The University of Alabama 24th Student Senate 2019 - 2020 Agenda for February 6, 2020 Regular Session I. II. III. IV. V. Call to Order and Roll Call Announcements a. Capstone Creed and SGA Mission Statement: Senator Ellie Schulman and Senator Margaret Shelton b. Office Hours – 3 per week Old Business New Business a. Resolution R-09-20: A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CABINET’S SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF THE FIRST DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION WEEK b. Resolution R-10-20: A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING A CROSSWALK TO BE MADE OUTSIDE OF LLOYD HALL c. Resolution R-11-20: A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP FUND d. Act A-10-20: AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN SGA STIPEND e. Act A-11-20: AN ACT TO APPROVE THE STUDENT ORGANIZATION FUNDING REQUESTS SUGGESTED BY THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2020 f. Amendment C-04-20: A BETTER FYC FOR A BETTER TOMORROW g. Amendment C-05-20: AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION CONSOLIDATING THE EXECUTIVE CABINET Adjourn Resolution R- 09 -2020 The University of Alabama 24th Senate 2019-2020 Authored by: Senator Ellie Schulman Sponsored by: Speaker of the Senate Kathryn Hayes, Senator Margaret Shelton Endorsed by: Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Demarcus Joiner A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CABINET’S SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF THE FIRST DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION WEEK Be it enacted by the Senate of the Student Government Association assembled. Whereas: The University of Alabama SGA created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vice President and Cabinet last year; and, Whereas: this cabinet successfully created and implemented the first DEI Week on campus; and, Whereas: the events and speakers were highly motivated and useful in their execution; and, Whereas: many students at the University of Alabama gained valuable information and experiences through this successful week; now, Therefore be it resolved that the Student Government Association recognizes the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cabinet’s successful execution of the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Week Be it further resolved that copies of this legislation be sent to: President Harrison Adams; Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Demarcus Joiner; the DEI Cabinet members; The Student Government Association Advisor Stephanie Shamblin; Dr. Stuart Bell, President of the University of Alabama; Dr. Kathleen Cramer, Interim VP for Student Life; the Crimson White Media Group. Resolution R-10-20 The University of Alabama Student Government Association 2019-2020 Authors: Senator Margaret Shelton Sponsors: Senator Ellie Schulman Endorsements: Vice President of Financial Affairs Hunter Scott A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING A CROSSWALK TO BE MADE OUTSIDE OF LLOYD HALL WHEREAS, The University of Alabama has a student body of 38,392 students; and, WHEREAS, there are various classes and meetings taking place at Lloyd Hall at all times of the day; and, WHEREAS, there is not a crosswalk from the quad to the entrance of Lloyd Hall; and, WHEREAS, there are many people that jaywalk for the convenience of getting to Lloyd hall; so, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Student Government Association investigated the addition of a crosswalk outside of Lloyd Hall to improve pedestrian safety; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, copies of this legislation be sent to: President Harrison Adams Vice President for Student Affairs Jason Rothfarb, The Student Government Association Advisor Stephanie Shamblin, UAPD Chief Hooks; and others as may be deemed necessary at a later date. RESOLUTION R-11-20 THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA 24th SENATE 2019-2020 Authored by: Vice President for Financial Affairs Hunter Scott Sponsored by: Senator Ellie Schulman, Speaker of the Senate Kathryn Hayes Endorsed by: Assistant VP for Financial Affairs Lucia Laux, Director of Scholarships & Growth Erica Schaab A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE NEEDBASED SCHOLARSHIP FUND WHEREAS, The SGA Senate finds the following students volunteered their time to work concession stands in Bryant-Denny Stadium or in Coleman Coliseum in direct service of their fellow students: 1. Alex Sample, SGA Executive Secretary 2. Allison Bailey, SGA VP for Academic Affairs 3. Lucia Laux 4. Jack Mozingo 5. Clay Fontenot 6. Ellie Schulman 7. Margaret Shelton 8. Ellen Walton 9. Emily Kabalin 10. Katie Sullivan 11. Olivia Davis 12. Dalton White 13. Nick Gangwer 14. Carter Swales 15. Bailey Albright 