Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, March 06, 2006

U N LVCSUN S T U D E N T G O V E R N M E N T CSUN SENATE MEETING 36-10 MONDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2006 MSU 201, 6:00PM NOTE: Below is ail agenda of all items scheduled to be considered. Various items are listed as action items on the following agenda. Reasonable efforts will be made to assist and accommodate physically disabled persons attending the meeting. Please call the CSIIN office at (702) 895-3645 in advance so that arrangements may be made. I. CALL TO ORDER II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL IV. SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER V. PUBLIC COMMENT INFORMATION Public comment will be taken during this agenda item. No action may be taken on a matter raised under this item until the matter is included on an agenda as an item on which action may be taken. The Chairman may place reasonable limitations as to the amount of time individuals may address the Senate. The Chairman may elect to allow public comment on a specific agenda item when that agenda item is being considered. VI. REPORTS INFORMATION A. Senate Committee Reports B. Faculty Senate/University Committee Reports C. Business Manager Report D. Liaison Reports i. Student Involvement Activities ii. Residence Hall Association SENATOR DONNELLY iii. Student Athletics iv. Student Health Advisory Committee v. ROTC vi. Leadership Advisory Board E. Rebel Yell Report VII. EXECUTIVE BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS INFORMATION VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ACTION A. Action Item: Approval of funding the UNLV Hockey Club an amount not exceeding $7500 from the CSUN 2702 FY06 Senate Discretionary Budget. As Submitted by Senator Johns. See Attachment IX. NEW BUSINESS ACTION Ajc./- A. Action Item: Approval $3750 to be paid to Jamc3 Cunningham for his lecture on Tuesday, March 21 st of "Funny Money." Costs to be encumbered from the CSUN 2702 FY06 NSA (lecture series) budget. As submitted by Senate President Espinoza on behalf of Director Yasbin. A Action Item: Approval $10,000 to be paid to Ambassador Joseph Wilson for his lecture on Tuesday, March 28th. Costs to be encumbered from the CSUN 2702 FY06 NSA (lecture series) budget. As submitted by Senate President Espinoza on behalf of Director Yasbin. C. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-35 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article V - Executive Board adding a new section H establishing a Senate Member-at-Large. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.01) (CR Senate Member-at- Large) D. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-36 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article VIII - Finance removing section B requirement that the Executive Board be bonded commensurate with CSUN funds. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.02) (CR Bonding) E. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-37 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article IX - CSUN Services, defining requirements for office and lines of succession. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.03) (CR CSUN Services) F. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-38 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article V - Executive Branch and Article IV - Legislative Branch including how a director may be dismissed from office for cause. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.04) (CR Director Firing) G. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-39 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article III - Authority and Structure, Article VII - Judicial Branch and the Bill of Rights changing old language to the new language. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.05) (CR Remove UNS) H. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-40 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article V - Executive Board requiring the Senate President to give a State of the Senate address. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.06) (CR Senate President) I. Action Item: Committment of Senate Bill 41, Senate Committee Guidelines, to the Bylaws Committee. As submitted by Senator Maxson. See Attachment 36.09.07 L f , LL „ J. Action Item: Approval of an amount not to exceed $742.86 for travel to the Board of Regents meeting in Reno, NV. Costs to be encumbered from the CSUN 2702 FY06 Travel (In State) budget. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.08.) K. Action Item: Approval of discharging the Constitutional Revisions and Statutes committee of their to duty to review any proposed revisions to the constitution until after the Executive Board General Election due to the time limitations set forth in Bylaw 8. As submitted by President Goatz. L. Action Item: Approval of Senate Bill 36-07 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article V - Executive Board subsection C (3) regarding the amount of time a President has to veto an action taken by the Senate. