EMU SGA

Student Government Association

Senate Agenda

28th of November 2012

1. Call to Order – at 8:33 pm

2. Roll Call/Prayer

3. Approval of Minutes – Minutes passed.

4. Announcements

a. Who’s here next semester? –Becca L. talked about procedure for resigning.

5. Committee Reporting

6. Old Business

a. Fall Fest: Reflections: Senators agreed event went well and want to keep material if future Senate wants to replicate event.

b. CFCI Resolution – Matt M. proposes a motion for SGA to back             resolution. Tyler seconded motion. Motion passed.

7. New Business

a. Safe Space – Six members of Safe Space came to present to SGA a letter. SGA’s purpose is to discuss student concerns and bring concerns to the EMU administration. One member, Evan Knappenberger said that the issue of homosexuality is not going to go away and as future leaders of the Mennonite Church we need to face the issue now. For him it is an oppression issue, especially since current research (the Kinsey Scale) says people are not strictly one way or another.  Chris Parks then talked about Mennonite Church USA’s policy, along with Mennonite Education Agency and how Safe Space is not looking to go up against them. However, Safe Space does believe that EMU should be looking for an LGBTQ faculty member who would commit themselves to EMU’s CLC (Community Lifestyle Commitment). Goshen College is already working on this issue. And by EMU and Goshen working together, Mennonite Education will have to face the issue, and then MCUSA. Safe Space members then read letter aloud asking SGA to bring the issue of hiring an LGBTQ-identified person to the administration. Safe Space does not a specific request, but to invite SGA to Safe Space’s event in Common Grounds on November 29. They would also like at some point for SGA to endorse a similar letter to take to the board. A SGA subcommittee was suggested as a way to move forward by Safe Space members. Vi brought up the issue of having a “token” professor and how that can be daunting, and saying professors would strengthen the letter. Ken brought up that the President’s cabinet looks to hire much diversity. He says he has hired gay or lesbian staff members, but they have not been willing to come out. The cabinet has been looking for all types of diversity within EMU’s CLC.  He also brought up the point that the Mennonite Church has avoided discussions around the issue because of fear of splitting.

b. Funding Request– Joshua Kanagy came to ask for $100 for an all-campus Christmas bash that is hosted by several of the clubs on campus.  Clubs include Earthkeepers, SFI, ISO, EMSWA, Peace Fellowship, and YPCA. Activities include card-making, cookie decorating, and other holiday fun activities.  Tyler made a motion to give $125 from the USO account. Matt seconded. Motion passed.

8. Open Floor

a. Matt M. brought up the idea for SGA to sponsor the finals coffeepot at the library.

b. Becca L. brought up that December 11 is the SGA-sponsored pancake dinners.

c. Becca L. also brought up the idea of having a SGA Christmas party next week at 8pm. Senators seem to be in agreement. Vi suggests meeting in the President’s room.

9. Adjournment

a. Matt M. made motion

b. Tyler seconded

c. Motion passed at 9:35.

Student Government Association

Senate Agenda

14th of November 2012

1. Call to Order – at 8:35pm

2. Roll Call/Prayer

3. Approval of Minutes – Vi recommended to change student trips to students conferences. John made a motion to change student trips to student conferences. Jenna seconded Minutes passed with approved change.

4. Announcements

5. Committee Reporting

a. Fall Fest – Becca Martin spent $125 on pumpkin pie material. She had put up posters and Res Life took them down from Res Life boards. All but one of our musical bands have backed out, which is not good news. Other musical suggestions were discussed. People need to be at Thomas Plaza at noon to set up. Senators who do not have specific jobs can just be wandering around to help where needed. T-shirts should be in by Friday and can be picked up at SGA office.

