UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN COLORADO ASSOCIATED STUDENTS' GOVERNMENT
Eighteenth Senate
Nineteenth Session February 13, 1997  

CALL TO ORDER

I. ROLL CALL:

Senator Dupey, Senator Eden, Senator Wazir, Speaker Pro Tem Arellano, Senator Matthys, Speaker Latino, Senator Martinez, Senator Horner, Senator Bridge, Senator Percell, Senator Derr, Senator Barrows, Senator Pacheco, Senator Cousar.

III. AGENDA:

Senator Matthys moved to amend the agenda by adding ASPB Committee and PR Committee report under Section VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS. No objections.
Senator Eden moved to amend the agenda under OLD BUSINESS a., strike "SENATE BILL" and replace it with "Constitutional Amendments". No objections.
Senator Eden moved to add "NEW BUSINESS" following COMMITTEE REPORTS with the subtitle a. "Constitutional Amendments # 270, # 275, & # 280".
Senator Pacheco moved to add "Campus Life Report" under COMMITTEE REPORTS. No objections.
Senator Barrows moved to strike "S.A.B. Liaison" under COMMITTEE REPORTS. No objections.
Senator Dupey moved to add "Traffic Appeals" under COMMITTEE REPORTS. No objections.
Speaker Latino reminded the senators that if they have items to be added to or removed from the agenda, please have them in her mailbox by Wednesday.

IV. MINUTES:

Senator Eden moved to accept the minutes. Motion Passed.

V. EXECUTIVE REPORTS:

President Kelly - Reported that the secretary put extra effort into getting the minutes together because of the long dialog.
Vice President Patent - Reported on Budget Board meeting, passed around information about estimated enrollment and tuition, final report on restructuring. Section 3A of the 3rd page shows the revised budgets for next year. Section 3 shows all the cuts and revisions that have been made to have the lower budget. If anyone wants a copy of the CCHE report, please see me.

