ASNAU SENATE MEETING #9
TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Date: November 8, 2013
Date of Senate Meeting: November 7, 2013
Number on council: 12
Number present: 11
Prepared by Amy Edgerton
Senate Chairwoman Shayla Woodhouse called the Senate meeting of the 2013-2014
Associated Students of Northern Arizona University Senate to order at 5:00 P.M. in the
Havasupai Room A & B of the University Union.
Roll Call
The following Senators were not present at the meeting:
-Alexandria Buchta
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Senator Simon move to approve the minutes from last week’s Senate
meeting
Second: Senator Boruch
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, last week’s minutes have now been approved.
Call to the Audience
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Jill is here to represent Big Brothers Big Sisters, and to talk about
the programs they offer. First, the Community-Based Mentor program is the biggest and in
it each big and little meet in the community once a week for two to four hours. Jill and
others match up these mentors and mentees based on common interests. The School-Based
Mentor program allows each big and little to meet for two to four hours a week after school
and can help mentees with academic struggles. Finally, the Step-Up Mentor program is a
program of juvenile justice. Mentor time commitment is only two hours a week for at least
a year. She will leave cards and brochures, and if anyone wants to be involved give her a
call.
Questions: Senator Simon asks if she wants to participate, would she be required to stay in
Flagstaff for Christmas break, in other words would this commitment of at least a year
incorporate the month-long break. Jill replies that the programs are on hold during this
time as many students go home over the break.
Unfinished Business
Motion: Senator Simon move to remove Item A: Club Recognition: Western/West Coast
Swing Club from the table
Second: Senator Tillinghast
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item A: Club Recognition: Western/West Coast Swing Club has been
removed from table
Motion: Senator Tillinghast move to vote on Item A: Club Recognition: Western/West Coast
Swing Club
Second: Senator Howard
Discussion: Representative would first like to apologize for not showing up at previous
meetings, due to a miscommunication. He believes the addition of the Western/West Coast
Swing Club is a good opportunity for the community because is a fun and free thing to do.
He is an instructor for Latin and Swing dance also, but this is a new thing for the students
and it is more modern so there is a lot of interest. The club will help students to meet new
people, and will include travelling to events and putting on shows. They already have
people from LA who have agreed to come out to teach for free. He is also a part of Theta Chi
and has found a lot of interest within the Greek community alone. Athletes are also
interested in this club.
Vote: Unanimous, Item A: Club Recognition: Western/West Coast Swing Club has been
approved
New Action Business
Motion: Senator Cabral move to add Item J: Medical Amnesty Resolution to the agenda
Second: Senator Simon
Discussion: None
Vote: Unanimous, Item J: Medical Amnesty Resolution has been added
Motion: Senator Simon move to table Item A: Club Recognition: Saudi Club
Second: Senator Ortega
Discussion: Not present
Vote: Unanimous, Item A: Club Recognition: Saudi Club has been tabled
Motion: Senator Tillinghast move to vote on Item B: Club Recognition: Socratic Cinema Club
Second: Senator Boruch
Discussion: Representative first thanks everyone present for the time. Dakota King, who is
the Parliamentarian for RHA is looking to found the Socratic Cinema Club. The idea stems
from the Socratic Club, which was started at Yale by C.S Lewis. The Club wanted people to
look at texts and figure out what the author intends to portray through this work. King and
others want to do this same process for movies. Members will go to Harkins, Prochnow,
and other places to watch movies, and then will return to discuss them and what they
provide consciously and subconsciously. So far, only by word of mouth, over 30 people are
interested so he believes a lot of interest can be generated through advertisement. He
would like ASNAU to know that they would greatly appreciate the support of the student
representatives.
Question: Senator Boruch appreciates the choice of advisor, Dan Foster, and thinks the
choice will be the best for this type of club.