16. Jordan Eady 17. Ella Huffaker 18. Mckenzy Smith 19. Maddy Frazier 20. Sydney Clanton 21. Abby Gorbett 22. Maggie Donlon 23. Annaleigh Baggett 24. Will Charles 25. Elizabeth Vann 26. Carolyn Adams 27. Frankie Williams 28. Claire Maurer 29. Jaden Dingler 30. Mya Nobles 31. Celia Simpson 32. Alyssa Austin 33. Invictus Weaver 34. Robbie Khalil 35. Mary Dean Fountain 36. Ava Powell 37. Ciara Callicott 38. Kathryn Scoggins 39. Preston Mcgee 40. Teralan Matthews 41. Emilia Ciezlado 42. Mary Beth Sanders 43. Reagan Tonner 44. All Other Volunteers Not Listed Above THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The SGA Senate recognizes the named students for volunteering to work concession stands to financially benefit the SGA NeedBased Scholarship Fund, which assists University of Alabama students with emergency financial need. We commend these students for actively living the SGA motto of Students Serving Students. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that through the volunteer service of these students and others in the Student Government Association, we have awarded $3,145 emergency financial assistance to date. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that through the volunteer service of these students and others in the Student Government Association we have raised $5,099 to further our student Need-Based Scholarship. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, copies of this resolution shall be sent to Harrison Adams, SGA President; Hunter Scott, SGA Vice President for Financial Affairs; Stephanie Shamblin, SGA Advisor; The Crimson White; and others as may be deemed necessary at a later date. ACT A-10-20 24th Student Senate 2019-2020 University of Alabama Authors: Vice President for Financial Affairs Hunter Scott Sponsors: Senator Daniel Perkins, Speaker of the Senate Kathryn Hayes, Senator Margaret Shelton Endorsements: Treasurer Emma Thomas, Director for Financial Transparency Morgan Russell AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN SGA STIPEND Be it enacted by the Senate of the Student Government Association assembled: Section 1. The Senate finds the following: a. Article III Section 7, Subsection G of the SGA Constitution mandates that the Student Senate establish a pay scale. b. The extensive time commitment from officers within the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches often prohibits them from obtaining other employment. c. For many SGA officers, their weekly time commitment is in significant excess of the 12 office hours per week mandatory minimum for the Executive Council and the 6 office hours per week mandatory minimum for all other positions codified in the SGA Code of Laws. d. Stipends provide compensation to these officers and other members of SGA to ensure work of the highest standard and allow students with financial need to worry less regarding obtaining outside employment. e. The SGA Code of Laws, Chapter 200.3.5, states that no salary shall be authorized for an officer who has not met his or her minimum office hours. f. Chapter 204.1 of the SGA Code of Laws states that in the event that a paid executive officer fails to complete any duty of office, the Executive Secretary will notify the Attorney General, who may halt a monthly payment if an officer does not complete his or her duties. g. According to C-08-19, the Vice President for Financial Affairs shall “Prepare a pay scale for the upcoming Fiscal Year that will be presented to the incoming officers as their pay scale.” h. According to C-08-19, “In the event that a position is added, modified, or deleted in the SGA Code of Laws or SGA Constitution, the incoming VPFA will retain the ability to modify the pay scale for that office.” i. These recommendations are based on research of other Southeastern Conference Student Government stipend periods. Section 2. The SGA Senate shall establish the following stipend schedule per C-08-19. This stipend schedule shall take effect immediately for the newly elected and duly sworn officers of the Student Government Association in the March 2020 elections: 1. The SGA President shall receive $4,200 total over a period of twelve (12) months and is required to be present and working on campus. If the President will not be present and working on campus during May - August the President shall receive a prorated stipend for September – April equal to $3,150. 2. The following positions shall receive the total amount noted below allocated over a period of twelve (12) months, and are required to be present and working on campus. If any person is not present and working on campus during May - August, the person shall receive a prorated stipend equal to nine (9) months of stipend for the time period of September – April. a. Executive Vice President - $3,000 (yearly), $2,250 (prorated) b. Vice President Academic Affairs - $3,000 (yearly), $2,250 (prorated) c. Vice President External Affairs - $3,000 (yearly), $2,250 (prorated) d. Vice President Financial Affairs - $3,000 (yearly), $2,250 (prorated) e. Vice President Student Affairs - $3,000 (yearly), $2,250 (prorated) f. Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion - $3,000 (yearly), $2,250 (prorated) g. Chief Justice - $1,920 (yearly), $1,440 (prorated) 3. The following positions shall receive the total amount noted below allocated over a period of eight (8) months for September – April. a. Executive Secretary - $2,250 b. Chief of Staff - $1,665 c. Speaker of Senate - $1,440 d. Attorney General - $765 e. Treasurer - $765 f. Director of Communications - $675 g. Director of Engagement - $675 h. Director of Programming - $675 i. Director of Environmental Affairs - $675 j. *Director of Strategic Initiatives - $675 (Pending approval from a student body vote) k. Director of IT and Webmaster - $675 l. *Chief Administrative Officer - $405 m. *Chief Legislative Officer - $405 n. *Chief Implementation Officer - $405 o. Press Secretary - $405 p. Chief Advisor to the President - $405 Section 3: Provision Allowing for the Minor Adjustment: This legislation shall include a provision allowing modifications regarding the distribution, method of payment, or minor modifications related to the amount of payment, pursuant to Kendra Powell, Associate Director of Business Services for the University Division of Student Life and/or the Vice President for Financial Affairs if deemed necessary to carry out the payment of officers. These modifications, if at all necessary, would be communicated to Senate and would only be required due to errors or changes in University policy regarding the payment of students. Section 4: Provision Allowing for the Dissolution of Positions: This legislation shall include a provision noting that, per the SGA Constitution, “In the event that a position is added, modified, or deleted in the SGA Code of Laws or SGA Constitution, the incoming VPFA will retain the ability to modify the pay scale for that office.” Section 5: Distribution of Copies: Copies of this act be sent to Harrison Adams, SGA President; Hunter Scott, SGA Vice President for Financial Affairs; Ms. Stephanie Shamblin, Director of Student Governance and Citizenship; Mrs. Kendra Powell, Associate Director for Business Services; all members of the SGA whose positions are to receive a stipend via this Act; and The Crimson White Media Group for informational purposes. ACT A-11-20 THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA 24th SENATE 2019-2020 Authored by: Vice President for Financial Affairs Hunter Scott Sponsored by: Senator Jamison Hanley, Senator Cade Boseck Endorsed by: Treasurer Emma Thomas AN ACT TO APPROVE THE STUDENT ORGANIZATION FUNDING REQUESTS SUGGESTED BY THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2020 WHEREAS, The Senate finds the following: a. The Financial Affairs Committee met on January 27, 2020. b. The committee heard the funding requests of 31 various student organizations before making its decisions. c. The Financial Affairs Committee partially funded all 31 student organizations. 90.2% of total requested amount was awarded. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Senate approves the following Financial Affairs Committee (FAC) funding requests by SOURCE student organizations for a total award of $50,000.00 with details listed in the Excel sheet attached. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, copies of this resolution shall be sent to Harrison Adams, SGA President; Hunter Scott, SGA Vice President for Financial Affairs; Sherry Phillips, FAC Advisor; Mary Lee Caldwell, Director of Student Governance and Citizenship; Stephanie Shamblin, SGA Advisor; The Crimson White; and others as may be deemed necessary at a later date. Constitutional Amendment C-04-20 The University of Alabama Student Government Association 2019-2020 Authors: Executive Vice President Clay Martinson Sponsors: Speaker of the Senate Kathryn Hayes, Senator Sam Rickert, Senator Will Stiers, Senator Olivia Davis, Senator Jamison Hanley, Senator Jillian Fields, Senator Ford Mozingo Endorsements: EVP Chief of Staff Caitlyn Johnson, FYC Director Kimri Goerke, FYC Director Micah Pressley, VPSA Jason Rothfarb, VPFA Hunter Scott, Treasurer Emma Thomas, VPAA Allison Bailey, Executive Secretary Alex Sample A BETTER FYC FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Section 1. Findings: A. The Judicial Board has ordered for a clarification to the First Year Council (FYC) selections process. B. As the Constitution stands now, the Executive Secretary is designated with blinding all FYC applications. In order to ensure fairness for FYC applications the Executive Vice President should have