2013-2014 ASUCM Senate
ASUCM Regular Senate Meeting Agenda
5200 N. Lake Road KL169, Merced, CA 95343 – P: (209) 228-7468
E: [email protected] W: http://asucm.ucmerced.edu
Spring 2014 Session
Wednesday, April 16th, 2014 at 7:30PM
Chancellor’s Conference Room (KL 232)
I.
Call to Order
a. 7:32pm
II.
Roll Call
a. Senator Brown excused
b. Senator Garai late
III.
Approval of Agenda
a.
b.
c.
d.
IV.
Senator Jones motions
Senator Taylor seconds
No discussion
Approved
Approval of Minutes
a. April 2, 2014
1.
2.
3.
4.
Senator Daniel motions to approve
Senator Gaerlan seconds
No discussion
Approved
b. April 9, 2014
1.
2.
3.
4.
V.
Senator Gaerlan motions to approve
Senator Jones seconds
No discussion
Approved
Guest Speaker - Brian O’Bruba, Director of the Center for Career and Professional Advancement
Good evening! Thanks Senate for the opportunity. He was last here in March 2013. There
are some new initiatives. He will also any questions. They are student fee funded. There has
been a new position added. Funding for this position came from a corporate donor and the
coordinator position is housed in Silicon Valley. There is an Alumnus from 2012 working for
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us. The role is to increase internship opportunities for students in Silicon Valley to make the
area aware about UC Merced. If there is success, the goal would be to add a second position
in Southern California. An Alumni from Intel will be doing an info session. Students are
incredibly talented but there is a lag on student resumes. In the next year, he and his office
hopes to improve resumes and interview skills. They want students to feel confident. Last
year, Career Services helped 62% of the student population, but they hope to increase their
numbers. Career Services had 215 events in bringing opportunities here. We do student
employment and 1,100 students work on campus. On July 1, there will be a minimum wage
increase and we are excited about that. We are also looking to grow the number of student
employees. This is worker appreciation week. It is another thing that we have to promote.
Any questions?

Questions

Senator Zisser: When you guys raise the minimum wage are you guys decreasing the
number student workers?

Brian: We are not, the government is. No, there has been an increase. There were 900
last year and 1,100 this year. We hope that it will continue increase.

Senator He: Do you feel that funding is sufficient for your programs relative to the other
programs on campus?

Brian: We do and are pleased with the level of funding. We wrote a three year financial
plan and have been aggressive at looking into outside funding. We have been able to
grow our resources and measure the outcome.

Senator Daniel: In regards to the minimum wage increase, will workers who earn below
$9 have an increase to $9?

Brian: It is a departmental decision. I think you can address that with your supervisors
and based on their current level of funding. We do provide them a salary scale to get a
sense based on the performance of the employees.
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
Senator Zisser: You mentioned that you reached 62% of students on campus, ASUCM
tries to do events and we have struggled to get students to attend. What is the key, what
have you done that makes it so good?

Brian: It has not been about career services, but there are a lot of external people who
deliver the content. That gives credibility to the program. I think word of mouth has
been successful. The final part, we had staff who work with specific departments like
SSHA staff for SSHA students, etc. We are mindful of student’s time, employer’s time.
Happenings is still the number one success and how students learn about information.
Students are concerned with their future after they graduate and we are also worried

Senator Wong: Our economy has improved, how is UC Merced doing with our
graduates?

