Hey everybody!
Sorry I didn't get a chance to give a Senate update after last week's meeting, but it was a crazy couple of days. As you can see below, the Senate has been busy giving out a lot of money during the last couple of weeks. In the last two meetings alone we've given out a combined $4,680 to six different organizations. This leaves the remaining Senate budget at $1,350. If any organization still needs to come request funding please do so in the next couple of weeks. The Senate also passed a resolution to set aside a day every year honoring cafeteria and food court workers. Although not definite what this day would look like, we tossed around the idea of perhaps students volunteering to serve workers food on that day. I think that it is about time we had a day to honor the hard-working, often underappreciated men and women who we pass by every day in the cafeteria. I plan on bringing Chris Vizzina (the man over Samford dining) to speak to the Senate next Tuesday about various cafeteria options and for him to get feedback from Senators. Another plan in the works is to have another open Senate meeting either on the quad or in Harry's sometime in late April.
Have a blessed Easter,
Sam
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
SR: 09-10-09 (Caf Workers' Day)
SR: 09-10-09
Sponsored by: Kelly Morris
Student Activities Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, the cafeteria and food court workers work hard serving the student body, and
WHEREAS, these cafeteria workers have gone above and beyond duty in establishing relationships with students, and
WHEREAS, they are open to suggestions and eager to cater to students’ needs, and
WHEREAS, they are often overlooked for this hard work, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes an annual day of recognition honoring these workers for their service to the student body.
Sponsored by: Kelly Morris
Student Activities Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, the cafeteria and food court workers work hard serving the student body, and
WHEREAS, these cafeteria workers have gone above and beyond duty in establishing relationships with students, and
WHEREAS, they are open to suggestions and eager to cater to students’ needs, and
WHEREAS, they are often overlooked for this hard work, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes an annual day of recognition honoring these workers for their service to the student body.
Updated Senate Appropriations
3/23/10 Film Club - River Fish Documentary: $400
3/23/10 UMin - NorthStar Renovation: $400
3/23/10 Panhellenic - Crawfish Boil: $1,600
3/23/10 Spanish Club - Salsa Night: $400
3/30/10 ODK - Service Day Lunch: $1,080
3/30/10 Beta Alpha Psi - National Conference: $800
3/23/10 UMin - NorthStar Renovation: $400
3/23/10 Panhellenic - Crawfish Boil: $1,600
3/23/10 Spanish Club - Salsa Night: $400
3/30/10 ODK - Service Day Lunch: $1,080
3/30/10 Beta Alpha Psi - National Conference: $800
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Senate Appropriations to Date
Senate Appropriations as of 3/21/10
Appropriation
10/13/09 Oxfam - Poverty Simulation: $425
10/13/09 Univ. Ministries - Leadership Conference: $500
10/20/09 Project Africa Now - Darfur Speaker: $750
10/20/09 French Club - Semi Annual Dinner: $200
10/27/09 Model UN - UN Conference: $700
11/3/09 Women's Lacrosse - Fees and Referees: $1,335
11/10/09 Spanish Club - Salsa Night: $250
11/17/09 Academic Team - Entry Fees: $720
11/30/09 Beta Alpha Psi - Regional Conference: $340
2/23/10 Club Frisbee - Tournament Entry Fees: $550
3/9/10 Air Force ROTC - Annual Dinner: $3,000
3/9/10 Club Frisbee - Custom Frisbees: $200
Appropriation
10/13/09 Oxfam - Poverty Simulation: $425
10/13/09 Univ. Ministries - Leadership Conference: $500
10/20/09 Project Africa Now - Darfur Speaker: $750
10/20/09 French Club - Semi Annual Dinner: $200
10/27/09 Model UN - UN Conference: $700
11/3/09 Women's Lacrosse - Fees and Referees: $1,335
11/10/09 Spanish Club - Salsa Night: $250
11/17/09 Academic Team - Entry Fees: $720
11/30/09 Beta Alpha Psi - Regional Conference: $340
2/23/10 Club Frisbee - Tournament Entry Fees: $550
3/9/10 Air Force ROTC - Annual Dinner: $3,000
3/9/10 Club Frisbee - Custom Frisbees: $200
Senate Bill 09-10-06 (Organizations Given Due Process)
SB: 09-10-06
Sponsored by: Grant Willis
Code of Laws/Code of Values
Synopsis:
This bill is being written to assure fundamental fairness in the judicial process for those who are subject to the Code of Values’ judicial process.
