Senate Meeting Minutes :: 2.21.19 :: Week 7
Minutes of the SCU Student Senate Meeting February 21st, 2019
Members Present:
Senate Chair Alex Perlman
Pro-Tempore Mary Balestreri
Parliamentarian Ricky Matthews
First Year Senators:
Allie Bare
Hiwad Haider
Kate Padrnos
Luke Paulson
Sophomore Senators:
Kyle Andrews
Ciara Moezidis
Nicholas Niehaus
Robbie Nunes
Sahil Sagar
Junior Senators:
Shivani Gohil
Avery James
Vidya Pingali
Mika Philip
David Warne
Senior Senators:
Leif Allmeroth
Eoin Lyons
Rachel Wiggins
At-Large Senators:
Jim O’Brien
Raul Orellana
Rory Pannkuk
Eduardo Ruano
Sophia Smith
Alejandro Sugerr
Amber Wang
Members Absent:
Justin Chan
Claire Hultquist
Nina Molanphy
Kayla Williams
1. CALL TO ORDER
Senate Chair Alex Perlman called the February 21st, 2019 meeting of the Santa Clara
University Student Senate to order at 7:01 pm in the Casa Italiana Residence Hall Commons.
Senate Chair Alex Perlman invited Sophomore Senator Kyle Andrews to recite the
invocation.
2. ROLL CALL
Pro-Tempore Mary Balestreri took roll at 7:02 pm.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Senate Chair Alex Perlman asked the Senate to consider the agenda for the current meeting.
He requested questions and comments related to the agenda. Hearing none, he asked for a
motion to approve the agenda. At-Large Senator Amber Wang motioned to approved the
agenda and First-year Senator Allie Bare seconded the motion.
4. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
Senate Chair Alex Perlman asked the Senate to consider the previous meeting minutes and
requested questions and comments related to the minutes. Hearing none, he asked for a
motion to approve the minutes. Sophomore Senator Kyle Andrews motioned to approve the
minutes and At-Large Senator Rory Pannkuk seconded the motion .
5.SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
Guest Speaker: Jim Lyons VP University Relations
Senate Chair Alex Perlman invited VP University Relations Jim Lyons to speak to the student
senate. His presentation is summarized succinctly below:
- Open to share what he can about the University
- Recruited to put on a comprehensive camping
- Raise 1 billion dollars for Construction (Like dowd, charney, benson, Finn….. )
- $550 million was for capital.
- Just finished first phase now we are going into the public phase.
- Next phase is about students, faculty, research, internships (real
program)
- Recruited to reorganize the university relations areas
- Recruited to create a Greater national/international profile → used to be provincial
parochial schools
- Change a geographical mix
- Greater diversity (Color, culture, geography) Especially international students.
Small international student population
- Gives us a wider range to attract faculty and donor pool
- These next 5-10 years are the golden years for the university
- Tell the Santa Clara Story
Senate Chair Alex Perlman thanked Jim Lyons for his presentation and opened the floor up to
discussion.
Senior Senator Eoin Lyons: What are the priorities of the University and where do you see it
going?
We are shifting the money to faculty and students. We are placing a priority on financial
and scholarship money. Need to provide more financial need money so that students can
afford to go here. 1st to help people 2. Shared governance (especially with the new president)
My job to set the direction and to help people to do what they need to do. Our job is to get a
good education and move onto the next step. 3. Continued emphasis on athletics. It was taken
away from athletics and put into academics. And now we want to put money into students
experience. 3 priorities for right now
First-year Senator Hiwad Haider: Will the addition of more financial aid tuition affect the price
tuition?
Yes and no. In education we are dependent on labor. The trustees are adamant about
keeping tuition increase low. About 75-80% come from tuition dollars. Helps us to keeps costs
lower. The University is committed to it. It’s always at the top when it come to budget.
First-year Senator Luke Paulson: The main goal is to increase our national and international
appeal. How do you think we can do that?