6. Old Business

a. MLK Day update – Brian Martin Burkholder and Beth Lehman came from the MLK Day committee. This idea was started last semester with Hannah and Erika (last year’s SGA presidents) who were committed to bringing in a big-name speaker. Shane Claiborne is booked to come and the committee has been working on broadening the day to include service and learning. Senators were given draft of concept sheet. The day is in the works for this year, but also possibly starting with smaller plans and having a five-year plan to implement ideas. Part of the plans for the day include service projects and discussions in classes. Right now only the Shane Claiborne part is in place, while the other ideas are still being discussed. Other ideas are having a forum in the evening about justice themes, looking at the one community, one book idea. The committee wants student feed-back for the ideas. Ken spoke to the broader MLK service day movement. He also mentioned that the Academic Cabinet supports this decision, but emphasizes that classes will not be canceled. They are picturing this being a campus-wide event including students and faculty. It is a day ON, not a day off. Those who would want to volunteer on the day would have released from class. Becca M. mentioned that it would be nice to have something on campus. Brian said MCC would be happy for us to put together hurricane relief kits, but we would need money for supplies. Phys plant might also be able to come up with on-campus projects. Senators seemed excited about the event. Becca M. suggested that we look at churches for supplies for kits. Jake also said that this needs more mmmppff and get student attention. He likes the idea of being more involved in our own community. Brian brought up that the committee meetings have focused more on the day of learning, rather than service and how we can have more learning in our classes about MLK. Beth brought up the concern that service on MLK Day feels kind of token and not an authentic way to celebrate the day. Ken brought up that he hoped the service to be a time of working alongside others and get to know others whom we would not normally get to know and break down barriers. MLK was all about equality and this could be a way to celebrate this. Ken felt that students are more likely to grab onto the day than faculty and staff.

7. New Business

a. CFCI Resolution – Joshua Kanagy, Seth Stauffer, and Rachel Bowman came from Peace Fellowship’s Conflict-Free Campus Initiative to give a short presentation on conflict minerals and their resolution they hope to make to the Board of Trustees. They showed a powerpoint presentation including vocab, the conflict, statistics, and company rankings. They talked about the importance that universities can play in helping end the violence in Congo. If EMU would pass a resolution to buying conflict-free electronics, electronic companies would have to listen since we possess so much buying power. Ken brought up that the next time this can come be brought to the board is not until June.  He brought up that the President’s office determines the plenary for the Board meetings. SGA’s role would be to officially sponsor the bill and help bring it to the board. SGA could also push it through President’s Cabinet. John spoke his support to do everything in SGA’s power to help support the group and resolution. Other senators voiced their support. Someone asked about funding and Julia clarified that the entire initiative is coming out of Peace Fellowship’s small budget. It is decided for Senators to take this back to the students for more discussion and making an intentional effort to talk about this and bring it back after Thanksgiving.

b. Constitution Review: LSA – LSA lost their constitution and wrote up a new one for review. A recommendation was made by Matt N. to change the wording under section 5 to change the word propaganda. Becca M. made the motion to recommend that the LSA constitution to the President’s Cabinet with word change for review. Tyler seconded. Recommendation made.

8. Open Floor

a. Tyler asked about Senate elections for next semester. Elections take place at the beginning of each semester with the exception of Jacob leaving next semester so a new vice-president will need to be elected this semester. Senators not returning in spring need to write a formal letter to SGA.

b. John brought up the issue for the Encouragement Committee to leave anonymous notes of encouragement in a bowl for students to take.

9. Adjournment

a. Becca M. made motion

b. Matt L. Molly seconded

c. Motion passed at 9:50pm.

Student Government Association

Senate Agenda

7th of November 2012

1. Call to Order – at 8:35 pm

2. Roll Call/Prayer

3. Approval of Minutes – Minutes passed.

4. Announcements

a.     Becca M. gives an update on Fall Fest progress. She says SGA senators will be needed to help at Fall Fest: 6 people at Chipotle stand; 1-2 people to help with apple cider (Earth Keepers mainly in charge there); 1 person to help out with games; and 1 person to help with the pies. Jenna, Becca L., Molly, and Kyle volunteer to help with Chipotle. Louise volunteers to help with apple cider. Becca M. says we will need as many SGA senators to help the day of the event. Molly is making posters for the event. SGA page is going to create a Facebook group for the event. John says the estimated cost for Chipotle is $1,230.75 and that it would be best to collect burritos in shifts to keep them fresh (three trips best). Molly suggests that we make Chipotle available at the beginning of the event so that people have incentive to come and stay. Chipotle will be delivered at 1:00; 2:30; and 4:00. Pie and cider will be available throughout.  Becca L. says that attendance at this event is crucial. If we are excited about it, others will be excited about it. Becca M. raises a question: do we pay for the burritos all at once or as we pick them up?
b.     John reports on the undergraduate council meeting which he attended this past week.  One topic discussed at that meeting was the idea of SGA financially supporting student conferences. Is it a good thing to put our money towards individual trips? Dean Nancy has seen a lot of students coming to her for financial support for trips (conferences, etc.). Departments have traditionally given money to support this need. Would it be a good idea for SGA to give money to a fund under the dean to support these miscellaneous student conferences?

