Lafayette College Student Government

October 28^th, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM.

11 members were present.

Motion to approve minutes from October 21^st, 2009.

Motion: Ashley

Second: T.J.

Motion Passes

Ashley Juavinett – President

-Minority Scientists and Engineers (MSE) requested approval to use their current budget to pay for student tutors in Math, Science, and Engineering.  In previous years they used donations to pay for the tutors, but they would rather pay with their budget and use donations for conferences.

-Marquis Players requested $380 in supplemental allocations for a Marquis Players’ 25^th Anniversary Showcase on November 13^th 2009 in the Farinon Atrium.  The work order will cost $330 and they would like $50 for giveaways.

-Russian Club submitted a constitution for approval as a Student Government recognized club.  They have a goal of bringing Slavic culture to Lafayette.

-Kappa Delta Rho Haunted House is canceled.  The $400 cosponsor reimbursements will remain in the Student Government account.

-The Math Club requested approval to spend more than 15% of their current budget on food.

-Participation Academics Campus Life requested $100 for their information session and t-shirts.

-The Economics Club requested $200 in supplemental allocations for their annual Jeopardy event with faculty and students.

-Pan-Hellenic Council requested that Student Government cosponsor $500 for Stacy Nadeau to come to campus and speak about body image and self-esteem.

-Club Basketball requested $985 in supplemental allocations for tournament fees, transportation, jerseys and equipment.

Gregory Saybolt – Elections

-The members of the Senior Class Council (SCC) were elected.  The six members of the SCC for the class of 2010 are:

Soffie Grossman
Sarah Mulford
Alison Malloy
Daniel Stefan
Haley Torrey
Kate O’Shaghnessy

-Motion to change Student Government representative to the third week of November and the Student Government President and Vice President elections to the fifth week of November.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Saybolt

Motion Passes

-Election Timeline for Student Government Representatives

10/29/09: Student notification of election dates and procedures. Forms sent via email.

11/9/09: Forms and signatures due. Candidates begin campaigning.

11/12/09: “Meet the Candidates” Session

11/16/09 – 11/17/09: Online elections open.

11/18/09: Representatives announced and first transition meeting.

11/23/09: President and Vice President essays due. Candidates begin campaigning.

11/30/09 – 12/1/09: Presidential and Vice Presidential online elections open.

12/2/09: President and Vice President announced and second transition meeting.

12/6/09: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Gavel passing and official transition of new representatives.

Morgan Callahan – Academic Affairs

-The Faculty Tea is tentatively scheduled for December 2^nd 2009 during lunch pending an available location.

Courtney Morin and Nathan Terwilliger – Student Life

-Money left over from the Spirit Week band will be used for free giveaways for the Lafayette vs. Lehigh Football Game.

-The Spirit Week Committee would like Student Government to fund the Midnight Breakfast.

-Friday, November 13^th there will be a First-Year Class Council and Student Government sponsored Spot Event with a toga party theme.

-Motion to allocate $3000 from the Student Government Reserve account for the Midnight Breakfast after the Lafayette vs. Lehigh Football Game.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Elizabeth Blake – Community Affairs

-Met with Steelstacks Campaign Group – Arts Quest in Bethlehem.

-The Group wants college students’ input on how to attract students to come to concerts in Bethlehem.

-The complex is planned to be built by May 2011.

Emily Kimmelman – Public Relations

-The Campus Wide Open Forum will take place on Tuesday, November 3^rd at 7 PM in Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104.

Steve Gadomski – Student Organizations

-Motion to approve the Russian Club as a Student Government recognized class 5 organization in the Arts and Culture Block.

Motion: Steve

Second: Morgan

Motion Passes

John Doyle – Treasurer

-Motion to allow Minority Scientists and Engineers to pay for student tutors with their current budget.

Motion: Jenn

Second: Emily

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $330 to Marquis Players for their supplemental allocation request for the work order for their showcase event.

Motion: Ashley

Second: T.J.

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $0 to the Math Club for their supplemental allocation request because food is not approved for general meetings.

Motion: Morgan

Second: Courtney

Motion Passes

-Motion to table the request for Participation Academics Campus Life’s supplemental allocation request since they are currently an inactive club.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Morgan

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $170 to the Economics Club for their supplemental allocation request for Jeopardy prizes.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

-Motion to table request from Pan-Hellenic Council until they speak with LINC about possible funds.

Motion: John

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

-Motion to table request from Club Basketball for their supplemental allocation request because they are currently a Class 6 inactive club sport and they did not meet with the Budget Committee to explain their request.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 PM.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

Faithfully Submitted,

J.M.R.

Open Forum with President Weiss 11/03/09

What is the organization of the Student Government positions?  Why are the chair positions elected within and not by the student body? (Asked by a Student)

The chair positions were created by student government so that the representatives would have a focus.  The representatives are elected by the student body, but are given their individual responsibility within the group.  Each chair brings information to the government and all must vote to make decisions.  Having the student body vote the student to a chair position is a possibility for next year, but this year’s elections are already underway.

Are the graduating seniors feeling like the college is helping them? (Faculty)

Career Services could spend more time on the subject that is advertised rather than future events.  HPAC is doing a great job for health professions.

What can the college do better? (Faculty)

More attendance at athletic events – may be due to lack of spirit, tradition, and the students already being extremely involved.

Many schools in certain areas do not know about Lafayette and should know about it. (Student)

Lafayette is currently working on being more aggressive about spreading our name.  Cadence is possibly going to D.C. to sing to high school students and speak with students about Lafayette.

Can the college be more transparent about the structure and organization? (Student)

Faculty has its own system that President Weiss does not oversee.  They have confidential discussions at times and are not always shared.  If there is specific information that is needed, President Weiss is willing to work to see if it can be shared.

There is a disconnect between faculty and Greek organizations.  How can they work together better? Faculty reception possibly? (Student)

This problem goes back 25 years.  Faculty used to visit houses often before the change.  There is a group being formed to study this problem and hopefully close this gap.  Faculty may think that they are competing with a system that does not support academics.  The students must get in the minds of the faculty and show them that this is not true.  Faculty is incredibly busy and travel and work more than ever.  Need to cordially invite faculty to fraternity houses and start up conversations.  Invite faculty that you already know and actually bring them to the house so that they feel comfortable.

Are steps being made to expand the Greek system on campus? (Student)

The Greek working group will be discussing it.  The group will consist of faculty, staff, students, and trustees.  They will gain information and make informed decisions.  More information will follow in the near future.

Will the students be informed of the decisions being made before they are decided? (Student)

President Weiss believes all of the information for the Greek group and the Campus Climate study group will be presented to the Lafayette community.

Is there any discussion of expanding majors on campus, such as broadcast? (Student)

New programs are being developed, not in communications, but in life sciences and other topics.