Student Government Association
Student Senate Meeting
February 5, 2015
Location: Senate Chamber
Call to Order: 7:35 p.m.
Approval of the Minutes: Kevan Hatazadeh
Pass__x__ Fail____
Roll Call:
First Name
Last Name
Present
Excused
Mike
Barbour
David
Blount
Eric
Bourgeois
Melissa
Byrd
Russell
Copeland Jr.
Hannah
Cox
xx
Raven
Douglas
xx
Kaitlyn
Duckett
xx
Shelby
Elkins
xx
Kenny
Faulk
xx
Abigail
Gardiner
xx
Kevan
Hatamzadeh
xx
Emily
Hayes
xx
Christian
Hudson
x
Prataj
Ingram
x
Ali
Kingston
Britney
Kirk
x
David
Knowles
x
x
xx
Caleb
Lies
Tevin
Mcinnis
Renard
Miles
xx
Zach
Morton
xx
Jalicia
Myles
Carlton
Randolph
Hannah
Scott
xx
Kelsey
Taylor
xx
Brady
Tidwell
xx
Andy
Tomayko
xx
Charles
Uffelman
xx
Emily
Vallor
xx
Justin
Waldrip
xx
Michael
Walters
xx
Keilyn
Wells
xx
x
x
Members Present:__20__
Citizens Forum: n/a
Guest Speakers:
Cole Roe is presenting his new mobile app, Uin
 This app is available on ios7 and on the Android
 This app is used for special events
 Texts will be sent to those in a group to remind them of specific events and keep
everyone on the same page
Officers Report:
President
 The buy one get one free service hours for the summer has been reviewed.
 This program will only be offered to first time, full time freshman.
 $115,000 will be given for only freshman to do this.
 92% of freshman who enroll come back in the fall.
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20% higher graduation rate for people who go to school right after they graduate high
school.
Looking into creating this program for older students that are in programs that you can’t
graduate in 4 years
Summer classes will be offered first
This encourages students to take classes here instead of other campuses
Library information sent to faculty
$20 million worth in changes we want to do to the library
Faculty senate: Memphis hire someone solely here to raise money for library
Pass a $10 per semester fee for students
Look at the report. What things do you want in the library?
Library books not taken out in 10 years will be sent to south campus to add more space.
These books have digital copies
We haven’t done anything to our library since it was built so this is necessary
Do not support money being cut from presidential scholarships because it supports
honors program, study abroad, and other programs that make our university special.
Bump it up
Our first rec center meeting was a success
Vice President
 There has been a change to the homecoming packet- BBQ contest will be at 3 pm on the
Alumni Mall
 We are in need of another cabinet member for the academic position. Denzel was
working on getting tutoring at all residence halls. Let me know if you are interested.
Chief Justice
 The court is in need of a new justice
 Committee for legal documents reviews next week
Speaker
 Funds for America studies scholarship in Washington D.C. is coming out soon. See
enews or contact Meta Laabs on campus for more information.
 Go to committee meetings
Speaker Pro Tempore - not present
Chief Clerk - n/a
Parliamentarian - n/a
Committee Reports
- Development- If we have a passed bill, we are working on that
- Student Services- We are working on marketing the U of M bucketlist. Come to committee
meetings
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Environmental and Facilities- Emailed committee about meetings and ideas
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Judicial and Safety- We are having a committee meeting after this mass meeting
Finance- All finance members have to go at 8:30 for travel bill interviews
Old Business
New Business
Nominations: Carson Harris
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Bill 107
Title: To Survey Students on the Implementations of a $10 University Libraries Fee
Prime_Sponsor: Abigail Gardiner
Cosponsors: Charles Uffelman, Hannah Cox
Committee: Student Services
WHEREAS1: As laid out in the SGA’s Library Report, we are dissatisfied with the current
McWherter Library. We believe it is not properly equipped to help students meet their personal
academic goals, nor the University its research mission.
WHEREAS2: Currently there is not enough funding to allow for the renovations and changes
necessary to bring the McWherter Library up to our recommend standards.
WHEREAS3: The 2014/2015 Libraries Policy Committee, in Section II-b of their 1/16/2015
report, recommended the implementation of a Universities Library Fee of $10 per semester to be
added to the Student General Access Fee.
SECTION1: The SGA will poll the Student Body regarding the implementation of a Universities
Library Fee of $10 per semester.
SECTION2: Pending positive student response, the SGA will enact a $10 per semester
University Libraries Fee.
SECTION3: The act will impose no cost on the Student Government Association.
Pass/Fail
Aye__x___ Nay ______
Bill 108
Title: An Act to create an evaluation system for the academic advisors at the University of
Memphis.
Prime Sponsor(s): Shelby Elkins
Cosponsor(s): Keilyn Wells, Charles Uffelman, Ali Kingston
Committee: Developmental
WHEREAS1, currently there is no system in place for evaluation academic advisors, AND
WHEREAS2, students might feel mislead or delated in the registration process if advisors are
using out of date knowledge, a possible reinforcement of changes in majors requirements could
also be added
WHEREAS3, students need to also be informed of opportunities major related such as specific
study abroad opportunities, scholarships, etc. Being more informed, students four year
graduation rates could improve due to not taking classes they didn’t need, thus improving the
University of Memphis’s graduation rate.
SECTION1: Recommend an evaluation system for academic advisors that would rank their
advising skills, knowledge, and communication with students. This would be used every
academic semester.
SECTION2: Explore a possible new platform for students to give feedback on their respective
advisor. Each student would receive the same email to ensure advisor/comment accuracy. The
system could draw parallels to the traditional SETEs page on MyMemphis, a bonus option for
students’ specific advisors. Other platforms should be explored as well.
SECTION3: The results would be sent to advisor’s direct supervisor on a semester basis.
SECTION4: The new platform could have minimal costs if an option related to the SETE
process is chosen. If another platform is chosen, quotes and a bidding process would take place.
SECTION5: This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Pass/Fail
Aye__x___ Nay ______
Announcements
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ZBT’s kickball tournament benefitting UTD is February 6th.
UTD finale is coming up, and you have to raise $100 to come.
SigEp’s Skate for the Cure is February 13th at East End skating rink.
Sigma Chi’s Strike out Cancer will be held at Billy Hardwick’s.
Alpha Gam’s Share the Love event will be held February 12th benefitting UTD.
Buy flowers to benefit UTD.
Come to Moe’s tonight and 10% of your proceeds go to St. Jude.
February 19th, a speaker from SAC will be speaking.
Support the Jewish sponsorship coming up soon.
Adviser Comments- n/a
Roll Call: Members Present:__20_
Adjourn- 8:28 p.m.
_____________________
Speaker of the Senate
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Chief Clerk