Committee on Oversight
Senate of the Associated Students
Minutes for Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 9:00 P.M.
Rita Laden Senate Chambers, Joe Crowley Student Union
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Speaker Broad called the Committee on Oversight to order at 9:05 PM on November 30, 2011, presiding
Secretary Kathryn Merrill.
2. ROLL CALL
Speaker Broad, Senators Herget, Moore, Sinnett, Zikakis were present. Senator Edgington was absent
excused.
A quorum was present.
3.
4.
5.
6.
PUBLIC COMMENT
MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
a. COMMITTEE UPDATES
b. NOMINATION OF RIVER JANGDA TO THE OFFICE OF ASSISTANT ELECTIONS
CHAIR
Michael Garganese introduced Mr. Jangda to the oversight committee.
Mr. Jangda explained that he had three main goals for the position: to assist the elections chair,
increase voter turn out to twenty-five percent—by using resources such as Inkblot and social
media, create awareness through debates and the Sagebrush. He also wanted to create awareness of
the ASUN positions to allow for students to realize that they can run for a Senator position.
Senator Herget moved to vote favorably the nomination of River Jangda to the office of Assistant
Elections Chair.
Senator Sinnett seconded.
Senator Herget asked Mr. Jangda if he had any outstanding time constraints.
Mr. Jangda explained that he didn’t have any major time constraints.
Senator Sinnett asked if he had any leadership positions before.
Mr. Jangda explained that he was in charge of political relations at his fraternity and had a lot of
experience running teams.
Senator Herget stated that Mr. Jangda seemed to understand what the position entailed.
Senator Sinnett asked what his major was.
Mr. Jangda stated that he was majoring in Marketing and Management.
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November 30, 2011
Page 2
Speaker Broad called for a voice vote.
Passed with unanimous approval.
c. NOMINATION OF ALEXANDRA BRASCIA TO THE OFFICE OF PUBLICITY
COORDINATOR
Michael Garganese spoke on the behalf of Alexandra Brascia and stated that this role was very
important because without it, elections will fail. He explained that she had great experience in
marketing and planning events. He stated that she was very excited about the position and ready to
get to work.
Speaker Broad stated that they could motion to fast track or make it a recess appointment.
Senator Herget recommended making it a fast track appointment.
Moved to fast track.
d. NOMINATION OF EVYNN MCFALLS TO THE OFFICE OF BALLOT
COORDINATOR
Michael Garganese stated what the ballot coordinator would be doing and stated that Mr. Mcfalls
was the web editor of the Insight magazine.
Mr. Mcfalls introduced himself and stated he was very passionate about the elections process and
believed that it was important for students to understand the legislative process. He stated that
many students tend to not want to participate and he believed that the ballot should be easy to read,
and interact with. He said it was important to have engaging content. He stated that he worked on
creating high quality products for the Insight magazine. He stated that they should be passionate
about the process and that the ballot needed to look nice.
Senator Herget moved to report favorably to the Senate the nomination of Evynn Mcfalls to the
office of ballot coordinator.
Senator Sinnett seconded.
Amy Koeckes asked if his editor was aware of this and if it would be a conflict of interest.
Mr. Mcfalls explained that he spoke with his editor about applying and he wanted to present the
process to students.
Senator Moore asked if there were specific changes to the content that he would like to see.
Mr. Mcfalls explained that the ballot should be in larger print and could be made more visually
appealing. He wanted someone to be able to read it easily and would like to concentrate on the type
of text. He wanted to put out a good product.
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November 30, 2011
Page 3
Senator Herget asked if he would plan on working with Russell Aaron and the people in charge of
WEBCT.
Mr. Mcfalls stated that he was familiar with the process and wanted to be involved in the process.
Speaker Broad asked if he had created a list to describe his successful goals.
Mr. Mcfalls stated that he used technology to understand the amount of students who were
interested in Insight magazine and would engage in social media to extend the ballot to students.
Speaker Broad called for a voice vote.
Motion carried.
e. NOMINATION OF ZIAD RASHDAN
Mr. Rashdan stated that he was the marketing chair, was currently working with BSC, and was
focusing on expanding and improving the college of business. He wanted the opportunity to work
with the public sector and wanted to run for Senate in the upcoming year. He stated that he was
interested in the Budget and Finance and Public Affairs committees.
Senator Herget moved to report favorably to the Senate the nomination of Ziad Rashdan to the
office of member at large.
Senator Sinnett seconded.
Senator Moore asked what his major was.
Mr. Rashdan wanted to major in Economics or possibly Political Science.
Senator Sinnett asked if he had been placed in a committee.
Speaker broad explained that now they only report favorably to the senate.
Senator Sinnett asked if he had any topics that he would like to implement.
Mr. Rashdan explained that he was here to gain knowledge and information of the program. He
explained that he was in the Business Student Council and was working on improving the College
of Business.
Senator Moore asked what his greatest weakness was.
Mr. Rashdan explained that he takes on a little too much.
Senator Moore asked if he would give an example.
Mr. Rashdan explained how he was very involved in his fraternity and had taken fifteen credits. He
explained that next semester he wouldn’t be taking so many classes.
Senator Herget asked what his greatest strength was.
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November 30, 2011
Page 4
Mr. Rashdan stated that leadership was his strength.
