Nota Bene has done a great job in producing the 2012 SBA Election Issue. However, I feel compelled to respond to a misleading account, made in the article on page 5, of one student’s interaction with me regarding the SBA budget. If you’re interested in getting a fuller picture of that interaction, please check out my response here.

In the meantime, stay tuned for more information on the forthcoming SBA Financial Report, which is underway.

Best,
Nick

Barcode
1101 17th St. NW
Farragut North Metro

Click here:

http://128.164.132.16/wmvideo/watch2.asp?directory=public&filename=Town_Hall

Angela Buckner (4LE Senator)

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

It’s all about time management and priorities. No matter how busy we are, we all make time for what’s important. Being a senator is important to me and so I will prioritize my professional and academic obligations accordingly.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

I don’t think a majority of GW Law students even know what the senate does. I don’t mean to place all of the blame on the SBA, but I think it’s important for the students to know that SBA is here for them.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

I think the role of a senator is to not only voice the concerns of the students but also to actively try and address/ fix those concerns while promoting an inclusive culture.

4. How do you intend to better integrate evening students’ needs into the discussions in the Senate?

I intend to advocate for evening students as though they are GW Law students- because they are. They deserve the same access to classes and events as any other student. I think I can accomplish this by always checking to make sure, as I would for any demographic, that a reasonable amount of events and opportunities are equally available to them.

Jay Malik (Part Time Division Senator, 4LE Senator)

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

I am a part-time student but I am not going to be working after the summer.  With my reduced course load, I’ll make plenty of time to attend not just Nota Bene, but other groups’ meetings as well.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

Much needs to be done about the fact that the law school is very crowded.  I often feel that the students cannot really study without tripping over each other.  As Senators, we should encourage Dean Berman to work his magic and petition the University to give the Law School Corcoran Hall and Samson Hall.  Dean Berman has floated this idea and I think it is a good one.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

A Senator listens to and addresses the concerns of his or her constituency and ensures that the constituency is being represented at least as well as other constituencies around the law school.

4. How do you intend to represent a larger constituency?

I would enlist the help of volunteer representatives by year.  For example, I would ask the incoming 1L part-time class for a volunteer who would be willing to consolidate any grievances that their group of students are having.  The same would go for 2Ls, 3Ls, and 4Ls.  I think delegation in this way would be a more sensible way of making sure people’s concerns are being heard.  Having said that, it would still be my responsibility to ensure that everyone’s concerns are being communicated to the people that can best provide the solutions.

5. How do you intend to better integrate evening students’ needs into the discussions in the Senate?

First, I would send a bi-weekly email out to all evening students two days before the Senate’s bi-weekly sessions and ask them to let me know what the Senate should know.  Second, I would propose a Senate rule that is similar to the Supreme Court rule where every Senator must speak once before any Senator can speak again.  This will ensure that not only the evening students but all constituencies have equal access to the deliberative process.  Third, I would ask the Senate to hold their bi-weekly sessions in the evenings if that is not already the case.  Perhaps the Senate would consider allowing the general law school community to attend these sessions and hold a question and answer session towards the end.

Robert Russo (3LE Senator)

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

I am proud to say that in my two years as a member of the SBA Senate, I have never missed a single meeting, and have only been late to meetings due to class conflicts (LRW in my 1L Year). As a part-time student working full time and managing some semblance of a personal life, I have no problem balancing time commitments. The SBA Senate is important to me, and my record shows that.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

The Senate should really step up its advocacy on behalf of our fabulous student organizations, and push the University and the Law School for more money to fund our student activities. I plan to work with the next SBA President and EVP to make this happen next year.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

1L Senators have an important role to play as cheerleaders for their respective sections, helping to organize events and disseminate information, in addition to participating in the legislative agenda put forward by their fellow Senators and representing their constituencies. In the 2L, 3L, and yes 4L, years, Senators may lose the organizing role they enjoy as 1Ls, but still have an incredible opportunity to advocate on behalf of students. The most important thing Senators can do is listening to their friends and classmates, and bring issues to the forefront for discussion, debate, and action.

4. How do you intend to better integrate evening students’ needs into the discussions in the Senate?

I think the concerns of evening students are well represented in Senate discussions; as 5 Senators out of 21, we are a powerful voting block, and we make our voice heard.

Kyle Singhal (2LE Senator)

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

Much of the senate business can and should be accomplished remotely. My position would be to minimize the extent of in-person meetings and discussions, which would have the effect of reducing absences.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

The Senate should effectively and appropriately manage the budget which provides funds for student organizations.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

Senators should represent the interests of the class at large, and should be responsible communicators.

