Eastern Mennonite University
Student Government Association Senate
Agenda
17th of September, 2014
Call to Order
Becca Jo calls meeting to order at 8:02pm.
Roll Call
| Sarah Marie Longenecker | x |
| Taylor Esau | abs |
| Kaltuma Noorow | x |
| Alicia Ygarza | abs |
| Jasmine Miller | x |
| Matej Gligorevic | x |
| Kate Weaver | x |
| Kat Lehman | x |
| Mario Valladares | x |
| Emma King | x |
| Hans Bontrager Singer | x |
| Roberto Wingfield | x |
| Isaiah Williams | x |
| Ryan Swartz | x |
| Charlie Good | x |
| Becca Jo Longenecker | x |
| Becca Martin | x |
| Erin Nafziger | x |
| Kyle Storc | abs |
| Ken Nafziger | x |
| Vi Dutcher | x |
| Amy Springer | abs |
| Jane Wenger-Clemens | abs |
Approval of Minutes
No minutes to approve
Announcements
Short introduction of all members: Name, Grade, Area of Study
Old Business
No old business from previous meetings.
New Business
Meeting Etiquette
Beccas elaborated on the structure of meeting, according to parliamentary process. Becca Jo also explained how to make a motion within a meeting.
Attendance
Erin explains that each member is allowed no more than three absences consecutively; if this occurs, the senate has a possibility to veto the dismissal. If a member misses more than 4 meetings in a semester, a similar process occurs.
Office Hours
Charlie explains that each person signs a slot in the schedule blank to complete his/her office hours. This is a time to work on SGA projects, answer questions, and be present for the student body. Be sure to sign the Avengers notebook for posterity and attendance purposes. Make the office a welcoming atmosphere complete with music and smiles.
Institutional Committees
Becca explains that part of a senator’s job is to serve on institutional committees. Get in contact with the chair of that committee. If the committee doesn’t work for the member, it is that member’s responsibility to arrange someone to switch with. Being part of this committee gives you the same voting rights.
Funding Request Explanation
Ryan explains that clubs come to SGA with funding requests. Clubs will complete a form that is presented to SGA, the senate will ask questions, the club members will leave, and the senate votes on whether to fulfill or dismiss the proposal.
Dr. Abuelaish Funding Request
CJP and the Gandhi Center is in charge of bringing in Dr. Izzedin Abuelaish. He comes from the Gaza strip, and gained world recognition during the firefights between Palestine and Israel. Abuelaish spoke out against the war, asking for no retaliation, even in response the death of his children.
Funding Dr. Abuelaish would come from the lecture series fund. Years earlier, we have allotted more in our budget for the lecture series fund. We changed this budget knowing that our money could shift from fund to fund.
Mario asked how many speakers we usually fund, and Becca Jo responds with approximately two or three.
Becca M points out that Dr. Abuelaish will be spending a lot of time on campus, providing many opportunities for students to hear him. He would be speaking on a very relevant topic towards EMU, Becca Jo points out, seeing that his topic is at the core of EMU’s vision and since we send students to the Middle East every year. Becca points out that it is significant for such a renowned speaker spends significant time on campus.
Becca Jo points out the importance to honor our speakers.
Kaltuma motions to give $2,000 to Dr. Abuelaish. Emma seconds the motion.
Isaiah suggests giving less to be safe.
Becca M points out how unusual such a large funding request is.
Kaltuma points out how unusual a person from abroad is to come.
Mario asks where he would be speaking. Becca M responds—dinner at EMU, Science Center, at JMU.
All in favor of allocating 2,000 to Dr. Abuelaish: 13
All abstaining: 1
All opposed: 0
Motion Passed.
Open Floor
Roberto asks to see the budget, and Becca Jo responds by saying they will bring the spreadsheet next meeting.
All SGA meetings are open to the student body. Agendas will be emailed to every member prior to the meeting.
Adjournment
Hans motions to adjourn, and Ryan seconds the motion. Motion passed unanimously at 8:44pm.