ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at 6:10 p.m. Times listed are according to the clock at the April 24 meeting location, the Memorial Union’s Mee Room. The ASUCD president is not required to attend senate meetings.
Meeting called to order at 6:10 p.m.
Carly Sandstrom, ASUCD president, present
Bradley Bottoms, ASUCD vice president, present
Liam Burke, ASUCD senator, present
Armando Figueroa, ASUCD senator, present
Maxwell Kappes, ASUCD senator, present
Pamela Nonga, ASUCD senator, present
Felicia Ong, ASUCD senator, present
Alyson Sagala, ASUCD senator, present
Amrit Sahota, ASUCD senator, present
Miles Thomas, ASUCD senator, present
Tal Topf, ASUCD senator, present
Reuben Torres, ASUCD senator, present
Ryan Wonders, ASUCD senator, present
Yee Xiong, ASUCD senator, present
Presentations
Unitrans spoke about changes they are attempting to make for the approaching academic year, such as increased summer hours, more bus times for certain bus lines that only run once per hour.
Aggie TV director Anna Oh provided an update on Aggie TV. She stated that she wants to create a new Production Coordinator position. Oh also spoke about live stream of sporting events and ways in which it can be improved for the future.
Appointments and confirmations:
Jay Chou was confirmed as the new director for Specialized Transportation Services (STS).
Jessica Reiter and Amelia Helland were confirmed as members External Affairs Commission (EAC) commissioners.
Consideration of old legislation
Senate Bill 85, authored by Sergio Cano to allocate $321.73 from Senate Reserves to purchase 2,500 ASUCD brochures. Unused funds are to be returned to Senate Reserves. The ASUCD Senate will collaborate with the Executive Office to attempt to institutionalize this purchase by the upcoming budget hearings.
Senate Resolutions
Senate Resolution 21 (SR 21), authored by Kriti Garg and Ethnic and Cultural Affairs Commission (ECAC), to condemn Islamophobia. SR 21 resolves that the ASUCD condemn University of California, Santa Cruz lecturer Tammi Rossman-Benjamin “Islamophobic” speech. SR21 condemns the controversial rhetoric that was used during the April 11 “Islamists Rising” event, hosted by the Ayn Rand Society at UC Davis. It urges UC President Mark Yudof and ASUCD President Carly Sandstom to take action regarding this hate speech.
Lastly, SR 21 resolves that the ASUCD urge other campuses to pass similar bills.
During discussion, members of the public in favor and against the resolution spoke. The president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) Usamah Simjee said that students should not have to worry about their safety on campus. President of the Ayn Rand Society (ARS), Jonathan Bomberg gave what he stated was “the only” official ARS statement, stating that the event was not targeting Muslims in general, but those who commit crimes in the name of Islam.
Members of the public whom were in favor of this bill discussed the importance of feeling safe and welcome on campus. Individuals who identify as Muslim shared experiences in which they were discriminated based on their appearance. Members of the public who were against this resolution discussed the importance of free speech.
After approximately six hours of discussion, SR 21 passed with a 7-4-1 vote.
Senate Bill 28, authored by Hackney and introduced by Ong resolves that ASUCD support and urge passage of California Assembly Bill 832 which would allow students to use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on California college campuses. It resolves that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Governor Jerry Brown, California State Senate President Pro Tempore, California State Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the Assembly, UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B Katehi, along with chancellors of other specified California universities. The bill passed unanimously.
Public discussion
Members of the table expressed their dissatisfaction in other members of the table that did not vote in favor of SR 21. Nonga thanked everyone who attended the meeting and said that voting against a bill after being pressured to vote ‘yes’ demonstrates bravery and standing behind ones principles.
Meeting adjourned at 3:25 a.m.
Open positions within ASUCD can be found at vacancy.ucdavis.edu. LILIANA NAVA OCHOA compiles the senate briefs. She can be reached at campus@theaggie.org XXX
