Thelomathesian Society
Minutes
March 2nd, 2016
I.
Call To Order
Meeting called to order at, 7:03PM Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016. The Hannon Room.
II.
Attendance
Name
Henry Brown
Loren Walden
Elizabeth Hagele
James Schibli
Ivy Raines
Gib Mitchell
Hogan Dwyer
Maria Leech
Emily Parent
Anabel Encarnacion
Chris Rich
Thomas Faraday
Proxy Kramer
Pierce Cote
Sam Onyango Josiah
Emily Baldwin
Christopher Hyde
Zach Hallock
Catie O'Connell
Jiawei Lou
Duncan Fort
Riley Greene
Proxy Ristine
Amanda Polloni
Webb Campbell
Evan Doodian
Christiana Galowski
Emily Adams
Proxy Buck
Michelle Asch
Maddi Coyne
Christopher DiMezzo
Paige Friedlander
Mia Thomas
Jacqui Ebeling
Here
Club Soccer
OAS
Chemistry
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Constitutional
Amendment
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ABSENT
Proxy Roussard
Laren Soule
Jill Carlton
Kealey Viglielmo
Proxy FIccano
Lauren Carey
Chad Rhatz
Garrett Philips
Poonam Sidhu
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Abstain
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ABSENT
CHAIRS
Olivia Hess
Tommy Powers
Emily Sturtevant
Mariah Dignan
Joseph Kellogg
Nina Melkonyan
Sam Colton
Maya Williams
Jamie Brownback
III.
ABSENT
Officer Reports
a. Laura Jennings:
Lots to go through in the next few weeks. Also, please inform me before Wednesday if
you are going to miss a meeting.
b. Mark Jannini:
Hockey rink is doing better and tournament this weekend. Also, does anyone have
questions about the tuition increase? We are interested in better informing the St.
Lawrence community about things such as the tuition increase. Also, with spring coming
up I want to make sure that the common areas on campus are well maintained.
c. Andrew Houx:
SLUSAF will be going up $10 per student.
d. Jeanette Gitobu:
If all are passed, we will have $43,296.20.
IV.
Committee Chair Reports
Academic Affairs - Olivia Hess (Reported by Maya Williams)
Still working on trigger warnings in syllabi, will likely be pushed to Fall 2016.
Campus Entertainment - Thomas Powers
Ice Rink is not quite ready for this weekend. A spikeball tournament and potentially a color run
are potential ideas that we are looking into.
Canton Community Outreach - Emily Sturtevant
Nothing new to report.
Environmental Conservation - Mariah Dignan
The resolution is to be revised and presented soon. Today, I will be presenting the constitutional
amendment.
Information Technology - Joseph Kellogg
The e-waste bins are in the works. We are going to put one in the Student Center as a trial and
see how it goes.
International Affairs - Nina Melkonyan
The week of March 28th will be International Language Week and Kaleidoscope will likely be
April 9th and we are looking for MCs.
Campus Diversity - Sam Colton
We may move our meeting to this Friday at 2:15 so that more people can come. If you are not in
the committee and want to come, feel free.
ww
Student Life - Maya Williams
Nothing new to report.
V.
Old Business
Second Approvals-all pass
MUN Organizational Status
VI.
New Business
Women’s Club Soccer: Weezie Holdridge ’18 and Megan Perkins ‘18
President Nickerson
Are there any questions for Women’s Club Soccer?
Senator Josiah
How long do you have to be active as a club to be able to request organizational status?
Jeanette Gitobu
It takes two years to be able to request full organizational status.
Senator Galowski
Where is your equipment held?
Weezie Holdridge
We use little pop-up goals that are stored in the student center but were recently approved to
store our equipment in Newell.
Senator Mitchell
Is there faculty involvement in the club or are there only student participants?
Weezie Holdridge
We have two faculty advisors including Megan O’Brien in admissions.
Chair Dignan
I know that sometimes the equipment stored in Newell is given out or taken and I want to make
sure that your equipment stays safe. Could you talk to the track coaches and get your stuff stored
somewhere more safe?
Weezie Holdridge
We haven’t asked the track coaches, but it is a possibility.
Senator Lou
Why can’t you borrow other team’s equipment?
Weezie Holdridge
Varsity takes the equipment in season and when we practice at the same time as the varsity teams
they obviously take the equipment. Especially next year when we travel, it will become more
difficult to borrow other team’s equipment.
