Student Senate

by Julie Trac
News Editor

The first Student Senate meeting was held on Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Highlander Room in the Stockdale Center .

Elected at the end of last year, Brandie Miller was appointed the position of president and Richard Harrod as the vice president.

The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.and the first topic of the evening was the approval of the executive board for 2005-2006: Sara Youngs, secretary; Adam Riegle, treasurer; Emily Zvolanek. parliamentarian and Mollie Williams, student affairs representative.

All votes for the executive board were unanimous.

Officer reports followed the voting as President Miller told the Senate that if someone wants to be the representative of a faculty committee, they need to see her after the meeting.

Vice President Harrod asked if there was any interest in serving as the chair of a committee such as food service, finance, information systems, special events and any other ad hoc committee to see him.

Youngs, Riegle, Zvolanek and Williams had no officer reports.

After the officer reports, Committee Breakout took place.

President Miller encouraged all to join a committee so voices would be heard and it is required in order to vote in any proceedings.

The meeting was called back to order after some discussions ceased.

The student affairs committee brought up the issue of the Graham and Cleland bunkers.

Jacquelyn Condon, vice president for student life/dean of students, stated that fraternity recruitment is this week and that certain male freshmen, who are accepted, will be able to move into their respective fraternity, if there is sufficient academic support.

Because of this action, there will be empty beds where the male students can move to.

In addition, more co-ed dorms will be available starting next year, since there are fewer women than men on MC's campus.

At this time, there are 98 empty beds.

Youngs spoke for the food service committee and reported there has been numerous changes this year.

There is a larger selection of vegetarian options, nutritional signs have been posted for awareness and there is a new menu cycle with a larger selection, she commented.

One of the more exciting developments to happen this year is the cash equivalency option in Scotland Yard where a student can exchange one of their meals for $4.00 worth of food, except at Ben & Jerry's.

In addition, the meal exchange programs at Hewes Library and the Under-ground are more popular than ever.

According to Bruce Cvancara, dining services director, there have been approximately 12,000 students served so far this semester and about 3,000 were meal exchanges.

Cvancara is looking to change the meal exchange menu offered during dinner hours so food other than pasta is offered.

As for the new chair for the Special Events Scots' Day committee, Chris Bastean was chosen.

Riegle spoke about the finance committee.

The first funding cycle will occur during the first week of October and all organizations must submit a constitution and a member list by Thursday, Sept. 29.

In order to be eligible to receive any funding from Student Senate, Riegle stated the organization's constitution must be approved by the Student Senate, as well as the Faculty Senate.

The finance committee will meet with organizations on Oct. 3-4 and a final meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6 to determine how funds will be distributed among the groups.

President Miller brought up issues concerning the Information Systems committee.

At this time, there are no computers in North Hall and there are problems with the computers in Fulton Hall.

President Miller has asked Daryl Carr, executive director of information systems, to install the program MiniTab on laptop computers.

Also, the cable connection in the dorms seem to be going down.

There was neither old business nor new business.

Under Announcements, Riegle mentioned the Intercultural Fest on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The food provided was cooked by students from all over the world and he recommended all to attend in order to “become a more culturally diverse person.”

Harrod announced that the Student Chaplins would participate in a Dorm Storm on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 9 p.m. in an effort to help the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Furthermore, President Miller announced that MC faculty will participate in a matching program to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as well.

She also added fraternity recruitment is taking place this week and encourages everyone to donate to the causes.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m. with the next Student Senate meeting to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27 . 6:30 p.m. in the Highlander Room.