Merrill Student Government Meeting Minutes 2-6-14
Call to Order at 7:31 by Chair Justin McClendon
Roll Call
 Seth
 Justin
 Marin
 Gillian
 Maria
 Victor Garcia Alexandra
 Margret
 Kristen
 Patricia
 Patrick
 Justin Tam
 Chris Coon
 Michael
 Katie
3. Funding Requests – Deciding to Fund
(a) Chinese Student Association
Patrick: Promote Chinese-American culture; esp. through campus wide events (for ex: moon cake making
event). Modernizing spin; it is the year of the Horse; asking for $200.
Tam: Once a year; 28th annual; was 2 quarters of planning; takes lots of people power; holding
performances (ex: dances); incorporates other clubs and student association (ex: Hmong Student
Association, Filipino Student Association, Indian Student Organization). A way to promote Chinese
culture.
Patrick: Ties into Merrill Ethos; not just one “Asian” Organization, but a collaboration and mixing of
many different cultures.
Tam: Making a big show. Money is spent on food, decoration and entertainment (ex: hire professional
Lion Dancing Troupe, having to pay for their transportation); asking for money to make the event more
affordable; current ticket price is $10; full course meal; 3 hours of entertainment; is a Porter Dining Hall
take over.
Patrick: Making it as affordable as possible. Asking funding from all the colleges.
Victor: When is the Event?
Patrick: March 1st. Tickets are being sold everyday in the Quarry 11AM-4PM.
Marin: Tickets cover … ?
Patrick: Entertainment, food, and decoration.
Tam: The number of tickets we sell is the maximum number of people allowed in the dining hall.
Patrick: It is a catered event.
Justin: Donating to which charity?
Tam: Voting on the charity. Open to suggestions. The topic is on the table for discussion.
Patrick: For example, a Dog shelter in San Jose. When buying tickets, individuals have the option to
present suggestions and ideas.
Chris: What are past charities that you have donated to?
Tam: We have had a history of making donations to various charities.
Patrick: Have a Donation Box for those who are interested in donating.
Chris: What are the details of the entertainment?
Tam: We have various performances: traditional ribbon and fan dances; have a hip-hop group; it is also a
collaboration with other organizations (TKD, ISO, FSA, etc.)
(b) National Society of Black Engineers
Ian: The science branch of ABSA, African/Black Student Alliance. Have chapters internationally; focus in
professional development. Convention details: 3 workshops per day (ex: how to resume, how to public
speak, how to elevator speak, etc.);will have multiple college recruiters, big networking). Indirect
connections as well: help get involved with more opportunities. Many attendees bring back what they
learned from the convention (ex: how to study, etc.). Numbers: received $2,000 from SUA; $8,500 from
SEP; also received funds from center of diversity program; everybody is asking their own colleges; 15
members going (larger group, community is growing). Location: in Tennessee (during Spring Break, 4
days). Direct benefits: can grab a whole bunch of internships; many big companies come out and host a job
fair, convention attendees also bring their own work and showcase (UCSC are presenting something this
year).
Chris: How many Merrill affiliates going?
Ian: Three.
Chris: How much is per person?
Ian: $857.
Seth: If the event is open to anybody who is interested, how many they apply for this event?
Ian: Have to attend at least 5 meetings before you go. Many non-science majors are in attendance (e.g.
Communication majors).
Seth: Is it too late?
Ian: Deadline was last week; but the club is open for everybody. Will have many upcoming events.
Chris: what happens with funds are not met?
Ian: We are hopeful; will meet with many other groups.
Justin: CSA Proposal --Marin: Even though the event is across campus, we should fund because it falls within our ethos.
Victor: Agreed. Merrill students are involved, and more will probably be in attendance. Would be nice to
help out with funding.
Alexandra MOTIONS to fund the CSA.
Victor SECONDS the motion.
Motion PASSES by consensus.
Justin: Numbers?
Chris: It is a ticketed event, keep that in mind.
Hannah: how much are they asking?
Justin: $200.
Alexandra: Comfortable with around $100.
Marin: Comfortable with $70.
