83rd MSSA Senate
October 14th, 2015
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Call to Order by 83rd Speaker Farah
Roll Call
Presentations:
a. Karilynn Doffing – Sodexo Update
Thrilled to be here. Want to help make changes, esp. with new dining hall on campus. Food for
the future; brought in 2nd chef in Carkoski Commons. We also changed operations manager.
We have 3 chefs at CC at all times; more active with students on campus; customer service and
changes how working with employees, greeting customers, working with customers. People
you see every day so make sure it is positive experience and trying to make everyday a better
day. We will offer regular specials and need to hear what you want so we can implement
changes. That is why I come here. I come from hospital and K-12 schools. We’re also
addressing allergens and every other Friday rotating up front cooking;
Martin: Is there any correlation with the dining contract coming up?
Kari: Yes, of course there is. We’re at a time when we need to be very conscious.
Riesterer: With so many int’l student workers and different culinary needs, are you planning
on eliminating student worker positions?
Kari: Absolutely not. We’re not reducing employees but adding.
N’gumah: Will there be any changes as to retail aspects?
Kari: Yes, currently working on updating and doing samplings. Looking at trends.
Martin: What are your student employee retention rates? It is said that Sodexo has high
turnover with employees.
Kari: Yes and no. I’ve only been here since May. We have good retention once we start
working with them. Since beginning of school year we’ve added 12. Some of it is teaching
more and then they discover that it is not what they want. Most of our turnover is that.
Sam: Last year I heard about int’l students not getting hours. Is that still happening?
Kari: We’re only hiring when we’re doing training. Everyone now who wants to be working
are. We’re also very mindful of the 20 hrs.
Sam: Most comments heard are for change with dining services. What do you feel is the
problem?
Kari: It can be a lots of things. I think one is that people expect to get what they want every day
and everyone has different things that they like. Now, with an int’l station students will be able
to customize. There will also be a better daily rate. Feel it is also the point of being told what to
eat.
John b. not aware of dining options avail
Kari: can look at our website. Can ask and tell others about shoestring.
Yang: When will the new cafeteria done?
Kari: A year from January.
Mark C: If you feel you want more information on this, Cindy Janney should come in she can
and be helpful with your questions.
Kari: would be happy to come back again.
b. President Haffield and Rebecca Wegscheid – Internal Affairs MSUSA
o MSUSA – Internal Affairs
o Motion to Determine Method of Counting Enrollment
o Full Year Equivalent (FYE)
o
o
Represent the number of students whose credits are equal to a full-time student
taking 15 credits. (federal def. of full-time is 12 credits for undergraduate)
Example: If Student A takes 8 credits, and Student B Takes 7, they equal 1
student under FYE count.
i. Argument for: MSUSA is funded by fees per credit, so the more credits a
university takes, the more fees they represent.
ii. Total Students Served
iii. The amount of students at a university taking at least one credit.
iv. Argument for:
v. Every student should have a voice, therefore each student is represented
equally regardless of credit hours, or fees paid to MSUSA.
vi. What does this mean?
vii. MSUSA has a representation system of 41 delegates, represented
proportionately by their university’s number of students.
viii. Determining the method determines how delegates are attributed to
universities.
ix. Equation:
x.
𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ′ 𝑠 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ′ 𝑠 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠
= 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 (𝑜𝑟 41)
xi. Example:
xii.
𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐴 (25 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠)
𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 (100 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠)
=
10.25 𝑈𝑛𝑖 𝐴 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠
41 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠
xiii.
xiv.
xv.
xvi.
xvii.
(Rounded to 10 delegates for University A)
By the Numbers
Numbers’ meanings
Currently FYE is used, if changed to Total Students Served:
Mankato’s representation at delegates would be decreased by 1-2
(depending on rounding).
xviii. Depending on rounding, St. Cloud could take one more vote than
Mankato, leaving them the highest voting body.
xix. No other substantial changes if the numbers remain similar
proportionally.