5. Committee Reporting – None

6. Old Business

a.     On SGA’s Facebook page the following ideas from the idea drive had 25 and 30 likes respectively: “Lights at Hillside sand volleyball courts” and “Campus puppy”. Andrew says he would be interested in heading up a committee for putting in lights at the sand volleyball courts. Jake says that Micah Hurst is seriously interested in getting and taking care of a campus puppy. Molly suggests taking care of some of the others ideas that got a good amount of likes as well, such as “recycling bins next to printers”.

7. New Business

a.     Krista Nyce makes a funding request for Peace Fellowship to attend the School of America’s protest in Georgia this year. The School of America is an organization that in the past has trained people from other countries in guerilla warfare. Peace Fellowship is not able to pay for this trip with the money from their budget because their funding from SGA was cut in half last year (with the understanding that Peace Fellowship would come to SGA when more money was needed). Zach says he thinks Peace Fellowship’s funding request is reasonable. John, Becca M., and Molly agree. Becca M. makes a motion to grant the funding request for the full amount of $500. John seconds the motion. Motion passed with a vote.

8. Open Floor

a. Matt M. says that ISO needs volunteers to help blow up balloons on Friday at 2:00.

9. Adjournment

a. Becca M. made motion

b. Molly seconded

c. Motion passed.

Student Government Association

Senate Agenda

17th of October 2012

i. Call to Order

ii. Roll Call/Prayer

iii.Approval of Minutes

Iv. Announcements

v. Committee Reporting

a. Ironing out Institutional Committees

vi. Old Business

1. Basketball Constitution: Becca Martin wonders if advisor could be chosen from locations other than CJP or Seminary. Becca Longenecker asks if senate feels good about recommending that Basketball Constitution move along.

vii. New Business

a. Funding Request: Mountain Justice Fall Summit: Jacob M.B. explains that MJFS is an event focused on providing skills, training, and education regarding mountaintop removal, including health and environmental issues. There are two people interested in going to the summit. Becca M. asks if MJFS was advertised to student body. Jacob M.B. says that Beehive Collective event was one way in which it was advertised. Becca M. asks how the experience was brought back to student body last year after students went to fall and spring summits. Jacob M.B. says last year students presented informational meeting which was open to the entire student body.

b. Funding Request: Mike Sheeler: Mike Sheeler makes request that SGA help fund his personal trip to the Big Water Film Festival in Washburn Wisconsin to support the EMU, student-produced film which he helped make. Matt N. asks Mike to describe documentary. Mike says it is about an aid worker who was killed overseas. Jacob M.B. asks if other students who helped make film will be going to the festival. Becca M. asks if Mike has considered other funding options, such as admissions. Jenna asked how Mike will be “covering” the festival (with photography and video). Matt M. asks if film will be shown on campus again. Mike confirms. Becca M. asks how Mike will bring his experiences from festival back to EMU larger campus. Mike talks about the possibility of doing something through Marketing Department or write an article in the Weathervane. Jacob M.B. clarifies that SGA attempts to fund students based on the probability that their actions will benefit or impact the larger EMU community or student body.

b. Funding Request: Matt Mbasu: Matt explains that Nov. 9th to Nov. 14th is international education week and ISO will be hosting a celebration that week with food, a live band, henna painting, etc.

c. Molly: SGA T-shirts: Molly says that we will be getting t-shirts made for SGA so that we can wear them at the November event. Brad asks where the shirts will be coming from. Becca M. says that the t-shirts will be from American Apparel which

 d. Accountability for subcommittees: Becca L. says that planning for the November Event is well underway, but she hasn’t heard from other committees, such as the Encouragement Committee, Healthy Cafeteria Committee, and Administration Transparency Committee. Matt M. says that he talked with Monica about more health options in the caf. Jacob M.B. suggests that new committees could be made now even though it is half-way through the semester. Becca L. asks how we can hold each other accountable to make sure we can continue moving forward with the committees. Molly suggests having leaders of each committee. Becca L. says she has papers with leaders’ and members’ names recorded for each committee.

viii. Open Floor:

