Government Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes
Chair: Gustavo Ascanio
January 6, 2016
5:30PM to 7:00PM in the John E. Sapp
I.
Call to Order
A. Meeting called to order at 5:37PM
II.
Roll Call - Vice Chair Katherine Thames
A. Quorum has been established with 5 voting members; Thames, Sorrentino,
Gislason, Johnson, Mims
III.
Approval of the Minutes
A. Senator Sorrentino: Motion to approve the minutes from November 16, 2015.
Second. All in Favor. Moved.
IV.
Approval of the Agenda
A. Senator Johnson: Motion to amend the agenda such that under new business
legislative appointments comes before executive appointments. Second. All in
favor. Moved.
B. Senator Thames: Motion to approve the agenda as amended. Second. All in
favor. Moved.
V.
Student Remarks
A. None
VI.
Guest Speakers
A. None
VII.
Remarks of the Chair:
A. Make sure the right questions are asked to the appointees. Chief of Staff
Grantham is in a class until 6PM and we might have to take a recess until he
gets here.
VIII.
Unfinished business
A. None
IX.
New Business
A. Legislative Appointments
1. Brett Burton
a)
I am a junior, political science major, and a marine.
(1) Senator Thames: Can you describe the duties of the
Sergeant At Arms? –I lead the pledge of allegiance and
would help escort people out of the chambers if they
became unruly.
(2) Senator Johnson: What makes you qualified? –Other
people thought I was qualified.
(3) Senator Thames: Do you have a concentration in political
science? –Public Administration.
(4) Senator Mims: Motion to approve Senator Burton as
Sergeant At Arms. Second. Discussion. Roll call vote
passes 5-0-0.
(5) Senator Thames: Motion to recess until Chief of Staff
Grantham is present. Second. Adopted.
B. Executive Appointments
1. Quorum has been reestablished with 6 voting members: Thames,
Sorrentino, Johnson, Gislason, Mims, Awan.
2. Caleb Grantham
a) My name is Caleb Grantham I am a sophomore studying
mechanical engineering. I became involved in the executive
branch after serving a year in the legislative cabinet after a period
of turnover. I was asked by President Guerra to step up into this
position.
(1) Senator Mims: What is your background in ROTC/ Air
Force? –I was involved in the program all 4 years in high
school. I enjoyed the leadership and discipline that it
required.
(2) Senator Thames: What is your biggest asset? –I’ve seen
the things that have played out throughout last semester
and I’ve been able to learn from those things.
(3) Senator Sorrentino: What are your strengths and
weaknesses? –I believe that leadership is my greatest
strength but at times can be my biggest weakness.
Sometimes it can be difficult to take a step back.
(4) Chair Ascanio: What are some initiatives you believe you'll
be able to accomplish? –A lot of the initiatives we have
taken on are near completion. Many of the projects have
completed ground work that makes their completion easier.
(5) Senator Mims: What’s one change you would've made had
you assumed this position earlier? - I would have tried to
enhance branch wide communication.
(6) Senator Thames: Motion to forward Chief of Staff
Grantham to Senate. Second. Discussion. Roll call vote
passes 6-0-0.
X.
Announcements
A. Make sure you are all on time for Senate.
XI.
Final Roll Call - Vice Chair Katherine Thames
A. Quorum has been reestablished with 5 voting members; Sorrentino, Johnson,
Thames, Gislason, Mims, Awan.
Minutes taken by Katherine Thames, GO Vice Chair