October 30
The meeting began with guest speaker Kari Cooper, who is the Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) State Chair. Cooper discussed the MSUSA Fall Delegates Assembly, taking place Nov. 14-16 in St. Paul. There, students from all over the state will come to set legislative agenda and talk about important issues.
At the Delegates Assembly, a topic of discussion will be MnSCU’s biennial budget request, in which they are seeking a tuition freeze and $142 million in funding. Charting the Future (CTF) will also be a major topic.
Student Government Advisor Scott Crowell brought up the state of the Student Directory for review. When the directory was set up, residents on campus had phone lines in their rooms. Now that landlines aren’t used, the student’s home phone number is put in its place.
Crowell believes phone numbers should be taken off the Student Directory to prevent third parties from obtaining this information. A motion was passed to remove student phone numbers from the directory.
President Gores was put under heat for discussing the goals of CTF with the Student Government in a previous meeting.
Rumors surfaced that she attended the Oct. 2 meeting with a two hour lecture and a PowerPoint presentation. This is untrue and the meeting only lasted 91 minutes.
“In no way, shape, or form did President Gores come here to push her side of Charting the Future on us,” Student Government President Rachael Posusta said. “She attended our meeting per my request.”
Student senators provided their opinions on the CTF information they received at the Gallery Walk and a faculty meeting.
Senator Vogt remarked that it would render professors unable to design their own curriculum, lowering the quality of the university experience.
The senators are aware the faculty is not in favor of CTF, and that they will need to further discuss how it will affect SMSU.
The meeting concluded with the approval of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Club.
November 6
The Philosophy Club did not initially request funding for the year because the club was unsure if it would have enough members. Now with around eight active members, the Philosophy Club requested $1650 to use for a spring speaker conference and advertising. Their request was approved.
Senator Christopher Ross was appointed to the open position of Judicial Board Coordinator.
After being tabled for a week, the constitution for the Ultimate Frisbee Club was approved, making it a new club.
The upcoming Delegates Assembly was further discussed. The issue of CTF is as important as ever as five MnSCU schools—Winona, Bemidji, SCSU, Mankato, and SMSU—have given a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Steven Rosenstone’s leadership. SMSU’s student government will discuss their stance on CTF and bring their decision to the Delegate’s Assembly.