Vi suggests that Mike Sheeler ask the Dean for money for his apartment. Jacob M.B. makes a motion to not approve Mike’s funding request. Becca M. seconds the motion. The motion is passed with a vote. Becca L. suggests that we could grant Jacob M.B.’s funding request with the stipulation that he bring the information back to campus somehow. Matt N. makes a motion to grant Jacob M.B.’s funding request of $50 with the stipulation that they somehow bring the information back to campus. Isaac seconds the motion. Motion denied with a vote. Kyle makes a motion to not grant the funding request due to lack of attendance and the personal nature of the trip. Motion passed with a vote. Becca reminds us that Matt M. made a funding request for $600. Isaac says that he thinks ISO’s events usually engage a large portion of the student body. Jacob B.S. makes a motion to grant the funding request for ISO because the event represents a significant portion of the student body. Becca M. seconds it. Andrew asks if there is any way we could advertise SGA at the ISO week-long event. Becca L. says that we could ask to advertise the event as co-sponsored by SGA. The motion to grant ISO $600 is passed with a vote. Becca M. says that the November event will cost about $2,000.

ix. Adjournment: Isaac make a motion to adjourn the meeting. Zach seconds the motion.

SGA Minutes

October 10, 2012

I. Call to Order

a. 8:33 pm

II. Roll Call/Prayer

III. Approval of Minutes

a. Vi did not receive email notice

IV. Announcements

a. Friday meet outside back door of cafeteria for fundraiser. Idea drive is over and ideas are being compiled by executives.

V. Committee Reporting

a. No reporting

VI. Old Business

VII. New Business

a. Loren Swartzentruber here to give Science Center update. Kirk Shisler, VP for advancement, gives background and distributes summary notes. Planning began 2006 with idea to build new building next to old for $22 million. Look to find 40-70% of funds from a handful of donors. Recession stalled progress. Revised strategy is to renovate with on lower budget ($6 million commitment). Alumni are dedicated to EMU but most do not earn much money or if they do, they give to many different organizations/charities. Plan is to engage faculty and others, continue fundraising (want at least $2 million more by Dec. 31, 2014). Told we can’t renovate current lab space to bring it up to codes/standards. So, when reconstruction happens, it’s expected that there will be one year of inactivity in science center. Hoping to begin reconstruction in the next 4 years. Have not gone public with campaign yet. Jacob M.B. asks if there is anything SGA can do. Becca asks if there will be some kind of formal communication with students about science center. Molly offers to do a write up in Weathervane about this topic. Loren says he is willing to talk with students, suggests “town meeting.” Jacob says it was good to hear the information about the science center tonight. Loren says he is disappointed that original plan will not work out. Virginia Wesleyan and Concordia Colleges have also had to adjust their plans for reconstructions and instead made more modest improvements. Becca asks, during what part of the process will students be asked to help? Becca Martin says it is nice to hear update. Thank you’s are exchanged between administration and students. Loren and Kirk leave.

b. Krista Nyce, co-president of Peace Fellowship, is asking for funds for student trip to New York for Peace Conference. Students will be hosting a coffee house on campus afterwards to talk about what they’ve learned. Total money needed from SGA $500. Discussion: Jacob M.B. says Peace Fellowship has done a good job in the past of bringing info back from these types of events. Matt N. makes a motion to give full amount of money to Peace Fellowship. Becca Martin seconds the motion. Zach says that we have enough money to afford giving Peace Fellowship the full amount for which they are asking. Vi says it might be nice to affirm Peace Fellowship in the good things that they did. Vote. Motion passed.

VIII. Open Floor

a. Jacob M.B. asks if there would be another date and time that we could meet next week for SGA because of the conflict with “Take Back the Night” coffee house. 7:00 pm next Wednesday is decided upon.

b. Matt N. says that most people do not know that senators are available in the SGA office during their office hours. How can we advertise this more/be more accessible to students during that hour?

IX. Jacob B.S. makes motion to adjourn and Becca Martin seconded the motion.

X. Adjournment

a. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm

Student Government Association

Senate Agenda

3^rd of October 2012

1. Call to Order – at 8:31pm

2. Roll Call/Prayer

3. Approval of Minutes – Minutes from the past two weeks passed.

4. Announcements – None

5. Committee Reporting

a. Strategic Planning Council – Becca L. shared about inter-library loan, global impact goal, marketing-how we portray ourselves to the public and other students.

b. Royals Cup Discussion – Committee too small and wanted to bring idea to larger Senate. Plans should begin, although implementation will most likely be for next semester.

c. November Event – Becca Martin brought the event to the Senate. November 17^th was picked for the date on a Saturday.  The big expenses will be food and apples. The plan is for an apple press and also to have Chipotle cater. Chipotle has been contacted and is interested in catering. Becca Martin also brought up the idea of coupon idea to make this discounted for students, but not community members who might show up.  This Saturday is also a perspective student visit. They are working with CAC and other clubs to co-sponsor the event and do different events. The budget is looking to be around $3000, mostly because of Chipotle. A lot of this money SGA will get back by charging students half price. The other events should be cost-free. Ken brought up the idea to talk to Bruce about providing money for food by going to our event instead of going to the cafeteria that night.

