STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC. OF MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY Minutes January 29 th 2014 Student Center Room 411

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1 STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC. OF MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY Minutes January 29 th 2014 Student Center Room 411 I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting is called to order at 3:04P.M. II. ROLL CALL Lina: Performs roll call III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Minutes have been accepted. IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS V. OFFICER REPORTS Kristen: Hey all! On Monday, me and some students met with administration and did a lighting tour to, making sure to bring up the concern about adding more blue lights. Connie: I put a letter in your mailboxes. The retreat is coming up Saturday, Feb 15th. You have to sign up by February 5th especially, you egislators. Connie: Please from this point forward start sending bills to the following only ( bills.sgamsu@gmail.com), so it does not get lost in the million of s that get send to us daily. VI. CABINET REPORTS Jasmine: Hi, we are here for Denise, the director of SLAM. If you know anyone that wants to help, the SLAM part of the meeting will be from 3:00-3:15P.M, where we will be asking who wants to help. Winter week is coming up Feb 17-21st. Follow us on Rajhon: I just want to explain how important you guys are to us this semester to us and we need you all to bring people to make our events successful. They are our events everyone in SGA should be involved to making these events the best. VII. PROGRAM Swear In New Legislators Danielle

2 Edward Ashley *Speaking through silence performs poems* Nick Weber: *Passes around flyers* We have MILF coming up valentine s weekend and hope to have you all there. Temporary clerk Nominations: Kevin: *accepts nomination* VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS BILL #S Author s Report: George: We wanted to find what the campus was missing to build more school spirit and we decided along with administration to buy a Redhawk statue. The SGA and the Administration would split it half and half. It will cost $60,000 and it is coming from unappropriated surplus. Bunk: We want to really utilize the statue, not just purchase it, and we we can create corny and fun activities to do so. FMA: FA: Matt: Where is the statue going? Chris: Do we have something in the statutes for something like this? Chris: Will this be constitutional? Mark: Yes George: This will also not wipe out the entire account. Matt: Will the statue say more then just Montclair State University? George: Details as far as a plaque have not been decide but we want to keep it general. Bunk: But all organizations who contribute will be recognized. Bianca: When will the statue arrive? George/ Mark: The statue will probably be here for the red hawk 25th anniversary which is next year, September/ October. Committee Report: CAW: Vincent: As far as investments go, Montclair State University could use this money to really help the campus such as working elevators, fixing redsidental halls.

3 Katie: I believe this will be a great investment and it is a great idea. George: Statistics show there will be a positive impact from things of this nature. Nick: Will we be voting on the design? George: All of the options do not fit on the budget, we have decided on the design. Matt: We are going to pay $215, but there are many other things that need to be fixed on campus. Rajhon: POI to Mark: Are we allowed to do this? Mark: Yes Fatima: There is a whole committee that has been working to raise the money for the statue. Juan: Have other companies been looked for the statue? George: Yes and this company presented the best bid. Rajon: MSU could use more school pride so I think is a good idea. Jen: I think this will be something great to boost moral. Anthony: This will have a major positive impact on the student body. Marcus: Will it cost more to maintain the statue then it costs? Fatima: Like anything else to maintain it will cost money. Michael: POI: How long has money been being raised for the statue? Fatima: There was account open in October 2013 for the specifically for the statue. George: Even at homecoming a lot of alumni had show support for the statue and have also donated money towards it. Alexa: I think this a good idea and you can t please everyone. Aldo: I think there is a lack of pride and I think this will liven up the pride here on campus. Ashley: This will be in admission packets and this will be added as a big attraction, this will be something that a lot of people are going to recognize. Luca: POI: Where is the statue going to be placed? Bunk: This statue will go in front of Panzer. CAW: Debate and Discussion: Vincent: I know we are talking about creating a welcoming feeling, but I think if we are talking about improving the campus, the money could be utilized for more pressing issues. I think this is wrong and I urge the Legislature to vote against it. Chris: Motion to call this bill into question. *Motion fails* Ashley: There are many different departments on campus and there is money for departments to fix those issues that need to be done. This is not for a specific building. Aldo: This will add the beauty that MSU already has. Monica: If the SGA votes this down, will the statue still be bought? George: There are a bunch of accounts for many different projects, but I feel it is