Jones: Concurrent and /or pseo students pay no student fees so would have no impact on this.
Riesterer: FYE as if not, we take a vote away from ourselves. Feel we should support our president.
Dolly-ISA : Overview of goals: funding disbursement for KIC; supports needs,
services, events that bring int’l and domestic students together.
o How events are executed (ice cream social; every Weds. from 11-1; we also offer
workshops, sport events, etc. It is a chance for students to represent their culture.
We’ve worked on 31 events for this semester. We also work on good
relationships with other org., community volunteering. Encourage all to stop our
office and visit.
Sam: With your World’s Got Talent event, there has been tabling and promoting all going on
under the ISA name. With the sanctions in place how is that happening?
o
Dolly: It is important for us to tell people but it is Kearney Int’l Center that decides funding and
it is their event.
Sam: How is the ISA space being used? Also, why is it closed most times or just being used for
staff meetings?
Dolly: We’re working on getting a coffee machine and tv so students can stop by.
Martin: Thanks for coming and telling us what you do.
Faical: I’m proud of you Dolly and this year. Been trying to have office hours this year or
others there so the office can be open.
Yang: What is ISA needing?
Dolly: We currently do not have enough space. With rooms being canceled, we’re now using
our office for that purpose. However, that can mean over 25 people coming at once. Can you
tell us how you rate welcome for int’l students?
Dolly: We have many students and this University shows to be the most favorable for int’l
students. It is very welcoming with special events, food, etc. It makes them feel safe and
welcome.
Haffield: Are you aware of motion of sanctions to org. providing these benefits? With using
space in the CSU, that is against that motion.
MMA: I apologize on behalf of MMA and how much work they put you through. Aware of the
add’l steps in motion process and willing to go through that. Waiting 7 more weeks is not
possible for us. Going through without PH access for practice puts us in real danger.
 Open Forum
 Approval of Consent Agenda
 Appointments: Tien Bui, Cynthia Callais, Siavash Sadeghi, Ricky Sargent, Nelsie Yang, PR &
Marketing Committee
Commission on Ethics & Standards:
Recognized Student Organizations:
Student Allocations Committee:
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Recommend allocating up to $500 for non-food/beverage related expenses tato Delta Sigma Pi to
support “DSP Business Conference” to be held on-campus in the ballroom on November 19, 2015.
2. Recommend allocating zero ($0) for non-food related expenses to Students Today, Leaders
Forever to support a STLF informational event open to all students in the Maverick Bullpen on
October 28, 2015. It was the consensus of the SAC membership that this is an established RSO that
could use alternate resources available to RSOs to bring awareness to the STLF Pay It Forward Tour in
the spring of 2016 and did not want to set precedence by using student fee dollars for recruitment.
3. Recommend allocating up to $196 for non-food related travel expenses to Student
Dietetic & Nutrition Organization to attend Food and Consumer Science Professionals:
Career Stars and Networking Night at St. Catherine’s University, St. Paul, MN on October 19,
2015.
Meeting minutes 10.07.15.
Approved.
 Vacancies - None
 Officer Reports
o President Haffield
a. MSUSA this weekend. Board and Internal Affairs meetings.
b. Good day with PD in the office. Let’s keep promoting it.
c. VP Kent Clark accepted a position at University of Iowa. Sad to see him go.
There will be an interim search committee and student representation needed.
o
Vice President Al-Mohamadi
a. Thanks everyone for your help with homecoming.
b. Trying to partner with other departments on events. If interested in serving on
committee, please let us know.
o Speaker Farah
a. Columbus Day planner issue update: We didn’t know that Columbus Day was
on the US holiday calendar. Contacted the planner company and, from now on,
they will edit it to read Indigenous People’s Day. We apologize and didn’t
intend for that to happen.
b. RSO 901 account overdrafts discussion is ongoing with finance department.
c. Budget Sub-Meet & Confer: Currently only 0.9% less than last year.
d. Potential 8-year lease with Verizon Center.
