ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at 6:10 p.m. Times listed are according to the clock at the Apr. 2 meeting location, the Memorial Union’s Mee Room.
Joe Chatham, ASUCD president, present, left early at 7:25 p.m.
Chris Dietrich, ASUCD vice president, present
Joemar Clemente, ASUCD senator, present
Danny Garrett, ASUCD senator, present
Justin Gold, ASUCD senator, present
Erin Lebe, ASUCD senator, present
Kevin Massoudi, ASUCD senator, not present
Justin Patrizio, ASUCD senator, present
Laura Pulido, ASUCD senator, present
Shawdee Rouhafza, ASUCD senator, present
Trevor Taylor, ASUCD senator, present
Mo Torres, ASUCD senator, present
Previn Witana, ASUCD senator, present
Jack Zwald, ASUCD president pro-tempore, present
Meeting called to order at 6:11
Appointments and Confirmations
Zwald was reappointed as president pro-tempore.
Ethan Sorscher and Kelsey McQuaid were confirmed External Affairs Commission (EAC) alternates.
Alison Tanner, Sarah Raridon, Elizabeth Bache, Bob Bhatti, Jose Marquez, Maribel Gomez, Sing Wang, Jenna Templeton, Jennifer Casanova were confirmed as Gender and Sexuality Commission (GASC) commissioners.
Eli Yani was appointed ASUCD controller.
Presentations
Greg Dizon, former EAC chair, donated an American flag and flag poll to ASUCD on behalf of homosexual persons who privately well-served or continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and in memory of Filipinos who served with the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II.
A representative from CALPIRG discussed the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, which provides direct service, fundraising and public education on homeless issues. The organization will hold a conference at UC Davis Apr. 10 through Apr. 12.
Talia McMath and Elle Segal of Lobby Corp announced that Lobby Month starts the week after next and will provide students with many opportunities to participate.
Unit Director Reports
Geoff Straw, Unitrans general manager, discussed future projects, including 10 new buses expected by June 2010. Unitrans expects $4.5 million in new funds including federal stimulus money.
Picnic Day Chair Christine Pham discussed the pre-Picnic Day festivities planned, including the annual cow-milking contest the Wednesday prior to the event. She expects a full list of events to be on the unit’s website soon.
Consideration of urgent legislation
Senate Bill, authored by Sumeet Hayer, co-authored by Chelsea Fahr and Kristen Lohse, introduced by Clemente, to allocate $500 from Senate Reserves to UC Davis Relay for Life 2009 to help compensate for increased security, logistics and overhead costs necessary due to an overflow of participants, failed 4-7-1.
Consideration of new legislation
Senate Resolution 23, authored and introduced by Dizon, to celebrate Picnic Day 2009 and honor the conclusion of UC Davis‘ Centennial Anniversary, passed 6-4-2.
Court Announcements
Chief Justice Missy Whitney announced that the ASUCD Court met Wednesday night to discuss the next steps in Case 46, regarding the Winter 2009 ASUCD Elections. The court, after receiving a request from the senate to have a decision by the Apr. 9 senate meeting, will hold a hearing, tentatively set for Wednesday night, Apr. 8. Whitney said she will post the official meeting place and time in the glass case on the third floor of the MU.
Other business
Patrizio was appointed as a representative to the Internet and Network Committee.
Torres and Garrett were appointed as representatives to the Unit Relocation and Space Allocation Committee.
Taylor was appointed as a representative to the Campus Media Board.
GASC chair Laura Brown said that even though it is required of them in the ASUCD bylaws, senators have not been satisfactorily attending commission meetings. Brown expressed concern and frustration. Dietrich clarified the bylaws regarding commission attendance – every senator must attend one commission meeting per week, and every commission by the end of the quarter (unless there is a time conflict with class).
Lebe reminded the senate table that when evaluating spending bills, the senate is required by law to exercise viewpoint neutrality, and should not evaluate spending based on the views of the organization in question.
Meeting adjourned 10:22 p.m.
ANNA OPALKA compiles the Senate Briefs. She can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
