November 5, 2008

Tom Pyle called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m., asked for prayer requests and opened in prayer. Ted Northrop was tardy. Gwen Ward was absent and Steven Polite was her replacement. Robyn Weber and Seth Roush were in attendance to present their proposals.

I) Announcements

Ashley Grueso moved to pass the minutes from October 29, 2008. Kelly DeFilippo seconded the motion. Motion passed 11-0-0.

II) Class Updates

a) Freshman – Micah Yarger gave the update. They have met with Nancy Graham to discuss the courtyard furniture and she will be getting back to the Freshmen with her ideas, opinions and additional information. Micah has written up some specific nutritional information that would be helpful for diabetic students to use in the Brig and Alex’s.

b) Sophomores – Hayley Faus and Courtney Baughman gave the update. Their open hour’s survey is complete and was passed by Paul Perrine. Paul Perrine thought that going door to door would be the best way to distribute the survey. The sophomores have finished their Splash Lagoon flyers and will be posting them around campus. They will be finalizing all payments with Splash Lagoon after Thanksgiving. Sophomore class t-shirts are done and the officers will be selling them during Splash Lagoon sign-ups.

c) Juniors – Doug Miller gave the update. In their class meeting, they discussed their class movie night. They would like to show “Hancock” or “Get Smart” in Skye on Saturday December 6. For their charity event, they would like to see the funds go to World Vision and will contact the RC’s and RD’s in each building to help finalize plans. Class t-shirt designs should be finalized and ready to send in by November 19. The juniors would like to get outdoor benches for each building. They would also like to see the old railings outside of Schoolhouse fixed or replaced. Rachel Long asked who should be contacted about the railings and Tom Pyle said that they should let Physical Plant know. 

d) Seniors – Kelly DeFilippo gave the update. Ashley Grueso emailed Cheryl Johnston about a Geneva sign for the turnpike and is waiting to hear back from her. They are still brainstorming for their Senior class event and some ideas include: ice skating at PPG or going the Grove City Outlets. Kelly DeFilippo began a discussion about the annual Student Activities Christmas party. It was decided that Senate will work with Student Activities to plan the Half.Past.Nine Christmas party. The seniors would like to do the food drive that Courtney Baughman had suggested. Kelly DeFilippo suggested that the GCSU do trash pick up in the buildings soon, because it is always a big success. 

III) Residential Council Update – “Open Door October” was a success and the RC’s would like it to be an annual event. Newsletters were due tonight. Lynette Buzzanca presented a proposal to purchase a $50.00 DVD player for Richardson House.

IV) Student Activities Update – Kaylee Wherry gave the update and thanked everyone for their help with “Midnight Madness.” This Saturday is “Family Feud” and Micah Yarger, Doug Miller and Courtney Baughman signed up to help with the event. Next week is Justice Week.

V) Committee Updates

Security Committee – Katherine Bull: The committee has a new email address: securitycommittee@geneva.edu. Approximately five people from the freshman and sophomore classes are interested in joining the committee.

Chapel Committee – Ted Northrop: They are planning and brainstorming for next semester. They would like to do a service outside of the chapel hour that would involve the participants writing down their sins on paper followed by nailing them to a cross. For the singing, Psalms would not be required since it is outside of the chapel hour. There was good feedback from students about Miracle Reed speaking in chapel. Celisse Randolph strong recommended that students give feedback to the chapel committee.

Budget Committee – Kathleen Bolton: Kathleen presented the finalized budget and explained that the amounts allocated to each group are guidelines of about how much could be spent.  Kathleen cleared up any confusion and answered questions from the Senate about the budget. Hayley Faus moved to table the GCSU 2008-2009 Budget Proposal until after the Budget Committee meets.

VI) New Business

“Jamaica Missions Trip 2008 Proposal” – Seth Roush presented the proposal.  On December 28 to January 4, the Jamaica mission team will be working with the organization “Won by One”. They will be working in Harmons, Jamaica and the cost is $1,400.00 per person. Funds are being raised through support letters, t-shirt sales, etc. One of the major reasons for this mission’s trip is to build cement hurricane proof houses. Each member will be taking two suitcases full of donated clothing to leave behind and return with the clothes on their back and carry on. One of the students is a non-Geneva member. Kelly DeFilippo motioned to send the “Jamaica Missions Trip 2008 Proposal” to Budget Committee. Ashley seconded the motion. Motion passed 12-0-0. Ashley Grueso thinks that Geneva mission’s trips benefit the community and advocated the support of Senate. Kelly DeFilippo thinks that the amount given to mission trips participants should be a flat rate instead of a percentage to make it fair.  

“Quest Program 2009 Proposal” – The Quest Program is a student-funded initiative to provide opportunities for students to learn about different cultures and issues of justice while spending time in service both domestically and internationally. The Quest Program plans to send 77 students (an estimate) and 11 staff members to eight locations during Spring Break 2009. Quest will send students to: Alaska, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Guatemala, Louisiana, New York, and Washington DC. The estimate cost for these eight trips is $58,840.00 and they are requesting that Senate fund 7.5% of the student price for each trip. Tom Pyle discussed putting a cap on the amount to be allocated or suggested lowering the percentage. Ted Northrop moved to send the “Quest Program 2009 Proposal to Budget Committee. Hayley Faus seconded the motion. Motion passed 12-0-0. 

Ted Northrop motioned to end the meeting. Doug Miller seconded the motion. Meeting ended at 7:27 p.m.