Student Government Association
Student Senate Meeting
October 9, 2014
Location: Senate Chamber
Call to Order: 7:34 PM
Approval of the Minutes: Charles Uffelman
Pass/Fail
Roll Call:
First Name
Mike
Laitin
David
Eric
Melissa
Russell
Fernanda
Raven
Amelia
Shelby
Karlee
Christina
Matt
Kevan
Emily
Johnny
Christian
Ali
David
Winnie
Caleb
Tevin
Renard
Jalicia
Lainey
Carlton
Elizabeth
Sara
Last Name
Barbour
Beecham
Blount
Bourgeois
Byrd
Copeland Jr.
Corral
Douglas
Durkee
Elkins
Frazier
Gilles
Hammonds
Hatamzadeh
Hayes
Holmes
Hudson
Kingston
Knowles
Law
Lies
Mcinnis
Miles
Myles
Ortego
Randolph
Rapalo
Rolin
Present
xx
xx
Excused
x
x
xx
x
xx
x
x
xx
x
x
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
x
x
x
x
1
Hannah
Kelsey
Brady
Andy
Charles
Emily
Keilyn
Katelyn
Scott
Taylor
Tidwell
Tomayko
Uffelman
Vallor
Wells
Wooley
xx
xx
xx
xx
x
x
Members Present: 19
Citizens Forum: No Reports
Guest Speakers:
Jane Brownlee, Provost Office-Scholarship Programs
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Scholarship office is working on creating a “Need-Based” scholarship that will take a lot
of planning.
This will not cause money to be taken from students. They are looking for multiple
sources of funding.
Charles- This will possibly reduce big scholarships and spread out money given to attract
more students to our campus. The University of Memphis has been one of the top schools
in Tennessee when it comes to scholarship money.
This means that students will be given scholarships based on other circumstances other
than academics, but these scholarships will not take away academic scholarships.
In order to make this a successful scholarship, we need to define the word “need.”
It will provide financial aid in other ways that have not been discussed.
They are going to look at a lot of factors included situational and financial when
determining this scholarship.
We want to help students be able to graduate.
Rhodes College TISL Delegation
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TISL is an organization that allows you to become engaged in politics on campus.
There is a TISL organization on campus.
TISL meets in the fall months, and they write bills and then present and debate them in
November at the Capitol building in Nashville, TN.
There are four different sections that you can get involved with in TISL: Legislative,
Lobbying, Moot Court, and Media. There is also a campaigning side.
The organization is student driven and it can be classified as mock politics/government.
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You get to meet with others from a lot of other schools, and you get to experience
situations and debates that are current issues.
It can open many doors, and it is a great way to network.
You can fill out an application online.
Two representatives of the Supreme Court are TISL graduates, one is from the University
of Memphis.
Officers Report:
President
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The concert fee needs to be decided by the end of October, so pass the bill quickly.
Discussed the “Funding Formula.” A bill will be assigned to the Finance Committee
about this.
Vice President
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We will be having a Blackout for Homecoming.
The work on the crime safety bill has been going well.
The Mr. and Mrs. U of M applications are online, and they are due Thursday, October
16th.
I’m planning on having a meeting with disabilities soon, and we might invite them to
attend one of our meetings. The Developmental Committee should work on a bill putting
disabilities more in the spotlight to help others understand them, making them feel more
comfortable on campus.
We need to work more on the tutoring bill.
Chief Justice- No Reports
Speaker
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We are going to become stricter on attendance; work will not be an excused absence now.
We have meetings at the same time every week, and you should know your
responsibilities by now.
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Speaker Pro Tempore
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I am the leading advisor for Freshman Senate, and they have been doing a great job this
year. They just elected their executive board and committee chairs and are learning about
Parliamentary procedures.
New Officer Nominations
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Kaitlyn Ducket
I serve as the representative of the graduate students. I also have a partner, David Taylor,
who will attend meetings for me if I am not able to. We will be working with the Finance
Committee and be presenting all of the graduate travel bills.
Pass/Fail
Aye_19__ Nay___
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Micheal Walters
I am a member of SAC, I would be able to attend all the meetings, and I am looking
forward to serving my school more.
Pass/Fail
Aye_20__ Nay___
Executive Committees
Involvement- Sarah DeLozier
We are starting a campaign to help recruit people for the SGA cabinet. Please help us
promote this, and tell people about it if they ask and get them interested in SGA. Also
help us promote this on social media.
Dining and Res Life- Laurie Gianella- Not Present
Marketing- Ryan Estes- Not Present
Activities- Savannah Worcester- Not Present
Veterans- Cedrick Houston- Not Present
Safety- Stuart Dedmon- Not Present
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Academics- Denzel Anthony- Not Present
Religious Life- Kenya Gray- Not Present
Athletics- Jerrica James- Not Present
Committee Reports:
Student Development-Ali Kingston
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I am planning on having a meeting with Ricky and Prataj soon to discuss possible bill
ideas.
David is meeting with Rosie to discuss lowering book cost.
Kelsey is working on a bill to promote graduating in 4 years.
Student Services-Hannah Scott
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We need people to complete the survey passed out at the last meeting including the
questions of:
- Is one concert per year enough?
- Is $7-10 an ok amount to ask of students?
- Is this a good use of our activity fee?
- Will this promote good unity on campus?
We need feedback involving these questions.
Environmental-Christiana Gilles
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We have been taking pictures of handicapped entrances and cracked sidewalks because
those need to be improved, so if you see a rough area, please take a picture of it.
Judicial-Kevan Hatamzadeh
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I’ve assigned all of our members to a certain task.
Promote the Safety Bill.
Brady is working on a bill that can speed up the finance bill process.
Let me know if you have any suggestions for bill ideas or if you want to change any
bylaws.
Finance-Amelia Durkee- No Reports
Old Business:
New Business:
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Bill 54
Title: An Act to provide travel funding for Lauren Ragle to travel to Nashville, TN from Memphis, TN.
Prime_Sponsor: Johnny Holmes
Cosponsors: Charles Uffelman
Committee: Finance Committee
WHEREAS1: WHEREAS, Lauren Ragle has requested funding from the Student Government Association
in order to attend and present research at the 2014 Southeast Regional Meeting of the American
Chemical Society, AND
WHEREAS2: WHEREAS, this trip will serve to further promote the reputation and prestige of the
University of Memphis and help advance the field with the findings from the research being presented,
AND
WHEREAS3: WHEREAS, the Student Government Association Finance committee has heard said
applicant’s travel request and made a final recommendation.
WHEREAS4:
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Section 1: Funding shall be provided for the following student traveling from Memphis, TN to
Nashville, TN from October 16, 2014 to October 19, 2014:
A. Lauren Ragle
SECTION2: Section 2: Exactly $166 will be funded for the above student.
SECTION3: Section 3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Bill 55
Sponsor: Kevan Hatamzadeh
Cosponsor: Carlton Randolph
Committee: Safety
Whereas: The University of Memphis has been having issues with crime around
the campus area. The University does not have a security system available to
students that allows them to contact the police about a problem via text or
distress signal.
Whereas: The current security system Tiger Text is up for bid this year and should
be replaced with a security app. The University can purchase an app for 4,000
more dollars then Tiger text. BE IT ENACTED BY THE 65TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCATION:
Section 1: The University as a whole shall be responsible for the purchase and up
keeping of a security app.
Section 2: We recommend that the app have the following features:
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Indoor positioning system
Mass notification system through the app and also by SMS
Geo fencing
Office panic buttons
Mobile Panic Buttons
Student shield
Cloud Based Computing
Emergency and Non-Emergency police phone line
Section 3: Initial Term: 3 Years
Annual License Fee: $19,500.00/year
Initial Maintenance Fee: $0
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Initial Training and Custom Branding Fee: $4,000.00 (one-time fee)
Total: 23,500
Section 3: To be enacted by July 1st 2015
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
8
Bill 56
Title: to provide travel funding for Erika Morton to travel to Minneapolis, MN from Memphis, TN.
Prime_Sponsor: Raven Douglas
Cosponsors: Finance Committee members
Committee: Finance Committee
WHEREAS1: Erika Morton has requested funding from Student Government Association in order to
attend Alpha Lambda Delta's Annual National Leadership Workshop in Minneapolis, MN, AND
WHEREAS2: this trip will serve to further promote the reputation and prestige of the University of
Memphis and also help this student establish valuable leadership skills and connections with other
professionals and other student leaders, AND
WHEREAS3: the Student Government Association Finance committee has heard said applicant's travel
request and made a final recommendation.
WHEREAS4:
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Funding shall be provided for the following student traveling from Memphis, TN to
Minneapolis, MN from October 24th, 2014 to October 26th, 2014:
A. Erika Morton
SECTION2: Exactly $609.00 will be funded for the above student.
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Bill 57
Title: to provide travel funding for Aharon Thomas to travel from Memphis, TN to New York City, NY.
Prime_Sponsor: Emily Vallor
Cosponsors: Johnny Holmes
Committee: Finance
WHEREAS1: Aharon Thomas has requested funding from the Student Government Association in order
to attends the Graduate National Portfolio Day as a representative of the University College's Fashion
Merchandising program.
WHEREAS2: Aharon Thomas will present her portfolio in a digital format of menswear to graduate
schools located in the United States and abroad.
WHEREAS3: Aharon Thomas will bring attention to the University of Memphis's fashion program by
showing her own works.
WHEREAS4: Aharon Thomas is looking forward to possibly winning a full ride scholarship to a top
fashion school in Japan.
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Funding shall be provided for the following students traveling from Memphis, TN to New
York City, NY from October 24, 2014 to October 27, 2014 for the following students:
A. Aharon Thomas
SECTION2: Exactly $805.00 will be funded for the above student.
SECTION3: This act shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Bill 58
Title: to provide travel funding for Xiaohui You to travel to St. Louis, MO from Memphis, TN.