Kate Sullivan (Part Time Division Senator)

 1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

As an evening student, I am constantly balancing my time and creating a workable and prioritized schedule. Being a part of the Senate is a priority for me, and will thus be reflected in my time management and planning.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

I think that overall responsiveness to the needs of the students is the most important issue facing the Senate.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

I view the role of the Senator as one of a liaison between the students and the SBA/School, and as a voice for evening students during discussions of changes, alterations or modifications to school polices, funding or activities

4. How do you intend to represent a larger constituency?

The evening students are an eclectic group, with varying schedules, flexibility and time to concentrate on issues outside of the classroom. I plan to work closely with ELSA and the class senators to ensure information and concerns flow freely, and  make sure to be accessible to all part-time students.

5. How do you intend to better integrate evening students’ needs into the discussions in the Senate?

I will ensure a better integration of evening student needs by being a strong and active voice for the unique challenges that evening students face. I will also work proactively with fellow senators and the executive side to ensure evening students needs are addressed on the front end, rather then after changes or modifications are implemented.

Tommy Renkes (3L Senator)

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

Obviously, in running for the position I understand the responsibilities that come along with it, such as attending meetings.  If I wasn’t 100% confident in my ability to attend, then I would not have run.  I make sure to get my reading and classwork done during the day so that my nights are free, so Senate meetings slot in nicely.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

Personally, I think the issue of 3Ls (no offense to you guys) being able to vote in an election that won’t effect them in any way is pretty major.  I understand our graduating 3Ls want to leave the school in good hands and “leave their mark,” so to speak, but their time to leave their mark should be while they attend the school, not after they have left.

Another major issue, however, is transparency and disconnectedness.  The Senate, for many students, is this thing they don’t really know about.   When you talk to people about running for Senate the first thing they ask isn’t “what are you running for?” but rather, “what does the Senate do?”  The fact that so many students don’t even know what the Senate does is a major issue.  I hope that as a senator I would continue to bring the student body closer to the SBA Senate.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

In my view, the role of a Senator is to balance the interests of various student groups and administrative functions in such a way as to ensure that each group gets their fair share without feeling cheated.  Additionally, a senator should be connected to the student body, listening and responding as best they can to even the most trivial concerns (like last year’s silverware in the hard lounge issue).

Sam Stone (3L Senator)

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

Senate attendance is low, and that is a major problem facing the Senate next year – the rules are clear in that any senator who misses two meetings without assigning a proxy can be impeached. I have been at every Senate meeting since elected except for one, and I will have finished the major duties attached to being on the International Law Review, and the Moot Court and ADR Boards, giving me ample time to dedicate the representing you.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

The most important issue facing the Senate next year is ensuringincreased funding for student organizations, and allocating the money we do have in the best and fairest manner. As a member of the Finance Committee, I have been doing this from day one, spending three days at the beginning of the school year doing budgeting hearings, and taking hours to listen to and debating ad hoc requests.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

The SBA Senator is an advocate and liaison, representing the needs of their constituents wisely and deftly in order to ensure that we as students have the best and most productive experience possible while at GW Law. Senators – and other SBA officials – are also listeners, channeling your concerns and needs.

2L Senators

Lindsay Bowman

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

I will make the Senate a priority in my life. I will make sure I manage my time to accommodate the Senate schedule and anticipate any additional time I may need to fulfill my obligations.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

I think the Senate needs to be a representation of the concerns and wants of the student body.

  3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

As a Senator, I want to be a direct line between the student body that I represent and the SBA. I want to keep my constituents up to date and well-informed on what issues the Senate is currently addressing.

Mark Cox

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

As the Nota Bene’s GWSBA correspondent, I’ve covered every Senate meeting personally since the beginning of the year, and look forward to attending future meetings in an active capacity. I don’t think attendance is as affected by time constraints as it is affected by enthusiasm, and I’m more than excited to play a part in the student body’s government.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

The single most important issue the Senate currently handles is the disbursement of funding to student organizations, and I imagine it will continue to be this way. These organizations are every bit as important as academic classes due to the networking and employment opportunities they create, and the Senate should always endeavor to fund these groups in a generous, responsible and accountable manner.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

A Senator has a two-fold responsibility: first, to provide zealous representation (sound familiar?) for the concerns of his/her section to the Senate and to the faculty, and second, to keep his/her section informed of what the he/she is doing with their time, trust, and money.

AJ Sutton

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

I would propose 4 ideas to improve the senate so that senators will want to attend: (1) I will use my high energy and positive personality to increase the energy and excitement at senate meetings; (2) I will develop a friendship with every member of the senate, and use my unique leadership style to encourage, motivate, and train senators so that they can be more effective and happier; (3) I will change the format of senate meetings, to encourage senators to be more involved in discussion perhaps by asking senators to give a one-two minute speech on the status of their constituency at each meeting; and (4) I will limit legislation by pushing for a requirement that a senator gather at least twenty signatures talks to students about legislation before introducing it to the senate floor, as discussion on legislation that isn’t a clear priority of the student body is taking up too much senate time.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

The ideas people have proposed to me vary from having a rain covering in front of the school so there’s more seating even when it rains, to fixing the school internet, to having free printing, to having a solid alumni database. I would work with senators to create an online suggestion form, work with senators to motivate people to leave suggestions, find out which problems are most serious and which affect the most students, and then use the collected information as a negotiating tool when we approach the Dean’s office to discuss implementing these ideas.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

As a VPE, I would reinforce the idea that a senator is a leader, a person whose first and foremost priority is to take care of her people. I would help new senators become leaders by: (1) Encouraging senators to talk to and understand the problems of the students they represent; (2) Providing senators with the tools necessary to address these concerns; and (3) Motivating senators to advocate for the concerns of their students, while simultaneously taking on a proactive role in encouraging students as they traverse through the stressful law school experience, so that we will never again hear the phrase “Oh, you’re an SBA senator? So what does the senate do?”

