Student Senate Update

Student Senate struggled to make a decision about whether or not to pass a proposal made by Katelyn Elliot, the director of Student Organizations, at the Wednesday meeting.

The proposal covered two topics: cutting the number of students required for a chartered club on campus from 10 to three, and requiring clubs to submit a complete roster of its students by the class withdrawal date, Oct. 15.

The proposal was split into separate proposals after some dissent from the Senate. Both proposals will enter a second reading at next week's meeting.

Though a few directors did not agree, Elliot said reducing the number of students needed to start a club with funding would open up campus events to a lot more students.

"It won't really change the funding process itself," Elliot said. "Each club will still have to go through all of the same steps as far as getting to the Student Organization Team the requests for funds that they want."

Evan Welch, the Student Senate faculty adviser, said there are a lot of clubs around campus that have a hard time getting 10 — or even three — students to join, but if they have a purpose, the club should still be recognized by the university.

There was also discussion regarding the new co-curricular activity transcripts. UNC began the transcripts this fall.

The documents include proof of students' participation in campus-related activities that wouldn't appear on a resume or a transcript. Welch said he was excited about the transcripts being available to students.

"No other school in Colorado has a co-curricular activity (transcript)," he said. "It's going to give our students a leg up, I think, in the job market, having an official document saying ‘I was the president of this club, and I was involved in all these things.' Things that just aren't document-able anywhere else."

One concern was that the transcript would not cover anything before fall 2010, but both Welch and Student Body President Matt VanDriel said this was not something to be worried about.

The Senate also approved the list of members on the Student Organization Team and the addition of the Ethics Committee members.

There will be discussion further in the next few weeks to determine if the bylaws require more seats to be added to the Ethics Committee.

Senate reports included a report from Salynthia Renee Collier, director of Student Affairs, said the multicultural fraternities and sororities on campus were trying to form a council.

Ryan Schucard, director of University Relations, made an inquiry into the watering and sprinklers around campus.

Shucard said there has been an enormous misuse of the water, and he wants to look into how the campus can save money.

Also, Tyler Ames, the director of Legislative Affairs, mentioned the Cattle Baron's Ball — sponsored by the American Cancer Society — needs volunteers to valet park for the event Saturday, Sept. 18.

Anyone who is interested can call 970-590-9334.

Those who want to volunteer but don't want to drive can still drive people to their cars via golf cart.