86th Session of the Senate of the Associated Students
Agenda for Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. Rita Laden Senate Chambers, Third Floor of the Joe Crowley Student Union 1. 2. 3. 4.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER* PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE* ROLL CALL* ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. The Senate will consider the approval of the minutes from October 3rd, 2018. The Senate will discuss the minutes of October 3rd, 2018 and may choose to amend or edit the minutes. Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Senate may choose to approve the minutes. b. The Senate will consider the approval of the minutes from October 10th, 2018. The Senate will discuss the minutes of October 10th, 2018 and may choose to amend or edit the minutes. Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Senate may choose to approve the minutes. c. The Senate will consider the approval of the minutes from October 17th, 2018. The Senate will discuss the minutes of October 17th, 2018 and may choose to amend or edit the minutes. Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Senate may choose to approve the minutes. d. The Senate will consider the approval of the minutes from October 24th, 2018. The Senate will discuss the minutes of October 24th, 2018 and may choose to amend or edit the minutes. Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Senate may choose to approve the minutes. e. The Senate will consider the approval of the minutes from November 28th, 2018. The Senate will discuss the minutes of November 28th, 2018 and may choose to amend or edit the minutes. Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Senate may choose to approve the minutes.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT* Items heard under public comment may be for items either on or off the agenda. Action may not be taken on items raised under public comment. The Speaker may elect to take public comment on action items on this agenda. The Speaker may impose reasonable limits on the length members of the public may speak.
6. RECEIPT OF PETITIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE TO THE SENATE AND REFERRAL a. Resignation of Katie Hickman, Assistant Director for the Department of Clubs and Organizations b. Resignation of Natasia Mata, Senator for the College of Liberal Arts
POSTED ON OR BEFORE 9:00 a.m. ON THE THIRD WORKING DAY BEFORE THE MEETING Posted at the ASUN Offices in the Joe Crowley Student Union, Frandsen Humanities Building, The Pennington Student Achievement Center, The Mathewson IGT Knowledge Center and online at www.nevadaasun.com If you would like a copy of any of the agenda items listed, please contact Anthony Martinez at 775-784-6589 or
[email protected].
Senate of the Associated Students Agenda Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 Page 2 7. REPORTS OF ASUN OFFICERS The Speaker shall recognize any senior officer of the Association, including the Secretary, to offer a report on his or her official activities since the previous meeting and make any summary announcements he or she deems necessary for no longer than five minutes. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m.
President of the Associated Students, Hannah Jackson Vice President of the Associated Students, Carissa Bradley Chief Justice, Kate Groesbeck Chief of Staff, Matthew Dutcher Director of Clubs and Organizations, Luke Bittar Director of Event Programming, Austin Lensch Director of Legislative Affairs, Katie Worrall Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Arezo Amerzada Director of Sustainability, Sierra Jickling Director of Campus and Public Relations, Mapuana Andrade Director of Campus Wellness, Brennan Jordan Attorney General, Omar Moore Speaker of the Senate, Anthony Martinez
8. REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEES* The Speaker shall recognize the chairperson of each standing committee, in alphabetical order, and then each special committee, in alphabetical order, to report for no longer than five minutes on the committee’s activities since the previous meeting a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.
Chair, Committee on Academics- Senator Collins Chair, Committee on Budget and Finance- Senator Grant Chair, Committee on Civic Engagement- Senator Feil Chair, Committee on Government Operations- Senator McKinney Chair, Committee on Public Affairs- Senator Alvarez Chair, Committee on University Affairs- Senator Mata Speaker Pro-Tempore- Senator Hughes Chair, Committee on Oversight- Speaker Martinez
9. COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS*
The Speaker shall recognize in turn senators requesting the floor for a period not to exceed two minutes. The total time for Comments and Announcements before the first reading of legislation shall not exceed fifteen minutes.
10. MOTIONS TO FAST-TRACK APPOINTMENTS
The motion to fast track a resolution or appointment confirmation shall be in order if recommended by the committee of relevant jurisdiction. There are no items to be heard under this agenda item at this time.
11. APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS OF SENATORS AND ASUN OFFICIALS The Senate will consider the following nominations for Association office. When the Senate has concluded its deliberations, the Senate may approve the nomination, reject the nomination, or take no action upon the nomination.