Mohammad Shouman

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

Prior to running for Senator, I made sure I would have no potential conflicts between Senate meetings and any courses I hope to take next year. In order to accomplish this, I asked the SBA’s executive vice president (Lenny Rubin) and current SBA senators when Senate meetings typically take place.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

Improved communication with our students! Senators are voted by students to represent students, and continue to have their voices following election day.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

A senator is entrusted to represent the student population in voting and debating on SBA constitutional issues. Moreover, a senator has an obligation to communicate and respond to his or her students’ concerns, inquiries, and opinions, and to bring those voices to Senate meetings accordingly.

Michael Williams

1. The Nota Bene reported that Senate attendance has been low. How do you plan to balance the time constraints of law school with your responsibilities as a senator?

As Section 12 Senator, I’m proud of the fact that I’ve never missed a meeting since being elected in September.  Making time for my Senatorial responsibilities has never been an issue for me, because I love representing Section 12.

2. What is the single most important issue you think the Senate should handle?

In the next term, fixing the Wireless network will be my top priority.  Everyone with a functioning laptop should be able to connect to the Internet reliably and easy, which hasn’t been true for many students this year.

3. What do you view the role of a Senator to be?

As a Senator, I am primarily a representative for my constituents.  It is my job to listen to their problems and concerns and take concrete actions in the Senate to rectify them.

Saturday, May 19:
The George Washington University’s Interfaith Baccalaureate Service, Western Presbyterian Church, 2401 Virginia Avenue, N.W.

Law School Awards Ceremony and Dean’s Reception at the National Air and Space Museum.

Sunday, May 20:
University Commencement and Law School Diploma Ceremony. Two ceremonies will mark the graduation of the Class of 2012:

University Commencement will be held at 9:30 am. on the National Mall, between 4th and 7th Streets. Graduates should assemble on the Mall at 4th Street, at 9 am. to proceed to graduation. For more information, please visit GW’s Commencement Weekend website.

Law School Diploma Ceremony
The diploma ceremony will be held in the Charles E. Smith Center at 2:30 pm. Graduates should line up at Funger Hall at 1:30 pm ready for the procession. The procession will commence at 2 pm and the ceremony is expected to last two and a half hours.

Important Alternate Site/Emergency Plan Information for All Commencement Participants and Guests
Commencement will be held on the National Mall rain or shine. However, if circumstances beyond the University’s control (such as an electrical storm) prevent the ceremony from taking place on the National Mall, it will be held in the Charles E. Smith Center and broadcast on television. In the event that commencement is moved, information will be available on the University’s Campus Advisories and WTOP radio.

Awards and Honors

Saturday, May 19

Awards Ceremony

An academic awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 19. Graduates who are receiving awards will receive invitations and their families and friends are welcome to attend the ceremony.

Dean’s Reception

There will be a dean’s reception for all graduates, families, and friends on Saturday, May 19, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at the National Air and Space Museum. Please note that graduates and their guests will each need a ticket for this event. There is a three ticket limit per graduate.

Interfaith Baccalaureate

Saturday, May 19
9:30-10:30 am

Class of 2012 graduates, families, and friends are welcome to join President Knapp for a ceremony of thoughtful reflection.

Western Presbyterian Church
2401 Virginia Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20009

Photographs and Video

Individual Graduate Photos – Commencement photographs will be taken of each graduate as they cross the stage and receive their diploma. Grad Images will send complimentary photo proofs to each graduate’s home address within one week of the ceremony. A link to an online version of the proofs also will be e-mailed to graduates.

Visit the Pre-Event Grad Images website to get $5 off an order of $25 or more by registering your information with them prior to Commencement.

There is no obligation to purchase photographs. For questions about individual graduate photographs please call 800.261.2576.

Class Photo – At 1 pm on May 20. Please arrive at the corner of 20th and G Streets to take the class photo.

Photoimages.com will photograph the graduating class as a panoramic group photo prior to the diploma ceremony on May 20. Proofs of the panoramic group photograph will be included in the mailing to all graduates following Commencement.

Diploma Ceremony Video - The University will videotape the diploma ceremony and copies of the tape will be available for purchase through a University vendor. Information on how and where to purchase this video will be made available at a later date.

