OSA Senate Agenda
April 1, 2014 at 4:45 PM
Reeve Memorial Union, Room 221
I.
II.
Call to Order – Pledge of Allegiance at 4:50 PM
Roll Call –
College of Letters and Science (12)
Daniel Dennis – Present
Katie Keelan – Present
James Martine – Present
Michael Riley – Present
Graham Sparks – Present
Steven Thompson – Present
Hallie Turnbull – Present
Kylee Kubis – Present
Benjamin Stepanek – Present
Lindsey Newhauser – Present
Pablo Juarez - Present
III.
Open Forum - none
IV.
Approval of the Agenda - approved
V.
Approval of the Minutes - approved
Education & Human Services (5)
Katie Geis – Present
Nursing (3)
College of Business (5)
Anne Cummins – Excused
Joseph Erd – Excused
Stuart Karas – Absent
Ashley Meyer – Present
Chase Mitchell – Present
VI.
Guest Speakers – Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs – Dr. Lane Earns –
unable to attend
VII.
Officer Reports –
a. OSA Directors –
b. OSA Office Manager – (Rae Ann - wetzelr@uwosh.edu ) – no report
c. OSA Advisor – (Petra – roterp@uwosh.edu) –
d. OSA Academic Liaison – (Julie – zulegerj@uwosh.edu) – elections for the
upcoming year end of April end of May, only for academic staff
e. Speaker Pro-Tempore – (Nicole – osaspeakerpt@uwosh.edu) – irks and perks
from assembly exec board wear powdered wigs. Want ice cream back. Reggie
and Nicole on the search and screen committee for new Chancellor. Next
Monday after the assembly meeting talk to as many people as you can.
f. Speaker of the Assembly – (Sarah Speigle – osaspeaker@uwosh.edu) – straw poll
no one seemed to mind nominations for speaker and speaker pro temp 21st or
suspending the bylaws,
g. Vice President Pro-Tempore – ( Hallie Turnbull– osavppt@uwosh.edu) – send
any committees that you serve on the information regarding the committee,
committee chair, and if you met at a regular time when that is.
h. Vice President – (Jordan – osavp@uwosh.edu) – April 12th student rep meeting
and complete your financial aid forms
i. President – (Ryan - hackbr00@uwosh.edu) – Student representatives chosen for
the Search and Screen committee for the new Chancellor
VIII.
Presidential Appointments –
OSA 13-029
BE IT RESOLVED: That the OSA Senate and Assembly approved the following Presidential
Appointments and/or recommendations:
1.
Zachary Williams, Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee
Sponsored by: Ryan Hackbarth, OSA president
Dispense, Katie
Motion to move to floor Dennis, 2nd by Riley
Vote voice vote passed (04/01/14)
SS 13-024
BE IT RESOLVED: That the OSA Senate gives recognition and voting privileges to those
Organizations with “Assembly” after their names:
1. Sociology Club, Assembly (lost voting rights)
Sponsored by: Sarah Speigle, Speaker of Assembly
Move to floor Keelan, 2nd by Sparks
Had a complete turn over and has new exec board they filled out a calendar and someone
will attend every week
Passed voice vote (04/01/14)
IX.