Senate of the Associated Students Agenda Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 Page 3 There are no items to be heard under this agenda item at this time.
12. VETO MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT The Senate may reconsider acts vetoed by the ASUN President if they are returned by the President with his objections. There are no veto messages at this time.
13. CONSENT AGENDA The Speaker shall sequentially proceed through such acts of legislation that have been previously been placed on the consent agenda. Such acts shall be considered adopted by consent, unless a single senator rises in objection thereto. All acts so objected are immediately placed on the end of the agenda for second reading. There was no legislation filed for the Consent Agenda.
14. FIRST READING OF LEGISLATION The following bills and resolutions will receive their first reading and may be considered under item 16 of this agenda: a. b. c. d. e. f.
S.B.R. 86 – A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules I.a and II.f.5.ix S.B.R. 86 – A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules II.f.5.i and II.g.1 S.R. 86 – A Resolution in Support of Creating a Reno College Council S.R. 86 – Resolution in Support of making the Nevada System of Higher Education more Affordable S.R. 86 – A Resolution Against the Proposed Title IX Changes by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos S.R. 86 – A Resolution in Opposition to the Demolition of the Historic Homes in the Proposed Gateway Precinct
15. MOTIONS TO FAST-TRACK LEGISLATION A senator may move that legislation under item 16 of this agenda be considered at this meeting. Such a motion shall only be in order provided that a one-day notice has been given to the speaker. The motion shall be decided without debate and shall require the consent of a two-thirds majority of the senate. There is no legislation to be read now. a. S.B.R. 86 – A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules I.a and II.f.5.ix b. S.B.R. 86 – A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules II.f.5.i and II.g.1 c. S.R. 86 – A Resolution Against the Proposed Title IX Changes by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos d. S.R. 86 – A Resolution in Opposition to the Demolition of the Historic Homes in the Proposed Gateway Precinct
Senate of the Associated Students Agenda Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 Page 4 16. REFERRALS TO COMMITTEE The Speaker shall refer all legislation read the first time and not fast tracked to committee. There is no legislation to be considered for referral at this time.
17. SECOND READING OF LEGISLATION The following bills and resolutions will receive their second reading and may be considered: a. b. c. d. e. f.
S.B.R. 86 – A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules I.a and II.f.5.ix S.B.R. 86 – A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules II.f.5.i and II.g.1 S.R. 86 – A Resolution in Support of Creating a Reno College Council S.R. 86 – Resolution in Support of making the Nevada System of Higher Education more Affordable S.R. 86 – A Resolution Against the Proposed Title IX Changes by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos S.R. 86 – A Resolution in Opposition to the Demolition of the Historic Homes in the Proposed Gateway Precinct
18. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS a. Senate Committee Changes The Senate may make changes to committee assignments by resolution b. Senator Reports The Senate will share progress they have made in ASUN-related activities that they have been working on.
19. COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS* The Speaker shall recognize in turn Senators requesting the floor for a period not to exceed two minutes.
20. PUBLIC COMMENT* The Speaker may elect to take public comment on items on or off this agenda. The Speaker may impose reasonable limits on the length members of the public may speak.
21. ADJOURNMENT Notes: Unless otherwise marked by an asterisk, all agendized items are action items upon which the Senate may take action. Action items may be taken out of the order to be presented at the discretion of the Chair.
Senate of the Associated Students Agenda Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 Page 5 ASUN supports providing equal access to all programs for people with disabilities. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide accommodations to people with disabilities attending the meeting. Please call ASUN at (775) 784-6589 as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodation.
Dear Senate of the Associated Students,
I am writing to inform you of my resignation from my position as Assistant Director for the Department of Clubs & Organizations as I am graduating this semester. From being an intern my freshman year to working with Director Bittar this year, ASUN has truly shaped my college experience. I am so grateful that I had the chance to work with so many amazing leaders and had the opportunity to create so many memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Thank you Director Bittar for giving me the opportunity to be in this position. I wish you all the best of luck with the rest of your term.