Regalia

Rental caps, gowns, and hoods will be provided at no additional cost to all Law School graduates. Please visit Herff Jones website https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/  by April 5 to order your regalia. The Herff Jones website will be up by February 1.  Please do not try to place your order until that date. You will need to provide your height, weight, and cap size. A printable measuring tape in available at the Herff Jones web site for your convenience. Regalia will be sent to the Law School for pick up at Lerner 201 on the following schedule:

• May 15 – May 17, 9 am-8 pm
• May 18, Noon-6 pm
• May 19, 8 am-2 pm

After the ceremony, please return regalia by 6 pm to Kogan Plaza on May 20, noon-6 pm on May 21 at Lerner 201.

Tickets

Commencement Packet Pickup

Commencement packets including graduation tickets, dean’s reception tickets, announcements, detailed information about regalia, the commencement ceremony, and other events will be distributed to graduates according to the following schedule:

Early Distribution in the Career Development Office (for those who complete an important survey):
March 19–23

General Distribution in the Records Office:
March 26 through March 30

Diploma Ceremony Tickets

Each graduate will receive six tickets to the Law School diploma ceremony in their Commencement Packet. All guests, including children over two years of age, are required to have tickets. Children under two do not need a ticket.

University Commencement
Graduates also will receive six tickets for University Commencement on the National Mall.

Additional Ticket Information

After you have picked up your Commencement packet, students seeking additional tickets for the University Commencement or the Law School diploma ceremony should come to the dean’s office to sign up for additional diploma ceremony tickets. The dean’s office is located on the 2nd floor of the E Building, suite 200. Please be advised that no additional tickets are available for the dean’s reception on Saturday, May 19, or for parking permits for the Law School diploma ceremony.

Tuesday 2/28, 8:05pm

Monday 3/19, 8:05pm

Location TBA.

8:30pm – January 31, 2012 S301

1. Quorum
   1. Holly, Matt, Steph, Brad H., Sam, Rob, Juan, Mike, Lauren, David
   2. Giri (proxy is Holly), Justin (proxy), James, Janet (sam is proxy), Dean, Alex, AJ, Kyle, Jackie (Proxy is Matt), Adam, Umang
   3. Quorum is present, 16 accounted for
   4. Approval of 1/17/12 Minutes
      1. Motion to table approval until next meeting

i.     Seconded

ii.     In the opinion of the chair, the motion passes

1. S04: ALES Ad Hoc Request
   1. Andrea: We are here today to talk about an exciting week called fashion week that is coming to GW law. Basically the focus is on fashion law and all things fashion corresponding with NY fashion law week. ALES is a club that really got started last year. We had an awesome wine law event and was really popular in the fall this year.  The club is becoming very popular. Are you familiar with EJF auction, this is helpful for students for funding, we are trying to do that with fashion week.  I am the only 3L in a board position, 1Ls put this together. We already have brooks brothers lined up for next year.  Monday is real and counterfeit fashion items exhibit, members tabling. Day two we are encouraging everyone to wear red and hand out stickers.  Wednesday is the career law panel, with distinguished panelists to speak about fashion law, the industry, and types of things you can do in fashion law. Thursday is end of the week, with the runway event, professional dress fashion show. I will MC and another member will DJ. The SCC will be used and we will have Do’s and Don’ts using Banana Republic and Ann Taylor outfits. Then have various types of dress, such as business formal, business casual.  Don’ts will be wearing their own clothing but adding the problems with the dress. We ask for a lot of stuff for this event is to parallel the EJF event. Dean Berman, Dean Tillipman, Professor DeSanctis and others are signed up to model. Also, notable students. We really want to have decorations and a real runway and we will be giving discounts to some of these stores.
   2. Dan: We have been around for 3 years, and have been expanding pretty rapidly. We have fantastic group of 1Ls that have made this into a big event. The rest of our events are relatively modest.  We originally budgeted for $110, $530 we are asking for in additional funds. This was what we figured out after going carefully through our items.
   3. Andrea: we have also gone to the CDO for help as well as getting things donated.
   4. Sam: We are recommending $450 because of the $350 left in their C Fund account.
   5. Rob: What time is the event going to be?

i.     First two days are tabling all afternoon. The career panel will be around 6:30. Finally the fashion show will be from 6-8pm.

1. Juan: So it is a weeklong fashion show?

i.     Most of the events are fun, the panel discussion is the more serious part of the event. Thursday is educational in professional context and also fun. The counterfeiting event on Monday will also be helpful.

1. Steph: Where do you guys get your information, such as what to wear?

i.     We have done a lot of research. There are judges, that if you are a woman, will not hire you if you wear pants to the interview. This is consultation with the CDO and what we found.

1. Juan: Any way to weave it into some fundraising?

i.     We are doing a t-shirt sale concurrently. So that will be our fundraiser around that time. The T-shirt is based on the Beatles logo t-shirt

1. Matt: another reason the $450 recommendation is amount left in C-Fund and other events are relatively low cost. They should have enough to cover the rest of the events.

i.     Our members have become very industrious to put on amazing events, our budget for this event was only $100, we are asking more because of the work of the 1Ls that have put this together. So our other events will possibly get bigger.