Unfinished Business –
OSA 12-020
IN SUPPORT OF THE OSHKOSH STUDENT ASSOCIATION ENCOURAGING THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH FOUNDATION AND ITS DONORS TO
EXAMINE AND PURSUE DIVESTMENT FROM FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES AND
INCREASE INVESTMENT IN SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES
WHEREAS Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5) empowers university student associations
with the primary responsibility for the formulation and review of policies concerning
student life, services and interests;
WHEREAS the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Foundation (UWO Foundation) was
created to promote, receive, invest, and disburse gifts to meet the goals of the University
of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh) and includes being a good corporate citizen as one
of its core values;
WHEREAS UW-Oshkosh is a signatory to the American College and University
President’s Climate Commitment, which encourages universities to take steps in pursuit
of climate neutrality;
WHEREAS UW-Oshkosh has endorsed the Earth Charter and its mission to promote the
transition to sustainable ways of living and a global society founded on a shared ethical
framework that includes respect and care for the community of life and ecological
integrity;
WHEREAS UW-Oshkosh is committed to becoming a carbon-neutral institution by 2025
and has already made extraordinary efforts aimed at reaching this goal;
WHEREAS several public and private universities of various sizes, in addition to select
cities and other institutions, have committed to or are considering divestment from fossil
fuel companies;
WHEREAS multiple financial institutions have concluded that it is possible to divest
from fossil fuels without negatively affecting returns and there is clear need to consider
the specific investment position of the UWO Foundation and any potential impact on
returns when examining methods to divest from fossil fuel companies;
WHEREAS the UWO Foundation and its associated bodies, particularly the Student
Managed Endowment Fund, must align their portfolio with donor interests and their
investment policy statements and any fossil fuel divestment constraints or green
technology over-weighting will require involvement and consideration of donors;
WHEREAS the data made available by the Carbon Tracker Initiative is valuable in
making environmentally conscious investment decisions as they seek to bring
transparency in terms of the carbon embedded in equity markets;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Oshkosh Student Association (OSA) encourages the UWO
Foundation and its donors to consider the sustainability goals and leadership of UWOshkosh in addition to the will of the student body when managing investments and
issuing investment policy statements;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, should divestment be found economically viable,
OSA encourages the UWO Foundation, in cooperation with its donor partners, to make a
plan of action aimed at divesting from those fossil fuel companies specifically identified
by the Carbon Tracker Initiative within five years;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that OSA requests that the UWO Foundation prepare a
report detailing options for adjusting investment positions such that the positive impact of
the Foundation is maximized not only by limiting investment in fossil fuel companies but
also by increasing investment in sustainable enterprises, including, but not limited to,
clean technology; renewable energy; sustainable companies or projects, with preference
given, all other things being equal, to those companies or projects which are Wisconsinbased; and sustainable communities;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that OSA encourages the UWO Foundation to, wherever
and whenever possible, and when economically viable; make efforts to cease new
investment in fossil fuel companies and to align their portfolio so that it reflects the
values of UW-Oshkosh:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA requests the UWO Foundation to release
updates detailing progress made towards fossil fuel divestment and that these updates be
made available to the general public;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA supports any and all other efforts, made at
any level, to limit actions that negatively impact the environment, including through
legislation and innovative methods;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA revisit this resolution in two years examine
progress made in meeting the goals herein;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be delivered to Chancellor
Richard Wells; Vice-Chancellor Thomas Sonnleitner; President Rathjen, UWO
Foundation; all sitting Board Members and Directors of the UWO Foundation; Kristine
L. Beck, Ph.D., Faculty Advisor, Student Managed Endowment Fund; Stephen P.
Huffman, Ph.D., CFA, FRM, Faculty Advisor, Student Managed Endowment Fund;
David Barnhill, Ph.D., Department Chair, Environmental Studies; and the UW-Oshkosh
Campus Sustainability Council.