Best, Katie Hickman
To Senate: This is my formal notice of resignation from the Senate of the Associated Students. I only wish to remind you to do your best to listen to those who need your help, and remember if the system feels wrong, you can always make a new one. Signed, Natasia Mata
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[DISCUSSION DRAFT] 86th SESSION 2018-2019
S. B. Res. 86A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules I.a and II.f.5.ix _______________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________ NOVEMBER 23RD SUBMITTED BY SPEAKER MARTINEZ TO THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________
A Binding Resolution A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules I.a and II.f.5.ix 1
Whereas, Senate Rule I.a states: “The Speaker shall call meetings of the senate as he, she, or they
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deem appropriate, provided that the Senate shall meet at least once every two full class weeks, and
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that the regular meeting date and time of the Senate shall be on Wednesdays no earlier than 5:30
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p.m., unless the Senate orders otherwise. The Speaker shall call no less than two meetings of the
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Student Senate at least one week apart during the spring semester of his, her, or their election.”
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Whereas, Senate Rule II.f.5.ix states: “Failure of the Chairperson of a committee, including the
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Committee on Oversight, to hold a meeting within the required two-week period shall be the
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equivalent of two points.”
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Be it resolved that, these rules shall be suspended effective immediately through the date January 23rd, 2018.
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[DISCUSSION DRAFT] 86th SESSION 2018-2019
S. B. Res. 86A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules II.f.5.i and II.g.1 _______________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________ NOVEMBER 28TH, 2018 SUBMITTED BY SPEAKER MARTINEZ TO THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________
A Binding Resolution A Binding Resolution to Temporarily Suspend Senate Rules II.f.5.i and II.g.1 1 2 3
Whereas, Senate Rule I.f.5.1 states: “Six unexcused absent Senate office hours shall be equivalent to two points. (1/3 point for every missed hour)” Whereas, Senate Rule II.g.1 states: “1) Each Senator must hold at least four (4) outreach hours
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every two-week period determined by the Speaker of the Senate. Outreach is defined as speaking
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with or to individuals, groups, or any other organizations within the ASUN constituency.”
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Be it resolved that, these rules shall be suspended effective immediately through the date Janurary 23rd, 2019.
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[DISCUSSION DRAFT] 86th SESSION 2018-2019
S. R. 86A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CREATING A RENO COLLEGE COUNCIL _______________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________ NOVEMBER 17, 2018 SUBMITTED BY SENATOR ALVAREZ TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS _______________________________
A Resolution in Support of Creating a Reno College Council 1
Whereas, 22 commissions and committees exist within the City of Reno government;
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Whereas, representation of students at a city level are essential to create better relationship
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between the Reno City Council and make policy recommendations, be able to adopt resolutions on
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their own, and would be able to organize projects based on whether or not they receive
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appropriations;
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Whereas, the Reno City Council is made up of seven people elected to make policy decisions
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Reno City government. The City Council sets priorities, approves the budget, and addresses issues
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facing our community;
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Whereas, policy decisions made the City of Reno government directly impacts students who
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currently attend the University of Nevada Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College,
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regardless of their initial place of residence;
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Whereas, these Reno College Council would consist of individuals from public institutions that
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currently reside and are impacted by all policies and initiatives by the City of Reno government, such
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as the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College;
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Whereas, the Reno College Council aligns with the idea of No Walls 2025 and builds the student and city relationship further; Whereas, No Walls 2025 has been a main priority of the City of Reno and the Univeristy of Nevada, Reno;
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Whereas, it will be the responsibility of the City of Reno government to work with the respective
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student governments of the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College
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to establish the structure of the Reno College Council;
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Be it enacted by the Senate of the Associated Students, the Associated Students of the University of
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Nevada, Reno is in support of establishing a Reno College Council to serve with the City of Reno
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government;
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Be it further enacted by the Senate of the Associated Students, a copy of this resolution be sent to
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University President Marc Johnson, Vice President of Student Services, Shannon Ellis, Dean of
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Students, Kim Thomas, Mayor Hillary Schieve, Councilman David Bobzien, Councilwoman Jenny
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Brekhus, Councilwoman Naomi Duerr, Councilman Oscar Delgado, Councilwoman Bonnie Weber,
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and Councilwoman Neoma Jardon.
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[DISCUSSION DRAFT] 86th SESSION 2018-2019
S. Res.86Resolution in Support of making the Nevada System of Higher Education more Affordable _______________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________ NOVEMBER 26, 2018 SUBMITTED BY SENATOR AMAYA, SENATOR AHMED AND SENATOR LEMUS TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS _______________________________
A Resolution Resolution in Support of making the Nevada System of Higher Education more Affordable
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Whereas, the current price of education has been rising and therefore creating a barrier for students to attend higher education; Whereas, making education more affordable would dramatically affect enrollment rates for all
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students including nontraditional students, as Nevada ranks third lowest in the nation for 2-Year
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college participation rates for students from low income families at just 6.4%;
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Whereas, our 2018 Campus-Wide Civic Engagement survey data shows that within our university a food and housing insecurity exists that directly relates to financial costs; Whereas, financial aid offers the Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG) which requires a student be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate, be enrolled in at least 15 credit
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hours, be college ready based on placement or completion of entry-level, college-level mathematics
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and English, be classified as a resident, meet institutional Title IV financial aid, complete the FASFA
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and have an EFC of 85000 or less;
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Whereas, a BDR proposed by the Committee to Conduct a Study Concerning the Cost and
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Affordability of Higher Education supports amending the requirement of enrollment in 15 credit
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hours each semester to 30 credits over Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters combined per year;
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Whereas, a 30 credit load total over the Summer, Fall, and Spring Semesters instead of a 15 credit
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load during each the Fall and Spring semesters would lead to slightly lower credit loads and thus
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increased graduation rates, as students who took between 12 and 14.5 credits had higher persistence
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and graduation rates over students who enrolled in 15 credits per semester or students who enrolled
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in less than 12 credits per semester
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Whereas, a BDR proposed by the Committee to Conduct a Study Concerning the Cost and
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Affordability of Higher Education supports establishing a separate, state-funded grant program for
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qualified students enrolled in four year universities within NSHE with a similar structure and
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qualifications as the SSOG Program;
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Whereas, the establishment of a program similar to the SSOG Program at four year universities
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would offer additional paths to the affordability of higher education for students, especially of low
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income status, as Nevada ranked 44th in the nation for overall college participation rates for students
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from low income families in 2012
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Whereas, the Millennium Scholarship Program requires a student maintain a 2.75 GPA
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starting the semester the student earns 30 or more credits. If this requirement is not fulfilled in
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any semester, the student two strikes. After the first strike, the scholarship is suspended;
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Whereas, a BDR proposed by the Committee to Conduct a Study Concerning the Cost and Affordability of Higher Education supports amending the GPA requirement from 2.75; Whereas, changing requirements for GPA from 2.75 to 2.6. Mention the two-strike policy. Implemented July 2020;
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Be it resolved that, the Associated Students of the University of Nevada support the SSOG
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program and Millennium scholarship to make requirement changes to make higher education more
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affordable.
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Be it further resolved that, a copy of this resolution be sent to the Committee to Conduct a Study Concerning the Cost and Affordability of Higher Education and President Marc Johnson.
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[DISCUSSION DRAFT] 86th SESSION 2018-2019
S. R. 86A RESOLUTION AGAINST THE PROPOSED TITLE IX CHANGES BY EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DEVOS _______________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________ NOVEMBER 17, 2018 SUBMITTED BY SENATOR ALVAREZ TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS _______________________________
A Resolution Against the Proposed Title IX Changes by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos 1
Whereas, Title IX protects all students from discrimination on the basis of sex;
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Whereas, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos proposed changes to Title IX to raise the bar on
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what evidence is needed to provide claims of sexual assault and harassment; Whereas, schools would not be allowed to use a “single or investigator only” model, requires
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schools to respond and investigate every know report, requires schools would only to be required to
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responds to incidents on-campus and not off-campus, does not require schools to investigate or
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provide support to victims who were assaulted off-campus, allows a party to appeal a claim, allow
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advisors to speak and represent victims, requires “actual knowledge,” not just hearsay or repeated
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claims, and overall, narrows schools’ obligations when it comes to responding to sexual misconduct;
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Whereas, the rules narrow the definition of sexual assault and allow schools to raise the bar for proving harassment and assault claims; Whereas, these proposed changes would make it harder for victims of sexual assault to receive justice; Whereas, 34% of survivors don’t graduate and under these new provisions that number is expected to grow, Whereas, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 1 in 5 women in college experience sexual assault, Whereas, according to RAINN, among undergraduate students, 23.1% of females and 5.4% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation; Whereas, the 2016 university Sexual Assault and Campus Climate survey reported that 27% of victims told no one; Whereas, the survey also reported that the top 3 reasons why women hesitated to tell someone
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was a sense of responsibility for what had happened to them, feelings of shamed and embarrassment,
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and a desire to forget;
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Whereas, the survey also reported that the top 3 reasons why men hesitated to tell someone was feelings of not being taken serious, others not thinking it was important, and a desire to forget; Whereas, the university has forged a sense of responsibility through its various sexual assault
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awareness programs and initiatives, such as NevadaCares, Title IX, New Student Initiatives, Victims
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Advocate, Police Services, etc.;
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Be it enacted by the Senate of the Associated Students, the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno opposes the proposed Title IX changes by Education Secretary Betsy Devos; Be it further enacted by the Senate of the Associated Students, a copy of this resolution be sent to University President Marc Johnson, Vice President of Student Services, Shannon Ellis, Dean of
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Students, Kim Thomas, Mayor Hillary Schieve, Director of Title IX, Maria Doucettperry,
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NevadaCares coordinator, Daniel Fred, Assistant Dean of Student Conduct, Kimberly Woods,
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Senator Jacky Rosen, and Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto.
