I.
II.
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VI.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Clara Sperling Skyroom
6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
A.
Speaker Quick calls the meeting to order at 6:02
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
A.
President Pro Tempore Troutman asks Senator Bender to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Speaker Quick makes a motion to approve the 11.6.11 meeting minutes without objection
B.
Minutes from 11.6.11 meeting are approved.
Approval of Agenda
A.
Speaker Quick makes a motion to amend the agenda to add item B from new to old Business, Senator
Shockey Seconded.
B.
Without objection agenda is amended, Agenda approved.
Speaker’s Report
A.
Speaker Quick met with the Dr. Jones and President Echols for The Bond Fee Referendum committee which controls the Holmes Student Center, Campus Life Building, Recreational Center, Field
House, Convocation Center, and Huskie Stadium.
B.
Talks of how much the meetings in the sky-room cost which is about $150 dollars including the renting of the room and the microphones
C.
Talks of how $35 dollars for every credit goes towards the committee and is split up between the various buildings.
D.
Speaks of how the Rec Center needs to have money put into it but it is not getting the funds.
E.
Speaks of how the students own the buildings that they use and yet, continue to get poor service and have bad food.
F.
The Convocation Center puts a lot of things in their budget that they never use such as five open positions and extra utility costs.
G.
Hopes the Student Association as well as other students realize the problem and fight so that no student organization will have to pay for equipment that the students own.
H.
Will try to get more money for the recreation center and its time to end certain groups.
I.
Says the students will not be able to build a new building but no student should come to him and tell of a treadmill breaking while running full force.

VII.
IX.
VIII.
J.
Believes it is wrong that the Convocation Center charges student organizations very highly to run programs and there is no difference between student orgs and non student orgs when the students are the majority stakeholders of the buildings.
K.
NIU is the only University in the area that does not have a University Student Grievance Policy.
L.
Says that he will work to put in by way of University Council a University Student Grievance Policy.
M.
Talks of how the office that deals with those complaints, the Ombudsman, is not set up for success.
N.
The Holmes Student Center is the only building that does not have a student governing council for the
Student Center.
O.
Says that the Student Center is asking for more money.
P.
Reminder for the 5 hours of community service are due November 28 th - Both public affairs and Senator
Black will be available.
Q.
Clarifies the Senator Absence Policy and clarifies that the Rules and Procedures committee set precedent as family emergency, sickness, and academic reasons as viable reasons for absences.
R.
Due to FERPA, next week we will send out the constitutions but in a way with no personal information.
S.
Questions i.
Senator Black asks when the Student Grievance Policy will go into effect? a.
There is work that has to go into it before but it should take a couple of weeks.
Guest Speakers
A.
None
Committee Report(s)
A.
Mike Theodore, University Services i.
Continuing on in the projects. ii.
Feedback will be looked at and resolutions will be written. iii.
Meeting with the Police Chief of Dekalb.
B.
Kelsey Shockey, Rules and Procedures i.
Talks of Senator absences and tells Senators if you have not figured out the attendance policy yet, you do not have the critical thinking skills of being on Senate. ii.
Bill coming up tonight about funding for student organizations that left campus. iii.
When a Senator resigns for any reason that absences would carry over to the next semester. iv.
Talking about guest speakers cutting down on speaking time. v.
When speaking please raise hand up all the way to help President Pro-Tempore Troutman
C.
Seth Peritz, Public Affairs i.
Committee decided that it is not on task. ii.
Talks of having a pow wow with Raquel Williams to find out what she would like to promote as far as services from the Student Association. iii.
Talks of the parking security updates such as talking to alumni and the University of Illinois ideas.
D.
Josh Venaas, Mass Transit i.
Discussed getting feedback from riders on Huskie Bus Line by talking to them on bus and visiting student organizations. ii.
Discussed #3 route and committee proposed to extend the bus line to about 9:15. iii.
Met with Jeff Dowher for what he wants to do for the bus routes. iv.
Change of the buses will probably be at the end of this academic year or the summer. v.
Questions a.
Speaker Quick asks about the new GPS system to be put into place.
1.
Venaas explains about the new system updating in real time. b.
Senator Belbis asks when the new maps will be up?
2.
Venaas responds by the end of the semester at most.
Constitutional Officer Report(s)