We have identified ways that we can do that. We can have one of the best english dept
in the counties. We have to identify a few programs to be recognized. We have a few centers
of recognition. We can throw money at it but it is expensive. $40k to do an add in the New
York Times. It comes back to raising money. One of the best ways is through conferences
telling the SCU story. Joint research is unique to create out national profile. The better known
the school is the more our students will get more Fullbrights and Rhodes, etc. Our profile is
changing so much. We are getting higher on the national profile. It will help all of you in the
future.
Junior Senator Shivani Gohil: I know that this is a big project that will take a lot of funding.
What is the marketing strategy? Because these are very concrete action items.
If you are talking about the campaign, we have banners, newspaper adds, in the airport,
lyft and uber, Public to tell the story, but more quiet too. What are students and faculty are
doing. But it has to happen here on campus first, student need to know what is going on. We
need 1000s of people telling the story and why is its importing for it to be here. We ask alot of
students to come and present. We want students to be available to tell their stories.
Voting of PR Marketing Chair - Cecilia Fan
Senate Chair Alex Perlman asked the candidate for PR Marketing Chair, Cecilia Fan, to
introduce herself to the senate. He then asked her to step out of the room so the senate can
discuss. Senate Chair Alex Perlman then opened the floor for questions.
Sophomore Senator Ciara Moezidis: What has she worked on in the past?
Junior Senator Avery James: She is in my sorority and hold a leadership position. She works
very well with other people.
Hearing no further questions, Senate Chair Alex Perlman called for a motion to vote on
Cecilia Fan. At-large Senator Rory Pannkuk motioned to vote. Senior Senator Leif Allmeroth
second the vote. Pro-Tempore Mary Balestreri took roll and the candidate was approved. She
was then sworn in by Chief Justice Jack Larkin.
+1000 RSO Presentations
Senate Chair Alex Perlman invited Intandesh, Global Medical Brigades, Korean Student
Union, Barkada, Igwebuike, Igwebuike, and Santa Clara University Associated General
Contractors to present their funding requests. Their presentations and any corresponding
questions are below:
■ Intandesh- Rangeeli Shaam 2019 Culture show May 3rd
Total expenses: $4945, Amount requested $4,600
Sophomore Senator Kyle Andrews : Will your costumes be used next year?
We rent them because the theme of our show change each year.
■ Global Medical Brigades → Travel to panama to over spring break for a medical brigade/
Provide healthcare to rural communities
Total cost: $78,040
Junior Senator David Warne: Where will you get the rest of your funds?
Students will personally fund. Although we will do some fundraisers
■ Korean Student Association → May 4th KSA Culture Show
Total $10,785.32 Requested $8965.54
■ Barkada of SCU → 29th annual Pilipino cultural night (PCN) April 26th and 27th
Total: $15,700.00 Request $8,000
■ Igwebuike → 2019 Spring Retreat April 26, May 28, May 10
Total $2897.00 Requested $3626.80
At-large Senator Rory Pannkuk : Why are you asking for $700 more than your total expense?
Its because it is not including food or emergency money
■ Igwebuike→ 41st annual luau Saturday May 18th
Requested $3573.68
■ Santa Clara University Associated General Contractors → AGC convention 3/31/19
Total $6680.0 requested $3080
At-Large Senator Jim O’Brien: could you give a quick pitch of your club for new members?
We connect with industry experience, network, conventions, personal development
At this time, the Senate held an open forum. The comments made during the forum are
summarized below:
For the safety and privacy of those who spoke, names have been omitted from this section.
Open Forum:
A Natural part of Senate is to let people in the community voice their concerns. Anything
brought up will not be discussed. This is just to hear constituent concerns. Senators may ask a
question to clarify a concern. If you say more than just a concern, you will be shut down. Senate
is also recorded. There is 15 mins for this you can always motion for more time. There will be a
3 min time limit per speaker. Senate leadership determined that we aren't going to pull up
content but if you want us to share we can email it later.