Vote: Unanimous, Item B: Club Recognition: Socratic Cinema Club has been approved
Motion: Senator Simon move to vote on Item C: OA: HOSA, $500
Second: Senator Libby
Discussion: Joshua Bates, the Treasurer of HOSA is here to request funds for the annual
FLEX Conference. This is a national club and there are 600 people attending this conference
in Phoenix just from Arizona. This leadership conference will provide members with
valuable information from guest speaker performances, and breakout sessions, which will
contribute to member skills as well as the function of the Chapter. This will be HOSA’s first
presence in state competition from NAU as they are a fairly new club.
Vote: Unanimous, Item C: OA: HOSA, $500 has been approved
Motion: Senator Ortega move to vote on Item D: OA: Public Relations Student Society of
America, $500
Second: Senator Cabral
Discussion: Public Relations Student Society of America brings public relations majors
together and gives them valuable networking skills. The club travelled to Philadelphia last
week to attend a PRSSA National Conference. This conference gave members new ideas
about how to better operate the club on campus, new information about public relations,
and inspiration to begin a PR Firm to assist other clubs and organizations on campus. This
was not only a fun experience, but was beneficial to the school and will enhance the club on
campus.
Vote: Unanimous, Item D: OA: Public Relations Student Society of America, $500 has been
approved
Motion: Senator Libby move to vote on Item E: SB 26-22: Public Relations Student Society
of America, $2500
Second: Senator Tillinghast
Discussion: See Discussion for Item D: OA: Public Relations Student Society of America,
$500
Vote: Unanimous, Item E: SB 26-22: Public Relations Student Society of America, $2500 has
been approved
Motion: Senator Ortega move to vote on Item F: OA: Delta Chi Lambda, $500
Second: Senator Simon
Discussion: Christine is here to represent Delta Chi Lambda and to request $500 plus $900
to help their sorority pay for their biannual formal. They are fairly new and this semester
their numbers decreased recently which brought their Chapter account down by $3000.
Fundraising hasn’t been able to provide them with the funds they need, and Christine has
already made a lot of cuts and adjustments, like paying for decorations and such out of her
own pocket. She has already been to Club Headquarters for equipment. The requested
money is for rental equipment and the rental of the 1899 Ballroom for the event.
Questions: Senator Simon asks if this is a formal of the same kind of normal Sorority
formals, and if it is open only to the members of the Delta Chi Lambda Chapter. Christine
replies that yes, during dinner the formal is a closed event, but afterwards they open up to
other students to come in and congratulate their new members. This Chapter only has 15
members total. Chairwoman Woodhouse explains that this is similar to the band banquet
funded last week. Senator Startt asks if Sodexo is catering the event, no, the event will be
catered by the High Country Conference Center.
Vote: Unanimous, Item F: OA: Delta Chi Lambda, $500 has been approved
Motion: Senator Tillinghast move to vote on Item G: SB 26-23: Delta Chi Lambda, $900
Second: Senator Howard
Discussion: See Discussion for Item F: OA: Delta Chi Lambda, $500
Vote: Unanimous, Item G: SB 26-23: Delta Chi Lambda, $900 has been approved
Motion: Senator Howard move to vote on Item H: SB 26-24: College of Health and Human
Services, $2500
Second: Senator Boruch
Discussion: Jacob Marshall is a nursing student here at Northern Arizona University, and is
one of ten students travelling to India to work with Tibetan Refugees. In order to perform
tasks to help these people, they need to get their equipment overseas. Fundraising and
private donations have gone to purchasing equipment. The funds from ASNAU will go
towards baggage fees for this equipment. Senator Simon thinks this is really cool.
Vote: Unanimous, Item H: SB 26-24: College of Health and Human Services, $2500 has been
approved
Motion: Senator Simon move to vote on Item I: SB 26-25: Sally Barnes, $566
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: Senator Ortega says that Sally will be speaking at the Southwest Conference of
Language Teaching in April. The funding will cover transportation, registration for the
conference, and hotel fees. Sally Barnes is graduating this December. ASNAU had received
the proposal for this via email awhile back.
Questions: Senator Smart asks if ASNAU has funded students who have already graduated
in the past. Shayla says that two years ago an Engineering Capstone was sent on a trip, so
yes, this is something that can be done as long as the university is being benefitted.