Sponsors: UW-Oshkosh Change the Climate Campaign; Student Environmental Action
Coalition; College Democrats; Political Science Student Association; Senator Dennis,
Senator Stepanek, Senator Mitchell, Senator Newhauser; Emily Husar Martin, Scot
McCullough
Dispense
Motion to amend by move to floor Sparks, 2nd Dennis
Vote passed voice vote (04/01/14
[Under the first "Be It Further Resolved"]
that, should divestment be found economically viable, OSA encourages the UWO
Foundation, in cooperation with its donor partners, to make a plan of action aimed at
divesting from those fossil fuel companies specifically identified by the Carbon Tracker
Initiative within five years;
[Under the second "Be It Further Resolved"]
that OSA requests that the UWO Foundation prepare a report detailing options for
adjusting investment positions such that the positive impact of the Foundation is
maximized not only by limiting investment in fossil fuel companies but also by increasing
investment in sustainable enterprises, including, but not limited to, clean technology;
renewable energy; sustainable companies or projects, with preference given, all other
things being equal, to those companies or projects which are Wisconsin-based; and
sustainable communities;
[Under the third "Be It Further Resolved"]
that OSA encourages the UWO Foundation to, wherever and whenever possible, and when
economically viable; make efforts to cease new investment in fossil fuel companies and to
align their portfolio so that it reflects the values of UW-Oshkosh:
Vote passed voice vote full resolution (04/01/14)
OSA 13-026
WHEREAS, Student Tech Fees has been in discussion of limiting printing for the
academic year 2014-2015 and onward; and
WHEREAS, UW Oshkosh currently allocates 5,000 sheets per semester, per student for
printing; and
WHEREAS, the 5,000 sheet limit is the highest sheet amount allocated to students, per
semester in the UW System; and
WHEREAS, currently, only 4 students of our 13,000 have reached and surpassed our
current limit; and
WHEREAS, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is the 14th most sustainable university
campus in the nation and reducing the limit of printing would coincide with our vision of
a sustainable future; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the OSA encourages Student Tech Fees to limit
each UWO student to 2,500 sheets of printing per year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the OSA encourages Student Tech Fees to allocate
1,000 sheets for the fall term, 1,000 sheets for the spring term and 500 sheets for the
summer term. The limits will be strictly enforced and notification of going over will be
emailed to their “@uwosh.edu” email. All printing over the limit will be directly billed to
the student’s account and will be expected to be paid at the end of that specific term; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the OSA encourages Student Tech Fees to give
adequate notification, explanation and evaluation of this change. The trial period will be
the Summer term of 2014 and the full implementation of this change will start the Fall
term of 2014; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the OSA will revisit with Student Tech Fees after
the first full year of implementation of this plan to evaluate and make beneficial changes
to the plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the OSA encourages the Student Tech Fees to
reallocate all saved funding toward improving the campus WiFi; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that upon passage of this resolution will be sent to
following: Dr. Richard Wells, Chancellor of UW-Oshkosh, Dr. Petra Roter, Vice
Chancellor of Student Affairs, Dr. Lane Earns, Provost, Thomas Sonnleitner, Vice
Chancellor of Administrative Services, Lisa Danielson, Registrar, Laura Knaapen,
Director of Academic Computing, Greg Wypiszynski, President of Academic Staff, Dr.
Kay Neal, President of Faculty Senate.
Sponsored by: President Hackbarth, Vice President Schettle, Senator Sparks, Senator
Kubis, Senator Geis, Senator Newhauser, Senator Thompson
Dispense, Keelan
Motion to move to floor Sparks, 2nd by Newhaurser
Vote passed voice vote (04/01/14) 7 opposed, 2 abstentions
X.
New Business –
OSA 13-030
REGARDING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE ADVANCE TITAN
WHEREAS Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5) empowers university student associations with the
primary responsibility for the formulation and review of policies concerning student life, services
and interests, and
WHEREAS the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh) implementation plan for State
Statute 36.09(5) neither requires an independent media nor recognizes the Advance Titan as an
independent organization, and
WHEREAS the Advance Titan covers and is a part of student life at the University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh) and has a history of quality journalism, having received
Pacemaker Awards from the Associated College Press in 2002 and 2005, and
WHEREAS the Advance Titan maintains near independence from UW-Oshkosh, its journalism
department, the Oshkosh Student Association (OSA), and UW-Oshkosh Administration, and
WHEREAS any entities which receive funding from UW-Oshkosh students retain oversight
from student governance bodies or student managed committees, and
WHEREAS UW-Oshkosh organizations utilize the Wisconsin Data Mart (WISDM) financial
system for accounting and tracking of funds within the University of Wisconsin System, and
WHEREAS the landscape of journalism is continually changing and the Advance Titan has not
