resolved that the Student Government Association joins “Take Back the Night” to advocate to
our community to play active roles in preventing sexual violence.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
Therefore be it further resolved that the Student Government Association, on this 22nd day of April in the year
2015, shall recognize and celebrate “Take Back the Night” for the students of Nicholls State
University.
____________________________________
Adam Lefort
President
Student Government Association
1.
2.
Charles Johns
Austin Wendt
Discussion: Senator Charles J. deferred to President Adam L. who said
is for the Take Back the Night even which I mentioned in my report.
Michele Caruso spoke to me about it.
We prepared one in the Fall
domestic assault so this is to show that we support it on behalf of
students. You should have received a copy of the Proclamation.
Question: Move into vote
Passed For-17
Against-0
this
Dr.
for
the
Abstained-0
S1415-091
I move that the Senate approve the Summer 2015 Budget.
1.
2.
Tiffany Durocher
Austin Wendt
Discussion:
Senator Tiffany D. said we went over the summer budget.
should have a copy of it. Take a look at it because it will be tabled.
You
Vice President Mary S. said the motion will be tabled for one week.
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
DISCUSSION PERIOD:
Director Lillie B. discussed the two possible summer meeting dates of either
June 15th or 29th or July 13th or 27th.
A final date will be decided at the
next meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dr. Dial
Dr. Bonnie Bourg passed away. She was the first Advisor
going back to 1948, 49 and 50. She was the last official
faculty member living.
Paul Forbes said we are moving forward with Crawfish Day,
rain or shine. All tents available will be set up.
There’s some discussion going on regarding the University
purging schedules. That means is as we approach the first
day of class, students who haven’t been in contact with the
University regarding finalizing financial aid or paying
their balance down to a certain amount, their class
schedule will be purged and those classes will be made
available to those who need them.
It’s not set in stone
yet but it’s something I hope to be able to report to you
at next Monday’s meeting.
Right now there’s no perfect
system.
We assign the classes owed by students but if
there are 100 people signing up every semester and we’re
not collecting the money for them, that’s 100 seats that
other students can basically sit in. We’re trying to find
out the best way to go.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUED
Lillie B.
Rotaract is having a Flip Flops for Uganda drive. Rotaract
is partnering with Thibodaux Rotary Club and Refuge 127.
Refuge 127 is a non-profit organization that travels to
Uganda to build schools for underprivileged kids. Concrete
for the floors of the schools are super expensive so many
of them can’t afford to put concrete down yet, sometimes
waiting a whole year to do that.
These kids don’t have
shoes so they’re asking us to donate children’s flip flops,
any size, any color or any shape.
It protects them from
injuries.
I’ll collect those this semester.
Monetary
donations are also accepted. We’ll also have a table in the
Union this week, Tuesday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. collecting them.
E-Board applications deadline is Thursday.
Dolly M.
Group picture will be taken next week on Monday.
gray or black – Nicholls colors.
Wear red,
The following officer was sworn in by Vice President Mary Sauce:
Chante’ Singleton – Election Commission Member
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.