SGA Senate Minutes: September 23, 2008

 

I.                    Call to Order: 3:45pm

II.                 Pledge of Allegiance

III.               Invocation- Caitlin Revene

IV.              Roll Call – Ashley Jarrett

V.                 Approval of the Agenda

VI.              Special orders of the day

a.       Holiday Tree

                                                               i.      Dr. Soderlund and Lonnie Calhoun from Dean’s Diversity Council

                                                             ii.      Trying to spread diversity throughout campus and make it fair to all groups here on campus.

                                                            iii.      Diversity Council has written a letter about the Holiday Tree and what it used to represent for Longwood, but can other holidays, religions, and cultures are included as well. How do we make a plural statement including the cultures and such in one location? The goal is to have all the holidays that are celebrated during this time of year represented in some form all together.

                                                           iv.      We originally purchased the tree and were on board as a Senate to carry on the tradition behind having the tree here.

                                                             v.      Open discussion with the Senate to hear their thoughts and ideas of what to do with the tree.

                                                           vi.      Most of the Senate is trying to be fair but at the same time keep the traditions of Longwood going, can we buy a smaller (normal) size tree and then create displays that are equal so that everyone is represented well? Should we do an open forum for the students to see what they want? We as the SGA should be working toward not offending certain groups on campus, meaning maybe we need to part with the tree.

                                                          vii.      Informal vote, 3 options

1.      Keep the tree as is

2.      Sell the tree, represent all holidays equally

3.      Open Forum

b.      Presentation of the Cup- Amanda Mason, thanks for all your hard work on our upcoming Retreat

VII.            Open Forum

a.       Jordan Miles: Faculty Senate mtg. review, approved new special education courses and 21st century learning program.

b.      Amanda Mason: Big Sibs Bowl for Kids Sake is coming up soon you just have to raise $50 it is October 30th

VIII.         Orders of the Day

a.       Executive Report- Caitlin Revene

                                                               i.      Committees will be announced at Retreat

                                                             ii.      All interviews for the four open Senate seats have been finished and they will be joining us next Tuesday

                                                            iii.      USA Today- papers should be showing up in the Rotunda soon

                                                           iv.      Next week we will be in Hiner 207 for the Master Plan presentation, we are wearing business attire.

                                                             v.      The front of your binder shows attire for the weeks; please refer to that list to know what to wear.

                                                           vi.      Get excited for Retreat!

b.      Committee Report-Committee Chairman

                                                               i.      Constitution- Tara Coney

1.      Honor Board: (have not had one on file since 1997) approved

2.      Sports Club Council: approved

IX.              Old Business

a.       Retreat

                                                               i.      September 26th leaving at 4:00 from the Union Circle

                                                             ii.      Passing around what to bring sheets, also the weather is changing so please make sure to dress for the weather

                                                            iii.      She still needs forms from people those are due ASAP

                                                           iv.      We are representing Longwood so please follow the Longwood rules while you are there.

X.                 New Business

a.       SFC Report- Tom McArdle

                                                               i.      Dan Putnam: appointed to Vice Treasurer

                                                             ii.      VACUUHO RA Conference: $500 approved

                                                            iii.      Relay for Life: $4,455 approved

                                                           iv.      Lancer Productions: $2,715 approval failed

b. Swearing in of J-Board and New officers

XI.              Open Forum

a.       September 25th will be the Business School Cook-out from 3:30 to 5:30 by Grainger Fountain

b.      Green Class t-shirts will be going on sale soon, look out for those!

c.       Dr. Pierson: Good Job to Holly and Josh for their presentation to the town for the Big Event! Economic issues in the state will be impacting Longwood with the next budget year. We are facing budget cuts for the upcoming semester, like an increase in tuition. 

XII.            Adjournment 4:54pm