Student Government
Association
2016-2017 Minutes
September 14, 2016
Open Meeting at 2:30pm
*X senators present, X missed roll call, X excused absence
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Call to order 2:30 pm
Roll Call by Secretary
Approval of minutes
Agenda approved
Reports
○ President Report
■ Good afternoon Senate and Gallery. My name is Melanie Arokiaswamy
and I will be your president for this year.
■ Although the overall goal for myself and SGA is to improve the sense of
community and facilitation on campus, my current short term goal is to
have a successful SGA Event this fall semester and really let all
clubs/orgs on campus that SGA is here to contribute to your campus life
in any way we can.
■ Another organization I belong to is PDP, the professional development
program helps any student to develop their professional skills.
■ Announcements:
■ All senators please stay at the conclusion of the meeting.
■ For future use, the whiteboard in the back can be used to advertise
events.
■ For any org that has an event or movement that needs the help of SGA, I
encourage you to come to us.
■ This concludes my report.
○ Vice President Report
■ One goal that I have is to have entertainment at gala and that it runs
smoothly. I am the President of Business Leaders of Tomorrow.
○ Secretary Report
■ Good afternoon everyone! Hello Representatives and Senators, I would
like to thank you for getting your reports in early and on time! As the new
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SGA Secretary some of the goals that I have for this year are to possibly
create an “SGA metro” snapchat, become more active on Instagram (get
more followers and update as much as possible), and update the SGA
website. Aside from the SGA, another goal that I have is to join Greek life.
■ I’m also a member of the Pre-Professional Club. I mentioned at the last
meeting that I would like to become a veterinarian in the future. When I
attended a Pre-Professional Club meeting last semester, we had an
informative Skype video chat with the admissions director at Cornell
University for aspiring Veterinary students. As you can tell, this club
provides resources and connections for students. With that being said, I
would also like to get more involved in the Pre-Professional Club. That
concludes my report.
Treasurer Report
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Parliamentarian Report
■ Short term goal: To implement an effective and efficient Robert's Rule
system within the Senate
■ Organization: AEPhi/ISA
Graduate Representative Report
■ My name is Ziqing Yu, and I am the graduate class representative for the
year. My report consists of my short term goal, and the organization that I
also belong to.
■ Short term goals:
■ To attract more graduate students to be more involved in school activities
by helping organizations to reach out graduate students and spread out
their events information.
■ To help graduate students with job searching process by working with
career development, professional development program, and
organizations like ALPFA.
■ To help graduate students address academic-related concerns,
comments, and questions​ ​by helping them to reach out relevant
departments and faculties who are in charge to address their problems.
■ The organization that I also belong to is: ALPFA, which is a professional
association to help students with their career development
Senior Representative Report
■ Hello, my name is Michella Sanih and I am the Senior Representative for
the academic year of 2016-2017.
■ For my report, one of my goals is to raise the class donation and beat our
goal that Mr. Dave Berkner and I have set. Another is to provide
graduation coverage around the whole school across all platforms so all
graduates will know about important dates, times, etc.
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I am also the Vice President for the Pre-Health Professional Club, and
also an active member of the Green Team.
Junior Representative Report
■ I would like to use the opportunity of our first meeting to introduce myself
as this year's junior class representative. My name is Danny Diaz. I am a
biology student, and I am in my third year of school now.
■ Besides my position with this organization, I am a student ambassador
with our undergraduate admissions office. As I move on with my career, I
continue to find interest in other organizations.
■ As your Junior Class Representative, my goal is to unite the student body
of our university. I want to build events and activities that will unify our
students; bring them together as one constructive network and
community.
Sophomore Representative Report
■ Good afternoon everyone. My name is Akshay Patel. I had a pleasure last
week meeting all the new faces around me and look forward to getting to
know you all and look forward to the adventurous year ahead. I am
diversified in my involvement on campus. Of the numerous organizations
that I integrate my time into, I like to highlight that I am involved in
Pre-Health Professionals. This unique organization aims to prepare and
educate future medical school students about standardized test tips, the
new processes of medical admissions schools, and other beneficial
resources to ensure a medical student's success at Fairleigh Dickinson.
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This coming year I have many visions in mind for the student body and
the success of this university. To start off easy, one of my goals is to host
a successful class fundraiser. Each representative of their class receives
a monetary amount each academic semester to use for their class events.