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.09) M. Action Item: Approval of Senate Bill 36-11 which proposes changing the percentages and credits needed for membership and fees on Article II of the CSUN Constitution. As submitted by Senator Johns on behalf of Senator Maxson. (See attachment 36.10.10) N. Action Item: Approval of Senate Bill 36-29 which proposes clarifications on the use of the Interest Bearing Accounts. As submitted by Senator Johns on behalf of Senator Jimenez. (See attachment 36.10.11) O. Action Item: Approval of Senate Bill 36-30 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article VI of the CSUN Constitution. This change would change the powers of the Senate to confirm nominees of the Executive Board by a (2/3s) vote. As submitted by Senator Johns on behalf of Senator Moses. (See attachment 36.10.12) P. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-32 which proposes amendments to the CSUN Constitution Article V - Executive Branch subsection G to change the membership role of the Senate President Pro Tempore. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.13) Q. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-33 which proposes a new statute 913 establishing an endowment. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.14) R. Action Item: Approval of Senate bill 36-34 which proposes changes to the CSUN Constitution Article VI - Legislative Branch subsection C and Article X - CSUN Services, which establishes rules for statutes enactment. As submitted by President Goatz. (See attachment 36.10.15) S. Action Item: Approval of funding the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality an amount not exceeding $4840 from the CSUN 2702 FY06 Senate Discretionary Budget. As Submitted by senator Head. X. GOOD OF THE SENATE INFORMATION This portion of the meeting is for Senators to discuss the positives and negatives that occurred during the meeting. Senators may announce events pertaining to their college, an organization, or anything else related to the collegiate experience. Items for consideration at future meetings may be suggested. Any discussion of an item or topics under "Good of the Senate" is limited to description and clarification of the subject matter of the item, which may include the reasons for the request.. Posted in accordance with Nevada Open Meeting Law (N.R.S. 241.000) at the following locations: Moyer Student Union, Frank & Estella Beam Hall, Flora Dugan Humanities, and the Classroom Building Complex. XI. ADJOURNMENT ACTION STUDENT SENATE PRESIDENT ADREIL ESPINOZA SENATE SECRETARY ADAM LEWIS Senate Bill No. 35 Of the 36t h Session Attachment 36.10.01 Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: This bill makes additions to the Constitution to provide another officer called "Senate Member-at-Large" to the Executive Board. This position is similar to that of the Senate President Pro Tempore. This bill is specifically designed to coincide with a similar bill clearing up the separation of powers problem with the SPPT position. Pros: Allows the Senate to directly elect an official to the Executive Board to provide the same input as the SPPT. Cons: Will take effect immediately upon approval of the Board of Regents. If all goes as planned, the change will allow the Senate to elect this position in late June which will give the Senate two members on the Executive Board that they have elected. We, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: ARTICLE V Executive Branch B. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, the Vice President, and the Senate President as the voting members, and the Senate President Pro Tempore, [and] the Vice President Pro Tempore, and the Senate Member-at-Large serving as ex-officio, non-voting members. H. Senate Member-at-Large: 1. The Senate shall elect, from among its members at the first meeting of each session, a Senate Member-at-Large. 2. The Senate Member-at-Large shall serve as a liaison between the Senate and the Executive Board. 3. The Senate may, by a two-thirds vote, remove the Senate Member-at-Large and reopen the position for nominations from the floor. 4. No Senate shall elect a Senate Member-at-Large to serve for a session other than its own. 5. The Senate Member-at-Large must maintain the same eligibility requirements as a Senator. 6. The Senate Member-at-Large shall perform all other duties delegated by the Senate. Senate Bill No. 34 Of the 36t h Session Attachment 36.10.15 Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: This bill makes changes to the Constitution removing the requirement for Executive Board members to be bonded commensurate with CSUN funds. The Nevada System of Higher Education made this suggestion during an audit. Pros: Codifies a bylaw Cons: Failure to give such a speech is now considered nonfeasance. Makes another bylaw obsolete. We, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: ARTICLE VIII Finance A. The President, the Vice President, and the Senate President, or the Pro Tempore in their absence, shall be the only officers empowered to disburse CSUN funds. All expenditures shall require two of their three signatures and shall require the signature of the Business Manager or that of Business Manager alternate or his/her agent, in accordance with mutually accepted fiscal procedures established by CSUN and the Office of the President. I B. The President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Vice President Pro Tempore and the Senate President Pro Tempore shall be bonded in an amount commensurate with CSUN revenues.] 