discretion to appoint someone to blind all applications. C. With over a thousand applications there will need to be a committee in place to help with the selection process. This committee needs to be properly defined, so from year to year there is consistency. D. FYC is designed to mirror the Senate in regards to representation. Currently, the selection system is set up to take the highest scoring applicants from each residence hall. This does not give each applicant an equal playing field as some residence halls are more competitive than others. It is important to maintain residence hall representation, however, some type of merit-based criterion should be implemented. ARTICLE VI - FIRST YEAR COUNCIL Section 1: Purpose. The First Year Council, abbreviated hereafter as FYC, shall represent first year students at The University of Alabama. The FYC shall provide first year students with experiences in the legislative branch of the SGA. Section 2: Composition and allocation of seats. A. The FYC shall be a body of sixty-five first year students. B. Members will be selected from their respective campus residence halls. Thirty-three of the sixty-five seats The council seats shall be allocated in proportion to the first year student populations within the residence halls. Each residence hall with a first year population shall be allocated at least one council seat. At least one seat in the FYC shall be designated as a representative for students who do not live in the residence halls. a. The First Year Council Selections Committee will have discretion over determining the number of seats given to each residence hall based on population numbers provided by the Residence Hall Association. C. Three seats in the FYC shall be designated as "At-Large Seats." These seats will serve the purpose of representing first year students who do not live in residence halls. D. The remaining thirty two seats shall be allocated strictly by merit, based on the scoring system of applications and interviews designed by the Executive Vice President and Director of First Year Council. Section 3: Duties and responsibilities of the FYC. A. The FYC shall function as a member of the legislative branch through: 1. Developing and passing resolutions that express the sentiment of first year students; 2. Developing and passing Acts or Bills of the First Year Council. a. The FYC shall function as a lower chamber to the SGA Senate when passing Acts or Bills of the First Year Council. Section 4: Selection. A. FYC members shall be selected no earlier than the fourth week of class during the fall semester and no later than the sixth week of class during the fall semester. B. The Executive Vice President shall appoint a student or UA staff member to blind all applications received for the First Year Council. This person shall not be permitted to participate in the formal selection process. The Executive Vice President, along with at least two former First Year Councilors, shall review blinded applications and reduce the number to an amount appropriate for interviewing. C. The First Year Council Selections Committee will be composed of the Director of First Year Council, Assistant Director of First Year Council, the Executive Vice President, the Speaker of the Senate, the First Year Council Judicial Liaison, and up to three additional members appointed by and at the discretion of the Executive Vice President. 1. The role of the Selections Committee will be to read and grade the First Year Council applications and participate in deliberations that will determine what applicants are interviewed and selected. D. Interviews shall be conducted by a committee composed of two designates from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches as well as one representative from the Residence Hall Association and the Dean of Students Office. 1. The President shall designate the representatives from the executive branch. 2. The Speaker of the Senate shall designate the representatives from the legislative branch. 3. The Chief Justice shall designate the representatives from the judicial branch. 4. The President of the Residence Hall Association shall designate the representative from the Residence Hall Association. 