How many of you could feel confident in giving an elevator pitch on the Palestinian Israeli
conflict. We are upset that this was approved without consulting us or Palestinian allies. CSI is
supposed to make sure the student body feel safe. We were not informed of this happening and
we were not asked to speak on the issue. We want to explain how this is detrimental to SCU’s
environment, how does this set a precedent. The conflict is really complex, and it is our
understanding that you do not feel confident or well education. And you didn’t want to -- Time
Continue.
It took over a quarter and half for us to allow us to form on campus to make sure that we were
not a threat to students or Santa Clara’s campus. We had to fill out conflict forms. We wish we
were awarded the same respect that we had to show. SSI is the other side of the story and it is
an uniformed narrative. It is the oppressor vs marginalize; not two equal sides. It is not a two
sided narrative, it is giving an organization that supports an oppressive regime a voice. Allowing
this organization will continue to oppress the student voice. People on our campus dont feel
safe.
How many years ago were you founded
4 or 5.
SCU wants to make sure students feel safe. We were harrassed by the director of SSI. If that
doesn't point to people feeling unsafe I don’t know what would. SSI does not hold in to account
the human rights violations of the country. We are a university that prides itself in social justice.
You cannot bring an organization ignoring human rights violations. How can you allow a student
group on campus that supports an oppressor.
SSI supports the state. The political entity. SJP does not support a state or a political message.
Its rasing what is happening.
We are here to see how we can move forward. We wanted to see if you understood why we felt
threatened. We don’t mean to be attacking, but we want you to see how its a problem and can
be a problem not
Although revotes are not in the bylaws, we are asking for a revote. We think that our safety is
more important than bylaws. We want a formal apology and more transparency. We would also
like to see a change of advisor of SSI because students safety and wellbeing comes first.
Motion for more time
Was the harassment incident reported?
No, we did not feel that there would be action following the event. That was a mistake on our
part.
Do you have any suggestions on how ASG can be more transparent.
You should have an area online that publicizes which new RSO’s will be presenting and
discussed.
I know that we voted yes, the reason that we voted that way was because we saw the two
organizations having a conversation and saw this as promoting a difficult dialogue. Is there
something that we can do, what other action can we take?
Who would vote differently
You don’t have to vote differently
To address the difficult dialogue, it is hard when two groups don’t even agree on the facts. Such
an issue like this is so hard and constructive.
It would have to be more formal. More mediated.
Motion for more time
People have been mentioning the similarities to the TPUSA approval. Has anyone informed you
of the process that you would have to go through?
Yes we will go through it.
I believe that we should add a component to RSO presentations where they should introduce
their advisor. Is it common for RSOs to have off campus advisors?
Any club with an off campus organization can have advisors from the national or regional. It’s up
to the discretion of the club.
Are there any other reparations? What can ASG offer?
Real confirmation to ensure well being and safety. Make sure SSI events do not violate our
safety.
Have there been any other examples of students feeling threatened directly or indirectly?
One student was called a terrorist by Israel supporters
There are a few incidents, but nothing that the university could have done. It was outside of
campus.
All of us have a voice and a story, and the fact that we are not comfortable to speak is a
testament that out voices aren’t protected. We are scared regardless of our identity and this
puts us in a lot of danger. This is something that students stand for. Students feel that their
voices and identities can’t be shared. This is the upshot, this is the ramification of your vote.
There is a culture that has been created that voices are suppressed. When we talk about
difficult dialogues, the human violations would not even be acceptable as understood. When
you have something so horrific and tragic, that can’t be accepted as true, it can’t be accepted as
dialogue.
Motion for more time.
This is an examples of when we have felt threatened. I was told that my existence was a threat
to his identity. There were people taking pictures and harassing us. I have grown up in
Palestine, and I have known that my voice was going to be disproportionately
underrepresented. I know that there are serious ramifications of my voice being shared because
my voice is not the status quo. I feel very unsafe to share my voice.
This applies not only students currently on campus, but our founder, who has graduated,
doesn't feel safe visiting us. She is on canary mission, and the consequences are huge. When
community members feel unsafe coming back it is serious.