1. Lauren: I would like to second the higher amount. We had seminars in business school on appropriate dress. This group went out of their way to get great retailers and don’t want them to show up to a dinky event.
2. Rob: How much money do we have left?

i.     According to Brad, we are fine.

1. Voting:

i.     Fin. Committee: $450 – 4

ii.     Holly: $500 – 12

iii.     $0 – 0

iv.     Abstain – 0

1. Ad Hoc Request passes at $500
2. S05: Minutes Publishing and Bylaw Reconciliation Act
   1. Sam: This bill is very straightforward. The point is to try to streamline that the minutes get up on the website and any changes to the bylaws actually get updated. The minutes can be put up by the Tech Committee. The Rules committee would update the bylaws every month. This would create a written way for this to happen.
   2. Rob: If someone owns it, it will get done.
   3. Motion to adopt this bill as amended

i.     Seconded

1. Motion to open for debate

i.     Juan: Do we have someone in charge of posting?

1. Sam: Not formally.
2. Lenny: In past the EVP did the posting. Since the website changes, it has made it more difficult to learn how to input all of it. For those reasons it hasn’t been able to get up quickly. We have had this tech committee for years, which has not done much in previous years except to show that students want Mac support in the law school. This committee was combined with facilities because they had not been doing much.

ii.     Motion to Vote

1. Seconded
2. In favor: 15
3. Opposed: 0
4. Abstain: 1

iii.     Act Passes

1. F12: Executive Budget Transparency Act
   1. Lenny: First part of the bill is that students wishing to view the budget can be at the president’s discretion
   2. Rob: The bill also adds a new requirement for the Senate to publish a copy or version of the executive budget that gives overview of how money is being spent categorically. No numbers would be published, just the categories.
   3. Lenny: At minimum the VPF would have to publish a report for public consumption that would talk about categories of expenditures.
   4. Rob: This came about after closing the meetings because of election results and for executive budget. This would give students an idea of how money was being spent.
   5. Motion to vote

i.     Seconded

ii.     Mike: what does the president currently think about this?

1. Lenny: Nick knows that he has the discretion to show students the student organization financial statements, but not been an issue because no one is aware of it. Most of those that have interest are already in this room.

iii.     Matt: This is effectively that the president already has, or very close to it. It is not enforcing something upon the office of the president. It is something that already pretty much happens.

iv.     Lenny: The transparency stuff we pass our 1L year, but the final bylaw we adopted before is more clear now. The part of requiring the VPF to publish a document about the executive budget is largest point.

v.     Sam: I think publishing some sort of outline is important and makes it easier to reach a consensus on the Sunlight Act. All this is doing is provide an outline. Having a well written statement, allows the president to release the numbers at their discretion is the least we can do as a democratic body.

vi.     AJ: does this give president new power?

1. Rob: No, it clarifies the power and creates mandate for the VPF

vii.     Mike: is this a whole new requirement for the VPF?

1. Lenny: It would allow the VPF to publish what they present to the senate at the discretion of the president and allows students to see what the SBA really does. The numbers aren’t really necessary but helps to let others learn about what we do

viii.     Vote:

1. In favor: 18
2. Oppose: 0
3. Abstain: 1
4. F06: Sunlight Act
   1. Sam: It is better to have a bill to moves us closer to transparency rather than nothing. In the end I would prefer something stronger.
   2. Lenny: Both forms of the bills allows us to keep minutes during a closed session. The original bill says default is we publish the minutes and the Chief of Staff or Chief of Staff Designee could redact the minutes and the Senate will be bound to approve or redact those minutes.
   3. Sam: Any particular senator that wants to remove their own language from the minutes could do so. The fact that you remove the comment is noted in the minutes.
   4. Lenny: The amended version says that the default that the minutes are not published. The Senate can vote by a majority to publish the minutes. Allows for discussion of minutes, specifically the closed portion and what would need to be redacted, then be approved by senate majority.
   5.  Juan: the portion about an individual senator redacting would be gone from the amended version?

i.     Sam: yes, it was purposefully since the change for the default to not publish the minutes.

ii.     Lenny: I do not really see a good policy reason to redact something, get the majority of the senate to agree.

iii.     Sam: the idea is for the senate to have the minutes to be kept anyways in closed meetings.  With the default to go with not publishing, yes you still can

iv.     Mike: cant that have the purpose of stifling speech in the first place?