X.
A.
None
Cabinet Report(s)
A.
Delonte Leflore, Director of Student Life i.
Talks of the SA Café from 6-9pm on Friday in the diversions lounge. ii.
Working with housing and dining such as safety of residence halls. iii.
The new residence hall will not have a computer lab. iv.
Speaks about the issue that the University is having with the continuance of computer labs on campus. v.
Looking at extending dining hours in the evening. vi.
Meeting with the Associate Director of Housing and Dining to change the setting of computer labs. vii.
Meeting with housing and dining for room and board fees. viii.
Seeing if military service students can go to student only events. ix.
Questions a.
Senator Peritz asks of the updates on the Huskie Satisfaction Project
1.
Will be releasing it to the University Services committee after approval from the advisor. But mentions that this is the planning stages and that most of the work will be done b.
Senator Theodore asks have you brought up concerns with not having computer labs in the new building?
2.
The new building is not funded by the University and the company believes that having computer labs is outdated with the advancement of technology. c.
Senator Grosz asks what kind of security are you looking into the residence hall?
3.
Answers that he knows Senator Grosz is looking into security in the dorms by adding security cameras in them but RHA did not like that idea because it imposes on privacy but having cameras on main entrance doors.
4.
Looking at the idea of the Police officers in the residence halls to take down budget costs.
B.
Raquel Williams, Director of Public Affairs i.
Senate debate is coming up on 11.29 in the Heritage Room of the HSC. ii.
Met with representatives for the LGBT and Women’s Resource Center about collaborating ideas iii.
Research for themes of the month. iv.
Questions a.
Senator Peritz asked any ideas that the director would like of the public affairs committee and clarifies the time and day of the meetings.
C.
Gina Gregolunas, Director of Greek Affairs i.
Held two self defense classes for women in sororities or on campus and had a turnout of 30-45. ii.
Pairing up with Athletics for the Blackout game. iii.
Went to a meeting with the Dekalb City Manager with Senator Grosz about lighting on Greek Row and the city of Dekalb will install about twenty lights around Greek Row. iv.
Questions a.
Senator Williams asks if the self defense classes are available to non-greeks?
1.
Yes.

XI.
XII.
Supreme Court Report(s)
A.
None
Old Business
A.
SAB43017- NIU PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE ASSOCIATION i.
Speaker Quick makes a motion to hear SAR43017, Senator Shockey Seconds. ii.
Pre-Veterinary student a.
Representative from Pre Veterinary Medicine Association explains that there are many students that are interested in the program. b.
Will help teach of the different careers available. c.
Will provide Service opportunities to veterinary medicine. d.
Teaching of the application process. iii.
Questions a.
Senator Julion asks if the volunteer opportunities will be open to everyone?
1.
Yes, but they will be geared more towards animal activities. b.
Senator Theodore asks if there is a difference between the members that will be paying dues?
1.
The dues will be used to pay for speakers or service opportunities. iv.
Discussion/Debate a.
Speaker Quick clarifies the problem with the constitution not having an impeachment process was fixed. v.
Vote SAB43017, SAB43017 passed.
B.
SAB43018- A BILL TO ALLOCATE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING- ICE HOCKEY CLUB i.
Speaker Quick makes a motion to hear SAB43018, Senator Shockey Seconded. a.
Mike Sible, President of Ice Hockey Club. b.
NIU offers 2 competitive teams composed of 50 members as well as 20 non playing club members. c.
They Sell ad space to raise money, as well a program called mysportsdreams.com that provides sponsorship letters to various people. d.
We are a unique club in the sense of not being able to play on a home ice rink which costs them more money. e.
Clarifying that they are going to ask for $6,700. ii.
Questions a.
Speaker Quick asks how much they are asking for?
1.
Sible clarifies that they are asking for $6,700 because the old budget request included ice time which is no longer the case. b.
Senator Mackenzie asks if there is any other place they can go?
1.
He explains that they negotiate and work with three different ice rinks for ice time. c.
Senator Grosz asks if they work with NIU Athletics?
1.
Sible explains that they do not besides being in cooperation with the Rec center. d.
Senator Smith asks if they do fundraisers?
1.
Talks of the my-sports-dreams and the ad book. e.
Senator Mackenzie how can we be sure that you’re getting the most out of the ice time
1.
They have a coaching staff that makes sure they are using the most of ice time as well as multiple teams that will be using the ice.