5. The Executive Vice President shall serve as a non-voting member except in the case of a tie amongst the votes cast by the eight voting members of the committee. E. Those selected to serve as members of FYC shall be certified by a majority vote (fifty percent plus one vote) of the SGA Senate. F. In the case of vacant seats in the First Year Council, the Executive Vice President shall appoint the next highest scoring applicant(s) to said vacant seat(s) to be certified by a majority vote (fifty percent plus one vote) of the SGA Senate. Section 5: Organization and FYC procedures. A. The FYC shall organize through provisions in the Code of Laws. B. The FYC shall follow procedures for passing legislation as specified in the Code of Laws. Section 6: Reporting channel. A. The Executive Vice President shall oversee FYC and coordinate executive branch interactions. B. The Speaker of the Senate shall empower a staff member of the Senate to coordinate FYC legislative branch interactions. Constitutional Amendment C-05-20 The University of Alabama 24th Senate 2019-2020 Authors: President Harrison Adams Sponsors: Speaker of the Senate Kathryn Hayes, Senator Sam Rickert, Senator Ellen Walton, Senator Will Stiers, Senator Olivia Davis, Senator Erin Jolley, Senator Jamison Hanley, Senator Anna Beth Payne, Senator Joel Rittenburg, Senator Cade Bosek, Senator Jillian Fields, Senator Daniel Perkins, Senator Lindsey Stephenson Endorsements: Chief Implementation Officer Andrew Conquest; Chief Legislative Officer Price Dukes; Chief Administrative Officer Meredith Coleman AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION CONSOLIDATING THE EXECUTIVE CABINET Section 1. Findings: A. The Constitution has language that needs to be fixed for grammatical and tense purposes. B. There existed an ambiguous nature on the fulfillment of positions. C. An opportunity exist for the executive cabinet to be streamlined by combining several positions. Section 2. Amendment to the Constitution: changes in red Section 10: Executive Cabinet. The President shall create appointed positions within the Executive Branch that serve the President in the administration and facilitation of the duties of his or her office. These appointed positions shall be listed below, and their duties shall be enumerated in the Code of Laws. All executive cabinet positions with the title of “Chief” shall be permanent Executive Cabinet positions. Furthermore, the Treasurer and the Attorney General shall be permanent Executive Cabinet positions. The Executive Cabinet application shall be opened one day after the spring general election, and it shall close after ten school days. The Executive Cabinet shall only have one student per position. The only exception shall be deputy appointments. A. The Chief of Staff shall oversee the Executive Cabinet. B. The Treasurer shall serve as a member on the Executive Cabinet that assists the Vice President for Financial Affairs in achieving the duties of his or her office. The Treasurer shall be enumerated with the following duties at the discretion of the Vice President for Financial Affairs. The Treasurer shall: 1. Organize and file all paperwork that comes through the financial affairs office; 2. Assist in processing all paperwork; 3. Serve as a secretary during Financial Affairs Committee meetings; 4. Appear and speak on behalf of the Vice President for Financial Affairs in his or her absence; 5. Assist in the planning and execution of fundraising events; 6. Record allocations of SGA funds and give advice on SGA expenditures; 7. Succeed the Vice President for Financial Affairs if the Vice President for Financial Affairs vacates his or her office; 8. Possess other duties as delegated in this Constitution and the Code of Laws. C. The Attorney General shall serve as a member of the Executive Cabinet. The Attorney General shall: 1. Be responsible for the upkeep of the SGA Constitution and any rules or regulations which may be established pursuant to this Constitution; 2. Write executive orders at the discretion of the SGA President; 3. Clearly communicate the duties of office to SGA officials; 4. Advise the Executive Council on lawful procedure; 5. Issue legal opinions on matters pertaining to this Constitution and any rules or regulations which may be established pursuant to this Constitution; 6. Advise SGA officials on the requirements outlined in the SGA Code of Laws; 7. Possess other duties delegated in this Constitution and the SGA Code of Laws; 8. Be nominated through letters of recommendation submitted by faculty and staff members at The University of Alabama. a. Candidates shall be interviewed by an inter-governmental committee composed of the SGA President, Chief of Staff, and the Chief Justice of the Student Judicial Board. b. The committee shall recommend a candidate to be appointed Attorney General. The Senate shall either confirm or reject the committee's recommended candidate by a majority vote (fifty percent plus one vote). D. The remaining Executive Cabinet positions shall consist of: 1. Chief Administrative Officer Chief Implementation Officer Chief Legislative Officer 2. Chief Advisor 3. Director of Programming and Advancement 4. Director of Engagement 5. Director of Environmental Affairs 6. Director of Communications 7. Director of IT and Webmaster 8. Press Secretary 9. Chief Justice 10. Speaker of the Senate 11. Deputy Chief of Staff (may be more than one person)