1. Sam: that is why the amendment has the default of not publishing
2. Mike: but you still have to convince half the senate to agree with you on
3. Sam: one should be careful with what one says anyways, you are representing other students, the school, and yourself. I do hear the concern and it is apart of the democratic process. This language makes it difficult for these to get out there.
4. Lenny: it takes 2/3 of the senate to close the meeting in the first place. So understandably the people in the room know the confidential nature of the meeting in the first place
5. Sam: the redaction only requires a simple majority
6. Brad H: we already take minutes during closed meeting, what really changes?
   1. Lenny: I think once a meeting is closed, we keep minutes for our own benefits, but the bylaw says that it cannot be
   2. Mike: doesn’t senatorial fiat mean we have the ability to publish anyways.
   3. Sam: you have to vote not to publish, and this bill with the amendment does a lot less. The bill does not include the provision for senators to remove their own language without a vote. The default is that you do not publish, you have to talk about it, voice the reason why you do or do not
   4. Lenny: for the sake of argument, lets say that senatorial fiat means that if the majority of the senate agrees. In such a case, if you have senatorial fiat, you can publish the minutes of a closed meeting to whatever extent you want to without redacting.  So this bill is not really any policy changes. This bill is really just clarifying the procedure.
   5. Holly: It is unclear if we have enough to vote. Can we make sure we have to vote?
      1. 11 people in the room.
      2. Quorum does not include proxies.
7. Original Version

i.     Default Publish

ii.     Redaction requires majority vote

iii.     Own statements redaction may be redacted, but noted in minutes

1. Amended Version

i.     Default Not Publishing

ii.     Redaction requires majority vote

iii.     Own Statements redaction is not in the amended version, you can move to redact, but cannot be done unilaterally

1. Motion to Vote on the Amendment

i.     Seconded

ii.     In Favor: 14

iii.     Opposed: 1

iv.     Abstain: 4

v.     Amendment passes

1. Motion to vote on the bill as amended

i.     Seconded

ii.     In Favor: 13

iii.     Opposed: 4

iv.     Abstain: 2

v.     Bill passes

1. Senator Soapbox
   1. Holly: On the record I would like to express my disappointment with those senators that are not attending senate meetings but have run to represent. Therefore it would be great to have a tally of those who have been absent from the beginning of this year and appropriate emails will be sent that impeachment proceedings will be brought if they continue to be absent.

i.     Rob: Seconded

ii.     Holly: I would like to make a motion to record of those not attending

1. Seconded by Sam
2. Motion passes with one nay
3. Rob: In the spirit of admonishing the SBA, the VP of Finance has not complied with the bylaws that requires a spring report. I would also like to point out that it is January 31^st and we do not have the election report.

i.     Lenny: Elyssa has the data.

ii.     Rob: I would like to invite all my fellow senators to spread the word on the transfer student enfranchisement amendment to be voted on at the next election. Or if you have any ideas or would like to help write an OpEd

1. Sam:  I think attendance is very important, we cannot compel any one to come up with issues, but if you are in this body is to think of ways to improve through legislation. Finally, the transfer senator bill, we have been told we can campaign for that whenever, so let us start on that.
2. AJ: First, I disagree with the whole impeachment idea. 80% of the work we do is outside the meeting. IF they are not socializing and doing things with the people the represent, then that is something different.  Secondly, a person brought up idea of having a wikipage that has information in the survival guide that is also able to be edited as we go along.
3. Mike: I wanted to point out that a lot of people will ask me about events coming up in this semester. No one in the section seems to know what that is or when. As far as I can find, some events are harder to find

i.     Holly: April 14^th is barristers ball this year.

ii.     Lenny: there is a calendar through the SBA

iii.     Rob: this is very important for students to know prior to. The more we can put this in front of students the better.

iv.     Lenny: The problem is that the information is in there, but it is often with a bunch of other items. But most people prefer the single email which makes more.

v.     Juan: it makes sense that the big events are sent in a major email.

vi.     Holly: Dean Berman also is working on a new portal.

1. Community Comment
   1.  NotaBene: First impressive meeting to see how much you got through today. I got a word on publication, we have an election issue coming up and will push publication out early so that student body can review it. The issue will likely have some things from the Senate. We would like to have statements from the candidates.

i.     We would like to request to have access to it prior to publication.

ii.     Lenny: That should be in this weekend.

iii.     Also wanted to get a brief statement for the chairs of committees on what the responsibilities of the committees are and what they do during the year. I will be in touch with you guys about that. Hope is to let students know.

iv.     The oped deadline would be midnight of the Friday before the elections.

1. Adjourn
   1. Motion to Adjourn

i.     Seconded

ii.     Motion passes unanimously

1. Meeting Adjourned at: 9:55pm

Addendum:

Election: 2011-12 SBA Senate Elections

Results by Question

LLM Senator

Total Voters:546

Choice                                     Votes                         Percentage

Write-In                                     10                                     14

Umang Gupta                         53                                     73

Robert Kissner                         10                                     14

Section 11 Senator

Total Voters:100

Choice                                     Votes                         Percentage

Write-In                                     1                                     2

James Chapman                         20                                     35

David Glanton                         25                                     44

Stephen Grace                        1                                     2

Ariana Sarfarazi                         10                                     18

Section 12 Senator

Total Voters:100

Choice                                     Votes                         Percentage

Write-In                                    0                                     0

Steve Ferraina                         17                                     29

Elyse Shimada                         7                                     12

Dan Tarvin                         11                                     19

Michael Williams             24                                     41

Section 13 Senator

Total Voters:100

Choice                                     Votes                         Percentage