6 Senate Bill No. 34 Of the 36t h Session Attachment 36.10.15 Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: This bill makes changes to the Constitution providing a more complete description of Directors, Assistant Directors, and Board Members. Pros: Clearer definition of duties. Clearer line of succession. Cons: Bylaws will have to be amended to account for the changes. We, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: ARTICLE IX CSUN Services A. Definition: Services shall be administrative bodies that perform specific operative functions as delineated in the Constitution and its bylaws. B. [Qualification for Board Members: Members must be CSUN members with a cumulative UNLV Grade Point Average of not less than 2.O.] C. Term of Office: The term of office for Directors. Assistant Directors, and board members shall be from the date of appointment until the installation of the Executive Board unless otherwise specified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. D. Directors: 1. Shall be matriculated CSUN members. 2. May not file for more that one (1) office in any given election and may not hold more than one (1) office within CSUN simultaneously. 3. Shall be a student in good standing with their respective college. 4. Shall be enrolled in at least six credits per semester at UNLV. 5. Directors shall administer to, execute for, and preside over the Services to which they are appointed. 6. Directors shall be responsible for publicizing the agendas or standing agendas and maintaining the minutes of meetings. 7. Shall vote only to break a tie. 7 E. Assistant Directors: 1. [A33i3tant Directors 3]Shall be nominated by the Director of their Departments and approved by the Senate and the Executive Board. (B/R 6/96) 2. In the event of the temporary absence of a Director, the Assistant Director shall assume the Directorship for the duration of the Director's absence. 3. In the event of a permanent absence of a Director, the Assistant Director shall assume the Directorship until another Director can be installed. 4. Shall serve as ex officio members of the boards for which they are Assistant Directors for. 5. Must meet the same eligibility requirements as a Director. 6. Shall not hold any other office within CSUN. F. Board Members: 1. Shall be appointed by the Director. 2. Shall be entitled to vote on the Board for which they serve. 3. A majority of Board Members are required to be present for quorum at a Board meeting. 4. Must be CSUN members with a cumulative UNLY Grade Point Average of not less than 2.0. G. [F]Operating Policies: 1. All Services must maintain operating policies. 2. All operating policies remain in effect until amended or rescinded by the Senate. (B/R 8/01) 8 Senate Bill No. 34 Of the 36t h Session Attachment 36.10.15 Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: As a Senator, I filed a Judicial Council case regarding the Senate President Pro Tempore (SPPT) position. The case outlined the following inherent contradictions with the position: 1. The SPPT is currently a part of both the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch. No other member of CSUN claims the same, and it is considered a violation of the separation of powers. 2. The SPPT can currently vote in the absence of the Senate President on the Executive Board, and then vote on the same issue during a Senate meeting. No other member of CSUN has that much power. Again, another violation of the separation of powers. 3. The Constitution states that no member can hold two offices at once. Yet another violation of the separation of powers. 4. If the Senate President took a leave of absence the SPPT would automatically fill their position. To avoid a conflict the Senator should resign their Senate position to fulfill the duties of the Senate President to avoid serving in both branches of government. 5. The SPPT, as required by the Constitution, must "meet the eligibility requirements" of the Senate President. This is a violation of the separation of powers since Legislative members would have to meet a different requirement than the Executive members. 6. Since the SPPT position is similar to the Vice President Pro Tempore positions and that both the Vice President and Senate President are elected in the same manner it should also be a similar manner for the SPPT. 7. The SPPT must give up their pay as a Senator to receive the SPPT's stipend and credit hours. Yet another inherent violation. For the above reasons alone, a change must be made. Although this "super member" of our government is currently permissible, it is an inherent violation of separation of powers doctrine and as a government that subscribes to certain ideals and standards this problem should not exists. Pros: 1. The Senate will still control the confirmation of the individual to fill the position. 2. The Senate will gain another full time Senator to better represent their college. 3. The Senate may still direct the actions of this position through directives and legislation. 4. The Senate now gains another full-time officer to assist in running the Legislative Branch. 5. CSUN will no longer be confined to Senators to choose its' parliamentarian. 