Hannah: How much are they looking for in total?
Justin: $11,000.
Kristen: Received numbers from itemized budget.
Alexandra: Chinese New Year event is beneficial, especial to Merrill because of our Ethos; will be
exposing a lot of difference students to their culture.
Marin: Funding $70 because it is on the other side of campus; are unsure of how it will actually affect
Merrill students.
Victor MOTIONS to fund $85.
Alexandra SECONDS the motion.
8 (YES) – 0 (NO) – 3 (ABSTAIN)
Motion Carries:
Funding CSA $85.
Justin: Funding NSBE…
Gillian: Should fund as it is for a good cause; allows people to get the opportunity to see many, 3 Merrill
students out of the total 15.
Victor: We should help them out. MSG supports the students of Merrill.
Marin: Although personally agrees with the cause, we need to vary our cause for this will only impact
three students and Merrill has a history of funding large scale events that potentially impact many students.
Chris: A very large impact on a very small number. It would only be affecting a very select number of
individuals.
Marin: Of the money they are asking, they are short a lot. We would be “throwing pennies” at them for the
amount of money we would be able to fund.
Justin: There was no clear when/how they could bring back what they do learn from the convention; the
deadline for this event has passed and thus it really is a select group that we would be funding.
Chris: He did mention that Merrill participation was increasing as he increased the
Marin MOTIONS to not fund NSBE.
Chris SECONDS the motion.
3 (YES) – 4 (NO) – 3 (ABSTAIN)
The motion fails.
Hannah MOTIONS to fund.
Gillian SECONDS the motion.
7 (YES) – 1(NO) – 2 (ABSTAIN)
Motion PASSES.
Maria: to fund $75 with the stipulation that they bring back what they learned.
Chris: as in what they learned.
Seth: We cannot put money with a stipulation. We would have to be responsible for making this possible
for them.
Maria: To the body as a senate and they …
Justin: I couldn’t see why that couldn’t work.
Seth: We have no way to keep them accountable to that. As we are providing that money before they go,
there is no teeth.
Chris: We can ask them to come back.
Alexandra: A gentle suggestion.
Kristen: a 'Request'.
Alexandra: $50 with the request they come back.
Justin: Funding them $50 will not really do them much good.
Seth: We can’t choose what we are buying. We can’t tell them what to spend their money on.
Justin: SUA has done that … like funding for T-shirts, not for wristband.
Seth: It’s just a slippery slope; no way to check, our money is just going to a big money pot.
Alexandra MOTIONS to fund NSBE $75.
Gillian SECONDS the motion.
5 (YES) – 2 (NO) – 3 (ABSTAIN)
Motion doesn’t pass.
Seth: Has to be 50%+1; that’s of everybody who has voting privileges in the room.
Alexandra: for those who voted no,
Marin: For what they are asking and for what they need, our money won’t really make much of a
difference considering.
Victor MOTIONS to NSBE $50
Margret SECONDS the motion
8 (YES) – 0 (NO) – 3 (ABSTAIN)
Motion Passes; will be funding NSBE $50.
4. Funding Requests – to decide to hear
Justin: (Reading Funding Request) Hermanos Unidos, the group that we wanted to resubmit a form … they
resubmitted. “Becoming a New Human (Person)”. Broaden viewpoints; a campus wide open discussion on
identities; share ideas, genders, etc ...
Professor Adrian Felix is invited to talk; an open dialogue, cultural understanding (identities, cultural
upbringing, listening and talking to others); 50 estimated Merrill Student.
Kristen: A Talk.
Justin: An open dialogue, race, class gender and how it is perpetuated in our community. Bring a cultural
sensitivity to others and others' upbringings. Asking for $200. Received funds from Oaks and Stevenson
Event Center.
Marin: Where was it taking place?
Justin: 3-6PM March 6th, at Stevenson Event Center.
Chris: Understand what the event is, but what are we funding?
Justin: Do we hear them?
Michael: Yes, we should let them explain themselves.
Alexandra: Interested in the idea as it seems benefit to the community. Goes with the Merrill Ethos...