If we pool together all our budgets to host one, phenomenal, social event
that would fundraise for each class, we would be seeing enough money
for each class to host their own Senior trips.
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I look forward to working with my peers and fellow representatives this
year. I wish everyone the best of luck and much success.
Freshman Representative Report
■ Create a friendly environment with the class of 2020
■ Listen to the class concerns and help in whatever way I can
■ Guide the freshman class in participating in school events
■ Help to raise money for the freshman class
■ Encourage others to get involved (clubs/organizations, activities)
■ Help to make their first year at FDU a great one
■ Although currently I am only in the Student Government Association I
would love to also be involved in the University Players, FDU’S theatre
group/ school play. I would love to be in this organization because I love
learning about theatre as well as acting. I hope to audition for the play and
hopefully get accepted and become a member of the group.
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Athletic Affairs Senator Report
■ Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) E​board member, SGA
Representative
■ Met with SAAC to mainly discuss tailgate for Women’s Soccer first home
game, Thursday, Sept 22nd
■ Setup: 4:30pm
■ Location: Soccer parking lot
■ Duration: 5pm​7pm (game starts at 7pm)
■ Reached out to two Greek orgs to help out, positive feedback, awaiting
additional responses.
■ GOAL: Get more orgs involved in tailgate.
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International Senator Report
■ An organization I belong to is International Students Association (ISA).
ISA aims to spread, develop and carry out in a spirit equality and
collaboration of all the cultural expressions of those countries represented
at the university. Throughout the semester, we organize different types of
events, from adventurous trips to cultural or intellectual activities. The
events are not only for international students; instead, all students are
welcomed and we encourage everyone to participate. This will help
integrate the student body as a whole. While assisting new international
students adapt and get familiarize with the new environment, we also
hope to increase awareness and appreciation of others’ cultures. As a
result, we hope to create goodwill and collaboration among the students
of Fairleigh Dickinson University.
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ISA is holding our very first general member meeting, called ISA Mixer, on
this Friday, September 16. My goal is to spread the news to as many
people as possible through word of mouth, flyers, which we have already
put up more than a week ago, and emails as an invitation to all students
of the university. It will start from 6pm and the Mixer will be held in the
MPR. There will be games, light food and good music. Please join us to
have some fun and make new friends. Get yourself exposed to different
cultures from different parts of the world. Make your Friday night an
eventful one. If you feel uncomfortable going alone, please do bring along
your friends. All Knights are welcomed. Also, there will be Six Flags
tickets given to the ones with the best traditional outfits of the night. We
are expecting a crowd of approximately 50 people so we really hope to
see you there. Thank you.
Student Life and Programming Senator Report
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One short term goal: to join the PR committee, and get SGA aware of
different events going on on campus.
■ One other event I belong to: Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority
Organizational Senator Report
■ One short (realistic/medium term) term goal:​ To formulate and implement a
new procedure with student life to help organizations see the process (approved/in
progress/denied) of their forms (room reservations in particular).
One other organization:​ Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Multicultural Senator Report
■ As multicultural senator I will continue the legacy of the previous by
making our school more homely and suitable to a larger variety of
cultures.
■ I will continue the assignment of prayer rooms to various areas on
campus.
■ I will highlight a country every week just like senator Nicolas Diaz.
Technology Senator Report
■ My name is Noor Tariq, I am currently a Junior. I am studying Information
Technology and minoring in Digital Marketing. I am also looking into a
5-year program so I could possibly get my Masters in Computer Science.
As a Technology Senator I am beyond nervous to make sure everything
is done right. One of my goals is to get better acquainted with the system
SGA uses to maintain their website. It is a little different than what I am
used to however it is something I am very passionate about. I want to
make our website the go to place for easy access for everyone here. As
you can see everyone in this room and on campus everyone has a cell
phone or easy access to the internet, I want to take advantage of that and
make sure our website is presentable at all times for students, staff and
anyone else.
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An organization I am really proud of being part of is Alpha Sigma Tau
Sorority, Epsilon Theta Chapter at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Our
sorority does a lot on campus 1-2 events or tabling a week. We like to be
involved with the Fairleigh Dickinson community and all it does for their
students. One of our philanthropies is Dress for Success. Dress for
Success helps women worldwide work towards self-sufficiency. Dress for
Success helps raise money to give women professional work attire for a
job interview and they also teach them skills to use during their interviews
and in a professional scene. I think this organization is doing an
outstanding job to empower women. I am very excited to partner with
them through the school year and see where it takes me.
