The Student Association met once again for its weekly senate meeting at 6 p.m. in Lanigan Hall room 103. Fifteen senators were present.
The synchronized skating team (Synchro- Oswego State Ice Effects) wants to go to the nationals this year in Colorado Springs. The team is a four-time national competitor. The team’s budget has significantly decreased this year for travel. A few years ago, the team went to nationals in California and the senate then had given them an extra $12,000. The team would compete with schools three to four times the size of Oswego State. With hotel room fare, bus drivers and flight costs, the team requested $17,500 for their budget.
The president addresses the senate
Anthony Smith, president of SA, addressed the senators with his accomplishments and thoughts of the last week. He met with SAPB with plans to establish campus wide voting for SA elections in March. He also discussed the possibility of providing students with college credit cards so not to limit student purchases at various stores on campus to cash. He also proposed better use of the Village Bistro, or the facility will most likely close in the future.
Smith told the senate that being a part of SA is more than just coming to the weekly meetings. Smith and other members of the executive board expressed their displeasure with senators not applying themselves to the organizations’ needs, especially the extremely low turnout of senator attendance at the Direct Assembly meetings.
“I’m very disappointed in all of you,” Smith said. “I’m only one person. I can only do so much.”
The president also mentioned the campus’ plans for modernizing most of the campus in the near future as part of the SUNY Master Plan. The plan would adjust the academic quad, Penfield Library, completely redesign Waterbury, Scales and Funnelle halls and possibly add a track and turf playing field. In addition, there might be future plans to expand Lanigan Hall due to an increasing number of communications majors coming to Oswego State.
The vice president addresses the senate
Vice President Benjamin June spoke about his irritation with senator behavior during the SA meetings.
“The laughter and chatter while presentations are being made is rude,” June said.
June then went to a lighter note after that and awarded the “homework” award he assigned to the senator that he believed exemplified what he was asking for. Senator Neil McGlynn received the award. June also determined that next week there would be no SA meeting because of expected low attendance due to senators on their way home for Thanksgiving break.
Director of finance updates the senate
Hassan Al-Shareffi updated the senate on his weekly business. He met with Auxiliary Services to help him plan the search to find his replacement for his position as he moves on at the end of the semester. He will be going into the fifth year of his MBA and plans to help mentor his successor.
He also said that he was disappointed with the low senator attendance to the Direct Assembly Meeting and On-Campus Forum.
Hall council report
Various senators reminded the senate of several dormitory events and updates that are happening in the next few days and weeks. A representative said that Glow Jam is happening on Dec. 6 from 10 p.m. to midnight. Oneida Hall is hosting a clothing drive and a 20-minute workout in the near future. Hart Hall residences have noticed that their trash cans have been missing on every floor of the building. Funnelle Hall is hosting a ping-pong tournament on Monday and a Pie Your RA event on Thursday. Scales Hall is still waiting for its new TV and is $200 short of its donation goal of the penny drive. Johnson Hall just finished raising $150 in its penny drive and the game, “hall murder,” is almost done.
New legislation
A bill was proposed to censor SA senator Tyler Markowski for his absence from two consecutive Hart Hall meetings on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12. The proposal was referred to Rules and Judiciary for one week.
A piece of legislation was proposed regarding the mandatory involuntary student activity fee. The proposal was referred to Rules and Judiciary for one week.
Senator raises issues
Senator Francisco Perez, the most experienced of the members of the senate, repeated some concerns from last week, such as pushing senators to be more active and referred to June’s contest, known as “the space race of legislation.” The first senator to write and pass six bills will win a free pizza meal. Perez also said that a lot of information is given during the SA meetings, so he suggested all clubs and organizations send a representative to attend the meetings. He also talked briefly about the possibility of senate dinners in the near future.
SA does not meet next week due to Thanksgiving recess.
