ASWNMU SENATE MEETING
(Recording of Meeting Tape 4A-4B)
November 14, 2000
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Denton
at 7:20 a.m.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
Senators Amavizca, Castillo, Gomez, Guevara, Kenny,
Levitt, Perez, Preston, Romano, Rutherford, Talimatasi,
and Urquijo were present for the Senate.
IV. Approval of Agenda
Under New Business, Senator Castillo - Stipends was
added as AA. Floor Leader Nominations was added as BB,
Supreme Court Nomination was added as C. Supreme Court
Justice Castillo was added as D, and Senator Urquijo
added to the agenda the issue of the American Flag under
item E. Senator Talimatasi moved to approve the agenda
as corrected. Senator Romano seconded. Motion carried
12-0.
V. Approval of the Minutes
Senator Urquijo moved to approve the minutes of October
31, 2000. Senator Romano seconded. Motion carried 12-0.
VI. Executive Council Reports
A. President Murguia President Murguia informed the
Senate that he and Governmental Affairs Director Luna
had a chance to go to the FACU, Founding Association
of College & Universities, conference over the weekend.
The conference consisted mostly of lectures and workshops.
Information was available for those looking for careers.
He informed the Senate that internships were available
as well as possible career openings. President Murguia
asked anyone interested in obtaining this information
to contact him. President Murguia informed the Senate
of the student surveys that would be presented today.
He expressed to the Senate the importance of these surveys
and suggested that they be taken seriously. Finally,
President Murguia informed the Senate that the Executive
Council was planning a social gathering for the members
of ASWNMU on Thursday November 16th. Details would be
available later during the week. This concluded his
report.
B. Vice President Denton Vice President
Denton apologized to Senator Levitt for failing to inform
him on the dance that was scheduled for November 4th.
Vice President Denton also informed the Senate that
a Pajama Jam was being planned for December 2nd. This
concluded her report.
C. Chief of Staff Loving Chief of Staff
Loving informed the Senate that she along with President
Murguia and Treasurer Bocanegra had been working on
getting the ASWNMU finances posted on the Banner system.
However due to some problems with the system and the
Business office, this has not been possible. Chief of
Staff Loving also informed the Senate that a craft fair
is scheduled for Saturday November 18th and that anyone
interested in reserving a booth should contact Elaine
Martinez. This concluded her report.
D. Secretary Zuniga Nothing to report.
E. Treasurer Bocanegra Treasurer Bocanegra
restated to the Senate that the Banner system was not
working to their advantage and that they were in the
process of deducting costs from the appropriate accounts.
Our balance right now without the total deductions are
$14,574.98 in the Supplies account, $2,715 in the Travel
account and a $0 Balance in the Equipment account. Treasurer
Bocanegra asked the Senate to contact him if they had
any questions. This concluded his report.
E. Attorney General Hazlett Attorney General
Hazlett informed the Senate that on November 13th, six
senators formed a caucus to discuss the Senate's pending
stipends. Attorney General Hazlett encouraged the Senate
to form caucuses to discuss and work out details on
issues. This concluded his report.
F. Governmental Affairs Director Luna
At this point Governmental Affairs Director Luna yields
the floor to President Murguia. President Murguia wanted
the Senate to be aware that in last weeks election,
Bond Issue B was passed which would have given Western
New Mexico University 2.7 million dollars, but unfortunately
it did not pass in Grant County. Governmental Affairs
director Luna handed the Senators the student surveys.
He informed the Senate the each senator was responsible
for completing 20-22 surveys and that each Senator had
an assigned interview code that needed to be recorded
on each survey. He specified that the surveys had to
be done in a one-on-one interview. Governmental Affairs
Director Luna told the Senate that if anyone needed
help answering any of the questions, they could only
restate the questions. He suggested to the Senate that
a committee be formed, consisting of both executive
members and Senate members, to see what issues affect
WNMU and determine what to use as their lobbying platform.
The results will be shown to both the student body and
the Board of Regents. President Murguia suggested that
the Senate interview a variety of people and not just
those who were familiar. Attorney General Hazlett stated
that a no response was a valid answer. Surveys need
to be turned in by Wednesday November 22nd.