9 6. The proposed changes will not effect the current position due to Article XV subsection C until the current officer's term expires on October 31, 2006 since the term of SPPT would technically expire on April 30, 2006, but the Regents will not make this change official until their June 2006 meeting. Cons: 1. The Senate will no longer nominate the individual to fill the position. 2. There is a fiscal impact of having to pay another Senator. The following changes to the Constitution should close the loop-hole: We, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: ARTICLE V Executive Branch I. Senate President Pro Tempore: 1. The Senate President Pro Tempore shall assist the Senate President.[The Senate shall elect, from among it3 members, a Senate President Pro Tempore.] 2. The Senate President Pro Tempore shall serve as parliamentarian for the Senate. 3. The Senate President Pro Tempore shall be nominated by the Senate President subject to approval by the Executive Board and the Senate. [The Senate may, by a two-third3 vote, remove the Senate President Pro Tempore and reopen the position for nominations from the floor.] 4. The Senate President Pro Tempore shall perform all other duties delegated by the Senate. [No Senate shall elect a Senate President Pro Tempore to serve for a session other than its own.] 5. The Senate President Pro Tempore must meet the eligibility requirements for the office of Senate President. (B/R 6/96) 10 Senate Bill No. 34 Of the 36t h Session Attachment 36.10.15 Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: This bill changes the Constitution to better include statutes and the process by which they are approved. We, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: ARTICLE VI Legislative Branch C. Powers and Responsibilities: 5. The Senate, by a majority vote, shall be empowered to: a. issue directives to CSUN officers and officials. b. adopt resolutions. c. appoint or disapprove nominees of the Executive Board and for Editors-in-Chief. All appointed nominees shall be officials of CSUN. d. rescind permission given to the Executive Board to make expenditures without specific Senate approval. e. approve or disapprove the annual CSUN budget. f. approve legal agreements between CSUN and any other parties, making them legally binding on CSUN. g. initiate, amend, rescind, and waive operating policies of all CSUN entities except the Executive Board and the Judicial Council. h. establish standing and ad hoc committees. i. open nominations and appoint nominees for vacant Senate seats, j. Enact, amend, and repeal statutes. 1. The enacting clause of every statute shall be as follows: "We. the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the student Senate, do enact as follows." and no statute governing CSUN shall be enacted except by bill as prescribed by its' bylaws. 11 ARTICLE IX CSUN Services H. Definition: Services shall be administrative bodies that perform specific operative functions as delineated in the Constitution, statutes, and its bylaws. 12 Senate Bill No. 40 Attachment 36.10.06 Of the 36t h Session Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: This bill changes the Constitution to give clearer lines of authority regarding the directors. We, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: ARTICLE V Executive Branch J. Executive Board: 1. The Executive Board shall have general powers of administration, review, and recommendation. 2. The Chairman of the Executive Board shall be the CSUN President. 3. The Executive Board shall nominate candidates for all appointed positions unless otherwise specified in the Constitution or its bylaws. 4. The Executive Board shall specify the duties of all CSUN officials that they appoint or nominate provided those duties do not conflict with the Constitution or its bylaws. 5. The Executive Board shall allocate Regents' Grants-in-aid, in conjunction with CSUN funds, equal to the cost of tuition and fees to three CSUN offices. 6. The Executive Board shall nominate candidates for the positions of Chief Justice and Associate Chief Justice from among the Justices serving on the Council. 7. The Executive Board shall examine all proposed statutes and amendments to the Constitution and give recommendations for approval or disapproval to the Senate. 8. All contractual agreements with CSUN shall require the signatures of two of the voting Executive Board members. 9. The Executive Board shall be empowered to dismiss, for cause, any official that they appoint or nominate. 13 ARTICLE VI Legislative Branch D. Powers and Responsibilities: 5. The Senate shall be empowered to enact any legislation that falls under the jurisdiction of CSUN government. 6. Senate approval is required to disburse CSUN funds. 7. The Senate shall possess all powers and responsibilities not specifically delegated by the Constitution or its bylaws to any other entity. 8. The Senate, by a two-thirds vote, shall be empowered to: a. enact, amend, rescind, and waive bylaws. b. sustain impeachment charges. c. refer proposals to the membership. d. appoint Judicial officers. e. dismiss officials, unless otherwise specified by a two-thirds vote. f. permit the Executive Board to make expenditures of up to $500.00 without specific approval, provided such expenditures are reported to the Senate at the following Senate meeting. g. waive the employment limitation upon Executive officers. h. assign and alter stipends for CSUN officers and officials unless otherwise specified by a two-thirds vote. i. approve the allocation of Regents' Grants-in-aid in conjunction with CSUN funds equal to the cost of tuition and fees excluding the three specifically allocated by the Executive Board. j. override Presidential vetoes. k. initiate Constitutional amendments. 