Write-In                                     0                                     0

Lindsay Bowman             12                                    23

Juan Garcia-Pardo             14                                     26

Patrick Scotti                         15                                     28

John Trent                                     12                                     23

Section 14 Senator

Total Voters:70

Choice                         Votes                                     Percentage

Write-In                         3                                                 10

Lauren Brinker             14                                                 45

Laurel Parker             14                                                 45

Section 15 Senator

Total Voters:68

Choice                                     Votes                                     Percentage

Write-In                                     0                                                 0

Stephanie Levitt             5                                     16

Andrew AJ Sutton             26                                     84

Section 21 Senator

Total Voters:46

Choice                         Votes                                     Percentage

Write-In                         0                                                 0

Tajma Rahimic            13                                                48

Kyle Singhal                         14                         52

8:30pm – January 17, 2012 S305

1. Quorum
   1. Giri, Holly, Matt, Steph, Adam, Brad C., Brad H., Sam, Rob, Juan, Mike, Umang, Jackie, Lauren
   2. Justin, James, Janet, Dean (Sam as proxy), Alex, AJ (Proxy is Sam), David, Kyle
   3. Quorum is present
   4. Transactional Law Competition Ad Hoc
      1. Need funding for transactional law meet, this is GWs first time participating in this competition. This is at Drexel Law School in Philidelphia. This is filling a void for law students interested in transactional law practice. 3 students were chosen. ADR board was approached for funding after the budget process because of timing of results. We are looking for transportation costs and hotel costs for participating in the meet. In the future, the hope is for ADR to cover this.
      2. Holly: Is there a cost to be in the competition?

i.     Yes, but registration covered by Center for Law and Economics

1. Any discussion to take the bus or train?

i.     Yes, but thought train was more conducive

1. Totals?

i.     100 dollars per round trip train ticket

1. Brad: The finance committee is recommending $450 for lodging and 210 for transportation rather than the $300 requested.  The Amtrack rates right now are only $35.  The original request was for $540
2. Vote on the ad hoc request

i.     Those in favor of option A: of $540: Jackie, Brad, Holly, Brad H., Proxy

ii.     Those in favor of option B: 12 senators

iii.     Abstain: 1

iv.     Amount approved is $450

1. APALSA Ad Hoc
   1. At the initial funding request we were given $300 based on the academic year before. In the past semester we hosted 4 events, including one on North Korean refugees and a job panel/event and an open happy hour. Today we ask for funding for a spring meeting costs of $188.66.
   2. How many people are at your meeting?

i.     About 30 people

1. Holly: What is the money for?

i.     Food, chips, drinks and sushi

1. Rob: What is the request?

i.     It is just for this event currently.

1. Adam: Will you be coming back for future meetings?

i.     Yes, it will depend on our R fund.

1. Brad: We recommend the full amount of 188.66.
2. Adam: I propose $150
3. Vote

i.     Option A for $188.66: 17 Senators

ii.     Option B for $150: 1 Senator

iii.     Abstain: 0

1. Proposed Constitutional Amendment
   1. Motion that the senate adopt the constitutional amendment

i.     Seconded

1. Rob: This should look familiar to those in the senate last year. This amendment addresses the problem that 2L transfer students do not currently have an elected representative in the SBA. The first opportunity they have to vote is during the spring elections.  So they do not have someone they voted for. This is especially important because transfer students have different needs, issues and points of view that should be represented in the senate like evening students. This amendment would create a 2L transfer seat in the senate that would be voted on by 2L transfer students in the Fall semester. Last year there were over 100 transfer students which is significant since the evening class was only 35.
2. Sam: I am very much in support of this amendment, and I know that this did not get the 75% needed of student body support. This will allow the supreme court to look at it and eventually come around and see that this is a necessity. The new composition to the court as well means a new chance for the change to happen.
3. Brad H.: Is there a meeting or orientation for transfer students? How would you have them vote?

i.     Yes. We would want to turn to the school to send out an email to 2L transfers. There is a list serve for transfer students. Many transfers were unknown on how to take exams, such as downloading exam 4.

1. Lenny: How did the 2L transfer students know to come to you?

i.     Rob: They knew because I had created a list serve of evening transfer students.

ii.     Holly: There are also some full time students that end up in evening student classes.

1. Mike: If there are 100 students that transfer are all of them 2Ls?

i.     Lenny: It is possible to do, but they are mostly all 2Ls and usually the 3Ls are only considered transfer students

1. Mike: You do not think their representation is sufficient?

i.     Rob: Since they did not vote for the representative and there is a question of whether they need an advocate to turn to.

ii.     Holly: By and large, if you are not apart of the traditional program, you miss out on a lot of things. This would have someone for them to turn to.

iii.     Sam: We only have a yearly election, so they go half a year without representation. The biggest idea is for them to have representation and for them to have a role in the process.

iv.     Mike: It seems to me that they are represented by the 2L representatives.

v.     Lenny: First, we are all limited by the amount of time we can spend here. We are only here for 3-4 years and this takes away half of their opportunity to vote for someone. We also know that we will continue to keep getting transfers and we have it in our power to make this body more representative of the student body. Similar to a city that knows it will have an influx of 20% of a population at a certain time you might adjust your election calendar to handle that.

vi.     Adam: Do transfer students know they are accepted before the election?