One of the consequences is that Israel uses that as threats to not let them back into their home
countries and can be forbidden from entering ever.
Motion for more time
I wanted to share an experience that happened on last thursday. They were selling roses and
the proceeds go to israel, I thought it was so hypocritical and ironic that a rose, a symbol of
peace and cooperation was being used to fund this regime that is the worst that humanity has to
offer. It is important to have voices from every walk of life heard, that is in the first amendment,
and even though this is a private institution, it is fair for people to think that two clubs can’t have
two opposing opinions. Facts matter. It’s not fair to say that once a decision is made that it can’t
be reversed and revised. Once the idea comes along and understand its contents based on
ideology, it enters into the mainstream of ideas. We call on the Senate to make the
modifications to make revotes be a thing.
With Turning Point, we were blamed for being against humanity and we were told that it is our
first amendment rights. I don’t want to get into the politics of the region, but give the rights to the
students to voice their opinions. We should believe in social justice for every students. If people
are harassed and the oppressors should be held accountable. Opportunities to have a learning
environment and have both sides of the dialog.
This was not in the nature of having the forum.
We are making this an open forum.
This is not a religious issue. You can have a pro Israeli type of stance, but you cannot support a
state that oppresses people. There cannot be debate and response.
This is for any decision student government makes:
You can submit a petition for referendum of 10% of student body and a ⅔ majority vote by
student body to approve the referendum. You need a remedy. In terms of going to Jeanne, the
deadline is today.
Is there an option for them to create a new bylaw?
Depends on what the bylaw is. It will not apply to this situation as it will bias.
Next time we call for a motion for more time, can you please ask for nays? I feel that we should
end discussion at this point.
I would caution with the analogy with TPUSA and how the decision was overturned. It may be
more difficult to use that case as a point of reference. These are distinct sets of cases, it is
difficult to readily make those analogies.
Reach out to SJP and do you do diligence.
-- End of Open Forum --
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS
Executive Updates
- Public Relations: 5:30-7 difficult dialogue, Bronco news looking for students living off
campus in school owned homes
- Community Development VP: Bronco friday → 11-1 on fridays
- Finance VP → None
- Chief Justice → Once week from the bonafide pre law panel
- Senate Chair → Conscientious capitalism spring week 7, clean drinking event
- Vice President → Looking ahead for retreat, unit increase project
- President → This was a heavy senate and it can be hard to be questions about your
actions and still be confident. I know it is difficult but it is necessary! When they come
forward it adds texture to a process and we only learn from these experiences. It just
makes you better representatives. How you can be the best you can be. Our 2nd
interview went well. Task force placement with Elsa Chen and Fr. Engh. The constituent
demographics are different, looking to involve students. The committee will be based on
voices of the bronco community. See if you will be interested in sitting on these
committees.
Committee Updates
- COMM: No update
- CUIC: Difficult dialogues 5:30 williman room, human library, seeking some testimonials
to digitize the scholarship binder in the one stop office, reach out to Hiwad if interested.
- FOC: Campus event, art on the fences, difficult dialogues, more pictures for housing,
and student hype for athletics
- SAC: JSA 67.7% Requested 3499.39, Recommended $2235, Theta Tau 100%
Requested $2336 recommended $2336, Her life his glory 79.2% Requested $1515
recommended $1200, VSA 61% Requested $6254 $3820, Lambda Pi Eta: 72.4%
Requested $1415, Recommended $1025, Hipnotik: 88.7% Requested $1577.90
Recommended $1400
At≠large†Senator†Jim†OßBrien†: I have talked to people about frugality, but I have heard that
RSOs might try to high ball us.
Junior†Senator†David†Warne∫†This is reimbursement only, they can’t highball. They have to
turn in receipts to get the money back. It’s very organized and well documented
Junior†Senator†Vidya†Pingali∫†What about the SC discretionary fund?