1. waive an officer's or officers' repayment obligation. m. amend the terms of office for the directors, members, and advisors of CSUN entities unless that term of office is specified in the Constitution. 14 n. override the assignment of a Senator's third unexcused absence, o. override the Executive Board's decision to dismiss an official. 15 Senate Bill No. 41 Of the 36t h Session Revision to Bylaw 51 Attachment 36.10.07 INTRODUCED BY: Senator Matthew Maxson Summary: This bylaw is not up to date in accordance with the addition of new committees and bylaws. It needs to be updated and more properly defined. We the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: (Additions are underlined. Deletions shall be placed in brackets.) SENATE BYLAW 51: SENATE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES IV. Senate Committees Consist of the Following A. Senate Bylaws as defined by Senate Bylaw #1 B. Senate Constitutional Revisions Committee as defined by Bylaw #8 C. Senate Ways and Means as defined by Senate Bylaw #28 D. Senate Rules and Ethics as defined by Senate Bylaw #44 E. Impeachment Committee resulting from recommendations from the Rules and Ethics Committee, or Senate Investigations; F. Any investigations committee or Ad Hoc committee that the Senate enacts; G. Senate Campus Safety and Awareness Committee as defined by [Senate Bylaw #321 Senate Bylaw #46 H. Senate Development as defined by Senate Bylaw #83 16 Board of Regents Travel March 15-17, 2006 Reno, NV Attachment 36.10.08 Costs Air Fare - $204.60 Lodging-$131.66 Car Rental - $234.10 Per Diem - $72.50 Contingency - $100.00 TOTAL: $742.86 17 Senate Bill No. 34 Of the 36t h Session Attachment 36.10.15 Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: In light of recent events with the Vagus Nerve controversy, I believe it is in the best interest of CSUN to give the President additional time to make an informed decision regarding any item to be vetoed. The additional two-days would allow the President to meet with students, legal counsel, and other parties involved to make the best decision for the students. Currently, the President only has 16 business hours to conduct an investigation when a problem such as this and others arise. This leaves CSUN between a rock and a hard place when it comes to matters such as this happen. The addition of the word "consecutive" gives a definite definition of how much time the President has an actual definition as opposed to the constructive definition we currently have of "forty-eight hours." Since this change, if approved, would not be forwarded and considered to be approved by the membership until April, and then forwarded to the Board of Regents in June, this change would not take effect during the current Executive Board term of office. We, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate, do enact as follows: ARTICLE V Executive Branch K. President: 1. The President shall be empowered to veto, as a whole, any individual Senate action, within [forty-eight] ninety-six consecutive hours of adjournment of the meeting in which the action was passed, except the endorsement of resolutions, the sustaining of impeachments, the establishment of committees, and the appointment of officers. 18 Senate Bill No. 11 Attachment 36.10.10 Of the 36t h Session Proposed Constitutional Ammendment to Article II: Membership and Fees INTRODUCED BY: Senator Maxson Summary: This Bill stipulates that we shall collect five percent of fees from each undergraduate student at UNLV who are taking one credit or more, instead of seven credits or more. This is because our programs benefit all undergraduate students (i.e.UNLV/CSUN preschool) not just those who are taking seven credits or more. Precedence for this is shown at UNR ASUN who's constitution stipulates the same as this amendment would. We the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate do enact as follows: All matriculated undergraduate students of UNLV, upon payment of registration fees, shall be members of CSUN until the beginning of the following semester. A CSUN fee, approved by the Board of Regents, not less than five per cent of the per credit fee, shall be collected for each undergraduate student of UNLV taking one credit [seven credits] or more. 19 Senate Bill No. 29 Of the 36t h Session Proposed Statute Number: XXX.XX Attachment 36.10.08 Introduced By: Senator Henry Jimenez Summary: This bylaw is designed to limit the amount spend from any CSUN Interest Bearing and Reserves account. We the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represent in the CSUN Senate do enact as follows: APPROVING INTEREST BEARING ACCOUNT/FUNDS (Effective Immediately) I. Purpose A. To clarify the use of any CSUN Interest Bearing and Reserves account B. To clarify who could request money from the CSUN Interest Bearing and Reserves account C. To set procedures on how to take action on items that request money from the CSUN Interest Bearing and Reserves account. II. Definition A. The use of the CSUN Interest Bearing and Reserves account or any subordinate accounts should only be used on long term operating projects that will directly benefit the student body. For the purpose of this Bylaw, long term will be define to be a minimum of a continuous three(3) year project which should serve for the benefit of the student body. i. If the project generates profit and or any type of money, it will be deposited back into the account for a minimum of three(3) months before the senate can decide to use it for other circumstances. ii. After the three(3) month waiting period the Senate can propose to use the money, if approved it must be committed to the Ways and Means committee and back to the Senate for a 2/3 vote to pass. B. Senators may be the only members of CSUN with the power to introduce an action item that requests money from CSUN Interest Bearing and Reserves account. 