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[DISCUSSION DRAFT] 86th SESSION 2018-2019 S. Res. 86A Resolution in Opposition to the Demolition of the Historic Homes in the Proposed Gateway Precinct _______________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS _______________________________
November 29, 2018 SUBMITTED BY DIRECTOR WORRALL TO THE SENATE OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS _______________________________
Whereas, the Campus Master Plan 2015-2024 and the University Regional Center Plan
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proposes plans to expand the university by creating the Gateway Precinct between Evans Avenue,
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North Virginia Street, I-80, and 9th street which would have multiple academic buildings, a student
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housing complex, and a parking garage,
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Whereas, in order to start developing and building the new Gateway Precinct, 12 homes on Center and 9th Street would need to be relocated or demolished, Whereas, after careful research and consideration, the university concluded they would not
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have the financial means to relocate the houses, and thus solicited requests for proposals for
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procurements of the historic homes,
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Whereas, at the beginning of November 2018 Common Ground Urban Development, which
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put in a proposal for 10 of the houses, revoked their proposal leaving the houses under the
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ownership of the university and at risk of demolition,
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Whereas, the following student opinion focused on the university expansion and its relation
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to the affordable housing crisis was gathered from the Affordable Housing Teach-In on November
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26, 2018:
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1. Students stated that they feel the university is expanding solely for the exploitation of both
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student and nonstudent citizens of Reno, as the university will profit off of the expansion
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while residents are forced to move into increasingly unaffordable housing,
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2. Students stated that they are afraid residents will be displaced as a result of the demolition, and therefore this expansion is placing an unequal burden on the community, 3. Students stated that although they see the necessity of expansion, these changes may benefit
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those who already are able to afford more expensive student housing and harm those who
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have the greatest need for housing assistance,
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Whereas, the demolition of these homes undermines the goal stated in No Walls: 2025
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Student Vision: “To break down the cultured wall, we must help with the City’s movement of
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becoming an Arts center of the west”
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Whereas, by destroying historical elements of the city goes against this goal by valuing the development of new facilities over the cultural preservation of the city. Whereas, President Marc Johnson and Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin R.
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Carman in the Campus Master Plan 2015-2024 and the University Regional Center Plan state: “As
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the University grows, it must preserve and enhance the qualities that make it unique, beautiful, and
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welcoming”,
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Whereas, destroying the houses would devalue the importance of preserving the cultural identity of the campus, Whereas, at least 18% of students faced difficulty paying for rent and utilities according to the 2018 UNR Campus Civic Engagement Survey;
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Whereas, according to that survey, 83 participants indicated that they sometimes or often did not have a home; Whereas, 22% of students face food insecurity, meaning that any increase in the price of rents makes it that much harder to eat; Be it resolved that, the Associated Students of the University of Nevada opposes the demolition of the Historic Homes for the proposed Gateway Precinct; Be it further resolved that, we strongly urge university administration to plan university expansion projects that do not threaten or displace students and nonstudents from their homes,
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Be it further resolved that, a copy of this resolution be sent to President Marc Johnson,
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Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin R. Carman, Executive Director of External Relations
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Heidi Gansert, and all members of the Reno City Council.