VI. LEGISLATIVE REPORTS:

Speaker Latino announced that the Constitutional Amendments need to be read next week so they can be voted on. Also, Feb. 14 is the due date for the By Laws revisions. As soon as those are finished, we can begin the Senate Bills.
Up-date on Fall Break, it's not feasible to get a fall break in 1997 because the schedule has already been set, so we're going to try to get it later, possibly 1998.
Another project is being planned, additions to the underground, possibly looking into a bowling alley.
Also, attempting to have the Cantina open on weekends, and making the underground more like a lounge so students would want to remain on campus more. (reducing the drinking and driving). This will be referred to the Student Life Committee.
Senator Eden reported on upgrading the Election Codes, forming a Campaign Day, with an open forum, also putting together a brochure, mail-out ballot.
Dr. Hill reported on sending out a double post card to all the students on campus, letting students know about the upcoming election and ask if they chose to vote on campus or off. It would also ask if students want more information about student government. This also could be sent by e-mail. E-mail could also be used for election information and up-coming events.
Senator Eden said a decision needed to be made about voting by mail or by phone.
Dr. Hill said it would be possible to do both. There was also discussion about having a primary, this would be an election by itself. Considering the time constraints, I would be hesitant to start this now.
Speaker Pro Tem Arellano said he would be willing to give up time to go through the election code and set up a primary.
Senator Derr asked about the costs involved with both types (traditional and mail-in) of voting.
Election Commissioner Allen answered that the ballots would only be sent to the students who requested one, the estimate was about $800 in cost. The largest cost is in the election commission judges, this year we're going to attempt to find a volunteer organization to run this for us. This should offset the costs of mailing.
Senator Wazir suggesting asking the LEAD group if they would help with the judging because they are required to volunteer 8 hours of community service a month.
Senator Derr asked about the possibility of students voting twice.
Election Commissioner - explained that the mail system is a pre-voting system, so the mail-in ballot names are removed from the eligibility lists the judges use to confirm students before they are allowed to vote.
Senator Arellano stated that he felt having a primary would help eliminate the possibilities of someone being elected by only a few votes because it would limit the number of candidates on the ballot.
Vice President Patent stated that he felt with a campus of about 3,000 students it would not be feasible to hold a primary. The costs would be very high.
President Kelly stated that there wasn't sufficient time to get the information out to the students that a primary was being held, before it would already be a deadline to vote for them so the deadlines of the following election could be met.
Speaker Latino said that the code could be written that if there were 3 candidates, a primary would be held, not just make them mandatory.
Dr. Hill we have about a month and a half, maybe two months. We want to lead the students in a synergism up to the election time via the campaign information, news reports, etc. I'm concerned about the timing to get all this done.
Senator Cousar - If we are following guidelines, why don't we stick to them. I don't understand why we are doing mail-in ballots which could be biased if the state guidelines are for regular voting.
Senator Eden - Under Colorado law and national regulations, we do have absentee mail-in ballots, that's how I vote because I'm still registered in my home district. I don't think the secrecy is a big deal because people are going to talk about who they vote for anyway.
Senator Derr - I think what Senator Cousar is getting at is that it would be possible for a group of students to obtain these ballots and mark them for a common cause abusing the system.
Senator Wazir - I think we're going too far into the "What if's" and we need to get back on track.
Speaker Latino- Are you moving to end this discussion? Any objections? Motion passed.
Speaker Latino - Let's begin with Campaign Day - how many are in favor of this? Motion passed.
Senator Pacheco - What is the tentative date for that?
Speaker Latino - We haven't set the dates yet.
Senator Eden - What about the brochures?
Speaker Latino - The brochures will have the candidates pictures, campaign platforms for the Executive and Legislative branches. How many are in favor of brochures? Motion passed.
Senator Derr - If we do send out brochures, is there going to be a deadline to have the info in?
Speaker Latino - Signatures are due in March, so when the signatures are due.
Dr. Hill - At that time, pictures will be taken and we can get it all done at the same time.
Andy Prehm -I would suggest that when you get out your packets with the affidavits, petitions, etc. you put in a question sheet so that you'll have everything ready to go.
President Kelly - If we get pictures that can be put on the computer, I can put them on the web page.
Senator Eden - The Election code states right now that you are not allowed to campaign while you are gathering your signatures, I think that's something we need to change. Why would someone sign your petition if you can't tell them why you are running?
Speaker Latino - All in favor of changing this portion of the Election Code raise your hands. Opposed. Motion passed.
Speaker Latino - Now, do we want to have both mail-in ballots and regular ballots together? We will send out postcards to ask if students want to vote by mail or on campus. How many want this dual voting? Opposed. Motion passed.
Speaker Latino - The primary. How many are in favor of the primary? Opposed. Motion failed.

Speaker Pro Tem Arellano reported that one of the posters for naming the newsletter was placed over the box belonging to the library. There was one suggestion, a student requested more lockers on the third floor of the chemistry building. I have a question for President Kelly. Some students came to me and asked why they were not interviewed for positions as Senate Pro Council and Justice.
President Kelly - I've got one person who's never returned my phone calls, and I've got one I haven't been able to get in touch with.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

