Government Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes
Chair: Gustavo Ascanio
October 5th, 2015
6:00PM to 7:00PM in the John E. Sapp
I.
Call to Order
a. Meeting called to order at 6:01PM.
II.
Roll call - Vice Chair Thames
a. Quorum has been established with 4 voting members; Johnson, Thames, Lee,
Sorrentino.
III.
Approval of the Minutes
a. Senator Sorrentino: Motion to approve the minutes from September 21st, 2015.
Second. All in favor. Moved.
IV.
Approval of the Agenda
a. Senator Thames: Motion to amend the agenda by replacing October 15th, 2015
with October 5th, 2015. Second. All in favor. Moved.
b. Senator Thames: Motion to amend tonight’s agenda under Guest Speakers so
that it reads a. Attorney General and b. Elections Commissioner. Second. All in
favor. Moved.
c. Senator Thames: Motion to approve tonight’s agenda as amended. Second. All
in favor. Moved.
V.
Student Remarks
a. Vice President Jordan Wilson: There are issues with senators getting involved
outside of senate. I encourage all of you to volunteer with Osprey Productions on
October 8th with the Big Sean concert.
 Senator Sorrentino: Is the sign up genius going to be sent to us - I believe
it has already been sent.
 Chair Ascanio: POI I spoke with Katie Jackson and she said the signup
sheet is full.
 Senator Johnson: Where are the badges located? - In the OP office.
VI.
Guest Speakers
a. Attorney General Baker: My role is to interpret the constitution. Interpretation
requests can be filed, my interpretation is then forwarded to the judicial branch
and they hold a judicial review. Recent interpretations have given GO committee
more power. I am also the chief prosecutor.
 Senator Thames: Can something that is filed as a review that is found in
noncompliance then be forwarded into a complaint? - Anyone can file a
judicial complaint, something that is filed as a review, depending on the
severity, can then also be recommended to be filed under complaint
charges.
 Chair Ascanio: The judicial branch cannot punish someone outside of
their branch, correct? - As far as impeachment, the Judicial can make a
recommendation for impeachment which goes before senate. The
Judicial branch also has the power to do punitive actions against any
student government member who is found in violation.
 Chair Ascanio: POI if you need help writing or understanding bills, see
Attorney General Baker, talking to her about these things does not violate
Sunshine Law.
b. Elections Commissioner Johnson: CR-F15-2900 passed in C&S which raises
language creating the Office of Elections from Title VI into the constitution. The
purpose of my office is to have an unbiased third party to run the elections. I
encourage you all to share your ideas on ways to improve my office.
 Senator Thames: How many executive terms can the Elections
Commissioner serve? - There is no limit.
 Senator Thames: Will CR-15F-2900 go through senate? - No
 Senator Thames: What is the other CR? - It had to do with the Judiciary
and was passed over the summer.
 Senator Thames: Was the CR that went through C&S tonight different
from the one passed over the summer? - Yes.
 Senator Thames: Where can I find a copy of the CR? - It will be on the
agenda for next week’s senate meeting.
 Elections Commissioner Johnson: POI Title VI cannot be changed 10
weeks before an election.
VII.
Remarks of the Chair - sgagoc@unf.edu
a. Former president Gloster submitted a review of Title XIII because there was a
discrepancy over whether or not the GOC could serve as a check for the other
branches. Attorney General Baker’s interpretation stated that that power is
clearly given to the GOC. I plan on having people from other branches coming to
GOC meetings to discuss their role.
 Senator Johnson: Who does not seek appointment/ confirmation through
the GOC? - The only cabinet members that come through the GOC are
the Treasurer, Student Advocate, Vice President, and Attorney General.
VIII.
Old business
 None
IX.
New business
a. Senate Appointments
 Nicholas Wong
1. My name is Nicholas Wong and I am a junior majoring in political
science. I would like to get involved in Student Government to get
involved and help serve as a voice for the student body. I worked
in the UNF bookstore and learned a lot about effective
communication.
a. Senator Lee: What are some student needs that you seek
to address? - I believe Osprey Cafe weekend hours should
be extended.
b. Senator Johnson: How would you bring the student’s
needs into Student Government? - I would speak to
classmates or people I come into contact with.
c. Senator Sorrentino: Which committee would you serve on?
- USA because I want to know student’s perspectives to
know how to meet their needs.
d. Senator Thames: What are you currently involved in on
campus? - I am taking a full course load and will hopefully
be involved in Student Government.
e. Senator Sorrentino: POI will he be filling a fall or a spring
seat? - He will be filling the last fall seat if he is confirmed
in senate.
f.
Senator Thames: Are you able to commit an adequate
amount of time to student government? - Yes.
g. Senator Lee: What skills can you bring to Student
Government? - I have good communication skills with
students and am ready to push initiatives for them.
h. Senator Akapabio: What makes you qualified to serve the
students? - I have lived on campus which gives me
perspective on that and have many connections with
students through my classes.
i.
Senator Akapabio: What is your classification? - Junior.
j.
Senator Thames: Motion to forward Nicholas Wong to
senate. Second. Discussion. Roll call vote passes 5-0-0.
X.
Announcements
a. Make sure you’re all on time for senate, and come prepared to meetings.
 Senator Lee: What other titles should we be familiar with? -Title VI, Title
XII, and the P&P’s.
 Senator Sorrentino: Are the constitutions in the senate chambers
updated? - I’m not sure because the constitution is always being
amended. You can get a fully updated constitution in the rotunda.
XI.
Final Roll Call - Vice Chair
a. Quorum has been reestablished with 5 voting members; Akapabio, Johnson,
Thames, Lee, Sorrentino.
XII.
Adjournment
a. Meeting adjourned at 7:01PM.
Minutes taken by Katherine Thames, Governmental Oversight Vice-Chair