Vote: Unanimous, Item I: SB 26-25: Sally Barnes, $566 has been approved
Motion: Senator Tillinghast move to adopt Item J: Medical Amnesty Resolution
Second: Senator Gorshe
Discussion: This Medical Amnesty Resolution represents ASNAU taking a stance, there are
no specific details but this is more or less something that the Student State Affairs Directors
have vowed to work towards.
Vote: Unanimous, Item J: Medical Amnesty Resolution has been adopted
Executive Reports
a. President- Makenzie Mastrud
- President Mastrud reports today she, VP Cooper, and Senator Gorshe met with
the Pine Ridge Representatives to follow up on the concern about tailgate. The
discussion went really well and it has been determined that most of the concerns
they have about their area are outside of ASNAU’s range of control. CJ Sammy
and Makenzie met with athletics. It has been determined that $2300 will be
added to the Study Abroad Go Scholarship fund so more students who applied
can benefit. Looking to have AZ Daily Sun Subscription available to students in
the Union. She went to the Greek Blue Ribbon Committee Meeting and
participated in breakout groups. President Mastrud explains that the
applications for the Legal Aide have been reviewed and the first interviews will
be coming soon. Tomorrow she will meet with mentor communities. She asks
ASNAU if everyone had received the email sent out by the Executive Committee
explaining their stance on the SHAC Tobacco Free Initiative, and if anyone has
any questions regarding their decision to support this please talk to either her or
other Executive Members. Senator Simon asks if, since President Haeger or SHAC
had wanted the opinion of ASNAU, a vote is still taking place or whether the
stance of the Executive team is fulfilling that request. President Mastrud explains
that the stance sent out was simply their statement of support, but there will be
a formal vote of all ASNAU, which will go to President. Breakfast Club
Applications are due tomorrow; if you wish to apply then you must have the
application in. She also attended the Club Sports Council with Shayla to discuss
funding and would like to let ASNAU that a group called Feed 1 is looking for
volunteers, if anyone would like to help out with this let President Mastrud
know. Finally, she met with VP Cooper and Rocky with athletics to discuss the
idea of running of the seniors.
b. Vice President of Student affairs- CJ Cooper
- VP Cooper reports he got a haircut. He met with Pine Ridge along with
President Mastrud and Senator Gorshe and it went really well. There isn’t a lot
that ASNAU can do to appease them, but it can still be ensured that trash is being
picked up and everyone is aware that they cannot be going into the bathrooms.
This will lessen foot traffic around the buildings and in the units. This week he
also met with Rocky to discuss the running of the seniors at the last football
game, which sounds like a cool idea but he will continue to brainstorm ideas for
the rest of the seasons down the road and looking for ways to increase
attendance with giveaways and things like that. He and athletics are trying to
carry the energy and attendance into basketball season. Kick Axe shirts will be
done by Friday, and survey will go out next week. There will be tabling to
encourage students to pick from the four Kick Axe designs. These shirts will be
available for the NAU-Hawaii basketball game. He would like to incorporate the
lumberyard into other sports seasons, as it was not meant for just football. VP
Cooper also met with Elizabeth Simms to go over Make a Difference Day and
discuss what could be improved and what role ASNAU will play next year. She is
very pleased with the way everything went. Thank you to everyone who helped
at tailgate, it was small but successful. Not expecting a lot of groups for the next
tailgate but sign up will be passed around next week. Finally, he is working on
Unity Week and will be meeting with Rachel Cole to figure out what Olympic
athlete can be afforded. If anyone has any questions pleas feel free to email him.
c. Vice President of Academic Affairs- Shayla Woodhouse
- VP Woodhouse reports she attended GSG on Monday with Annsley, and is
wondering if anyone is able to go the next meeting, not next week, as there is no
school on Monday. Meetings are held Mondays from 5:30P.M-6:30P.M. She also
went to faculty senate and attended club sports council with President Mastrud.