Senator Hallock
Did you say that there were regularly 35 participants or 35 members of the club?
Weezie Holdridge
In terms of members, we do not have an exact number as it only depends on who shows up every
time. We have interest on Facebook, and on an average practice we have 30-35.
Senator Polloni
How do you decide who will travel?
Weezie Holdridge
That is something that we are struggling with. In the past it hasn’t been a problem especially
when you incorporate prior engagements. We normally didn’t have problem getting enough
numbers for games.
Motion to Debate
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Chair Dignan
We are already low on equipment and that only gets worse when you consider club sports. They
need this equipment to be able to represent St. Lawrence in other places and I commend you for
getting so many people involved.
President Nickerson
Debate against? Speak too?
Senator Hallock
The club seems to have good energy and I don’t see this club dying any time soon.
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Chair Sturtevant
These girls show a lot of promise for being able to take this club very far.
President Nickerson
Debate against? Speak too?
Motion to Vote
Contingency passes with 37 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions
Model Organization of the American States: Poonam Sidhu ‘18
President Nickerson
Are there any questions for Model OAS?
Chair Powers
How many people are going?
Poonam Sidhu
There are 10 participants.
Senator Adams
Where is the rest of the money coming from?
Poonam Sidhu
We got $2,050 and the rest is already in our budget.
Chair Williams
Where did you book the hotel?
Poonam Sidhu
It is the hotel that is hosting the conference in D.C.
Senator Fort
How long is the event?
Poonam Sidhu
8 days.
Senator Walden
You have a few nights that are not included in the conference. Would you be opposed to staying
somewhere cheaper on those nights?
Poonam Sidhu
We are planning on sharing rooms for a few nights to save a little bit of money. We are also
receiving a reduced rate because of the conference.
Senator Galowski
How do you plan on sharing what you learn with the campus?
Poonam Sidhu
We are planning on having an information session and have information on Facebook as well.
Motion to Debate
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Chair Kellogg
We sought funding from other sources and did good research.
President Nickerson
Debate against? Speak too?
Senator Josiah
All the ambiguities as far as funding have been answered and I think this is a good way for them
to go and represent us.
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Senator Rich
Like Model UN and other organizations that go off campus, this is a good opportunity to show
off St. Lawrence and is a great opportunity for our students to interact with other people and in
the work place.
President Nickerson
Debate against? Speak too?
Motion to Vote
Contingency passes with 35 in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention
Chemistry Conference: EJ Curtis ’17, Jen Finan ’17 Nicolette Celia ’16, & Connor Heaney ‘16
President Nickerson
Are there any questions about the conference?
Chair Colton
So you were able to pay the $1,500 out of your own pocket? Do you have someone from the
chemistry department who will be going with you?
Nicolette Celia
We all fronted $1,500 and have been able to reimburse some of that money, but this contingency
will cover the rest. We also work closely with Adam Hill and he will also be attending.
Senator Carey
You went to the chemistry department and asked for money as well, they said no. Did they have
a reason why?
EJ Curtis
The chemistry department keeps a lot of their budget reserved for summer fellowships that we
had access to last summer. These helps to get a lot of research done it makes sense that they
would hold their money for those purposes. They are sending 3 faculty members as well.
Senator Mitchell
Have St. Lawrence students gone to this conference before?
EJ Curtis
Yes, students have attended this conference before. Typically, they send one or two. To send
four presenters to a conference like this is huge. We’ve all been able to present at local
conferences but that’s only with Potsdam and other local schools.
Proxy Roussard
There seem to be discrepancies in the cost of the conference for different members. Can you
explain this?
Nicolette Celia
Some of us are ACS members and we get a discounted price while those not members have a
higher price.
Senator Walden
I’m wondering where you got the personal travel costs of 50 cents per mile.
EJ Curtis
That is the standard cost of driving per mile.
Senator Rhatz
I know that the ACS gave each of you $200 and I’m wondering where that money went.
Nicolette Celia
When I wrote this proposal that was not finished yet.
Senator Cote
When we allocate money for contingencies, we try to make it benefit the campus as a whole.
How will you benefit the whole campus?