Brian: I can let you know in six months? We have changed the way that we track the
information. It takes about a year. We had a lot of alumni who came back to recruit.
Regionally, there has been a lot of success. You all can’t hide behind the name of this
university but you are making it. You might be the first hired from our campus and you
will have to explain who we are. “LinkD In” in is a great experience but it is not
verified. We had a student who was hired into BioMare. It is all about pipeline and our
reputation which means a lot to future generation.
VI.
Chair's Report- Ivan Flores
I don’t have much to say. We will have to elect a temp Pro Tempore. I have heard some concerns about
reports to being germane to your position as an officer in the Senate. I would be more than happy to
discuss the issue. I think that I am starting to get sick.
VII.
Elected and Appointed Officers Report
a. Jefferson, EVP: UCSA has decided Congress location for next year. I fought for a location
in the North, but we decided on the Oakland Marriot and Convention Center, Aug 14 to Aug
17th. I will get the app process going over summer and see how many people will be able to
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go. I was able to being 35. I was also contacted by UC Davis to support one of their piece of
legislation in regards to students who were not able to donate blood because they have a
different sexual orientation, basically if you’re gay you can’t donate blood. There is a
review on that, they have the facts and they will be issuing a statement to the secretary of
health and human services. This weekend, the council of Presidents will meet to interview
with the student regents and will be picking to the final 10 and I would vote on the final 3.
That’s it. Thank you!
b. Senator Daniel, Chair of DC Board: Our event is tomorrow. Thanks to Steve for the
happenings. We have enough questions to ask. Also, RAM has agreed to live cast the
interview. We will not disclose the meeting location because we don’t want disruptions.
Noon on Thursday and will last until 1. I wanted to thank Garai and Senator Gaerlan and
everyone who took the time out of their day to share the event.
c. Senator He: I want to update you on the project that I have been working on. The student
appointment program. Upper division student tutoring by appointment. They don’t offer
lower division yet. Also for the resolution on the agenda, some people think that it is
premature because I have not connected with the Chancellor. I would like to thank Douglas
Mondo in being civil with his. I would like to thank Jaron Brandon for being professional
with me. I would also like to thank people’s opinion. It helps the meeting run smoother.
d. Michaela and Aurea, Court Justice: There was a court case filed against senate against the
Club rule. You guys have a system to approve the bylaws. We want you to be aware.
Aurea: It is to remind you that you have all have written your bylaws and you should follow
that. There is also a reason for procedures. Be careful of what you are doing but follow what
you write.
Michaela: I know that this was tabled for now and we have tabled our action taking.
Both: Thank you! Good stuff.
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VIII.
Officer Reports
a.
Senate Pro-Tempore- Senator Brown
1.
Temporary Pro-Tempore Selection
2.
Senator Daniel nominates Wong
3.
Senator Wong declines
4.
Senator Garai nominates Senator Mondo
5.
Senator Mondo accepts
6.
Senator Daniel nominates Senator Taylor
7.
Senator Taylor declines
8.
Senator He nominates Senator Daniel
9.
Senator Daniel accepts
10. Paper Vote:
1.
Senator Mondo
11. Great job everybody! Let’s not go to Court. It isn’t fun.
b. Sergeant at Arms- Senator Jones
Nothing to report.
c. Secretary- Senator Gaerlan
Viewing the minutes, I do miss your hump day jokes. No one is up for recall.
d. ICC Liaison- Senator Wong
ICC is still nominating for the board. I encourage clubs to run because they are looking for ICC Members.
e. Court Liaison- Senator Daniel
Due to an error on me catching up on classes, I was unable to submit a draft of the Court bylaws in Bill fomat.
It will be presented next week. There are 4 cases: Jaron v. Election Commission. Kanasawa v. Campus
Activities Board. Daniel v. Brown. Daniel v. Flores. The ruling for Daniel v. Brown will be released. If there
are any grievances, the judicial branch exists for that reason. The form is on the ASUCM website.
IX.
Committee Reports
a. Budget and Finance- Senator Mondo
Senator Daniel excused. Discussed bills. Ken and I have talked about editing the financial bylaws. If we make
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any changes, thy will have to be done soon. Meeting tomorrow at 4pm.
b. Academic Affairs- Senator Brown
Daniel: We did not vote on Bill Archive Bill or the Black Graduation Committee passed. Meetings are at 8am
in Lantern on Thursdays.
c. Student Activities- Senator Wong
Met today, everyone present. We discussed bills.
d. Student Advocacy- Senator Gaerlan
