The Hive » Senate

Senate Minutes available from Jan. 23, 2011

Alina Czekai — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:13 +0000

At the Senate Meeting of January 23, 2012, Stephanie Panama was approved to serve as an aide on the Communications Committee, Alina Czekai was approved to serve as a representative on the Singer Awards Committee, and Becky Donnelly was approved to serve as the Election Chair for the Spring 2012 Elections. President Halpern announced that he was looking for representation for three University committees: The Event Registration Committee, the Financial Aid Advisory Board, and the Academic Living Centers Selection and Review Board. Treasurer Eckert explained that the Appropriations Committee will be moving to a teller system and Chair Topudurti of the Policy & Review Committee announced that the Mid-Year Reports were due.

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Resignation from Senator DeMeo

Dan Cohn — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:48:31 +0000

Class of 2013 Senator Eric DeMeo formally resigned from Senate on December 12, 2011. He is studying abroad in Australia this spring semester.

Read Senator DeMeo’s Resignation Letter

Senate Meeting for Monday January 30th

Rishi Sharma — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:26 +0000

There will be no Senate meeting today, Monday, January 30th. Senate meetings are scheduled to resume next Monday. Thank you!

Senate minutes available from Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, 2011

Alina Czekai — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:09 +0000

At the Senate Meeting of December 12, 2011, guest student Andy Debbins presented a petition to the Senate that requested that the Gold Line continues to make stops along Genessee Street even though it is not included in the route. Projects & Services addressed this concern and assured the students that they would make improvements. Student, Alykhan Alani, voiced concerns regarding increasing tuition rates at the University of Rochester. The Senate and members of the gallery participated in discussion. President Halpern stated that there will be information on the Hive regarding the breakdown of tuition in the near future. Laurel Contomanolis from Residential Life presented information about the new Housing Lottery System. The Senate approved constitution changes to UR Debate Union. Additionally, Humma Sheikh was approved to serve as Co-Chair of the Projects & Services Committee and Senator DeMeo resigned from the Senate.

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The Senate Meeting of December 5, 2011 was marked by a motion to grant the appeal of Phi Delta Epsilon and overturn the decision of the Policy & Review Committee. The group brought the concern to the Senate that they felt as though they were not being heard when they first presented their request for preliminary status to the Policy & Review Committee. The motion failed. Additionally, the Senate approved constitution changes to UR Concerts and Wendy Wang was approved to serve as Deputy Treasurer of the Appropriations Committee. Senator Brookstein, Senator Brill Chief Justice Petersen, and President Halpern discussed changes that will be put in place for Dandelion Day this spring.

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Senate minutes available from Nov. 21, 2011

Alina Czekai — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:34:39 +0000

During the Senate Meeting of November 21, 2011, the Senate discussed potential upcoming changes to Dandelion Day and provided feedback for SCAPE. President Halpern discussed the future plans for the new college town, which will be completed in 2014. Constitution changes to BSU were approved by the Senate. Sonja Page was retroactively approved to serve as Co-Chair of the Projects & Services Committee. Lastly, the Senate participated in a lengthy discussion about the new bar bus policy and off-campus events.

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Senate minutes available from Nov. 14, 2011

Alina Czekai — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:29 +0000

During the Senate meeting of November 14, 2011, the Senate discussed the purchase of the solar bench that is located outside of Rush Rhees Library and they expressed their concern regarding the purchase. The Projects & Services Committee announced details about the winter bike storage program and the Thanksgiving shuttles. Men’s Club Squash was approved as an SA-Recognized group and Devin Embil was approved to serve as the official videographer for the SA.

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Senate minutes available from Nov. 7, 2011

Alina Czekai — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:33:01 +0000

During the Senate meeting of November 7, 2011, potential builders for the new MAIC building discussed building plans. The building will emphasize collaboration and innovation and it will be a center when students can work on digital media projects. Senators provided feedback and asked questions about the building plans. Treasurer Eckert and Chair Topudurti introduced changes to the PPM, which will allow all SA-funded groups to petition for supplemental funding. Additionally, Senator Brookstein introduced a sense of the Senate resolution that would require student groups that require dues to have payment plans available to members. The Senate tabled this motion until the Mid-Year Report is released.

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Senate minutes available from Oct. 31, 2011

Alina Czekai — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:00:24 +0000

During the Senate Meeting of October 31, 2011, the Projects & Services Committee announced that the Walk for Facilities will take place on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 3 PM. The Projects & Services Committee also provided updates to Academics and Rafique Khan was approved to serve as an aide on the committee. The Policy & Review Committee denied the Lawn and Mallet Club preliminary status and Chair Topudurti stated that she created a checklist that all advisors will provide to student groups before they petition for preliminary status. Sustainability Coordinator Finnie provided updates and stated that he will be looking into ways to make Meliora Weekend more eco-friendly.

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Senate minutes available from Oct. 24, 2011

Alina Czekai — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:00:57 +0000

Catie Tarantine and Sheridan Finnie gave a presentation on making UR a smoke-free campus, and Senate provided feedback and suggestions. The Projects & Services Committee announced that the Walk for Facilities will take place on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 at 3 PM in the Ruth Merrill Center. Ryan Puffer was approved to serve as the IT Coordinator for the Projects & Services Committee. Sexual Health Awareness Group (SHAG) was de-recognized and constitution changes to D’Motions were approved. Additionally, the Senate had a discussion regarding Senators’ responsibilities and potential biases in response to the voting that took place last week to approve GlobeMed as an SA-recognized group. Senators and members of the Policy & Review and Appropriations Committee participated in this discussion.

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Senate minutes available from Oct. 17, 2011

Alina Czekai — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:00:10 +0000

Senate began with a discussion about the changes in policies of the Bar Bus Committee and the Standing Committee on Alcohol Policy and Education (SCAPE). President Halpern and Security Coordinator Doko announced that the Safe Ride Home program will commence in November, and it will provide students with rides during the hours of 1-4 AM. The van has been purchased, and it will transport students to three stops: Hill Court, Southside and Riverveiw. Vice President Bhatia introduced a presidential initiative of reaching out to student groups to learn more about student diversity and the campus climate and how student government can better support these groups. Projects & Services announced that the IT Summit will take place on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 5-7 PM. Additionally, there were two approvals by Senate: ROC the Raas’ constitution update to change their name to University of Rochester Raas and the SA-Recognition of GlobeMed.