 Senator Reports
o Senator Dahir and Senator Martinez
Senator Dahir and Martinez met with Associate Vice President of Research and Dean of Graduate
Studies Barry Rise and Director of Graduate Studies Chris Mickle as part of a process of surveying
academic, social and economic challenges graduate students face.
Determining the priorities of Administration: which issues the College of Graduate Studies & Research
deem important and in need of confronting.
 What are the challenges faced by the College of Graduate Studies & Research.
o More funding for everyone
o There is no funding available to graduate students that have to do research
o GA’s in the future may have to record their hours online
 Identifying recourses and services — both academic and economic— the College of
Graduate Studies & Research provide for graduate students.
o Possibly having a graduate student center?
 The vision for the department
o Increasing exposure
o Increasing research as well as graduate assistantships
o Expanding credits not accumulated in the fall or spring, to the summer term.
 GA’s in the future may have to record their hours online
 GA funding is in good standing
 No deficit in short term
 By 2020 30% of degrees at MSU will be at the graduate level.
 Graduates do get the chance of $200 to travel to a conference to demonstrate their
research – feel it should be for reasons
 Transparency amongst the department.
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As graduate students we only receive $20.00 for printing, but as graduates were are
compelled to print more than undergraduate students.
Seek out opportunities for graduate students to access funding for research.
Smith: Thanks for your hard work. Have online components been considered instead of printing
everything?
Dahir: As a grad student, we are required to read 4-500 pages/week along with journal articles that we
have to print, therefore, online wouldn’t work with a lot of it. It is imperative we be accommodated.
Rayani: Being on the Tech. Advisory Committee, I think it is feasible for you to ask them to increase this.
o Senator Sargent
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Looking for senate’s support on an item discussed during Student Affairs
Committee meeting. I’ve begun collecting contact information for RSO leaders
based on the feedback received at the RSO dinner. Our goal is for MSSA to
reach out to them and help provide them resources. My hope would be that
senators from those colleges would meet with their respective RSOs.
Martin: I already work with the COB on this and would also commit to working for MSSA on this too.
Senator Callais and Senator Schmidt
 Meeting on October 9th, 2015 with Jessica Flatequal, Director of Gender and
Sexuality Programs
 Highlights of meeting: Jessica is happy with the preferred name system being
implemented; Exploring the idea of “pride flooring”, and idea that has been
brought up but no real movements toward the idea have been made;
 Students that live on the pride floor do not have to identify as LGBT, advocates
would be welcomed as well.
 Jessica highlighted the fear that an LGBT student might have coming into living
on campus.
 Jessica is now a confidential advocate as of this year; This means students can
go to her if they have been sexually assaulted and she does not have to report it
(whereas before she was required to report such acts); This is a national change
under the Campus SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination) Act
 Jessica is happy to announce a successful STEM program; Helps high school girls
get motivated to learn about STEM subjects, while recruiting them to Mankato.
Yang: I feel the pride flooring idea is very cool and would like to see move forward.
Riesterer: I apologize to all of the gallery, however, I move that we go into an Executive Session.
I feel that shouldn’t feel pressured as to how they’re voting.