Committees have been discussing OAs and IAs and potential changes to the
packets. Next week she will be reaching out to clubs and organizations to see
how the process went and what changes can be made. A student named Phillip
has contacted her and a few of the Senators about a 3D printing endeavor. Phillip
has constructed an image on the computer and wants to make it alive, well, not
alive, but an actual object. He is requesting for another source to produce it, not
for materials as VP Woodhouse had originally thought. There is a 3D printer in
Phoenix that he is planning on using as a resource but another person would be
producing this object. She would like to see some input from the Senators on this
matter. Senator Libby asks what the point of producing this object would be and
Senator Cabral and Senator Simon clarify that the object is called a Hexapus. VP
Woodhouse says that Phillip hopes to display his object in the Communications
Building. Senator Tillinghast wants to know what the role of ASNAU is in this.
Woodhouse explains that funding would go towards the individual to create this
object. Senator Simon asks about the ASNAU rule that states the Senators cannot
fund staff. Chairwoman Woodhouse explains that this does not qualify under
staff, as this is a one-time service. Senator Gorshe doesn’t know why we need
Hexapus in the Communications Building. Chairwoman asks if the general
consensus is that this object is not beneficial to the student body, yes. Senator
Libby and Senator Simon agree. Senator Ortega offers the counterargument
saying that this is supporting Phillip and his passion and major. Senator Boruch
says she doesn’t think anyone would want to see this in the Communications
Building. Dr. Brandel asks if it is in anyway related to his coursework.
Chairwoman Woodhouse will find out. Senator Tillinghast is inclined to agree
with Senator Gorshe, but he would also like to see more information on the
matter. Senator Simon agrees, she wouldn’t want to misuse student money.
Senator Cabral asks if Phillip could come in and answer questions in person. VP
Woodhouse will email back and set up a Senator meeting one-on-one. Senator
Simon will do this. Senator Tillinghast asks if the only end result for this is to be
put in the Communications Building and left there, yes. Senator Simon asks if the
Communications Building approved it for this purpose. VP Woodhouse says she
doesn’t believe they have given the final word. Spencer says display in the
Communications Building is used for capstones not for one person’s artwork. VP
Woodhouse will take feedback and email. In regards to the senate bill budget
line, as of now roughly a little over $20,000 has been taken from the line for
clubs and organizations, and since ASNAU has allocated $180,000 she would like
to propose a raise in the senate bill limit so this money will go towards the
students as much as possible. President Mastrud thinks it is a good idea to make
the funding available for clubs that do come into get money. Senator Gorshe
thinks this is a great idea. Senator Libby agrees. Senator Cabral asks what the
limit will be raised to? Shayla says $3500 and wants to know everyone’s opinion
on this. Senator Simon says if we can give more money to things like the Health
and Human Services group that is going to India, why not. Senator Howard
confirms that it will be $3500. With an informal vote, most are in favor of this.
President Mastrud asks if clubs that have already come in can come back for the
extra $1000, yes they can.
d. Chief of Staff- Sammy Smart
- Chief of Staff Smart reports that everyone will need to be present for the
Turkey Trot on Sunday, November 24th at 8:00A.M. If anyone cannot make it
they will need to email Chief of Staff Smart as soon as possible. She would also
like to ask everyone to please sign up for the Relay for Life team. If anyone is
interested in becoming more involved with he team let her know and attend the
meetings. Senator Libby asks if members of ASNAU can participate in the Turkey
Trot, Jillian says at this point no, but she will talk to Sammy and Chyna further.
She is currently working on formal staff evaluations. With evaluations, staff will
be filling out a survey with questions pertaining to their positions and ASNAU as
a whole. If there is any data collected from those surveys that is pertinent to
ASNAU she will share it. With Thanksgiving approaching she thought it would be
fun to start a “What I’m Thankful for at NAU…” within ASNAU. Send her an email
or text about this and she will share it in next week’s report. As always staff if
working well, they are a wonderful group to work with and make her proud.