Seth: Did not follow the instructions.
Chris: Agree as it is a great thing, but they don’t necessarily need the money to hold this kind of “talk.”
Seth: Rooms cost money.
Kristen: we are guessing as they did not provide a budget.
Seth: Actually, this funding request shouldn't have even made it to the table as their form in incomplete.
Alexandra: Go through the same process as last week?
Kristen: focusing on essence of their project, not necessarily the
Marin: in favor of hearing them out in order to d
Victor: When is the event?
Justin: March 5th.
Chris: from 3-6PM.
Seth: Our guidelines are pretty straight forward.
Alexandra: If they won’t take the time to fill out our forms correctly, not going to waste our times.
Chris: If they cannot follow our guidelines,
Kristen: Did they respond to your e-mail?
Marin: Yes, they said they would revise.
Kristen: But no dialogue.
MOTION by Marin to not hear the Hermons Unidods.
SECONDED by Victor.
Objection to approve the motion by consensus.
5 (YES) – 3 (NO) – 3 (ABSTAIN)
Motion does not pass.
Gillian: Don’t see the problem with not hearing them.
Seth: biggest problem is that it usually wouldn’t have made it all the way to this table. Forms that aren't
complete will be left uncontacted.
Michael: By not hearing them, and just turning them down, it may be a big miscommunication.
Chris: that’s fine that we don’t need to fund everything that comes through the door
Michael: should be open to letting people present their requests however.
Marin: do we have a tradition of walking individuals through the process?
Justin:
Seth: We were hearing 5-6 fundings a night. And they were irrelevant. Our process was put in place by a
previous body
Marin: instead of “no communication,” did we send back a “it did not follow our guidelines”
Alexandra: can they resubmit?
Seth: can resubmit as many times as they would like.
Chris MOTIONS to not hear Hermanos Unidos.
SECONDED by Margret.
6 (YES) – 1 (NO) – 5 (ABSTAIN)
Chris: I make the MOTION to close discussion.
SECONDED by Alexandra.
Seth: gets tabled for future discussion.
Justin: All those in favor of tabling discussion
9 (YES) – 0 (NO) – 3 (ABSTAIN)
(b.) Matchbox Literary Magazine
Justin: (Reading Funding Request) Opportunity for artist work to be included in a UC-wide magazine.
Emphasizing bringing together many individuals of different cultures and cultural backgrounds into one
magazine. Publish works of many individuals. Kresge, Crown and College Ten has funded them. Budget:
$3380 printing. $120 for distribution.
Michael: Even though it is only one Merrill Student, it's a UC-wide magazine and it sounds like a really
cool idea.
Justin: Sounds like it is printed here in Santa Cruz.
Chris: Heard them last year.
Victor MOTIONS to hear the Matchbox Literary Magazine
Michael SECONDS the motion.
9 (YES) – 1 (NO) – 2 (ABSTAIN)
Motion carries, will hear the group next week.
Justin: SAFE, Asking for official banner. Planning to open an educational events,
Seth: They are asking funding for a banner, so that’s why it’s a “ticketed event”
Justin: Sexual Assault prevention and an education on how sexual assault. my
Received funding from Oaks and Merrill in the past.
Kristen: for sweatshirts last quarter.
Seth: Did not give us a cost, on the banner.
Victor MOTIONS to hear SAFE.
SECONDED by Marin.
Any Objections to approval by consensus?
OBJECTION
Chris: Didn’t have a budget.
Seth: It’d be a single cost.
8 (YES) – 1 (NO) – 3 (ABSTAIN)
Motion carries, SAFE will be hear.
Kristen: Hermanos Unidos gets brought up now, or next week?
Seth: It gets moved to next meeting.
(5) Merrill College Pride Week
Justin: As Kristen will be gone that week, and Seth cannot work more that many hours, idea to move the
carnival night to a day event … scavenger hunt does not need a professional staff member.
Seth: 5 – 7 for set up alone.
Alexandra: Wednesday “day.”
Marin: What time?