Junior†Senator†David†Warne∫†There was miscommunication and the SC fund and has been
earmarked away from ASG for this fiscal year.
Senior†Senator†Rachel†Wiggins†: Have you thought about creating guidelines for what they
should request?
Junior†Senator†David†Warne∫†Sometimes 100% is necessary, it's situational. Generally
35-50%
First≠year†Senator†Allie†Bare∫†Why did you choose to round down.
Junior†Senator†David†Warne∫†to keep it even.
Junior†Senator†Vidya†Pingali∫†How much money is left.
Junior†Senator†David†Warne∫†90,000 we are on track. This is the last +1000 session. At the
end of this plus 1000 session, once we have voted on everyone's allocation, i can show you
exactly what we have done.
Senate†Chair†Alex†Perlman†asked for a motion to white ballot. At-large Senator Raul†Orellana
motioned to white ballot and First-year Senator Allie†Bare†seconded the motion. Sophomore
Senator Kyle†Andrews†motioned to vote and the motion was seconded by First-year Senator
Hiwad†Haider†. Pro≠Tempore†Mary†Balesteri†took roll and the clubs were funded.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Presidential Search interview - you will start hearing an outcome soon.
- Bronco posi, I have an expectation that you will go.
- What are some actions that we can do as a senate body. This is what will grow us as
leaders, and nothing will make you grow more than facing these challenges. You have
an obligation to become aware and reach out. The more you engage the more you will
grow. What can senate do. They can file for a referendum or take it to judicial
- One-on-ones
- Week 10 - bonding event instead of senate. Good way to end the quarter.
- Quote of the week
Tedd Vanadilok: Referendum is 10% of the entire student body. And a super majority of the
voting student body must vote to approve. They can file to attest a decision to judicial and must
be made within 5 hearing about approval. If the student court overrule and then they take it to
Jeane and she must consult ASG on her decision. We can’t amend the bylaws so that they
would apply to this case. We don’t want them to be retroactive. You can still concurrently have a
by law proposal but stamp it for a later date.
President†Sam†Perez∫†When looking into that, we need to be intentional. Maybe in this instance
its applicable but it could be problematic in the future.
Junior Senator David†Warne∫†We worry about our credibility with the administration, changing a
bylaw for this one issue would look unprofessional.
Tedd Vanadilok: If they go the referendum route it must be made at a senate meeting. We can
let them know that.
Senior Senator Eoin†Lyons†: is that before the signature?
Tedd; Not clearly stated
Sophomore Senator Sahil†Sagar†: If they reach out to a senator for help with language can they
help?
Senate†Chair†Alex†Perlman†: You can’t speak on behalf of senate or ASG but you can help
them as an individual.
Sophomore Senator Ciara†Moezidis∫†Can referendums have co sponsors?
Tedd Vanadilok: The bylaws do not specify, so yes
Senate†Chair†Alex†Perlman†: Resolution can also be brought to the floor or let them take care
of it outside of senate. That is the list of what can be done. And acting on it late.
Vice†President†Jahwala†Johns†: In terms of ASG being more proactive and reaching out on
contentious clubs. Is there any action for that so we can have people be more informed to
ensure that what we published is more widely reached?
First-year Senator Allie†Bare†: ASG newsletter has the link to the minutes not the agenda.
At-large Senator Alejandro†Sugerr∫†People don’t look at all the emails, but they never went out
of their way to get informed
At-Large Senator Sophia†Smith∫†I think that regardless about how SJP is moving forward, I
think that we should issue an apology. But I think that we should have a senator or CUIC to
reach out or investigate contentious clubs.
Vice President Jahawa†Johns∫†Caution against using the justification that they should do the do
diligence in looking at their emails.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Senate†Chair†Alex†Perlman†called for a motion to adjourn. Sophomore Senator Kyle†Andrews
motioned to adjourn and At-large Senator Raul†Orellana†second the motion.
12. ROLL CALL
Pro≠tempore†Mary†Balestreri†took roll at 9:36pm