The New School

2009 04 01 Minutes

University Student Senate
Minutes 4/1/2009

Attendance
Peter Ian Cummings, Elizabeth Loran, Dan Schulman, Ben Fox, Aleks Majeks, Ida Benedetto, Sarena Melchert, Patricia Ramirez, Kevin Dugan, Hendrick Cho

Stack: Hendrick Cho
Minutes: Dan Schulman

8:20PM HOUSEKEEPING
Elizabeth proposes a facilitator and stack taker for meeting
Peter states that instead of a facilitator, a time tracker be implemented
No objections
Next meeting 4/15

8:25PM REMINDERS
Peter confirms date of assembly with Tim Marshall of 4/22

8:26PM BRIEF REPORTS
Report on any special 4/1 activities – No knowledge of anything significant

8:27PM CONSTITUTIONAL BUSINESS
A proposed amendment concerning NSSR is tabled to the next meeting because there are not enough voting members for a quorum.
(The nature of the amendments has to do with impeachments)

8:28PM WEBSITE
Peter announces hopeful website launch for tomorrow 4/2
Tasks that need to be completed include:
Ben’s updated University Organizational Chart to be submitted
TA/TF Salaries report to be submitted by Elizabeth
Presidential Financial Disclosure description- Atlee will be asked
Report on status of Green University. Dan will contact David Eisenhauer of Renew School.
Status report on the library, question of “if there actually is a library”, to be submitted by Elizabeth later in the week.

8:32PM ELECTIONS
Peter reminds that Election week has been pushed one week
Deadline for declaring candidacy for 4/7 (with an extension thereafter)
Ben adds that additional e-mails will need to be sent to Jazz
Aleks reports she will be addressing 2nd year Drama students at 12:40PM
Peter will have forms for elections and candidacy on the website

8:38PM FUNDING PROPOSAL
Social Justice Conference- funding amount asked $2800-3900 to cover special food and Honorarium costs
Fund requesters have received funds from SAFC, LSU, and the Lang Dean’s Office
Peter suggests the Provost office, General Studies Dean Office, and the Diversity Committee. He further explains that the Provost may be more receptive due to an event hosted by President Kerrey on similar issues.
Argument made by Elizabeth: she is concerned for the future senate to have insufficient funds if the Senate Fee is not implemented for the Fall.
It is clear the members present support the initiatives of the conference, but due to a lack of votes, it will be made an online election
Peter agrees to advocate on behalf of such funding request to Tim Marshall

8:50PM OTHER ITEMS
Office hours reinstated due to won appeal by Peter (yay!)
20 Hrs weekly, 6 weeks left
USS Business/Limited Office hours
Peter will e-mail to inquire about interest in such office hours.

8:55PM REPORT BACK
Dan reports on LSU/President Kerrey meeting the night prior. He will send a longer e-mail stating the complexities of the discussion at a later, but timely date
Dan manages to receive from the Office of the President a hard copy of the Bylaws of The New School. Peter will scan and upload this document on the site and Doris Suarez is working to post this document and other important information on the official New School website.

9:00PM ADJOURN
All members are relieved that meeting has actually ended before 10PM