recorded an annual net positive cash flow in over five years, and
WHEREAS the Advance Titan utilizes WISDM and requests a small portion of its funding from
the Student Allocations Committee but is not a recognized student organization and is subject to
no financial oversight, and
WHEREAS the Advance titan has demonstrated extreme financial mismanagement and
irresponsibility resulting in a negative balance of over $80,000 in their WISDM account, which
is detrimental to UW-Oshkosh and its students, and
WHEREAS the Advance Titan has not produced a concrete plan of action aimed at achieving a
positive cash flow without receiving student funds but has expressed its desire to remain wholly
independent with no oversight, and
WHEREAS there are many examples of student newspapers which receive student funding and
financial oversight while maintaining journalistic independence,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the OSA recognizes the value of a student newspaper in
enhancing and reporting on student life and providing practical education and opportunities for
students interested in journalism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA urges the Advance Titan to take immediate steps to
further cut costs and increase revenues in order to prevent any increase in debt; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA requests the Advance Titan to submit to the
oversight of a student committee whose purpose is to create strategies to gradually reduce and
ultimately eliminate their debt and prevent future financial mismanagement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any oversight committee for the Advance Titan will not
attempt to influence the content of the Advance Titan and respect editorial independence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA calls upon the UW-Oshkosh Administration to,
should the Advance Titan fail to decrease its debt or submit to oversight by the end of the 20132014 academic year, prevent further withdrawals from its WISDM account; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA requests the Advance Titan to create and submit a
specific plan of action aimed at improving its financial management, cash flow, and repaying its
debt; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA will not condone the use of student funds for
subsiding the Advance Titan prior to effective financial management being demonstrated within
the organization and the organization submitting to an effective oversight body or mechanism;
and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be delivered to Richard Wells,
Chancellor; Petra Roter, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs; Vince Filak, Faculty Advisor,
Advance Titan; Jessica Kuderer, Editor in Chief, Advance Titan; Katie Neumann, Managing
Editor, Advance Titan; Sarah Spiegle, Chair, Student Allocations Committee; Zachary Dunton,
Chair, Differential Tuition Committee; and Katie Keelan, Chair, Segregated Fees Committee.
Sponsors: President Hackbarth, Speaker PT of the Assembly Lehto, Direcotr Hopper, Senator
Mitchell
Dispense, Keelan
Motion to move to floor Stepanek, 2nd by Riley
Motion to suspend rules Keelan, 2nd by Kubis
Not going after the advanced titan suggest to administration and suggest some mechanism
but not under OSA newspapers are funded and oversee, student media board made up of
students long term process, no matter what will take time, initial opinion on OSA should
happen. Did not have the proposal ready for seg fees. Did not hear any concerns at
Assembly yesterday. Vincent from AT has several budget models to show and has shared
these proposals in the past. When referring to financial mismanagement and he is advisor
are you stating he is mismanaged the finances for the AT? Answer: No not one person in
general.
Reinstate rules Turnbull, 2nd by Newhauser (04/01/14)
Motion to amend by the below Newhauser, 2nd by Thompson
Strike the 2nd ‘whereas’ clause and replace it with:
WHEREAS the Advance Titan is recognized as the official student newspaper of the
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh), and
Strike the10th and 11th ‘whereas’ clauses and replace them with:
WHEREAS a concrete plan of action aimed at achieving a positive cash flow or finding
long-term funding for the Advance Titan has not been created and that there is clear need
for collaboration in developing an effective solution, and
WHEREAS independent student oversight does not intrinsically encroach on journalistic
or editorial independence as has been demonstrated by oversight committees and student
media boards at many universities,
Strike ‘and’ in the 2nd ‘resolved’ clause after ‘cut costs’ and insert:
, including by considering bi- or tri-weekly instead of weekly publication, decreasing the
number of pages per issue, and/or eliminating color printing, and further work to
Strike the 3rd ‘resolved’ clause and replace it with:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA requests the Advance Titan to collaborate
with appropriate bodies to develop a financial management and long-term funding solution
that, particularly if student funds are utilized, includes independent student oversight,
possibly through the creation of a Student Media Board; and
Strike the 5th ‘resolved’ clause and replace it with:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSA calls upon the UW-Oshkosh Administration
to prevent further withdrawals from the Advance Titan WISDM account at the end of the
regular fall 2014 semester, December 12th, 2014, if appropriate actions have not been taken
and a long-term solution has not been proposed by that time; and
Strike the 6th and 7th ‘resolved’ clauses.