We met today. I was late because I am sick. They went through all of the bills. Senator Zisser discussed his
project with Amsal and how it will correlate with TAPS. He understands and he mentions Senator Garai.
Senator Zisser is attempting to create a project about carpooling to save gas and one car can take 4 people.
X.
Advisor's Report- Steve Lerer
Couple things, the first thing it is Student Staff Appreciation Week and I have a card for Miriam. A couple other
things, I am actively working on the elections ballot. A couple things about elections: if you are running for
elections so don’t make candidate statements. If you have any questions about what can and can’t be done about
OSL Policy. Students are allowed to put in any 10 posters. No candidate can use any equipment in the OSL. Tape
cannot be used either, go to the bookstore. Next week’s guest is Dan Fiddleburg as the guest speaker. New
coordinator of the DARTS Program. A couple other things, shout out to court. They are rocking out! They are one
of the strongest court, period. They were also representing ASUCM at Bobcat Day. I can say that they are doing
exactly what they are doing what you asked them to do. They are unbiased and look at the facts. ASUCM related,
the ICC Bylaws that candidates elected for the ICC Board are current ICC members. The last thing, when you
represent ASUCM outside to the public that you represent your constituency and the work that you do. There have
been issued with commissioners and elected officials who do not clearly state who they are and they are perceived
to work with the university. I have received feedback on that and it is alarming to staff members. Last thing,
Leadership Awards are on Tuesday. The red carpet will be rolled out at 6pm in the CA room. Get out the vote!
XI.
President's Report- Jaron Brandon
President Brandon is ill.
XII.
Treasurer's Report- Ken Gaffney
a.
Greets Senate and Public. Shows a PowerPoint.
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b.
General Fund: $93, 368.28
c.
Last Year this week: $151, 690.99
d.
Balance: $21, 901.57
e.
Bill 77: Request $5,666.24 and they will support 31% themselves
-I will say if they have already cut their own ten percent, we should also look at that. It is not a bylaw but
something that we have been doing this semester.
ICC 2012-2013:
Requested $4,370
$2,515.17 left over
f.
Senator Jones: How much roll over can we expect?
g.
Treasurer Ken: There are some line items that cannot be spent. And some senate bills that went into the red. It
depends.
h.
Senator He: The clubs that go into the red, do they pay?
i.
Treasurer Ken: Sometimes it can be about taxes, but there is no rule. Looking into the accounts, sometimes
they have nothing.
j.
Senator He: they already paid the money?
k.
Treasurer Ken: Someone has to pay! I am unsure who covers the negative amount.
l.
Senator Wong to David: That is why there is a contingency fund. What I heard that whatever was left over,
contingency becomes savings. Whatever is carried forward is also taken from that.
m. Senator Zisser: IS anyone responsible in ASUCM who ensures that they only spend their budget?
n.
Treasurer Ken: The bills are signed and gets to OSL late. Then the plane ticket increases, what happens then?
Or hotel fee increases? Sometimes clubs don’t account for taxes.
XIII.
o.
Senator He: Is there a cap to spend over?
p.
Treasurer Ken: No.
Public Forum
a. Valorie Smart, Editor in Chief of Prodigy: We are coming out next week. We are having
elections for our new board because I am graduating. Please continue your leadership with
the Prodigy. It is appreciated.
b. (Inaudible) is in support for Black Graduation
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XIV.
Old Business
a. Bill #76 - ASUCM Club Event Archive (Introduced by Senator Zisser)
a. Senator Zisser motions to table for one week
b. Senator Garai seconds
c. Discussion
i. Senator Garai: If I can help in anyway, let me know.
ii. Senator Daniel to Steve
iii. Steve: The process of putting this on the table is in violation of the bylaws, so
tabling for one week does not alleviate that. I would recommend to pull it and
submit it according to the bylaws, which means that it has to be sent to the
treasurer, then it goes to the budget and finance and the Chair of Budget and
Finance submits it to the IVP.
iv. Senator Zisser: Can I ask a question? Even if I added his name?
v. Steve: Doesn’t matter because it didn’t get sent to the treasurer first and it said
“submitted” and not “introduced.” I would recommend that you think about the
financial bylaws
d. Senator Zisser rescinds his motion
b. Bill #77- Black Graduation Ceremony (Introduced by Senator Daniel)
a. Senator Daniel motions to approve
b. Senator Zisser seconds
c. Committee Report
i. Budget and Finance: We cut the award plaques and frames because we don’t
fund awards or items of personal nature. It adds to $300 and the club can find a
way to pay that. Approved
ii. Student Advocacy: I heard that it did not pass 2:1 because we needed more
information. There is not much info on speaker