1. Lenny: Not likely

vii.     Matt: The senate as a body is better able to represent the transfer student population. If we can accomplish this by having one senator as a transfer student, then we can ensure that transfer students are represented as close to the time they step on campus. I would also point out the language of this amendment is possibly construed to mean that they get to choose one class senator every spring. Change the language to say the fall of every academic year.

1. Rob: that is achieved in the second paragraph

viii.     Brad H.: Did the supreme court say we need 75% to ratify?

1. Rob: if we can get 75% of the voters, we can have an election and seat a senator

ix.     Brad H.: If this fails again can we consider appointing one of us to represent transfer students?

x.     Rob: I will be hosting a meeting in Lerner 402 tomorrow night to how to motivate the student body to vote in favor of this

xi.     Lenny: This is bylaw 102(a), bills amending the SBA bylaws must be either submitted to the EVP the week prior to the senate meeting or be passed by a 2/3 majority. With 23 senators, it requires 16 votes to pass.

xii.     Motion to vote

1. seconded

xiii.      Vote:

1. For: 17
2. Against: 1
3. Abstain: 0
4. Amendment passes the senate, it will be submitted to the student body during the spring elections

xiv.     Rob: When will we know when the spring elections will be held?

1. Lenny: It will be in the end of February
2. Sunshine
   1. Rob: Sam and I took a look at them. What we can gather the amendments are mainly grammatical changes.
   2. Motion to table the bill

i.     Seconded

ii.     Motion passes unanimously

1. Scheduling
   1. There are people that have conflicts that go to 9pm or later on every possible day to meet. I will draw up a schedule, but there are by far more people that have Wednesday conflicts than Monday or Tuesdays. Next meeting is Tuesday January 31^st and then the Next will be Monday February 13^th.
   2. Proposal to move start times to close to 8pm.
      1. Motion to move start times to 8:05pm.

i.     Approved

1. Senator Soapbox
   1. Sam: On the Sunlight Act, I am fine with the amendment proposed by AJ. There will likely be more legislation down the pipeline, unless there are serious issues, it likely wont take that long. Second, I would like to work on getting money from the deans. This has been mostly from the executive, but not much has come from it. I think at some point later this semester it would be a good idea to put together a petition to sign it to get more money for student groups.
   2. Rob: First, in our second to last meeting I introduced the executive budget transparency act. This outlined the design of the executive budget, I would like to add that to the agenda for next meeting and would go along with the Sunshine Act. Second, I wanted to take notice of the fact that it is January 17^th and we still do not have an election report. It would be good to have compliance with the bylaws.

i.     Lenny: In terms of getting that, we have a report only including the runoff totals. It is unsure why the runoff data is only reported. In terms of getting it online, that is on me.

ii.     Rob: lastly, to ask a question to everyone, when we make changes to the bylaws, when do the actual bylaws get amended. The document of the bylaws is a PDF document and so we have all the legislation we passed on it. At the end of the school year we will need to make all the appropriate edits to the bylaws. This may be something to address as well to get it added so that our debate and work does not become meaningless

1. Juan: World of Beer being opened in Arlington by a few of my friends with 500 beers in bottle and 50 beers on tap. Live music, tvs, ect. And they are open to organizing a bar review sort of thing and gives some variety.

i.     Lenny: around March or April, it will be something to do with the transition

1. Mike: I just sent in a facility request, where there are power outlets out at desks.
2. Umang: With the exchange students, about 15-20, considering representation for them as well. Maybe a combined representation for them too.
3. Lauren: when you put in for Fix-it, is there any system to know that your request is received?

i.     Rob: you send request to me, I send it to the deans and they put in the request

1. Holly: I have a general concern about the rise in GW safety alerts such as robberies near campus. Is there others that share this concern and anything we can do about it? I brought to Dean Berman during a town hall about the locking of doors at 7pm.
2. Steph: I think that the locking the doors is a possible, people would get used to using them to get in. I think that is only part of the problem. They are often happening around the campus, so this is something that is for the campus as a whole to handle.

i.     Lauren: Possibly do a petition as well for this

ii.     Rob: I agree about approaching the larger university about this. I have heard we have gotten a report from an outside company about our campus security.

iii.     Brad C.: I think that they are trying to address this issue this semester

1. Community Comment
   1. Nota Bene: I do not know what the senate policy is on gifts but anything on the Senate minutes being posted online.

10. Adjourn

1. Motion to Adjourn

i.     Seconded

ii.     Motion passes unanimously

1. Meeting Adjourned at: 9:30pm