Amendment to the Amendment
Also strike in the clause regarding financial management:
‘extreme’ and ‘and irresponsibility’
Vote, passed voice vote (04/01/14)
Motion to create ad hoc committee to discuss AT finances 10 people, with four member os
OSA, four from Advanced Titan, two students at large and advised by Petra. By Katie, 2nd
by Hopper (passed voice vote) 04/01/14 one abstention
Members of committee: Sarah Speigle, Lindsey Newhauser, Chase Mitchess, Jessi Kuderr,
Katie Newmann, Ryan Smith, Katie Keelan, Sam Broughton, and appoint two other
students.
OSA 13-031
WEREAS the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO), Dr. Richard Wells, is
retiring, effective August 31st, 2014; and
WHEREAS, according to University of Wisconsin-System Regent policy document 6-4, the
President of the UW-System, Dr. Ray Cross, has the power to appoint an Interim Chancellor in
the event of a vacancy at a UW-System University after consulting with the Board of Regents
President and Vice President; and
WHEREAS an Interim Chancellor selected within the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh would
understand the necessity of maintaining and continuing to uphold the integrity and values of
UWO; and
WHEREAS The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students, employees, friends and
administration would benefit greatly in having the Interim Chancellor be selected from within
UWO’s administrative system; and
WHEREAS UWO’s structure of shared governance is unique to the UW-System and would be
best preserved by an individual from UWO; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oshkosh Student Association would prefer it of
President Cross to select an Interim Chancellor from UWO; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to UW-System
President, Dr. Ray Cross; Mr. Michael J. Falbo, President of the UW-System Board of Regents;
Ms. Regina Millner, Vice President of the UW-System Board of Regents; Dr. Richard Wells,
Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh; and Dr. Petra Roter, Vice Chancellor of
Student Affairs.
Sponsors: Vice President Schettle and Director Parson
Dispense
Motion to move to floor Dennis, 2nd by Hopper
OSA 13-032
WHEREAS Dr. Richard Wells, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO), will
retire from his position effective August 31st, 2014; and
WHEREAS Chancellor Wells has led UWO since 2000 and is the third-longest-serving
Chancellor; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Chancellor, UWO has seen an increase of 19% in enrollment;
and
WHEREAS Chancellor Wells, has launched and completed about $320 million in construction
projects (2000-2015), close to 50% of which came from donors/private sector investments and
program revenue; and
WHEREAS Chancellor Wells has overseen the creation of the Student Recreation and Wellness
Center, Horizon Village, Sage Hall, and the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center; and
WHEREAS Chancellor Wells has, throughout his tenure, respected the student voice of UWO,
as well as maintained an impressive system of shared governance throughout the University; and
WHEREAS, despite the difficulties that faced higher education and the University of Wisconsin
System, Chancellor Wells’ leadership helped ensure that the students of UWO received a wellrounded, liberal arts education; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oshkosh Student Association would like to thank
Chancellor Wells for all he has accomplished during his tenure at UWO; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oshkosh Student Association wishes all the best to Dr.
Wells in his future endeavors; and
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Dr. Richard Wells,
Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Sponsored by: Vice President Schettle
Dispense, Keelan
Motion to move to floor Thompson 2nd by Martine
XI.
XII.
Committee Reports –
Discussion –
a. Voter’s Rights full power committee
b. Election bylaws make a working group with full power and six members: Sparks,
Sebstead, Keelan, Lehto, Speigle and Juarez
XIII.
Announcements – Tabling at Titan Nights this Friday at LBGTQ this Friday hand out
cups sparks vice USRH can vote good to support them as well. This Saturday Oshkosh
West money conference credit report as well. Oshkosh West High School, April Fools
XIV.
Adjourn 04/01/14
Motion to adjourn at 6:35 PM by Erd, 2nd by Riley (passed voice vote)