Current statement:
The purpose of the value violation process is to give fundamental fairness to a student who has possibly violated a Samford University behavior value…
Proposed changes:
The phrase, “or an organization,” should be included immediately following the word, “student,” after each time it appears within the VALUE VIOLATION PROCESS of the Code of Values.
Conclusion:
The phrase, “or an organization,” added after the word, “student,” should be added because organizations are subject to some of the same value violations and minimum sanctions as students. The Code of Values provides a formal procedure in order to provide fundamental fairness to students who have possibly violated a Samford University behavior value, but it fails to ensure this same fundamental fairness to organizations. This bill is necessary in order for the Code of Values to provide the same fundamental fairness to all who are subject to it.
Sponsored by: Grant Willis
Code of Laws/Code of Values
Synopsis:
This bill is being written to assure fundamental fairness in the judicial process for those who are subject to the Code of Values’ judicial process.
Current statement:
The purpose of the value violation process is to give fundamental fairness to a student who has possibly violated a Samford University behavior value…
Proposed changes:
The phrase, “or an organization,” should be included immediately following the word, “student,” after each time it appears within the VALUE VIOLATION PROCESS of the Code of Values.
Conclusion:
The phrase, “or an organization,” added after the word, “student,” should be added because organizations are subject to some of the same value violations and minimum sanctions as students. The Code of Values provides a formal procedure in order to provide fundamental fairness to students who have possibly violated a Samford University behavior value, but it fails to ensure this same fundamental fairness to organizations. This bill is necessary in order for the Code of Values to provide the same fundamental fairness to all who are subject to it.
Senate Bill 09-10-05 (Organizations in Code of Values)
SB: 09-10-05
Sponsored by: Grant Willis
Code of Laws/Code of Values
Synopsis:
This bill is being written to assure fundamental fairness in the judicial process for those who are subject to the Code of Value’s judicial process.
Current statement:
A student who has been charged with a value violation and thus alleged to be involved in an inappropriate behavior will be granted these rights to assure fundamental fairness in the judicial process…
Proposed changes:
The phrase, “or an organization,” should be included immediately following the word, “student,” after each time it appears within the STUDENT RIGHTS of the Code of Values.
Conclusion:
The phrase, “or an organization,” added after the word, “student,” should be added because organizations are subject to some of the same value violations and minimum sanctions as students. The Code of Values recognizes that there are certain rights that are necessary for a fundamentally fair judicial process and without this amending statement, the Code of Values fails to ensure a fundamentally fair judicial process for organizations. This bill is necessary in order to assure fundamental fairness for all entities currently subject to the Code of Values’ judicial process.
Sponsored by: Grant Willis
Code of Laws/Code of Values
Synopsis:
This bill is being written to assure fundamental fairness in the judicial process for those who are subject to the Code of Value’s judicial process.
Current statement:
A student who has been charged with a value violation and thus alleged to be involved in an inappropriate behavior will be granted these rights to assure fundamental fairness in the judicial process…
Proposed changes:
The phrase, “or an organization,” should be included immediately following the word, “student,” after each time it appears within the STUDENT RIGHTS of the Code of Values.
Conclusion:
The phrase, “or an organization,” added after the word, “student,” should be added because organizations are subject to some of the same value violations and minimum sanctions as students. The Code of Values recognizes that there are certain rights that are necessary for a fundamentally fair judicial process and without this amending statement, the Code of Values fails to ensure a fundamentally fair judicial process for organizations. This bill is necessary in order to assure fundamental fairness for all entities currently subject to the Code of Values’ judicial process.