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iii. Student Activities: Approved Unanimously with recommendations of Budget
and Finance
iv. Academic Affairs: Passed unanimously
d. Discussion
i. Senator Daniel: The Black Grad committee held a black graduation ceremony
where they gather all graduates of all African American culture for honoring
them. It is slowly increasing. From my own personal knowledge, it is open to
everyone as long as the fee is paid. The speaker is Dr. Fraiser, a theoretical
physicist (reads information). I would like to yield my remaining time to
Jamario to give more info.
ii. Jamario: I am president of the Black Grad Committee. This is the first time that
we have a committee because we have partnered with the BU before. This bill
commemorates within the Pan-African culture. We have 35 who are
participating and the number is fluctuating.
iii. Senator He: If I paid, I could walk with this graduation?
iv. Jamario: there are 3 main graduations that are targeted to 3 main
audiences and our graduation is tailored to the Pan African culture.
v. Senator Gaerlan: UCOP Policy says that you can’t discriminate against
anyone and it is up to you. The cultural aspect is there to express
themselves.
vi. Senator Wong: This club has asked from ICC last year, why are they
asking ASUCM?
vii. Senator Daniel: They missed the big ticket item for ICC and this was their
only option. In light of financial bylaws, I would like to amend the
removal of the award plaques, $296.25
viii. Senator Zisser: The only thing that makes this different from the normal
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UC Merced graduation is the fact that the speaker is mainly focusing on
African culture rather than us graduating?
ix. Senator Daniel: It can be seen as that, then again it is more broad range
and students can come to learn about culture. I would also like to point
out, the “be it enacted” to allocate the money to BSU.
x. Senator Mondo: They are a first year RCO and BSU needs to know what
is going on. What is the timeline on this?
xi. Senator Daniel: May 17. It would make more sense to recommit to all
committees.
xii. Treasurer Ken: Black Grad Committee is a first year RCO. BSU held the
event. This year it is Black Grad Committee. You’d have to table this bill.
xiii. Senator Daniel to Treasurer Ken: If the funds are allocated to a long
standing organization, would that mean that they don’t have full control?
xiv. Treasurer Ken: If you said it was going to BSU, then it is their event and
they control the money.
xv. Steve: You are in a bind. You can’t fund first year clubs. The cosponsorship is ICC. They would have to wait until first week of May.
Your option is special case funds. There is a process. This bill would
have to be removed. B&F has to approve. Then committee as a whole
would make sense. You have to have an emergency B&F meeting.
xvi. Senator Garai: Everyone feels comfortable and would support this bill.
xvii. Senator Mondo: Budget and Finance could have this handled by the end
of tomorrow.
e. Senator Daniel rescinds motion
XV.
New Business
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a. Bill #78 – Islam Awareness Banquet (Introduced by Senator Jones and Senator Teaze)
a. Senator Jones motions to send to all committees
b. Senator Taylor seconds
c. No discussion
d. Sent
b. Bill #79 – Legislative By-Law Amendments for Public Forum (Introduced by Senator He)
a. Senator He motions to send to all committees
b. Senator Daniel seconds
c. No discussion
d. Sent
c. Resolution #14- Dear Dorothy Campaign (Introduced by Senator He)
a.
Dies
d. Resolution #15- Practical & Sustainable Classroom Chairs (Introduced by Senator Teaze)
XVI.
a.
Senator Teaze motions to send to all committees
b.
Senator Gaerlan seconds
c.
No discussion
d.
sent
Announcements
a. Senator Jones: Hey everyone, guess what day it is?! Hump Day. I didn’t get to say my joke
during my report. So hopefully you all attended Ohana Luau. It was a great event to foster
relationships for the Merced community and UC Merced. That is something to consider and
it was a great decision.
b. Senator Gaerlan: Bobcat Day was a success. It was great that the clubs were around the
Beginnings Statue. DEM won the PAA Gauntlet. Check out the Presidential Debate.
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c. Senator Zisser: Tri Delta is hosting “Kickin-it with Cancer.” Does anyone want to make a
team?
d. Senator Daniel: Get your shots and stay healthy. The Rotoract Club approached me to ask if
we wanted to attend Bobcat Attack.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
Adjournment
Senator Zisser motions to adjourn
Senator He seconds
Discussion
a. Senator Daniel: I did have one last announcement: Tune in to DC Interview. It is a lot of
questions that students have had for a while. I did filter out loaded questions or questions
that are attacking.
b. Senator Gaerlan: If you have any questions, please send them to Josh Mason. He will ask
the questions.
XXI.
Adjourned at 8:46pm
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