Kristen: 9 am SET UP to a later in the afternoon
Seth: Best time is generally around 11am, any student up before 11 is because they are going to class (or
for purpose). They are not up 8 am for funsies.
Margret: Asking for volunteers as well.
Victor: Will we be able to talk with the RAs?
Michael: Monday night, Baobab Lounge.
Seth: Cannot show up to their private meetings. It’s a staff meeting.
Justin: Margret shall accompany Victor.
Seth: Will not be able to get on the agenda for this upcoming week, will be able to show up next week?
Kristen: Are just asking for help with set up?
Michael: Monday night meeting are typical not pack … as it was ½hour this week.
Seth: General standard, a week's notice is standard. The earliest will be the 17 th.
Michael: Tell them when the event is, so they hopefully are more likely to work with you.
Justin: When you now which date it is, let us know by e-mail so that they can join you!
Kristen: We should tell him specifically who will be going, especially regarding who’s going to the actual
meeting.
Victor: Margret and I are alright, just the two of us.
Seth: Will have Michael and Phil too!
Victor: whenever we get the date, during Monday’s morning meeting …
Seth: the logistics will be gone over.
Justin: Merrill College Pride Week Committee meets Monday Morning in the bottom floor of Casa Latin.
College Night confirmed for Tuesday night. Need to discuss MSG open house (next week); will ask if the
dance can be apart of the spirit week,
Victor: scavenger hunt discussed next meeting. He works on it on the weekend.
Seth: It is great!
Victor: have an old program, and it’s awesome! The Cantu center gave him a bunch of info too!
6. Elections
Justin: Elections update: still going on! Community bonding
Today we had Maria, Alexandra, Margret, Victor, Hannah and myself. You should vote, if you haven’t ...
Seth: SHAME ON YOU.
Kristen: Ends Friday at noon.
Victor: For those who have wrote in...
Seth: They sign their name for interest, and we contact them regarding how they can
Justin: but we had write in candidates.
Seth: that is an expression of interest.
Justin: When will they be posted?
Kristen: Hoping to post the results Monday.
Seth: Will have contacted the winners and they will be able to attend the next meeting next Thursday.
Justin: we are at the 45 members, we have 3,000-4,000 total Merrill students….
Seth: Only 1,500 live on campus .. the rest we never see lOL
Kristen: Nice to put a face on the people who are serving MSG.
7. Officer Reports
(SCOC)
Victor: Went over events. Crown/Merrill event tomorrow. 6:30-10:00PM. Need help cleaning up.
Marin: What time?
Victor: Setting up 4:45, ending at 11 (clean-up). There are bunch of stations. Will need lots of help. They
need lots of help for cleaning up. Get two drawing tickets.
Seth: It’s a flat screen TV!
Chris: Is it a flat screen?
Victor: 32” flat screen TV!
Chris: did COSTCO donate it?
Victor: no, they bought it. Lots of gifts and prizes.
Marin: When will you need help cleaning up.
Chris: Selling a raffle tickets?
Victor: It is a “door prize”
Victor: Eight/Oaks are having the next event. Scheduled for the 28 th of February. Porter/Kresge have a
carnival, March, will have dunk tank. College Nine/Ten, probably showing FROZEN, April 27th (frozen
should be available March).
Announcement! SCOC, as apart of their interns, will be making a Mr. Santa Cruz.
Alexandra: Technically females may take part
Seth: UCSC policies have to make it open. As we are looking at the gender binary.
Victor: was brought up as an idea.
Seth: Contact the Cantu Center, because there may be strong voices that will be against your choice of
wording.
(SUA)
Maria: funding request by SAFE.
Justin: for the event they are hosting here.
Maria: Tax credit was tabled for next week. Closed Sections to elect an elections commissioner.
Nominations was made. Name won’t be public until he accepts the nomination, which is next Tuesday.
Alexandra: Shiku’s proposal. Chair for Persons for African Pricscila is the other Chair for the person of
color caucus? They haven’t been funded. Situation hasn’t been discussed before … hasn’t been funded to
go to the remaining meetings?