Staff Reports
A. Student State Affairs- Ben Silva, Dylan Lefler, Oregon McDiarmid
- Oregon says thank you for passing medical amnesty. Dylan says they have been
asked by ASU to be a part of a letter to Attorney General. This is regarding new
voting changes, for example over the summer Arizona has gone into a new kind
of voting: a two-track system of identification, even though federal form does not
require proof of citizenship. This changes the way of state elections. The issue
that arises here is that a lot of students from out of state do not have an Arizona
Driver’s License, or other means of identification for Arizona because a lot of
students do not bring identification such as passport and birth certificates when
they go away to college. Senator Libby asks how this will work if she is from out
of state but does have her passport with her. Oregon she will need to take it into
an office to be scanned for documentation. Senator Cabral clarifies that this
means students will need a primary and secondary form of identification in
order to register to vote. Senator Gorshe asks what the complaint is. Ben
explains that it will make it harder for students to vote, when this demographic
is already a low voting profile. These students won’t have a voice where they live
because of this. The letter is asking the Attorney General to change his position
on this matter. Registering here involves a lot of paperwork and adds and extra
burden for the students. The position of this letter is that out of state students
should have fewer boundaries to register to vote. Chairwoman Woodhouse asks
if any other states have this. SSA Directors are not sure. This will occur when
ASNAU makes a stand to be on board with it or not. The yellow piece of paper is
about the Campaign for Presidential Youth Council. SSA will be working on this
this week. This was started out of Harvard University to make sure that the
youth of America would have some say in political decisions. Council will be
made up of youth and would have communication with the office of the
President. Will be looking into it, but they want a lot of university support to
show that youth have the interest in this voice. The President will pick 4,
Speaker of the House picks 6, the Senate 6, and Minority picks 4 as far as they
know. It is a lot of political game, even though the paper says the council will be
comprised of wide range of demographics Senator Tillinghast points out. These
will be appointed positions and it really depends on the elected in D.C. Senator
Simon says it depends what college you go to as well she would assume. They
aren’t really clear on how this will go. Senator Gorshe asks while referring to the
letter if this was this voted on by ASU senate. President Mastrud believes so as
the policy director contacted her about it. She will look it up and let Senator
Gorshe know. Next week Dylan will go to Phoenix for ABOR event. He will hear
from Student Body Presidents from all universities as well as the president of
ABOR and will report back to Senate about everything.
B. Public Relations- Colleen Flynn, Spencer Carlton
- Have been working on Kiss My Axe shirts and on turkey trot stuff. If anyone
would like to add input to shirts let them know if they are working on them.
They have only helped with one club logo so spread the word that they can help.
C. Special Events- Chyna Gade, Jillian Zuniga
- Jillian apologizes for being absent the past few weeks and explains that Chyna
in California. Flyers for Turkey Trot are at the desk ready to give to clubs and
organizations. Registration is still only $10, and will not go up. Still getting dry-fit
shirts mostly out of budget. The date is Sunday November 24th as Sammy said so
please be there. They are going through Sodexo to get bagels, cream cheese, fruit,
and bottled water. ASNAU will be tabling, she would like to know if everyone
prefers sign up for this week or next. General consensus is next week. They will
be meeting next week with NAUPD to decide the route. It will most likely be
similar to the ROTC 5k route. This week also they will be finalizing artists for the
genre that was picked and the meeting to discuss this will be coming up within
the next few weeks. They are working on deciding when and if they will send an
email revealing the genre. Senator Simon asks why they wouldn’t, Jillian replies
that since the voting this year was different, if something happens or an artist
falls through they might have to go with a second genre that was voted and this
is why they would not tell the student body what the results were right away.
They submitted seven under the genre so this is not very likely. Senator Simon
thinks they should stick with the genre that won. It may not be the biggest artist
the students have ever heard of if they are confined to the genre, and they are
trying to live up to Wiz Khalifa. Release forms will need to be filled out for the
Turkey Trot, same as the carnival. Jillian goes back to Senator Libby’s questions
about participation, she believes they mostly need help. If there are minimal
people in ASNAU who want to participate, they may be able to work something
out. Senator Simon has no desire to run a 5k so will work double in Senator
Libby’s place.
