Committee on Public Affairs
Senate of the Associated Students
Minutes for Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 4:15 p.m.
Mathewson - IGT Knowledge Center Room 523
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Senator Walberg called the meeting on the Committee on Public Affairs to order at 4:15 PM, presiding
Secretary Andrew Chais.
2. ROLL CALL
All Senators were present.
A quorum was present.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment at this time.
4. MINUTES
There were no minutes to be approved at this time.
5. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business at this time.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Election of a Vice-Chair
Senator King nominated Senator Mack for Vice Chair.
Senator Mack accepted the nomination.
Senator Harvison nominated herself.
Senator Mack said it would be a great leadership opportunity and discussed his goals.
Senator Harvison said she was on this Committee last session as a member-at-large. She said she
is interested in what they do. She said she is very interested in politics and this is what she wants
to do for a living.
Senator Fabbi said the most important role as a Vice Chair is the ability to run a meeting if the
Chair was to be gone.
Senator Carter motioned to move into a roll call vote on the nomination. Senator King seconded.
Senator Harvison was elected as the Vice Chair.
6. REPORTS OF ASUN OFFICERS
Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs, Alex Bybee gave his report. He discussed the purpose of
Legislative Affairs and what the department does. He discussed the bill to get a student vote on the Board
of Regents. He discussed the role of the Board of Regents. He then discussed mining taxation in Nevada.
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7. NEW BUSINESS
b. Appoint Liaison Positions
Senator Walberg said she has set up various liaison positions. She said she wants them to check
out the positions and the website. She discussed and described the different liaison positions. She
then said she would be taking volunteers for which one they would like to sit on.
Senator Mack asked to sit on the Reno Neighborhood Advisory Board.
Senator Harvison asked to sit on the Reno City Council.
Senator Cale asked to sit on the Washoe County School District.
Senator Carter asked to also sit on the Washoe County School District.
Senator King asked to sit on the Chamber.
Senator Jacobson asked to sit on the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Senator Fabbi asked to sit on the Reno City Council.
Senator Robertson asked to sit on the Chamber.
Senator Walberg asked who would like to be the President’s Assistant on Campus and Public
Relations.
Senator Fabbi volunteered to do that and said he would not do the Reno City Council.
Senator Fabbi asked if there was a reason as to why there hasn’t been a liaison to the Nevada
Legislature in the past.
Senator Walberg said she would discuss that without crossing too much of a barrier. She said she
feels like it shouldn’t be a liaison but the entire Committee.
Senator Harvison suggested addressing that with Assistant Director Bybee after he becomes
Director of Legislative Affairs.
c. The Establishment of Goals
Senator Mack said his biggest goal is to outreach to High Schools and Middle Schools.
Senator King said he would focus on an open line of communication with how far they are
stretching the Committee. He said that communication would be a struggle.
Senator Carter said she wants to work on getting volunteer opportunities more specific to the
student’s major.
Senator Walberg discussed that idea.
Senator Jacobson said her goal is to be a tool to the rest of the Committee and develop her own
projects.
Senator Robertson said her goal is to also work with Service Learning.
Senator Fabbi said he wants to look into more crosswalks and promote campus safety. He also
said promoting the campus to the entire town of Reno.
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Senator Harvison said she wants to improve safety on campus. She said she also wants to work
with the State Legislature.
Senator Cale said she wants to reach out to the community more. She said she would also like to
do something for the maintenance workers on campus.
Senator Walberg said she wants to bring back safety walks.
Senator Mack asked if she could elaborate on safety walks.
Senator Walberg explained the safety walks. She said she wants to build a relationship with the
Legislative Affairs Department. She also said she wants to work with the University Affairs
Committee. She continued to discuss her other goals and ideas.
d. Senator Reports
Senator Walberg explained the Senator Reports and said they must do them in order to keep the
Senators accountable. She asked if anyone has begun and projects.
Senator Mack said he has been looking at places to increase lighting.
Senator Fabbi said he has been looking into a campus readership program. He said he is coming
up with a proposal.
Senator Harvison asked what major publications the University gets.
Senator Fabbi said they only get the New York Times.
Senator Mack if the Provost would be the person he would speak with to get the publications on
campus.
Senator Fabbi said he spoke with Director Rodriguez.
The committee discussed ideas for honoring Veterans.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Senator Walberg thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to come before the Committee, Senator Walberg adjourned the meeting at 4:45
PM.