Prime_Sponsor: Karlee Fraizer
Cosponsors: Finance Committee members
Committee: Finance
WHEREAS1: Xiaohui You has requested funding from the Student Government Association in order to
attend and present research at the Missouri Valley Economic Association’s Annual Meeting
WHEREAS2: this trip will serve to further promote the reputation and prestige of the University of
Memphis, help this student establish valuable connections with other professionals in the field, and
advance the field with the findings from the research being presented,
WHEREAS3: the Student Government Association Finance committee has heard said applicant’s travel
request and made a final recommendation.
WHEREAS4:
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Funding shall be provided for the following student traveling from Memphis, TN to St. Louis,
MO from October 23, 2014 to October 25, 2014: Xiaohui You
SECTION2: Exactly $172 will be funded for the above student.
SECTION3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Bill 59
Title: to provide travel funding for Anna Paulson to travel to San Francisco, California from Memphis,
TN.
Prime_Sponsor: Karlee Fraizer
Cosponsors: Finance Committee members
Committee: Finance
WHEREAS1: Anna Paulson has requested funding from the Student Government Association in order to
attend Gendering Technologies 37th Annual Meeting of the Organization of Communication, Language,
and Gender
WHEREAS2: This will benefit The University of Memphis due to the fact that at the conference Anna will
learn new writer skills that she can bring back to the theater department, if her play receives good
publicity it could possibly shed light to the theatre department at the University of Memphis
WHEREAS3: the Student Government Association Finance committee has heard said applicant’s travel
request and made a final recommendation.
WHEREAS4:
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Funding shall be provided for the following student traveling from Memphis, TN to San
Francisco, CA from October 15, 2014 to October 18, 2014: Anna Paulson
Section 3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage
SECTION2: Exactly $762.00 will be funded for the above student.
SECTION3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Bill 60
Title: to provide travel funding for Kyle Christensen to travel to Carbondale, IL from Memphis, TN.
Prime_Sponsor: Emily Vallor
Cosponsors: Amelia Durkee
Committee: Finance
WHEREAS1: Kyle Christensen has requested funding from the Student Government Association in order
to attend and present research at the Building Bridges Conference at Southern Illinois University, AND
WHEREAS2: this trip will help equip this student with skills necessary to become a better educator and
professional, advance the field with the findings from the research being presented, AND
WHEREAS3: the Student Government Association Finance committee has heard said applicant’s travel
request and made a final recommendation.
WHEREAS4:
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Funding shall be provided for the following student traveling from Memphis, TN to
Carbondale, IL from October 16, 2014 to October 18, 2014:
A. Kyle Christensen
SECTION2: Exactly $104 will be funded for the above student.
SECTION3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Bill 61
Title: An Act to provide travel funding for Babatunde Raji to travel to Nashville, TN from Memphis, TN.
Prime_Sponsor: Johnny Holmes
Cosponsors: Emily Vallor
Committee: Finance Committee
WHEREAS1: WHEREAS, Babatunde Raji has requested funding from the Student Government
Association in order to attend and present research at the American Chemical Society’s Southeastern
Regional Meeting, AND
WHEREAS2: WHEREAS, this trip will serve to further promote the reputation and prestige of the
University of Memphis, equip this student with skills necessary to become a better educator and
professional, and help this student establish valuable connections with other professionals in the field,
AND
WHEREAS3: WHEREAS, the Student Government Association Finance committee has heard said
applicant’s travel request and made a final recommendation.
WHEREAS4:
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Section 1: Funding shall be provided for the following student traveling from Memphis, TN to
Nashville, TN from October 16, 2014 to October 19, 2014:
A. Barbatunde Raji
SECTION2: Section 2: Exactly $183 will be funded for the above student.
SECTION3: Section 3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Bill 62
Title: to provide travel funding for Yu-Syuan Jhang to travel to Orlando, FL from Memphis, TN.
Prime_Sponsor: Laitin Beecham
Cosponsors: Finance Committee members
Committee: Finance
WHEREAS1: Yu-Syuan Jhang has requested funding from the Student Government Association in order
to attend and present research at the Annual Convention of American Speech-Language Hearing
Association, AND
WHEREAS2: , this trip will serve to aid the student in establishing relationships with other professionals
in the field, help promote the reputation and prestige of the University of Memphis, and equip this
student with skills necessary to become a better educator and professional, AND
WHEREAS3: the Student Government Association Finance committee has heard said applicant’s travel
request and made a final recommendation.
WHEREAS4:
WHEREAS5:
SECTION1: Funding shall be provided for the following student traveling from Memphis, TN to Orlando,
FL from November 19, 2014 to November 23, 2014:
A. Yu-Syuan Jhang
SECTION2: Exactly $218 will be funded for the above student.
SECTION3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Pass/Fail
Aye_21__ Nay___
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Announcements
Kevan Hatamzadeh: SAE is having their “Guac-Off” on October 18th. There will be a first
place prize for whoever makes the best guacamole. Sign the Lions is also still going on.
Adviser Comments
Dr. Lawhead: Everyone have a good Fall Break!
Roll Call: Members Present: 21
Adjourn- 8:33 PM
_____________________
Speaker of the Senate
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Chief Clerk
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