Senate Meeting Minutes
Minutes
Sonoma State University
AS Senate Meeting
Associated Students
12:00pm- Monday, October 30, 2023
Sonoma Valley Room – 2nd Floor Student Center
AGENDA
I. Call to Order & reading of the Land acknowledgement- The meeting was called to order at: 12:00 pm;
II. Roll Call- everyone is present;
III. Public Comment – pursuant to California Education Code 89306, the AS Senate provides this time for any member of the public to address the AS Senate on any item affecting higher education. Pursuant to California Education Code 89306(b), each speaker will be allowed no more than three (3) minutes to address the AS Senate.
- Issues with the Seawolf Bundle- it is automatically opted in, but does not give an opt out option until close to the beginning of the semester starting; The opt in button is a bit shady and after picking up the books, the email comes out like spam;
IV. Liaisons Reports
a. University President’s Designee- we have the AVP candidates on campus and interviews will be going today; email for students who are not compliant of havent took the Hep B Vaccine;
b. Academic Senate Representative - reported that Academic Senate looked at the second reading of the online course modality policy; did not have the resolution at the end of the second reading; talks with flexibility and online classes are going to be offered, but not a lot of the data;
V. Special Guest
a. Neil Markley - Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance- He reported about Seawolf Bundle; want to know feedback for the Bundle program and what works and what does not work; Seawolf Bundle learning material and charge a fee in order to have all of it together; Normally, you would buy it from the bookstore; the learning material varies by major and courses that creates a barrier for people who are doing the courses; lastly , looking for ways to improve the equitable access program; launched a committee with faculty, staff and students to look more in depth and the end, the Committee thought it was good and brought to the Senate; Academic Senate was involved in part of the process, along with Advisory Committee; CSU. system has recognized as a resolution for students and gaining traction; 25% of the CSU has a similar program to ours on their own respectable campuses; It is $18.50/credit(hr); University Bookstore complies all materials in 1 package that students can pick m up at the bookstore or shipped directly at home; Digital materials are available in Canvas prior to first day of classes; opt out option available; Process: Registration for Classes, Verification Your Order(30 days before classes start) to verify your SSU email and select delivery preference; You will receive an email when student orders are ready for pickup or when it ships; Concerns: Supply Change Issues, Delivery and Publishing Issues, etc; Faculty can still select the content they feel is best for the students; You can opt out and choose to buy your materials somewhere else;
b. Napoleon Reyes - Professor in Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies, CFA- President Garcia emailed Mr. Reyes to talk about possible impacts including strikes from CFA, concern for students and awareness for the topic; opening conversation for proposals and bargains;
VI. Business
a. Campus Climate on Gaza (DISCUSSION)
i. Discussion- Senator Sanchez reported and said she put in the agenda to speak on the topic overall; Senator Sanchez thinks it’s a necessary situation to discuss more about it since it is everywhere and gives her a better understanding and perspective of what students are thinking about; CAPS and HUB giving services and brave spaces for the campus; there was an incident during the protest , but was resolved amicably with both parties; President Garcia said it should go about it sensitively and reassuring the students and accounting from both sides; Senator Fast said not to take any sides and give the resources for students, along with Senator Sanchez; HUB held brave spaces for everyone to reflect, but no students did not show, so it might be a little uncomfortable and make it more a student centered spaces;
b. Winter Outreach Idea (DISCUSSION)
i. Discussion- Senator Frickman reported: after tabling , senators were thinking of more of outreach ideas and proposing the board of Winter Outreach; it would be an event for students to be more involved, holiday and winter themed, like something before finals in December and have an informal meet and greet with the Board; a more fun way of an Open Forum; however, since it is sort in ASP’s domain, the ASP representative and Senator Sanchez was thinking of trying it out first and then collaborating with ASP;
VII. Reports
a. AS President
b. Executive Vice President
c. Vice President of Finance- Vice President of Finance Trent reported: total grants amount $$ estimated 40,000, amount used estimated at :$6,000; high activity grants; TOG: 5,216.96; the amount will be mostly likely increasing because clubs like to use their expenses close to the end of the semester; Finance Committee has been not meeting, but will be meeting next week; will resume meeting regularly once a week;
d. Senator of Diversity
e. Senator of Student Resources-Senator Fast reported: attended Student Affairs meeting, made some revisions and accountability and wording; someone in the meeting present block enrollment and for people who are
automatically enrolled for the next semester; groups did the proposal and present the idea; Senator Fast and Frickman is working on legislation;
f. Senator of Government Affairs
g. JUMP Representative- reported: JUMP is having their Days of Service Volunteer Event, at the Rohnert Park Animal Services on 11/3 from 9am-12pm; 11/16- there is another Days of Service Volunteer Event at the Petaluma Fire Station; Upcoming in December: Volunteer Appreciation Night on 12/6;
h. Basic Needs Representative
i. ASP Representative- reported: Bowling Night: 275 students in attendance; there were chips and salsa instead of pizza being offered, but some students ordered their own pizza; Total Cost: $3,543; 12/student; Upcoming Events: Noma Film Festival on 11/1 from 6-8pm; Boards and Brews on 11/2 in Ballroom B; Trivia Night on 11/7 next week; Dj Competition on 11/8; 23 events planned for the upcoming Spring semester; j. Children's School Representative k. Student Government Representative- SG tabling and collabing with ASP; 6-8 hrs/week; Open Forum: 20 students; next one is Next Monday, Nov 6th; Student Elections; still promoting for CASL;
l. Executive Director
XI. Items for the Good of the Order- Executive Director Dickson reported that: Spring 24 schedule came out today; Make sure to plan your Committee around your schedule; plan and work in advance; Volunteer on Nov. 3rd with President Garcia;
XII. Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at: 1:52pm
Posted in accordance with the Gloria Romero Open Meeting Law of 2000 by: President Cassandra Garcia
The Associated Students of Sonoma State University acknowledges Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of the land. Let it be acknowledged that the Associated Students and Sonoma State University is located within the traditional homelands of the indigenous peoples collectively known as Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo.