Eastern Connecticut State University
83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 Phone: 860-465-0099
Student Government Association
General Board Meeting
January 27th, 2014
Present:
Executive Board: P. Bjornstad (President), A. Bullard (Vice President), M. Hicks
(BAM), Z. Yeager (Secretary)
Advisors: M. Delaney
Senators: J. Ahern, E. Benoit, A. Burns, K. Chrzanowska, V. Cosma, E. Drouin, D.
Dykstra, A. Fiducia, J. Garzone, C. Gosselin, M. Kandemir, E. McDonald, M. McFallGorman, E. Pelletier, R. Perry, J. Reid, R. Rivera, M. Silver, M. Styrczula
Guests: W. McLaughlin, R. Labrie
Meeting called to order at 3:02 PM
1. Acceptance of Minutes for 1/13/14
a. Motion # 36 (J. Garzone , J. Reid ) Motion to accept the minutes from
1/13/14 (21-0-0) Motion Carries.
2. President’s Report:
a. New Induction:
Motion # 37 (M. McFall-Gorman, J. Reid) Motion to induction M. Silver
into the Senate for the remainder of the 2013-2014 academic year (21-0-0)
Motion Carries.
b. Compensation:
P. Bjornstad will be meeting with K. Bedini regarding the compensation plan
to see what avenues we have. We are looking to change the dollar amounts
to lower amounts that may not require referendum. We may change the
payment to express cash, or a scholarship, but all the details need to be
looked into and finalized.
J. Reid asked how the other CSU schools do compensation. Central &
Southern do compensation with a stipend, but we are unsure about Western.
J. Ahern mentioned that he does not believe compensation should be given.
We do this club because we love SGA, not for the money.
A. Bullard mentioned that she has done this for 2 years. She is unsure at this
point.
M. Hicks was torn as well. He mentioned other SGAs that do get paid and it is
tough that we are one of few that is volunteer-based, but notes that we
would lose dedication from the students if we add money to the mix.
C. Gosselin said that Senators need to express their opinions now as the
amounts are finalized.
An informal vote was called: 8 people are in favor (36%), 6 opposed (27%),
Eastern Connecticut State University Student Government Association
“Students Serving Students”
and the rest are indifferent.
c. Cleaning Campaign Part II:
The next one is tentatively planned for February but may be moved due to a
long weekend, and town gown. The next Town Gown meeting is on February
20th.
d. ExcelCT Plan / BOR Update:
J. Ahern gave an update on the plan. President Gray discussed a new budget
in March with tuition issues. Gray wants to put the 17 schools in the system
into one working system which would allow easier access to institutions,
and be the highest quality schools in Connecticut. February 6th is the time of
action if we plan to persuade legislatures to change their minds about
funding and tuition increases. Contact Justin with questions about SAC, or
any issues with BOR.
e. Senator Conduct:
P. Bjornstad mentioned that all of us are elected positions and we need to
conduct ourselves professionally at all times.
f.
Outing Ideas:
E. Pelletier noted that she was worried about having a speaker because
students may not listen as well.
J. Reid suggested the board breaking exercise.
E. Drouin suggested we avoid the wilderness but J. Garzone countered and
said he would prefer a trip to the wilderness.
K. Chrzanowska recommended the trampoline place.
J. Reid suggested the speaker meet us at the place and that we mix the outing
and conference. Z. Yeager and others agreed that a mix of a conference
(speaker or non-speaker) and a fun outing be combined.
3. Vice President’s Report:
a. E-Board Update:
i. Letter Writing Campaign:
A. Bullard mentioned the increase of tuition that may be headed our
way. E-Board came up with the idea of writing hand-written letters
to legislatures and people in Hartford to convince them to rally
against tuition increases and support increased funding to the state
universities. The administration would be on board with this
because it would mean we would be getting more money. Many
people were split down the middle last year. This plan of increasing
funding doesn’t compromise the university and we can keep the
same staff, hours, etc. When tuition isn’t increased or decreases,
students may suffer when hours or faculty is cut.
M. McFall-Gorman mentioned that we cover our bases and contact as
many people in government as we can.
E. Pelletier mentioned we should do more than just write letters. A.
Bullard also mentioned the Twitter campaign to blast the
legislature’s twitter accounts with a certain hashtag in conjunction
with the other CSUs.
E. Benoit asked what funding increases would help (as opposed to
no tuition increases, tuition increases, etc).
M. Hicks mentioned that the default is to raise tuition. We want to
target legislature because it’s an election year so that we can get it to
them before the budget comes out. At that point we have to appeal to
the BOR instead which is trickier, and almost a lost cause.
E. Pelletier mentioned a calling campaign where we call legislatures
and leave messages. The Senate and E-Board seemed to approve.
M. McFall-Gorman asked about surplus/defecit. M. Hicks mentioned
how we are break-even at Eastern, which is good in comparison to
other schools.
b. Committees
i. Student Issues:
The Majors Fair is Tuesday March 12th from 2-4 PM. This will be
reaching out to future students and current students who have not
declared a major.
Public Safety event is going to be on April 2nd from 3-4 in the Student
Center Theatre. E. McDonald is communicating with Public Safety on
the details.
Student Issues Meetings are now Thursdays at 7 PM in the
Clubs/Organizations Suite.
ii. Public Relations:
E. Drouin mentioned the 3 different ideas that PR has come up with:
Student Appreciation Day, Eastern Appreciation Day, and Bucket List
Day.
Senators should e-mail E. Drouin with their ideas about each so that
the committee can narrow it down.
iii. Internal:
Meetings are now Mondays at 10 PM.
iv. BAM:
Chris and Michelle are working with K. Bedini to secure money for 1
½ trainers (1 full time, 1 part-time) that are strictly devoted to club
sport members. BAM agreed to pay $10,000 per year for medical
equipment but nothing is official.
M. Hicks talked about Senator interest in BAM due to a newly
vacated spot.
4. Secretary’s Report:
5. Advisor’s Report:
6. Old Business:
7. New Business:
a. Penguin Plunge:
M. McFall-Gorman proposed the idea of an SGA plunge group for the plunge
happening soon. She will set up a table in the student center to accept
donations from students. She discussed the idea and e-mailed interested
Senators.
8. Open Floor:
Meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.