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Minutes from Oct. 19, 2011

Minutes

Eastern Mennonite University

Student Government Association Senate

Agenda

October 19, 2011

 

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

– Micah 6:8

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call/Prayer
  3. Approval of Minutes James motioned to approve minutes and Joel Choi seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
  4. Announcements Everyone received contact info.
  5. Committee Reports
    1. Strategic Planning Committee
      1.  Nels, Brandon and Ken attended and increased enrollment was discussed (goal = bring enrollment up to 1,000; currently around 880). They want to bring in students from all around the country since many current students are local (from Virginia). They also aim to double the international student population.
    2. Writing Committee
      1. Joel and Vi reported. There was discussion about ungrad and grad May Writing Retreats (Kairos Place). It was reported that Kirsten Beachy and Judy Mullet lead the undergrad retreat, and grad department reps on the committee will survey the grad programs for interested students. The committee also discussed writing intensive course assessment on both the undergrad and grad levels.
  6. Old Business
    1. Idea Drive- Brandon’s report Tabled
    2. Intramural concern
      1. Katie has a concern about entire teams from A league coming and also playing in B league and dominating, which she believes takes the fun out of B league. Becca Longenecker said that they are implementing a rule after fall break for upcoming intramural sports that only two A league players are allowed to be on B league teams.
  7. New Business
    1. Funding Request- Third Culture Kids Club
    2. Tim Heishman and Melody Tobin presented. The club has not been in existence for about 2 years, but they are reviving it this year. They are requesting funds ($300 for the semester) so that they can have monthly meals and perhaps do some other minor events. They currently have 13 members. We suggested that they open the event up to the larger community (and do some advertising). Discussion ensued: people were concerned that the amount requested was too large and that while they are opening it to all students, many students may not go b/c it’s a meeting, rather than an event. Ken suggested that we ask them to give us more details like list all of their expenses so that we have an idea of where the money is specifically going. Louise Babikow said that she felt their intentions were pretty clear: one person will go to the grocery store and buy ingredients (and international ingredients do tend to be more expensive) and they will advertise. Hannah Patterson suggested that we ask them to advertise in a more intentional way (posters?) rather than just rely upon word of mouth. Justin Roth motioned to send a request to the Third Culture Kids Club to give us more information and details about this semester’s expenses and events. Becca Longenecker seconded. Approved: 6, against: 4, abstaining: 4. Motion #1 passed.
    3. Suicide Awareness Walk
      1. Events is scheduled for March 31st, organized by CoachLink. There will be a meeting on Oct. 28th from 8:30-12 and they asked for an SGA rep to attend (reps can attend part time). Katie suggested that we have one of their reps come and tell us about the event and tell us why they want SGA involvement (since the expectation for participation is pretty high). Ken explained a bit about what the event is and why it is important for the university. The goal for the walk is to have students from both EMU and JMU come together and walk in solidarity. It will be a pretty high profile event. Nels will contact CoachLink to have someone come and talk to SGA about the event next week.
    4. Weight Room Music Concern
      1. There is concern about the lyrics of some music played in the weight room (derogatory words, etc). Some senators voiced concern about the message that the music sends, which is contradictory to EMU’s values, etc. Brittney Wenger said that people can always request to change the music (and Justin Roth suggested asking the fitness center to put up a sign advertising this) and Katie Landis said that we should give specific suggestions and requests to the fitness center, rather than just sending a general complaint. Justin Roth suggested having certain types of music at specified times of day. Hannah Schrock motioned to give John the ideas that we discussed above. Katie Landis seconded the motion. Approve: 15, against: 0, abstaining: 1. Motion #2 passed.
  8. Open Floor
    1. Louise Babikow and Alli Eanes have been planning an Interfaith Dialogue Panel to be held in Common Grounds in mid November and are in the process of contacting the final people to be on the panel. They currently have two student moderators and further plans are in the works.
    2. Sam Kauffman presented cards to those on the Spirit Week Committee and the Idea Drive Committee on behalf of the Encouragement Committee.
  9.  Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Hannah Schrock, seconded by Brittney Wenger. Passed unanimously.

 

Next Meeting: 26 October 2011 at 9 pm in UC 211/212