COFC - Speaker Pro Tem Arellano reported that two clubs were chartered, Students in Free Enterprise, and Finance Club. COFC recommended not to allocate MeCha any funds and they want to appeal that.
Senator Derr asked why they were not given funds.
Speaker Pro Tem Arellano stated that the chartering forms were not turned in by the due date and the forms were not correct.
MeCha Representative - read a letter of appeal.
Senator Arellano - Explained that if a club missed the deadline for re-chartering, according to a new amendment, that club would be denied access to funding for the semester. He explained he gave that amendment to President Kelly.
President Kelly stated that this occurred after he became President and was no longer part of COFC.
Speaker Pro Tem Arellano said he would take full responsibility for that but wondered why President Kelly did not pass the information to him and expressed dissatisfaction with this coming before the Senate.
Senator Pacheco moved to reconsider the allocation request from MeCha. Motion passed.
Dr. Hill asked if Speaker Latino asked for discussion on this issue.
Speaker Latino explained that the vote was to re-consider and that now the group was in discussion.
Senator Pacheco spoke on behalf of MeCha. He said he felt it should be ok for MeCha to request funds for this semester.
Senator Arellano asked if MeCha had a copy of their allocation request.
Vice President Patent stated that MeCha is not the only club that has been denied funds and that irregardless of what the documents say or don't say, changes are sometimes made and it's the responsibility of the clubs to attend the President's luncheon and other functions to find out about changes.
Dr. Hill looked into this and his opinion was that the COFC Handbook is unclear and secondly, the material they receive is what they should go by. They were told there was no appeal process and if you look at the COFC Handbook, there is an appeal process. However, if that takes place, we don't have a court set up to handle it.
Senator Arellano stated that he did not tell them there wasn't an appeals process, he just wasn't sure what the appeals process was, that's why he suggested this. This senate has not had experience with this process. I would suggest that instead of spending all the time going back to COFC that the senate override the decision if they choose to do so and decide it right here.
Senator Derr stated that these problems with clarification need to be addressed right away as a top priority and also that if it is decided to allocate funds to MeCha, that all the clubs receive a letter explaining the changes and clarifications.
Senator Cousar stated that any clubs that were denied before on the same grounds would have to be considered before MeCha.
Senator Arellano disagreed with Senator Cousar and said that MeCha would be first in line because they appealed the decision. He explained that whatever decision was made on this problem would not have anything to do with the organization, but would be an attempt to follow the guidelines.
Senator Matthys asked how late the chartering was done.
Senator Arellano said it was turned in the sixth week of the semester, and then sent back to be completed. It was finally turned in corrected the first part of this semester.
MeCha Representative said there was a problem with their treasurer resigning and finding a replacement. All the paper work we have says that as long as we turn in the papers, we are active and it's not my intention to argue with you, I just want to say that there is nothing that says we can't receive funding.
President Kelly asked Senator Derr which clubs were told, new charters or re-charters?
Senator Derr said it was re-charters.
President Kelly said that was in the guidelines.
Speaker Latino asked President Kelly for the amendment which was submitted to him concerning the allocation changes.
Dr. Hill reminded the senators that the appeal process is outlined in the COFC Handbook and is not part of the amendment.
Speaker Latino re-iterated that the question was whether MeCha was eligible to receive funding and asked for discussion.
Senator Derr said that ASG should consider that the clubs can only go by the material they have and if ASG is not clear, that's our problem.
Senator Percell asked if the amendments were never printed, how was any group to know about them? She apologized to the club for the misunderstanding.
Senator Eden moved to vote on the eligibility of MeCha to receive funds.
Speaker Latino asked how many wanted to vote on whether MeCha was eligible. Motion passed.
Speaker Latino asked how many wanted to approve MeCha as eligible. Motion passed.
Senator Wazir moved that the issue (of approving the allocation) be tabled and brought up next Thursday at the senate meeting instead of MeCha having to go through COFC again. Motion did not pass or fail. Still on the floor (no decision).
Senator Cousar moved to bring the issue before the COFC. Equal number of votes for and against.
Parliamentarian Cook said that Speaker Latino would have to vote to break the tie.
Speaker Latino said if it was up to her, that she would vote for it to return to the COFC.
Senator Arellano congratulated MeCha on the appeal. We have an allocation request from IEEE.
President Kelly (IEEE Representative) Please note the cover letter explaining this request. It has been brought before the COFC several times. The event is late spring and by the time it gets here, COFC is out of money. We were told to bring it back later in the semester.
(more discussion was held -Senator Arellano cautioned President Kelly that sarcasm was not necessary or helpful).
Senator Matthys moved to vote on the recommended amount from COFC. Motion passed.
Speaker Latino asked the senators to vote on allocating $459.00 to IEEE. Motion passed and IEEE was allocated $459.00.
Speaker Pro Tem Arellano mentioned that Lamda Chi requested $741, things changed, so they came before COFC and requested $250.
Speaker Latino said that Senator Percell and Latino will be re-writing the COFC guidelines into clearly stated rules over the summer.
Vice President Patent asked Speaker Pro Tem Arellano what the $250 was for.
Speaker Pro Tem Arellano said it was for a national meeting in Las Vegas, Lambda Chi required 3 representatives from this chapter.
Senator Wazir volunteered to help with the COFC minutes.

Senator Eden reported that everyone was ready for the Legislative Breakfast.