EJ Curtis
Our plan is to make posters while we are there and hang them up in Johnson. We will also be
presenting at the festival of science. We are also going to show how the liberal arts can hold their
own with bigger institutions.
Senator O’Connell
Do you see this program getting bigger?
Nicolette Celia
There are currently 6 chemistry majors on campus and that number only gets larger as you go
down the years. Our hope is to grow the chemistry department and research.
Motion to Debate
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Senator Adams
I think that it is an awesome deal to go to this conference. It is a big opportunity with a lot of
exposure and feedback on their projects.
President Nickerson
Debate against? Speak too?
Chair Williams
Not only does this benefit St. Lawrence, but it also benefits the larger goals of the research.
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Proxy Roussard
I agree with Senator Adams and Chair Williams. It is also an opportunity to get jobs right out of
college, which is very important.
President Nickerson
Debate against? Speak too?
Senator Brown
I agree with Proxy Roussard. This can benefit St. Lawrence by expanding our presence to the
west coast.
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Chair Powers
I think it is very beneficial to the school and for each individual and their careers. When people
collaborate on this research, progress can be made. I think it is great for St. Lawrence to be
involved in this process.
President Nickerson
Debate against? Speak too?
Motion to Vote
Contingency passes with 37 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions
Constitutional Amendment: Mariah Dignan ‘16
Original
The Elections Chair has the right to invite Senators to join a temporary Elections Committee,
which shall aid the Chair for the duration of the elections cycle. Senators who choose to join the
Elections Committee will be relieved of all other committee duties for the duration of the
election cycle.
New
Let it be amended to Article XIV, Section 2, Voting Procedures, Point 3: that the Senior
Executive Board shall appoint four Senators, excluding the Elections Chair, to sit on the
temporary Elections Committee during times of election. Senators on the Elections Committee
will be relieved of their other committee duties for the duration of the election.
Original
Any dispute arising during the election procedures shall be decided by the Election Chairperson,
subject to majority approval by the Senior Executive Board; parties involved, including the
Election Chairperson, shall state their case to the Senior Executive Board after which the Board
must then vote on whether to uphold or overrule the Election Chair's ruling.
New
Let it be amended to Article XIV, Section 2, Voting Procedures, Point 6: that any dispute arising
during the elections process shall be decided by a super majority of the Elections Committee and
chairperson (a total of 5 votes), subject to super majority approval by the Senior Executive
Board; parties involved, including the Elections Committee, shall state their case to the Senior
Executive Board after which the Board must then vote on whether to uphold or overrule the
Elections Committee’s ruling.
Original
The Election Chairperson has the right to disqualify any candidate when constitutional rules are
violated and must report the incident to the Senate. The disqualified candidate has the right to
request a hearing with the Senior Executive Board; the Board can vote to overturn the Election
Chair’s decision and re-instate the candidate, but this requires a supermajority (two thirds of the
Senior Executive Board must agree, which is to say four out of six members).
New
Let it be amended to Article XIV, Section 2, Voting Procedures, Point 7: that the Elections
Committee, with a super majority vote, has the right to disqualify any candidate when
constitutional rules are violated and must report the incident to the Senate and the student body
immediately so that voters have the right to withhold their vote pending the final decision of the
disqualification. Should the candidate accept the disqualification, the decision of the elections
committee is final. The disqualified candidate has the right to request a hearing with the Senior
Executive Board in which case the disqualification is subject to super majority approval by the
Senior Executive Board. After the Senior Executive Board has rendered their decision of
disqualification, the Senate will hold the ultimate/final decision by either approving or
disproving the Senior Executive Board’s holding by a 2/3 majority vote. The candidate in
question has the right to be present to address questions from the Senate.
Original
The initial voting period will last five (5) weekdays.
New
Let it be amended to Article XIV, Section 2, Voting Procedures, Point 13: that the initial voting
period is from Wednesday to Wednesday to ensure that if a candidate is subject to
disqualification, then there would be a meeting to hear the case. In the event of a case being
brought before the Senate, the voting period shall be extended to Friday to allow ample time to
vote.
New
Let it be added to Article XIV, Section 2, Voting Procedures, Point 19: that the disqualified
candidates votes will be considered in the overall vote total (in order to have a legitimate
election). Whether or not the candidate has the most votes by the end of the election cycle, she/
he cannot win the election.