6. Old Business

a. Spirit Week – Monday: Royals Day wearing EMU apparel maybe photos with Herm, Tuesday: Twin Day with photos taken of twins outside the cafeteria, Wednesday: Wake Up Wednesday with students wearing pajamas/crazy hair and a possible movie in Common Grounds, Thursday: Thrifty Thursday with people dressed in their “best” thrifty outfits, Friday: Cross-cultural day by wearing international clothing. Suggestion was made to have tri-folds in the cafeteria, Friday announcements, posters, and facebook. Different Senators took different days to help plan.

b. Idea Drive – People have seen students write suggestions and others have written on facebook.

 7. New Business

a. Basketball Club Constitution – Senators were encouraged to take Constitutions and we will discuss it next week.

8. Open Floor

a. Club Registration – Ken brought a motion from Laurie Miller about clubs registering on time in order to receive funds. Tyler made motion that Each spring clubs and organizations will have to report ot SGA who their president will be for the following year before any monies are approved for that organization. Then, in the fall, clubs will be given registration materials at the ice cream social and they will have to be returned within two weeks. If they are not returned, then they would forfeit their SGA allocation for the first semester and would also be considered inactive until their registration is turned in. If they turn in their registration after the two week period, but before the second semester begins, they would be activated at the time of registration and they would be eligible fore second semester funds.  For this year Laurie Miller will send out a notice that if he does not receive their registration by Oct. 10 they will lose their money for first semester and will be considered inactive. If they register after Oct 10 they will be activeated but will only be eligible for second semester funds.

Becca Martin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

9. Adjournment

a. Becca Maritn made motion

b. John Campbell seconded

c. Motion passed at 9:16pm

Student Government Association

Senate Agenda

31^st of October 2012

1. Call to Order – at 8:32 pm

2. Roll Call/Prayer

3. Approval of Minutes

4. Announcements

5. Committee Reporting

a. Cross Cultural Committee: Louise Babikow went to a meeting and talked about current cross-cultural and how they are going well. Talked about a Honduras cc that happened a few years ago with the soccer team. They talked about Homecoming and how that was a success. They are thinking about doing less semester programs, maybe one in fall and two in spring because of lack of student interest. They will instead add more summer ones. They are also talking about doing more local trips.

b. IS Committee: Jake B.S. went and learned about IS wanting to do more specialized emails for people, so they are more pertinent. They also talked about getting wi-fi in more places on campus.

6. Old Business

7. New Business

a. Funding request: EMU Ultimate – Roberto Wingfield came on behalf of the club to ask for $125-150 for a tournament they will be playing in. 12-14 will be playing and the entrance fee is $250, so they are asking for half. They went last year, but opened it up to community members. This year they want just a student team. Becca L. asked how it would benefit the entire EMU student body. Robert said how the club and the tournament is open to everyone who wants to join. Becca M. expressed how sports are different because a tournament cannot be “brought back” to campus. Andrew Penner brought up the point that we need to support the students in the Ultimate club and it helps give EMU publicity because they are going off campus. Becca Martin made the motion to give $150 dollars to the Ultimate Frisbee club. Tyler seconded the motion. Motion passed.

b. Funding request: Theater department – Elizabeth Gannaway came talking about her senior project, a play she wrote about human trafficking in India. The theater department does not support her much, and she would like more money. She mentioned how her play is about justice and mercy, two of EMU’s themes, and how this will bring a new issue to campus. The request is for $250. There will be ten students involved in the project. There will be four showings- opening November 30. The money is used for the sets (paints, etc.), props, and costumes. Senate was confused about supporting a senior project, but understood that the show did involve more students. However, people felt uncomfortable about having SGA support the play, then also charging students an entrance fee. Jake B.S. makes the motion to grant them the $250. Tyler seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

8. Open Floor

a. Fall Fest – John said that Chipotle would not be invoicing, so was wondering how to do payment. Ken said that we can request a card from the business office or we can use his card, which is the easiest.

9. Adjournment

a. Jenna L. made motion

b. John seconded

c. Motion passed at 9:13 pm