Speaker Broad called for a voice vote.
Motion carried.
f.
NOMINATION OF JORGE RAMIREZ
Mr. Ramirez introduced himself to the senate and his goal was to run for a senator seat in the
spring. He explained that he was a sophomore and was majoring in marketing. He explained that
his greatest strength was his work ethic and his weakness was math.
Senator Herget moved to report favorably to the senate the nomination of Jorge Ramirez to the
office of member at large.
Senator Zikakis seconded.
Senator Herget asked which committees he was interested in.
Mr. Ramirez stated that he was interested in Budget and Finance.
Speaker Broad called for a voice vote.
Motion carried.
g. NOMINATION OF CHEL-SEA CHEN
Ms. Chen stated that she wanted to gain a greater understanding of the ASUN. She wanted to get
involved in leadership positions. She was in the College of Engineering and was involved in
Engineers without Borders, which tries to help underprivileged communities by creating water
treatment systems etcetera. She was interested in Budget and Finance and would like to run for a
Senate position in the future. She wanted to reflect on the issues in the College of Engineering and
her goal was to see what the engineering majors would like to see changed at the University. She
stated that she was the treasurer of the National Honors Society.
Senator Herget moved to report favorably to the Senate the nomination of Chelsea Chen to the
office of members at large.
Senator Sinnett seconded.
Senator Sinnett asked her if she knew what differential tuition was.
Ms. Chen stated that she did not.
Senator Sinnett explained what differential tuition was within the engineering department.
Speaker Broad called for a voice vote.
Motion carried.
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November 30, 2011
Page 5
h. RECOMMENDATION FOR CENSURE OF SENATOR MOORE
Secretary Benitez stated that Senator Moore had accumulated nine points total and exceeded the
unexcused allotted absences to office hours.
Senator Moore stated that he had no excuse for missing office hours. He stated that he should have
given prior notice for the meetings, but he could get a work schedule stating that he could not
attend those meetings. He stated that his grades took priority over the senate.
Speaker Broad explained that they would now go over the accrued points and could motion to
dismiss specific absences. He stated that when dealing with the absences during the Endowment
Account committee they could call the Chair of the committee to see if he would vote to absolve
those absences.
Secretary Benitez stated that she counted absences through approved minutes, which means that
the Senator who was absent voted to approve the minutes that that contained the note of his
absence. She urged the Senators to read the minutes to check for these absences.
Speaker Broad stated that after they considered the absences then it would become a resolution to
be voted on by the Senate. The senator would be censored, they would determine a point
threshold, and the senator would release a statement to the Nevada Sagebrush.
Senator Herget moved to report favorably to the senate the recommendation of censor of Senator
Moore.
Senator Sinnett seconded.
Speaker Broad stated that Senator Moore brought up many legitimate reasons why he was absent
but explained that they could have been excused absences, if he had contacted the chair of the
meetings. Five points would have to be waived to dismiss the censure.
Senator Moore stated that he had spoken with Senator Zikakis about his absence but he still
received an absence.
Speaker Broad stated that they had no written proof that he had been excused. Speaker Broad said
that he didn’t see how Senator Moore could be relieved of five points and recommended writing to
the Sagebrush to highlight his qualities as senator.
The Senators discussed the number of absences for the next censorship or expulsion.
Senator Moore asked about the time limit to tell Chairs of an absence.
Speaker Broad stated that it was 24 hours.
Speaker Broad stated that they needed to discuss the point threshold for recommendation of
expulsion.
Senator Sinnett recommended a letter to state when the senator had accrued 5 absences.
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November 30, 2011
Page 6
Committee Secretary Kathryn Merrill recommended providing a written documentation of
absences in the form of an email to inhibit the issue of forgotten excused absences.
Senator Herget stated that he agreed with Senator Sinnett’s absence threshold and notification.
Senator Moore stated he liked the leniency of being able to excuse senators at a moment’s notice.
Speaker Broad called for a voice vote.
Senator Moore abstained.
Motion carried.
i.
RECOMMENDATION FOR CENSURE OF SENATOR JACOBS
Secretary Benitez explained that Senator Jacobs had accrued seven absences.
Senator Herget moved to report favorably the recommendation of censor of Senator Jacobs to
senate.
Senator Sinnett seconded.
Senator Jacobs stated that this was his fault and he saw a problem in the inability to redeem points,
and with OWA. He explained that Senator Sinnett was unable to see his availability and he
misinterpreted the rules concerning point accumulation. He stated that he was worried about next
semester because the capstone course he must take occurs during Senate times. He stated that he
did not want to give up Senate but his class schedule is inhibiting.
Speaker Broad stated that they could speak with Russell Aaron about his issues with his schedule
on OWA.
Senator Sinnett stated that there is an issue with his OWA.
Speaker Broad stated that the same rules apply: seven point threshold and a letter to the Nevada
Sagebrush focusing on the great things he had been doing. He stated that they should focus on the
positive and show that points don’t reflect dedication just availability. He stated that the issue of
redeeming points was an issue he wanted to address last year and was interested in taking it up
again this session.
Speaker Broad called for a voice vote.
Motion carried.
j. COMMITTEE CHAIR TRAINING
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
8. ADJOURNMENT
Speaker Broad adjourned the meeting at 10:10 PM