Senate Resolution 09-10-08 (Visitation Check-In)
SR: 09-10-08
Sponsored by: DeWitt Clark
Corrie Driggers
Residence Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Samford University has the desire for their students to enjoy their campus experience, and
WHEREAS, the visitation process is inconvenient for students, and
WHEREAS, most values violations are results of not signing in visitors due to the inconvenience, and
WHEREAS, it would be more beneficial for students and the university if the visitation process were made convenient, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the SGA Senate proposes that Residence Life works with the members of the Residence Life Committee to enact alternative options to the current check-in process.
Sponsored by: DeWitt Clark
Corrie Driggers
Residence Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Samford University has the desire for their students to enjoy their campus experience, and
WHEREAS, the visitation process is inconvenient for students, and
WHEREAS, most values violations are results of not signing in visitors due to the inconvenience, and
WHEREAS, it would be more beneficial for students and the university if the visitation process were made convenient, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the SGA Senate proposes that Residence Life works with the members of the Residence Life Committee to enact alternative options to the current check-in process.
Senate Resolution 09-10-07 (TV Channels)
SR: 09-10-07
Sponsored by: DeWitt Clark
Corrie Driggers
Residence Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Samford University has the desire for their students to enjoy their campus experience, and
WHEREAS, the channels offered on the television need to be updated, and
WHEREAS, students on campus have requested more channels, and
WHEREAS, many students now have HD televisions, many desire to have access to HD channels, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the SGA Senate proposes that Residence Life works with the Senate Residence Life Committee to determine which requested channels can be added to the Samford Cable Network through the use of student surveys.
Sponsored by: DeWitt Clark
Corrie Driggers
Residence Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Samford University has the desire for their students to enjoy their campus experience, and
WHEREAS, the channels offered on the television need to be updated, and
WHEREAS, students on campus have requested more channels, and
WHEREAS, many students now have HD televisions, many desire to have access to HD channels, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the SGA Senate proposes that Residence Life works with the Senate Residence Life Committee to determine which requested channels can be added to the Samford Cable Network through the use of student surveys.
Senate Resolution 09-10-06 (Convo Categories)
SR 09-10-06
Sponsored by: Luke Ellenburg
Student Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Convocation attendance is a requirement for all undergraduate students, and
WHEREAS, The goal of convocation is to develop students spiritually and academically, and
WHEREAS, the wide variety of events that offer convocation credit makes it impossible for a student to only attend one type of convocation event, and
WHEREAS, University Ministries can fulfill their goal of engaging the heart, mind, and soul without separate convocation categories,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, the SGA Senate proposes that the convocation categories be removed and the convocation credit requirement remains at 60, but with no categorical restrictions.
Sponsored by: Luke Ellenburg
Student Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Convocation attendance is a requirement for all undergraduate students, and
WHEREAS, The goal of convocation is to develop students spiritually and academically, and
WHEREAS, the wide variety of events that offer convocation credit makes it impossible for a student to only attend one type of convocation event, and
WHEREAS, University Ministries can fulfill their goal of engaging the heart, mind, and soul without separate convocation categories,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, the SGA Senate proposes that the convocation categories be removed and the convocation credit requirement remains at 60, but with no categorical restrictions.
Senate Resolution 09-10-05 (Bulldog Bucks Allocation)
SR:09-10-05
Sponsored by: Jessica Cunningham
Student Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, the newly launched Bulldog Bucks program has been met with little enthusiasm from students, and
WHEREAS, students would be more likely to use Bulldog Bucks if available with incentives or student discounts, and
WHEREAS, only five Birmingham businesses currently participate in the Bulldog Bucks program, and
WHEREAS, Birmingham businesses will only invest in the Seaborg software and offer discounts on their items if many Samford students participate in Bulldog Bucks, and
WHEREAS, when other Birmingham businesses see that Samford University students are participating in the program they will invest in the software and offer discounts to students using Bulldog Bucks, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes that Samford University gives parents an option to direct funds into their student’s Bulldog Bucks account when signing up for a meal plan.