f.
Senator Julion asks if the players pay a fee?
1.
Responds that money comes from the SA as well as sponsorships and asks for donations from playing members. g.
Senator Julion asks how much the typical donation is?
1.
They ask for anything and explains that the donations vary greatly by how iii.
Discussion/ Debate much they can.
1.
Speaker Quick yields time to Treasurer Sanchez
2.
Sanchez explains that he is there for questions in regard to supplemental funding
3.
Senator Peritz asks if this request would hinder any other groups asking for funding
Sanchez responds that there is $30,000 that are split up between the two semesters and there are not that many groups as of right now and explains the process.
4.
Senator MacKenzie asks what happens if we do not use all funds?
It will roll over to the next semester.
5.
Senator Theodore asks why finance committee rejected the amount of $17,000?
The Finance committee believed that it would be in the best interest of the group to spread out the budget more.
6.
Senator Peritz makes a motion to amend SAB43018 to change amount $6,700. Vote
SAB43018.
7.
Senator Theodore clarifies that under his interpretation it does not seem eligible for supplemental funding because of being denied by the Senate.
8.
Senator Peritz asks what the line item specifically stated?
9.
Senator Theodore clarifies that the line item stated was for ice time at the Fox
Valley Arena. iv.
Vote SAB43018, Roll call vote 19-17 Passed.
C.
SAB43020- A BILL TO AMEND BYLAWS i.
Speaker Quick makes a motion to hear SAB43020, Senator Peritz seconded. ii.
Senator Shockey explains the significance of the Bill and tell that if the organization is gone for more than a year then they have to go through the 2 year process of gaining funding iii.
Senator Theodore is speaking in favor of a bill . iv.
Senator Maple asks anyone with the current finance to clarify where in the bylaws it is to be added because his copy seems to be out of date. v.
President Pro Tempore says that he encourages the Senator to read the bylaws but for the sake of time this is not the place to discuss problems with a copy of the bylaws. vi.
Vote SAB43020, SAB43020 passes.
D.
SAB43021- A BILL TO ALLOCATE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING- COLLEGE PARENTS GROUP i.
Senator Keith makes a motion to hear SAB43021, Senator Shockey Seconds. ii.
Asking for Supplemental funding for “Christmas for Kids” which is for under-privileged kids. iii.
This is the eleventh annual year 11.17. They fell short for funding for food. iv.
Questions a.
Speaker Quick asks if the group has requested or received presidential allocation funding?
1.
No. b.
Speaker Quick asks if they asked for this in their budget for last year?
1.
The representative clarifies that they budgeted for the chandelier room but not for food. c.
Speaker Quick asks what the total budget for the event is?

1.
The total budget is $2,000 which will cover decorations and wrapping paper and toys. d.
Speaker Quick asks how the names of the children are chosen to the event.?
1.
We looked at Hope Haven, and families connected from Hope Haven and
Churches. e.
Speaker Quick asks how many children are going to be there and how many of the kids are going to be from members of the group?
1.
There are 40 sponsors and there are more children than sponsors and there are children from the organization there. f.
Senator Koegel asks are you requesting $2,000 dollars?
1.
No they are requesting $1,300. g.
Senator Peritz is it strictly for food?
1.
Yes because they are trying to get a caterer. h.
Senator Peritz asks how many people are you expecting to feed?
1.
About 100. i.
Senator Grosz asks are there any other caterers that would do the event for free or discounted?
1.
They did have this originally, but the sponsorships fell through. v.
Discussion/ Debate a.
Senator Mackenzie asks if the Finance committee generally does not give money for food
1.
Treasurer Sanchez responds that it correct and they followed that policy last year and this year. b.
Senator Smith asks if it is allowed to if they wanted to?
1.
Sanchez responds they can and it is the decision of the finance committee and of the Senate. c.
Senator Black tells that they are reaching out to the community it is a good idea. d.
Senator Mackenzie says he will support this although he does not like that the precedent of giving supplemental funding for food. e.
Speaker Quick comments that he would like it to come out of Presidential allocation for food instead of supplemental funding. f.
Senator Black clarifies the fact that Dekalb is small and the majority of the people in the shelters are lacking and are students at Northern. g.
Senator Bender clarifies that we shouldn’t worry about how much money is left now or the rollover and comments that even though it is an excellent program we would be breaking a policy. h.
Senator Peritz states that as an executive member of other groups on campus that if he knew the current situation and to get money not from the budget but from supplemental funding that he would leave that out of his budget just to get it from supplemental funding which is a bad road to go down. i.
Speaker Quick says that there are other ways to give support to this group. j.
Senator Black clarifies that the money is for food and gifts. k.
Speaker Quick again the organization has the money for gifts and are asking for food. l.
Senator Theodore says that his worry is precedent that we set. His worry is that when using a university room, the price of food is inflated due to NIU catering. m.
Senator Tran makes a motion to call the Question, vote to call the question passed. vi.
Vote SAB43021, SAB43021 roll call vote passed 20-15.
E.
SAR43023- A RESOLUTION TO FILL VACANT SENATE SEAT- RICHARD YOUNG i.
Speaker Quick makes a motion to hear SAR43023, Senator Shockey seconds.

ii.
Richard Young, sophomore joined the mass transit committee iii.
Likes to think he is dependable and like to get involved. iv.
Questions a.
None v.
Discussion/Debate a.
None vi.
Vote SAR43023, SAR43023 passes.
New Business XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI.
A.
SAB43022- A BILL TO RECOGNIZE NIU STUDENTS FOR LIBERTY NAME CHANGE
Public Comments
A.
None
Announcements
A.
Speaker Quick talks of the Bond Fee Referendum and states that this is what Senate should be about.
B.
Senator Keith asks public affairs after the meeting.
C.
Senator Peritz asks for parking security members before they leave.
D.
Senator Black says she enjoys working with everyone.
Adjournment