20 Senate Bill No. 30 Of the 36t h Session Proposed Constitutional Amendment Attachment 36.10.08 Introduce by: Senator Moses Summary: Approval to amend Article VI, item C, clause 4 of the CSUN Constitution as submitted by Senator Moses. The confirmation process of directors needs to be enhanced by more stringent guidelines that will help produce more qualified nominees by the Executive Board. By amending the CSUN Constitution to require a two-thirds vote to confirm a nominee, it will allow the Senate to have a much more powerful role in the nomination process. Currently only a simple majority vote is required to confirm a nominee. This is not enough, and has, in my opinion, severely decreased the quality of nominees submitted by the Executive Board. Directors play a very critical role in our student government. They also posses a good amount of authority and are responsible for very import duties that are vital to our government. Moreover, the Executive Board currently posses an enormous amount of power that places the Board in a position that can be easily abused. Too much power in the hands of too few people is often a recipe for un-ethical behavior. With only three voting members on the Executive Board, the duty of coming to an un-biased decision, with regards to hiring, rests solely on the shoulders of two (which would be a majority) people. Although I do agree that it is the Executives right to nominate any person they see fit for the position, I also do strongly believe that keeping within the spirit of checks and balances, that the Senate requires a two-thirds vote to confirm any executive nominee. We the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, represented in the CSUN Senate do enact as follows: (Additions are underlined. Deletions shall be in brackets.) ARTICLE VI Legislative Branch C. Powers and Responsibilities: 1. The Senate shall be empowered to enact any legislation that falls under the jurisdiction of CSUN government. 2. Senate approval is required to disburse CSUN funds. 21 3. The Senate shall possess all powers and responsibilities not specifically delegated by the Constitution or its bylaws to any other entity. 4. The Senate, by a two-thirds vote, shall be empowered to: a. enact, amend, rescind, and waive bylaws. b. sustain impeachment charges. c. refer proposals to the membership. d. appoint Judicial officers. e. dismiss officials, unless otherwise specified by a two-thirds vote. f. permit the Executive Board to make expenditures of up to $500.00 without specific approval, provided such expenditures are reported to the Senate at the following Senate meeting. g. waive the employment limitation upon Executive officers. h. assign and alter stipends for CSUN officers and officials unless otherwise specified by a two-thirds vote. i. approve the allocation of Regents' Grants-in-aid in conjunction with CSUN funds equal to the cost of tuition and fees excluding the three specifically allocated by the Executive Board. j. override Presidential vetoes. k. initiate Constitutional amendments. 1. waive an officer's or officers' repayment obligation. m. amend the terms of office for the directors, members, and advisors of CSUN entities unless that term of office is specified in the Constitution. n. override the assignment of a Senator's third unexcused absence. o. Confirmation of all nominees of the Executive board 22 Senate Bill No. 34 Of the 36t h Session Attachment 36.10.15 Introduced by: President Goatz Summary: As a Senator, I filed a Judicial Council case regarding the Senate President Pro Tempore (SPPT) position. The case outlined the following inherent contradictions with the position: 8. The SPPT is currently a part of both the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch. No other member of CSUN claims the same, and it is considered a violation of the separation of powers. 9. The SPPT can currently vote in the absence of the Senate President on the Executive Board, and then vote on the same issue during a Senate meeting. No other member of CSUN has that much power. Again, another violation of the separation of powers. 10. The Constitution states that no member can hold two offices at once. Yet another violation of the separation of powers. 11. If the Senate President took a leave of absence the SPPT would automatically fill their position. To avoid a conflict the Senator should resign their Senate position to fulfill the duties of the Senate President to avoid serving in both branches of government. 12. The SPPT, as required by the Constitution,