4 time to leap and follow through instead of having another account sit there, because it can only be used for what it was designed for. Marcus: We can always right a bill to add something to the campus. George: When an account is open, it is specified, so if we do not contribute the money will just sit there. Rajhon: I think it would be awesome to say we contributed to it. Luca: Although I agree with Vincent to a certain extent, one of our very own committees deals with publicising and marketing, and so I think purchasing this statue will promote school pride, and would be a great idea. Alexa: Is there other specific accounts for issues that students have? Fatima: Each area has their own budget, I have been here 10 years, I have never seen a school that has grown so fast, you have so much, it is amazing. Yes there are problems and things that need to be fixed and for someone who didn t go here I have pride, sometimes I think we progress too fast, but when you graduate you are going to want to come back and visit and tell your children about traditions and the pride, this statue can do that for the student body, this will only help build that pride. Chris: I call this bill into question. *Motion Passes* BILL PASSES WITH A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE. BILL #S Press Secretary Appointment Author s Report: Press secretary seat has been vacant. I could not think of a better person fit for the position. She knows how to put everything into words. We worked closely together over the past couple years. She knows what I want to say, and when to say it. I would not trust any other person. FMA: FA: Hi guys I m Jen. I have worked closely with Kristen. I ve realized how powerful words can be, both written and spoken. Matt: What have you done as far as philanthropy? Jen: I have worked extensively with various organizations, so it is hard to pick just one. Vincent: How would you bridge the gap in terms of disconnections? Jen: I would not let people think things were said that were not. Every one s opinion does matter however. Committee Report:5-0-0 Debate and Discussion: Christina: I definitely look up to Jen and I am excited for her.

5 Alexa: I think Jen will do a fantastic job as secretary. Caitlin: Jen has a way with words. She is a bright person. I think Jen would be great. Ashley: Jen and I have joined the legislature at the same time. As a leader, Jen has worked in other positions and she knows her way around. Luca: I had the honor of working with Jen through the SLT, and Jen is very well fit for this position. Monica: Jen is incredibly professional about everything, and will do very well. She is motivated and dedicated, even if she is not necessarily happy with a situation. BILL PASSES WITH A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE. BILL #S GMB Endless Pasta Dinner Author s Report: FMA: Change 2nd whereas to read of their purpose. FA: Ashley: When is the event? Amara: February 2nd. This is our first event of the semester. We are holding this event to show who we are. Committee Report: Ferd: Is this your largest food event for the semester? Org: Yes. Juan: How many people do you expect to attend? Org: About Debate and Discussion:BILL PASSES WITH A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE. Bill#S FMES Grand Slam Co-sponsorship Author s Report: The funds will cover banners. What is left over will go for other decorations. Committee Report: CAW Debate and Discussion: BILL PASSES WITH A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE. IX. NEW BUSINESS BILL #S MSDO Multicultural Food Gala

6 BILL #S GMB Endless Pasta Dinner BILL #S GMB Nicaragua in Montclair BILL #S Biology Club MCAT Prep Session BILL #S MPS Grad School Talk BILL #S Video Production Club Oscar Party X. OPEN FORUM Rajhon: Two points. I feel like we as legislators should be preparing our Orgs before coming up in the meeting. I just want to encourage everyone to reach out to their orgs. As legislators we should be reaching out to them. Lina: We are going to update all of the organizations. Assigning organizations to legislators has helped out. Also, pay attention to the bills, ask questions and try and help out the org representatives that come up here any way you can. Be attentive and speak up. Rich: To go off of what Rajhon said. Usually things would get cleared up in appropriations, but since we had to go into CAW, it kinda messes things up. Vincent: I want to reiterate the point I made last semester. I think its important that the minutes be as precise as possible. I do not think they should be vague. They should remain as precise as possible. Connie: If they do not look right, bring it to our attention. Ashley: Okay, this is a note from Kristen. We are having a motivational speaker come. He s coming Next Wednesday February 5th from 5-6P.M. or 7-9 P.M. His speeches are geared toward student leaders. Kristen also wants you guys to reach out to organizations. Leah: The next NJUS is next Saturday the 8th. If anyone is interested, definitely come see me or Aldo, it s at Rowan University. Ferd: I want to apologize about the one bill to amend statutes. Ashley: This semester is gonna be big for re-charterment. There will be budgets coming up. I'm gonna need you guys to help me out with questions and things like that. Also, Con review is Mondays at 8:30P.M. Connie: Just a few things I d like to address. I appreciate all of you and your patience. I am still learning. I understand that many of us use our phones for important things, but try and minimize the use. My door is always open as well. I want you guys to please stay respectful during the meetings. Point of Information is if you have a question, and want to ask outside of questions for the author. Point of

7 personal privilege is when you would like to ask an org or author to speak up. Point of clarification is when you are clarifying something. Thank You. Lina: If you wrote a bill on the floor, please it to me by tonight. XI. ADJOURNMENT Meeting is adjourned at 4:35 P.M Respectfully Submitted by, Gelsomina Picariello SGA Executive Secretary Lucca Azzara SGA Clerk January 29th, 2014