Michael: how much is she asking? It is only
Alexandra: She is one of two of the USSA board.
Justin: SUA has a line item for USSA board member travel expenses. She hasn’t been taking this budget
before because
Seth: Why does she have to ask for it
Justin: She was not a UCSC delegation; she became a board member not necessarily as a UCSC members.
Seth: She doesn’t have a line item?
Justin: She does, but she wasn’t
Alexandra: Doesn’t technically, but we have to approval.
Chris: Line item means that money is set aside for these persons.
Justin: Item says, it is for USSA Board Members. She is a USSA Board member. But she didn’t register
with UCSC.
Michael: for SUA, just use your best judgment.
Chris: It is to grant a person fund for travel.
Justin: bureaucratic process that caused this problem.
Seth: But she was voted into the title.
Justin: Yes, she is voted in…..
Alexandra: Political problems with the member who is asking money. She wasn’t put into the line item,
but technically she should be in there.
Seth: What was the beef?
Alexandra: She didn’t present the topic, but we know because Justin was there.
Marin: Money should go
Seth: “should go to her” is a personal opinion.
Chris: What is the normal process?
Justin: She independently signed up to go to this conference.
Chris: We can sometimes have 0?
Justin: Yes, we have money for up to 2 members.
Chris: Is this something that can be repeated?
Justin: No, this is a special circumstance.
Marin: She should
Justin: she was allowed to present herself to SUA. The other members is because;
Chris: Where has she been getting funds before?
Justin: Dean of Students Office. Her College Provost.
Seth: Is she representing UCSC or representing herself as a student at UCSC.
Alexandra: to be honest, we don’t understand the situation in its entirety.
Marin: Straw poll-Chris: explain how that money is released?
Justin: They bring the money to the officers and the budget is approved.
Chris: She wasn’t in the same position as the other
Seth: We won’t know the reason, but she isn’t.
Michael: Next board meeting?
Chris: sooner the money released, the sooner she can book herself.
Marin: she is asking for traveling expenses.
Seth: We have travel expenses, she is asking for money for travel.
Chris: why didn’t she ask for the position, why can’t
Michael: can anybody
Justin: no
Michael: it is an empty throne?
Justin: there are two meetings left.
Seth: It is whether or not she is representing this person or not.
Alexandra: Can I have a straw poll? Of those who are
Seth: Who wants you to abstain from the vote? A straw poll is for you as a person.
Alexandra: SAFE funding, of $2500 going to them. At Merrill.
Marin: It is at Merrill.
Chris: YAY!
Justin: Is that it for SUA.
(Treasurer)
Marin: funded CSA and NSBE. Going over budget thingies after the meeting. Have $395 left.
Chris: CORE council has not got back to us …
Justin: If anybody from elections comes out, we'll contact them.
(Chair)
Justin: No Chair Report.
ADVISORERS
Kristen: Election things, going live with commencement registration coming up Monday. Graduation and
commencement are two separate thing. Graduation is through registrar. Commencement is through Merrill.
Victor: Are they two ceremonies.
Kristen: Graduation is a degree. Commencement is the ceremony.
Seth: Get a really cute piece of paper ~
Kristen: Taking place June 19th, 9:30AM. MSG helps out?
Seth: Student Staff and OL have to stay, MSG gets invited to stay (if needed).
Marin: What happens if you graduate early?
Kristen: You get to come back in the spring and walk with your friends. Vice-Versa, if you graduate the
next quarter, you get the opportunity to walk early.
Announcements
Seth: Justin used the word y’all 34.
Kristen: a count for “whatnots”
Michael: Announcements: 120 burgers, 70 hotdogs. All sold out!
Kristen: Saturday 15 February. At Women Center. Lunch affair.
Justin: Google doc. Coming out.
Victor: SCOC event! Tomorrow.
Alexandra: Awesome ideas, themed meetings.
MOTION to adjourn by Victor.
Michael: OBJECTION. We should name tags. For new members, for old members, for everybody.
Victor MOTIONS to adjourn the meeting.
Marin SECONDS the motion.
Meeting adjourned 9:30.