Sponsored by: Jessica Cunningham
Student Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, the newly launched Bulldog Bucks program has been met with little enthusiasm from students, and
WHEREAS, students would be more likely to use Bulldog Bucks if available with incentives or student discounts, and
WHEREAS, only five Birmingham businesses currently participate in the Bulldog Bucks program, and
WHEREAS, Birmingham businesses will only invest in the Seaborg software and offer discounts on their items if many Samford students participate in Bulldog Bucks, and
WHEREAS, when other Birmingham businesses see that Samford University students are participating in the program they will invest in the software and offer discounts to students using Bulldog Bucks, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes that Samford University gives parents an option to direct funds into their student’s Bulldog Bucks account when signing up for a meal plan.
Senate Resolution 09-10-04 (Public Relations)
SR: 09-10-04
Sponsored by: Jenna Tanner
Public Relations Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Samford University has a desire to get more students involved on campus and participate in more activities, and
WHEREAS, not all students, especially those living off campus, are aware of on-campus activities, and
WHEREAS, many students on campus do not pay attention to the information on the bulletin boards because the boards are too crowded, and
WHEREAS, many students delete or ignore emails from the university because their mailboxes are overcrowded with multiple emails sent out from the university every day, and
WHEREAS, it would be more beneficial for students and for the university if the bulletin boards were less crowded, as well as having fewer emails sent out, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the SGA Senate proposes that all campus activities for that week should be found on one specific bulletin board in the university center. Also, that one e-mail per week shall be sent out informing students of all activities sponsored by the student affairs division that are going on that week.
Sponsored by: Jenna Tanner
Public Relations Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Samford University has a desire to get more students involved on campus and participate in more activities, and
WHEREAS, not all students, especially those living off campus, are aware of on-campus activities, and
WHEREAS, many students on campus do not pay attention to the information on the bulletin boards because the boards are too crowded, and
WHEREAS, many students delete or ignore emails from the university because their mailboxes are overcrowded with multiple emails sent out from the university every day, and
WHEREAS, it would be more beneficial for students and for the university if the bulletin boards were less crowded, as well as having fewer emails sent out, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the SGA Senate proposes that all campus activities for that week should be found on one specific bulletin board in the university center. Also, that one e-mail per week shall be sent out informing students of all activities sponsored by the student affairs division that are going on that week.
Senate Resolution 09-10-03 (Sidewalks)
SR: 09-10-03
Sponsored by: Corrie Driggers
DeWitt Clark
Residence Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, the sidewalks next to the library and in front of Washington Square are high pedestrian traffic areas, and
WHEREAS, when it rains only a small portion of the sidewalks are useful, and
WHEREAS, leveling the sidewalks would decrease pedestrian traffic congestion in these areas, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Student Government Association Senate proposes that Residence Life levels the sidewalks near the library and in front of Washington Square to make the sidewalks more useful to pedestrians on Samford’s campus.
Sponsored by: Corrie Driggers
DeWitt Clark
Residence Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, the sidewalks next to the library and in front of Washington Square are high pedestrian traffic areas, and
WHEREAS, when it rains only a small portion of the sidewalks are useful, and
WHEREAS, leveling the sidewalks would decrease pedestrian traffic congestion in these areas, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Student Government Association Senate proposes that Residence Life levels the sidewalks near the library and in front of Washington Square to make the sidewalks more useful to pedestrians on Samford’s campus.
Senate Resolution 09-10-02 (Harry's Diversity)
SR 09-10-02
Sponsored by: Jessica Cunningham
Student Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Harry’s is an open venue for all musicians at Samford, and
WHEREAS, Harry’s serves a diverse group of students with varied interests in music and entertainment, and
WHEREAS, most of Harry’s performances have been limited to the same type of musical performances, and
WHEREAS, Samford’s Student Activity Council is continuously searching for ways to increase attendance at Harry’s concerts, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes that the SAC search for a more diverse group of musicians and entertainment types, such as hip-hop, jazz, or even karaoke “open-mic night.”