D. ITS- Joey Smoll
- Updated all of the senate documents and put up a banner with pictures from
carnival. Had the calendar taken down because the businesses email account
expired, but created a new one today.
E. NSG- Annsley Niemann, Derek Lopez, Jeremy Chan
- Leslie reports that NSG is working on the Giving Tree, which will be starting
November 16th. Also a social for NSG to go ice-skating, and lastly the biggest
snowball fight recorded in February. Jeremy says it will take place in February
with 6,000 people. They are looking to involve the campus and community, and
will spread the word with flyers, email, and possibly a video promo. Derek says
they are also looking into donating to Toys for Tots, which will need to be
delivered on December 11th. Senator Cabral asks if the snowball fight will be all
of south campus or a specific area, Jeremy says it will be located in the south
fields.
Committee Reports
A. Appropriations: Senator Boruch reports that there is nothing to report. Tuesday
at 7:00P.M if you can’t make it please text her and let her know.
B. Legislative: Senator Gorshe reports that he would like to thank everyone for
working on the resolution. Legislative Committee will meet Wednesday from
11:30A.M to 12:30P.M instead of Monday, as there is no school. Everyone but
Senator Simon can come to this time.
Senator Reports
College of Arts and Letters
a. Shannon Boruch- No college report. Helping students around campus
get information
b. Scott Tillinghaust- Men’s Rugby about bills, helping a student studying
abroad to write a bill for conference next semester he will be going to
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
a. Ernan Cabral- No college report. Met with Delta Chi Lambda to work
on OA. Working on Resolution for Tobacco Free Policy
b. Brittany Simon- Making copies, Annsley added her on Facebook, and
she is looking forward to learning all about the Hexapus
College of Health and Human Services
a. Zachary Howard- Helped Jacob write bill for India trip. Talking with
NAU Men’s Frisbee. Senator Libby asks when line will be raised so
they can email their clubs to let them know. VP Woodhouse says to
start as soon as possible. Senator Tillinghast asks if ASNAU has to do
an official vote to raise the limit. No, consensus is adequate.
b. Nicolas Startt- Helped people get butcher paper and printing.
Someone came in checking to volunteer for Louie’s Cupboard
College of Education
a. Kelsey Smart- Reschedule Dean meeting. Thank you to everyone who
sent club list
b. Jared Gorshe- Working with Women’s Lacrosse and Water Polo. RHA
talked about medical amnesty, were receptive
College of Business
a. Ryan Cook- Getting together with Club Softball
b. Alexandria Buchta- Not Present
College of Forestry, Engineering, and Natural Sciences
a. Nicole Ortega- First senate bill and helped Oregon with the Medical
Amnesty Resolution
b. Savannah Libby- Meeting with Dean next week. Wrote first senate
bill, a few people came in for breakfast club applications.
Advisor Reports (Rick Brandel and Art Farmer)
Rick Brandel— He would like to remind everyone that there are only three official
meetings after tonight, everyone should be thinking that we are three-quarters of
the way through the semester and remember school work is most important.
Secondly, he would like to thank Art for continually dealing with student conduct on
campus, sometimes even consulting with faculty members in other state locations.
Art dealt with one in a European nation in a study abroad program recently, to deal
and consult with the situation. Thank you to Art for all of the hard work.
Art Farmer— Have a safe weekend, one suggestion when everyone gets back from
Thanksgiving break there aren’t many sessions left for the fall semester. Develop a
real short list of things that need to be accomplished and focus on those. NSG, he
would like to talk about the snowball fight.
Discussion Items
-None
Announcements
Golden Pine Cone Award: Vivian, for helping out with the meeting and being a part of the
team.
Important Dates
Legislative meeting will be Wednesday, November 13th from 11:30A.M to 12:30P.M
instead of Monday.
Turkey Trot is November 24th at 8:00A.M.
Adjournment
Motion: Senator Ortega move to adjourn the meeting
Second: Senator Simon
Vote: Unanimous, meeting was adjourned at 6:16 P.M.