Purdue Student Senate Minutes

Session X
October 6, 2010

This official meeting of the Purdue Student Government’s Senate was called to order at 7:01 pm
on October 6, 2010, in Krannert G018 by Vice President Jamie Steiner.

Present: Cabinet: Brad Krites, Jamie Steiner, Rohan Johnson, James Norris, Alex Robinson,
Chloe Morrical, Laura Capps, Lara Budmats Senators: Laura Donaldson, Dani Byers, Stephen
Babcock, David Andrews, Samantha DeKemper, Melissa Perram, Nick DeBoer, Matt Swiontek,
Allison Mankus, Samantha Carney, Seth Kester, Zach Morgan, Ashley Comparet, Jessica
Rombach, James Parish
Others: Carol Ben-Davies Proxies: Rachel O’Connor for Ziang Chen, Mandy Whitner for
Melissa Dunn, Jackson Troxel for Emily Dieckmann, Nickolas Goldsmith for Jason Jointer
Court: Frank Freeman Board of Directors: None Guests: Dr. Joan Fulton, WLFI, Purdue
Review, Members of the Queer Student Union, The Exponent

I. Approval of Minutes: There was one minor spelling error.

II. Guest Speaker, Dr. Joan Fulton – University Senate, Chair

-Dr. Fulton commented why she loves Purdue
-quality institution and research
-cares about teaching
-cares about research
- Purdue is known world-wide for our strengths
-Projects:
-Textbook affordability
-Purdue Image: Marketing and media, creating a Purdue brand
-AP credit: how Purdue responds to it
-Class attendance and the financial aid implications
-Core values and the Honor Code
-When opened up for questions, Senator Donaldson asked how students could best be heard on
the University Senate committees. Dr. Fulton responded by encouraging students to stay
professional and to formally address other members of the committee. Also, if you see that the
conversation has gone off track, remind the committee that you are there for the student voice to
be heard.

III. President, Vice President, and Advisor Reports:

-President: President Krites apologized for his tardiness as he was given the opportunity to
speak at the Presidents’ Dinner in the Union. He also mentioned that he went to a meeting for
the Center for Student Excellence and Leadership building. Furthermore, Wednesday was
National Coming Out Day, and he had the opportunity to speak at the celebration at the Block
P. Purdue Student Government hired 12 new members. Be sure to check out the Homecoming
float and window. Also, if anyone has any blog entries for the website, send your entries to
Rohan at rohanj@purdue.edu
- Vice President: Vice President Steiner has attended meetings regarding lowering textbook
prices, and we are looking into the University of Maryland’s policy. Also, she is still attending
meetings for pedestrian safety.
-President Pro Tempore: Senator Kester encouraged senators to write their constituency letters.
They will be sent out either through a mass e-mail or through the advisors. Send your 1st draft
to Seth Kester by October 20. Also, in the new business is an Info Doc for the off campus
Adhoc committee.
 -Academic Affairs: Senator Swiontek is creating 3 focus groups for evening exams, Preview
Purdue, and BoilerCast
-Internal & Financial Affairs: Senator DeBoer is in the process of rewriting the election rules
-Student Affairs: Senator Rombach mentioned Cirque du Survey’s success!
-Governmental Affairs: Senator Donaldson reported they are working on streamlining the
Purdue and city strategic plans.

IV. Informal Discussion:

-Senator DeBoer asked about the Honor Code that Dr. Fulton spoke of in her presentation.
President Krites confirmed that in Session IX, Senate passed a resolution of support and then it
was then passed through the University Senate.

V. Old Business:
a. Bill 10-7: “An Act Restoring the Bylaws of the Purdue Student Government.”
Senator DeBoer moved to vote on Bill 10-7. Senator Morgan seconded the
motion. The bill passed with a 19-0 vote.

VI. New Business:

a. Info Doc 10-1: “Report from the Off-Campus Ad-hoc Committee”
Senator Donaldson moved to take up Info Doc 10-1. Senator Kester seconded the
motion. Once opened for discussion, Senator Kester mentioned this report listed
the off-campus representation numbers. Senator Donaldson then thanked Senator
Kester for creating this Ad-hoc committee. The Info Doc passed with a 19-0 vote.
b. Resolution 10-5: “A Resolution Supporting the Inclusion of Gender Identity and
Expression and Genetic Information in the University’s Non-Discrimination
Policy Statement”
Senator Rombach moved to vote on Resolution 10-5. The motion was seconded
by Senator DeBoer.

When opened for discussion, Senator Rombach expressed it is important to pass

this resolution so that Purdue can be up to date with Federal law including gender
identity in the non-discrimination policy. Purdue is the last of its peers to adopt
such a policy. This will have a large impact on the students, faculty, and staff.

Senator DeBoer prepared a statement commending the efforts to include gender

identity and expression and genetic information, but also encouraging that
political affiliation be included as well.

Senator Donaldson yielded the floor to President Krites who expressed that he
met with Vice President Rollock who explained that political affiliation is a broad
term and is more than just Republican versus Democrat. He also commended
Senator Rombach for her efforts on this resolution and encouraged the rest of
Senate to become equally as passionate about something.

Senator Swiontek also prepared a statement in support of Resolution 10-5 and

commenting that including political affiliation would lonely hurt political groups
on campus.

The Resolution passed with a 19-0 vote.

c. Senator Kester made an amendment to the purpose of the Off-campus Ad-hoc
Committee to read “Finding adequate structure for representing off-campus
 students.” Senator Donaldson seconded the amendment. The amendment passed
with a 19-0 vote.

VII. Announcements: Announcements were listed on the agenda.

Senator Carney mentioned she would like to see Purdue Student Government representation at
Dance Marathon on December 4th. Expect an e-mail from her soon.

Also, look for more information regarding Homecoming details soon.

VIII. Adjournment: Senator Kester moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by
Senator DeBoer. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38pm.

Minutes submitted by: Secretary Lara Budmats

Approved by: