Session of April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

Minutes Recorded by: Bethany, Secretary

Visitor(s): Joe Ryan

Call to Order at 11:07 AM

Senator prays

Roll Called

Minutes Approved at 11:10

Officer Reports:

PPT Moyes: Senator Ronquillo has resigned. He needs to focus on school as the semester wraps up. Senator Lounsbury has been removed due to absences from general session and committee meetings.

Committee Reports:

Chairman Crowder: Student life committee has been finishing up some projects. Super senate ice cream will be happening during Hell Week. AO will provide banana splits. We will have waffle cones and extra toppings. We will also be finishing up the memorial for Haven Slocum. We have metal straws and t shirts. There is a possible missing shipment of shirts, and we will follow up with that. Let me know if you need anything.

Special Business:

VP Avent: If anyone leaves, we will be below the needed number for votes.

Old Business:

Chairman Crowder: The straws have been returned to the hive. Many thanks to Senator Fuentes and Matthew Strong for continuing with that project for months. Please give them thanks, we are glad to make progress. BBQ sauce is available in the Hive upon request because it gets used very fast when it is put out.

Senator Bright: I was able to talk with Dr. Compton about shortage of lab techs and the fall semester schedule decision and looking at the fall 2023 schedule. Also, SI’s were mentioned. I don’t think the TFO is the best person to go to for that. Dr. Compton is going to check on these things, but he mentioned we may need to meet separately. The executive meeting is April 12.

Senator Hofer: Did you attend a meeting with just the TFO?

Senator Bright: This was all email conversation.

VP Avent: There has been some discussion about students failing classes that normally wouldn’t be failed. I spoke with a professor who believes part of it is due to covid. Also, the school doesn’t us SAT for placement anymore so that may contribute.

Senator Ko: Can we get an update on strategic plan milestones? I was curious about the status of those goals.

VP Avent: I believe the chairs of those committees are listed and you could possibly reach out to them.

New Business:

Chairman Gonzales: Motion to bring the Domain Allocation Bill of Spring 2022 to the floor.

Senator Hofer: Motion to bring this bill to a vote.

VP Avent: since there has been no discussion, I will not entertain that yet. How will the money be transferred?

Senator Allen: The credit card should work.

Chairman Gonzales: Well, since they are not part of senate that is a bit more complicated.’

Senator Allen: Is there an account associated with “The Buzz Word?”

Chairman Gonzales: No

Senator Bright: Can we make the purchase and then they have control of the domain?

VP Avent: If we purchase it, it is technically property. The issue is who do we transfer it to?

Chairman Gonzales: And if we purchase it, we would be the owners which would out us in the same position we are in now.

Senator Byrne: Considering how small of an amount this is, why can’t someone in the Buzz Word pay for it?

Senator Ko: Possibly I could help.

Senator Allen: Possibly I can just give someone $10 cash.

PPT Moyes: How long will this be good for?

Chairman Gonzales: I believe 5 or so years. Can we take money out of our funds in cash? Or is that embezzlement?

Senator Allen: Motion to refer this to the FAC committee.

Announcements:

Chairman Crowder: Dr. O has asked if we would be willing to serve ice cream during Hootenanny weekend. The time would be between 5-6 before it begins. If anyone is willing or able to volunteer, please do. Wear a senate shirt or floor shirt to cultivate that culture.

Chairman Gonzales: Would you bring up the Senator Page on the website please? This is the current state of the page. If I do not have a photo with your permission, this is what it looks like. If you have a photo, please email it to me.

Senator Bright: I know I had a photo but now it is gone. Do I need to resend a photo?

Chairman Gonzales: Since I did not see it sent with consent, some photos were taken without consent. I am going through a proper process so that no private information is put up without permission. It is coming up on the end of the semester. I have been a member of this body for almost 3 years, and I would like to continue serving this body the best way I can. I would like to pursue a position as your PPT next year. Please do not consider me out of seniority, but consider the opinion I have, the processes I take, my work ethic. Think of what projects we would like to take on and align that with the things you’d like to accomplish. Please contact me and consider nominating me.

Chairman Shaughnessy: I also would like to be nominated for PPT. I would like to see things done the way they have been before, and also to fulfill the position as needed. I want to be available for senators and help as is needed.

PPT Moyes: Just to let you guys know, I am not planning to accept nominations so that is why these two gentlemen are running. When we do have an election, they need to be nominated. You can nominate anyone, these two are just announcing their interest. Then whoever is elected will select committee chairs.

VP Avent: We will move into open forum, and I will give an overview. Both PPT and secretary are nominated. If more than one person is running, we will vote. The Sergeant at Arms is appointed by the new VP and then approved. Then chairs are appointed by the new PPT and approval by senate.

Open forum:

Senator Byrne: Do we gave senate stickers for go carts this weekend?

Chairman Gonzales: Not new ones, but we do have old ones.

Chairman Crowder: We do have about 20 left of the old ones. I would like to announce that instead of regular Friday ice cream, it will be at the 5-6 hours for hootenanny. There is an ice cream run today if anyone wants to join.

PPT Moyes: I do know of a couple classes where students are having difficulty, but these are junior classes. It seems some classes, one of them welding metallurgy, is having issues because there is a new professor. I know we have a few new professors, but maybe check for the TFO if they have standards or guides for how to structure class.

Chairman Gonzales: I am taking this class. It is more an issue of this being his first class ever. He brings uncommon practices and field experience that is very useful. If I had to pinpoint the issue I observe, it is more an issue of leveling expectations from professor to student as well as cultural expectations. He got his degree in Beijing, then Germany, then Ohio State. He is very competent, and it is getting used to the job, not and inability to teach. It is also just really difficult content. I would not suggest bringing it up to a higher organization that would act on it.

PPT Moyes: I agree that he is competent. It is more a question of, if we go to TFO, ask if they have resources to help new faculty. I know there are plans to add more faculty over time.

VP Avent: I know older professors will help. I am not sure about a specific process; I think it just takes time sometimes.

Senator Ko: Given graduation is May 7, when should we look into a senate celebration dinner?

VO Avent: Usually it would be the last week or finals. It may be better to do the week before. Normally there is a dinner at the end of the year for senators and previous senators and Ms. Wanda. This is just figuring out a time for that.

Chairman Gonzales: Motion to recess.

Meeting Recessed 11:42