New
Let it be added to Article XIV, Section 2, Voting Procedures, Point 20: that petitions to reinstate
a disqualified candidate with the majority of the student body, must be taken into consideration
by the Elections Committee. If a majority of the committee recognizes the validity of the
petition, a recall election may be pursued.
President Nickerson
Are there any questions for Mariah Dignan?
Chair Williams
Could you clarify what you said about the elections committee and waiting until Wednesday?
Mariah Dignan
If there is a candidate that may need to be disqualified, we will notify the entire St. Lawrence
campus community that this candidate may be disqualified so they can make an informed
decision with their one and only vote.
Senator Friedlander
Does this go the senate and then the executive board?
Mariah Dignan
The way it currently works is the chair makes a decision, then that decision is brought to the
executive board. The exec board made a decision by a supermajority vote. Now what we are
saying is that this committee will vote by a super majority and then bring it to the executive
board. The exec board also votes to attain a super majority and no matter the outcome, it comes
to the senate for a final decision. The senate is the final say in whether or not a candidate is
disqualified.
Senator Adams
Why does it still come to the senate even if the executive board says no?
Mariah Dignan
The purpose of this amendment is to get more democratic accountability and to have more
checks and balances. No matter the decision that the executive board makes, those in the
community deserve a say and the senate is their opportunity to do so.
Senator Hallock
So the decision of the exec board is more of a recommendation for the senate?
Mariah Dignan
Yes, they had the hearing with the individual themselves. It will come to the senate and we will
hear what they have to say about it, and that candidate has the right to come here to make their
peace.
Senator Galowski
If the election committee says no, does it still come to the senate?
Mariah Dignan
No, it will not come to the senate. It is currently one person making that decision and this will be
a little more representative.
Senator Fort
How is the elections committee elected?
Mariah Dignan
As of right now, the same process will apply to the elections committee as applies to all
committees.
Chair Powers
I’m worried about this turning into a criminal trial and I’m curious about how the elections
committee will make their decision.
Mariah Dignan
Having the executive board involved in this decision will also help to decrease the amount of
potential corruption in this process.
Senator Polloni
I’m curious how we will keep the student body informed of these changes. Will there be an email
or something?
Mariah Dignan
If the elections committee makes the decision that they think they should disqualify a candidate,
they are going to send an email out to the entire community.
Chair Williams
There are things that need to be clarified in this resolution.
President Nickerson
The way that it is currently written cannot be changed until next meeting.
Proxy Roussard
Is it actually a good idea to send out an email with a specific person’s name, as that will just stir
drama? If someone is disqualified and we are left with one candidate, what do we do? The voters
do not have a choice at that point.
Mariah Dignan
The people running for office are opening themselves up for public scrutiny and this will be a
choice that they make for themselves. Also, they do have choices. They can either not vote or
write in a candidate.
Chair Colton
Is there a way that we could inform the student body without mentioning a name? I think that we
can do the same job without putting anyone’s name in the mud.
President Nickerson
These people are opening themselves up to scrutiny. This is just part of that process.
Senator DiMezzo
If you tell the campus community the name of someone in question, you are giving other
candidates a 3 or 4 day head start on achieving votes.
President Nickerson
Once the elections committee decided that a violation has taken place, that candidate’s name is
then passed on to the campus community. We are putting our faith into the elections committee
to make an informed decision.
Motion to Debate
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Senator Rich
I was part of the group that planned this which involved Matt Bauer, the previous elections
committee chair and he felt strongly that this did not all rest on one person’s shoulders. We are
trying to just add accountability.
President Nickerson
Debate against?
Senator Walden
I think that we need to go back and look at the recall and the amount of votes that are required to
successfully win a recall election.
President Nickerson
Speak too?
Chair Dignan
I think it was cleared up that there is a regular recall after this process is finished.
President Nickerson
Debate for?
Senator Josiah
I think this addresses a lot of good issues. I felt powerless last semester and this system of checks
and balances will help that happen. We are incorporating more people into the decision, which
makes us accountable as an institution.
President Nickerson
Debate against?
Senator DiMezzo
I think that the number of votes required in two days is ridiculous. I’m advocating for the
requirement of fewer votes.
President Nickerson
Speak too?
Motion to Table
Motion to Table passes with 37 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions
Meeting is adjourned at 8:47pm
Respectfully submitted by Secretary Catlin