Student Senate Minutes

April 14, 2008 Farnsworth Pavilion

The weekly meeting of the Student Association was called to order on Monday, April 14th, 2008, at 10:04 pm in Farnsworth Pavilion in the Rice Memorial Center. Matt Youn, President, presided, and all executive officers were present. Paige Bailey, Secretary, was present. All Senators and Presidents were present. The minutes from the March 31st meeting were approved.

President Matt Youn gave a recap of the SA’s Spring Retreat, and also announced President Leebron’s Office Hour on April 16th, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm. Youn also announced the results of the recent library poll, which are available online at sa.rice.edu.

Akshay Dayal, IVP, announced the new executive and committee heads, and they were approved by the SA Senate. External Vice-President Nicholas Muscara announced the new University Committee appointments, which were approved. Muscara also mentioned Take Me Out to the Ballgame, which will occur April 18th from 4:30 - 6:15 pm. The Brochstein Pavilion will open to students on April 25th, and President Leebron’s and Dean Forman’s Study Break will be April 27th.

Dr. Matthew Taylor, from the Dean of Undergraduates Office, gave an update on future college renovations, which includes renovations to Lovett, Baker, and Will Rice, in addition to a new servery in the South. Email him if you have any questions.

The following clubs were approved: Student Voices (a policy journal); CDF Shout (to provide insurance for children); Rice Independent Media (will bring together all student publications); Student Association of Health Sciences (student-led pre-professional club that represents health science majors); Rice Sierra Student Coalition (environmental group); Rice Microfinance (providing loans to existing institutions and educating Rice community about microfinance.)

Christopher Warrington, Parliamentarian, presented his approval of the revisions on the Campus Crusade for Christ’s constitution to change its name to Agape Christian Ministries. The changes pass. GATHER’s constitution also had revisions, which were presented and approved.

Brittany Henry was nominated for U-Blue Editor in Chief, and was approved by the Student Senate.

Christopher Warrington presented a bill for the Committee on Constitutional Revisions, which was approved.

Tiffany Wu, Treasurer, presented the proposed SA Budget for 2008-2009. The budget was approved.

Lauren Laustsen, Patrick McAnaney and Sara Hartnett, the past and present Environmental Committee Chairs, gave an update on the President’s Commitment to Climate Change, which can be viewed on the Sustainability at Rice web site (http://cohesion.rice.edu/facilities/sustainability/index.cfm?doc_id=12144).

Alex Wyatt, Lovett Senator, announced that the SA senators will be meeting with President Leebron on his office hours to address the Rice Health and Wellness Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 pm.