Creative Arts and Media Senator Report
■ I want to help raise the profile of artistically and creatively talented
students on campus, focusing on helping Artem in a beautification
campaign that will hopefully showcase beautiful original artwork to be
displayed throughout the campus, as well as help the new groups,
Massive Nerd Society and BASS establish a presence on campus. I am
the Editor-In-Chief of Knightscapes Literary and Artistic Magazine and
with that position I hope to help build an artistic community.
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Commuter Senator Report
■ Short-term goal - Have a "Commuter Day", commuters are allowed into
the cafeteria sub free of charge for the day. Also have tables for all
organizations (in case they missed it during the first organization fair).
Possibly, provide care packages for commuters only (must show id).
Make this ​one​ day for the commuters!
■ Brother of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity
Residence Affairs Senator Report
■ I would like to continue my goals from last semester which consisted of
sending out the survey I composed and building a better relationship
between the commuters and residents on campus.
Academic Affairs Senator
■ My short term report goal is to make provision of the special tutoring
session needed for some specific topics of course rather than getting
tutoring for whole course all semester.
ASC-US Senator
■ Music and other changes in cafeteria
■ Programs President of Sigma Pi, on Spectrum EBoard
■ meeting time
■ Goal-Unite the residents and commuters
Campus Improvement and Safety Senator Report
■ As Campus Improvement and Safety Senator, I've reached out to David
Miles, head of Public Safety, and met with him and spoke of a few
concerns that were voiced to me. Our meeting was scheduled
approximately two weeks ago, where I relayed information about the
water fountains in Robison and Becton Hall. The water fountains were not
operating, and they have not been operating since the Spring 2016
Semester. Mr. Miles informed me that there was testing and maintenance
work being done to the water system. The water was also being tested for
lead and other minerals. He informed me that within the following weeks
the water fountains should be back to normal. As of today, September 13,
2016, the water fountains in Becton Hall are operating, but I have yet to
check the fountains in Robison.
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Additionally, I proposed the idea of having a "Humans of New York"
inspired weekly Instagram post on the SGA Instagram. I elaborated on
the idea in the Summer Assignment. Mr. Miles is fully on-board with my
proposition, I am just awaiting approval from the Provost as well as the
President of SGA.
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Greek Senator Report
■ Tonight is the Anti Hazing Workshop in the MPR, it's encouraged for most
Greek organizations to attend. It starts at 8:30 PM.
■ It's recruitment week for many fraternity's and sorority's:
■ Lambda Sigma Upsilon is having their infomational session tonight in the
Union Conference Room at 8:30 PM.
■ Lambda Theta Alpha is having their infomational session tonight in the
Kron Lounge at 8:30 PM.
■ Sigma Pi will continue their series of rush events with a fun Bowling night!
If interested in going meet outside court 8 at 9:30 PM tonight!
■ Alpha Sigma Tau is having their recruitment event this Thursday
September 15th in the MPR. It starts at 8:30 PM.
■ Alpha Epsilon Phi is having their recruitment event this Thursday
September 15th in the Kron Lounge. It starts at 8:30 PM.
■ Don't forget to buy your Meet the Greek's tickets, They are on sale now at
SUB's info desk. $3 for students and $5 for faculty.
■ Greek Spotlight goes to Victoria Chapman, a sister of Alpha Epsilon Phi,
for striving to create unity among our fellow Greek organizations as the
new GA for Greek Life.
➢ New Business
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➢ Old Business
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➢ Open Discussion
○ Student Life Event- Watch night or orgs to join the committee or to have a table
for activities (community service for participation) contact J​ [email protected]
○ Puerta al Futuro, Latino promise Revamp
○ Commuter Council President to work with commuter sen/asc us/ and residential
○ Night scape poetry workshop at 4pm in the Giovatto library led by literary director
○ Student Org Business Office information sheets if interested in organizations
○ 10$ meet the greeks at Montclair University on Sat 7pm
○ Halo/ ZBT next wed event in the retro annex at 1:15pm
○ Neds B/ ZBT video game comp on Oct 12th in the library caf area
○ RHA Meeting 20th bi-weekly
○ No SGA meeting next week town hall meeting hosted by provost
○ If interested in joining committees come to next meeting
Adjournment at 3:24 pm