(Closed Executive Session)
 New Business
Motion 83 MM 10.14.15.01 Haffield/Al Mohamadi
Whereas: There have been a significant number of previously recognized student organizations that
are not being recognized the fall 2015 semester due to missing requirements (see list of student
organizations included in the minutes from 09/30/2015);
Whereas: Article I Section 2 of the Minnesota State Student Association Constitution states: “The
Senate may propose regulations, create services, initiate activity or policy, enforce compliance,
petition particular action by appropriate authority and adopt resolutions. Additionally, the Senate
shall establish procedures for the recognition of campus organizations and shall recognize those
campus student organizations complying with the established procedures”;
Whereas: In the meeting of the Minnesota State Student Association that took place on 10/07/2015
there was much discussion about potential extensions or an appeal process for these previously
recognized student organizations;
Whereas: The members of the Minnesota State Student Association have been very divided in this
discussion and may feel that some leniency should be given to these previously recognized student
organizations;
Be it resolved: For any previously recognized student organizations that can provide validated proof
that the new president did not receive correspondence from Student Activities regarding the
recognition process, to be recognized they will need to follow steps 1-5 listed under and sign the
“Student Organization Recognition Contract for Certain Groups During the 2015-2016 Academic
Year”
Be it further resolved: For any previously recognized student organizations that started but did not
finish the process, to be recognized they will need to follow all steps listed under and sign the
“Student Organization Recognition Contract for Certain Groups During the 2015-2016 Academic
Year”;
Be it further resolved: All previously recognized student organizations will have two (2) weeks to
complete all above mentioned aspects to be recognized by the Minnesota State Student
Association;
Be it further resolved: Any of these previously recognized student organizations, upon recognition
for the 2015-2016 academic year, will receive the benefits of being a recognized student
organization as listed under the Minnesota State University, Mankato “Recognized Student
Organizations, Privileges and Responsibilities” Policy, except the organization will not be able to
receive Student Allocations Committee funding until spring semester of 2016.
Motion passes.
Haffield: I feel this is much fairer as we had a chance to compile everything and not to make a hasty
decision.
Sam: I feel this is more middle ground and is trying to solve the problem with a contract that has to
be signed by the RSO and Student Activities staff.
Motion 83 MM 10.14.15.02
Bui/Smith
Whereas: Sexual violence and sexual harassment at universities are part of a national problem and
that these problems are also present at Minnesota State University Mankato; and
Whereas:, Item 5 of student responsibilities clearly state “Individuals will protect and support the
personal safety of self and others”; and
Whereas: The core values of Minnesota State University Mankato includes Integrity and respect in
the way we conduct ourselves;
Be it resolved: The Minnesota Student Association will refer to the Student Affairs Committee the
task of investigating, and coordinating with the Violence Awareness and Response Coordinator,
concepts such as additional programing and awareness campaigns; and
Be it further resolved: The Minnesota State Student Association will request to the Student Affairs
Committee a report with its recommendations no later than December 2, 2015
Bui: We expect all of you want to do something about this so feel this a good way to help.
Smith: I feel it is our responsibility as MSSA and is a good first step to get action taken.
MM 03 – MSUSA and FYE Concept – Al-Mohamadi/Riesterer
Whereas: MSSA supports the concept of using FYE student numbers to determine the representation at
MSUSA;
Be it further resolved: MSSA supports MSU representative proxies on MSUSA Internal Affairs to vote to
use FYE student numbers for representation.
Motion passes.
Aye: 16; Nay: 2; Abstain: 6
Sam: I think we need that representation and need that one vote. Logical that we should go ahead and
follow the FYE model.
Riesterer: I feel our opinion is obvious.
MM 04 - Camus Rec Summer Statistics Al-Mohamadi/de Ruiter
Whereas: The statistics for Campus Rec have been provided to Student Affairs Committee;
Be it resolved: The Student Affairs Coordinator will present to senate and explain the results.
Motion passes.
Aye: 19; Nay: 0; Abstain: 5
MM 05 - MTRP - Library statistics for Late Fees Al-Mohamadi/Dahir
Whereas: MSSA requested this information some time ago and hasn’t heard back;
Be it resolved: The MSSA requests the library to provide statistics to the senate by next week.
Motion passes.
Aye: 22 Nay: 0 Abstain: 0
Sam: I brought this up 3 weeks ago and haven’t heard back from them. Our program, need to have
statistics.
Dahir: There has been no transparency.
 Announcements
 Roll Call
 Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:56 pm.