Sponsored by: Jessica Cunningham
Student Life Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matters of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, Harry’s is an open venue for all musicians at Samford, and
WHEREAS, Harry’s serves a diverse group of students with varied interests in music and entertainment, and
WHEREAS, most of Harry’s performances have been limited to the same type of musical performances, and
WHEREAS, Samford’s Student Activity Council is continuously searching for ways to increase attendance at Harry’s concerts, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes that the SAC search for a more diverse group of musicians and entertainment types, such as hip-hop, jazz, or even karaoke “open-mic night.”
Senate Resolution 09-10-01 (Library Hours)
SR: 09-10-01
Sponsored by: Kallie Ernest
Campus Services Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matter of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, there is a prominent demand for extended library hours in order to facilitate academic progress, and
WHEREAS, the SGA Senate concedes that budgets across campus are being cut and is therefore not asking for the library to revert to the high level of hours maintained last semester, and
WHEREAS, on the last day of a school holiday the library is open shorter hours, and
WHEREAS, most students have returned to campus by the night before classes recommence and need that time to study in and use the library, and
WHEREAS, this also includes the Sunday before finals, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes the library stay open until at least 12:00 a.m. on the last day of a holiday and at least 2:00 a.m. on the Sunday night before the week of finals.
Sponsored by: Kallie Ernest
Campus Services Committee
A Resolve of the Student Senate
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Student Government Association Senate to exercise oversight on all matter of student opinion and concern, and
WHEREAS, there is a prominent demand for extended library hours in order to facilitate academic progress, and
WHEREAS, the SGA Senate concedes that budgets across campus are being cut and is therefore not asking for the library to revert to the high level of hours maintained last semester, and
WHEREAS, on the last day of a school holiday the library is open shorter hours, and
WHEREAS, most students have returned to campus by the night before classes recommence and need that time to study in and use the library, and
WHEREAS, this also includes the Sunday before finals, so
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SGA Senate proposes the library stay open until at least 12:00 a.m. on the last day of a holiday and at least 2:00 a.m. on the Sunday night before the week of finals.
First Thoughts: SGA Blog
Welcome back from Spring Break everybody! I hope everyone made it back in good health and in good standing with the law.
This afternoon I decided it was about time to upload all the Senate Resolutions and the appropriation report to the Samford facebook page. Well, this is a bit problematic as one can only post pictures, videos, or weblinks. So as I began contemplating different ways to link the documents to the facebook page, I thought about how it might be possible if they were uploaded to a blog. Then the further uses of having an SGA blog started to make sense to me.
We as an SGA have been looking for sometime how to better connect to students, and in my opinion facebook and twitter just aren't cutting it. They definitely have their own uses, but are really just a little too concise and impersonal. If we had a blog, however, then each officer in SGA could give their own personal input from time to time and hopefully people would feel a little more connected since they can give comments back. Eventually once students link it to their own blogs we might even have some pretty solid debates, and maybe get this linked to the original (horrendously out of date) SGA website.
So this may turn out to be a complete bust, but I think it's worth a shot. To kick off the blog I will now begin with my original purpose of uploading all the Senate Resolutions and the appropriation report.
Keep it classy,
Sam
Sam Dickerson
Vice President for Senate
Samford University SGA
This afternoon I decided it was about time to upload all the Senate Resolutions and the appropriation report to the Samford facebook page. Well, this is a bit problematic as one can only post pictures, videos, or weblinks. So as I began contemplating different ways to link the documents to the facebook page, I thought about how it might be possible if they were uploaded to a blog. Then the further uses of having an SGA blog started to make sense to me.
We as an SGA have been looking for sometime how to better connect to students, and in my opinion facebook and twitter just aren't cutting it. They definitely have their own uses, but are really just a little too concise and impersonal. If we had a blog, however, then each officer in SGA could give their own personal input from time to time and hopefully people would feel a little more connected since they can give comments back. Eventually once students link it to their own blogs we might even have some pretty solid debates, and maybe get this linked to the original (horrendously out of date) SGA website.
So this may turn out to be a complete bust, but I think it's worth a shot. To kick off the blog I will now begin with my original purpose of uploading all the Senate Resolutions and the appropriation report.
Keep it classy,
Sam
Sam Dickerson
Vice President for Senate
Samford University SGA
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