APSB - Senator Matthys reported on meeting Feb. 7 at 3pm in Provost office. APSB decided to adopt the CCHE guidelines concerning the Policy and reward credit and discussed the withdrawal period a little bit.

P.R. Committee - Went ahead with letter to the editor that Joe Derr wrote, also discussed what would be put in newsletter. Senator Derr commented on a mistake in the letter. It reads "top discussions" and it should read "top decisions".

Campus Life committee - Senator Pacheco reported on the recommendation to the Campus Life committee to extend the hours for parties to 2pm as per the Resolution passed last week.

Traffic Appeals Committee - Senator Dupey reported there were 4 appeals denied, 1 approved, and 1 no-show.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

Constitutional Amendments #270, #275, & #280 were read by Speaker Pro Tem Arellano, Senator Barrows and Senator Bridge. Speaker Latino reminded everyone that those amendments would be voted on next week.

IX. OLD BUSINESS

Roll Call vote on Constitutional Amendments #255, #260, and #265.
Speaker Latino asked for discussion on #255. There was none.

Senator Dupey, yes; Senator Eden, yes; Senator Wazir, yes; Speaker Pro Tem Arellano, yes; Speaker Latino, abstain; Senator Horner, yes; Senator Percell, yes; Senator Bridge, yes; Senator Derr, yes; Senator Barrows, yes; Senator Pacheco, yes; Senator Cousar, yes.
Parliamentarian Cook - unanimous, Amendment #255 passed.
Speaker Latino asked for discussion on #260
Speaker Pro Tem Arellano recommended changing the portion that says "3/4 majority" to "2/3 majority" on the first part and leaving the "3/4 majority" (in the second part) in the event the President vetoes the legislation.
Vice President Patent said that it was written that way so that a strong showing was necessary and the same strength needed to override a veto.
Roll Call vote on #260:
Senator Dupey, yes; Senator Eden, yes; Senator Wazir, yes; Speaker Pro Tem Arellano, no; Speaker Latino, abstain; Senator Horner, yes; Senator Percell, yes; Senator Bridge, yes; Senator Derr, yes; Senator Barrows, yes; Senator Pacheco, yes; Senator Cousar, no.
Senator Matthys noted that her name was not called. Parliamentarian Cook apologized and asked for her votes. #260 was yes. #255 was yes.
Parliamentarian Cook - Amendment #260 passed.
Speaker Latino asked for discussion on Amendment # 265
Speaker Pro Tem Arellano asked to strike the duplicate "of the" under section b.
Speaker Latino asked if there were any objection to striking the duplicate " of the".
There was none. There was no more discussion.
Roll call vote on # 265:
Senator Dupey, yes; Senator Eden, yes; Senator Wazir, yes; Speaker Pro Tem Arellano, yes; Speaker Latino, abstain; Senator Matthys, yes; Senator Horner, yes; Senator Percell, yes; Senator Bridge, yes; Senator Derr, yes; Senator Barrows, yes; Senator Pacheco, yes; Senator Cousar, yes.
Parliamentarian Cook - Amendment #265 passed.

X. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Nissa from CoPirg announced the Recyling campaign was going very well. There will be a contest in the Belmont Residence Hall the last week in February and the first week in March. You can contact Nissa at CoPirg for the details.
Shawn Cook from SAB thanked everyone for attending the dance last night it was a great time and I loved those bell bottoms!
President Kelly stated as a note, on the Constitutional Amendments, if you've got them on disk, please bring them to me so we can update the Constitution more easily.
Dr. Hill announced the new sorority starting on campus, Alpha Sigma Alpha, the national sorority, they are bringing 30 of their representatives from University of Northern Colorado on April 4, 5, &6. Also Feb. 21, Eric Estrada will be the speaker at the Latino Chamber of Commerce and will be here that afternoon.
Margaret Will announced a publication to advertise happenings, just contact her in the SAB office.

XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Speaker Latino announced an Awards and Banquets meeting following the senate meeting.
Dr. Hill announced that the students going to Texas next week need to get a travel form in and if you need a travel advance, to get it in as soon as possible.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

Senator Eden moved to adjourn.
Speaker Latino asked if there were any objections to adjourning. There were none. Meeting adjourned.