VII. Old Business
None
VIII. New Business
AA. Senator Castillo - Senate Stipends Senator Castillo
informed the Senate that he and five other Senate members
met to discuss the Senate stipends. Senator Castillo
proposed a $200.00 stipend for Senators and a $300.00
stipend for Senate Secretary. Senator Castillo informed
the Senate that the stipends would be awarded under
the following conditions: 1. All surveys had to be completed.
2. All senators had to be assigned to a committee and
participate with that committee. Senator Castillo moved
to accept the Senate stipends. Senator Romano seconded.
Motion carried 12-0.
BB. Floor Leader Nominations Senator Gomez, Senator
Levitt and Senator Urquijo were nominated for Floor
Leader. Senator Levitt moved to vote by secret ballot.
Senator Pro-Tempore Preston seconded. Motion carried
12-0. Results: Senator Gomez 7-4-1. Senator Gomez is
moved to the position of Senate Floor Leader.
A. Club Allocation
1. S.A.M club - S.A.M club representative asked the
Senate to match the total of $353.25 that they raised
during a fundraiser. Senator Talimatasi moved to allocate
$353.25 to the S.A.M. club. Senator Castillo seconded.
Motion carried 12-0.
2. Criminal Justice Club - A Criminal Justice club representative
asked the Senate to match the total of $202.50 that
they raised during a fundraiser. Senator Levitt moved
to allocate $202.50 to the Criminal Justice club. Senator
Guevara seconded. Motion carried. 12-0.
B. President Murguia - Committees President Murguia
handed the Senate their committee appointments. President
Murguia encouraged everyone to participate in the committees.
He also informed everyone about the form that each senator
is to fill out each time they attend their committee.
To this form will be added a second page in which the
senators will be able to record student input on issues.
This form should help the senator decide where to stand
on an issue. Senator Pro-Tempore Preston moved to accept
the committee appointments as well as alternate appointments.
Senator Romano seconded. Motion carried 12-0.
C. President Murguia - Supreme Court appointment. President
Murguia asked the Senate to consider Nick Sloan as Supreme
Court Chief Justice. Senator Urquijo moved to accept
Nick Sloan as Supreme Court Chief Justice. Senator Castillo
seconded. Motion carried 12-0. Attorney General Hazlett
swore in Nick Sloan as Supreme Court Chief Justice.
D. Senator Urquijo - Associate Justice Castillo Senator
Urquijo reminded the Senate of the actions taken by
Supreme Court Justice Castillo in soliciting signatures
for a petition during the expulsion of Guadalupe Cano
as Vice President of ASWNMU. Senator Urquijo urged the
Senate to expel Supreme Court Justice Castillo for his
biased actions. Discussion - Associate Justice Castillo
stated to the Senate that he only wanted to present
an option to the students with the petition, concerning
the expulsion of Vice President Cano. Mr. Castillo stated
that he understood now the magnitude of his actions
and was willing to abide by any decision that was made
by the Senate. President Murguia asked the Senate to
be lenient towards Associate Justice Castillo. He stated
that at times we all take chances thinking that it will
help our cause. Unfortunately this is not always the
correct thing to do. President Murguia reminded everyone
that the best way to learn is by failing. At this point
Senator Urquijo asked Supreme Court Justice Sloan, for
his advice. Supreme Court Justice Sloan asked for a
5-minute recess to discuss this issue with Associate
Justice Castillo. Recess: 8:10 a.m., Called back to
order at 8:14 a.m. Supreme Court Chief Justice Sloan
recommended that the Senate be leniant towards Associate
Justice Castillo. Senator Urquijo moved to vote by secret
ballot to expel John Castillo as Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court. Senator Kenny seconded. Motion carried
12-0. Results: Motion not carried 11-1.
E. Senator Urquijo - U.S. Flag Senator Urquijo asked
the Senate to consider the purchase of a United States
Flag to be placed in the conference room. Associate
Justice Castillo volunteered to bring his own flag.
IX. Announcements
The next meeting is on November 28th at 7:15 a.m. Vice
President Denton also informed the Senate that the next
meeting after the 28th will be during finals week so
we will not meet. Instead we will meet the Thursday
before which would be December 7th at 7:15. Vice President
Denton reminded everyone that on Thursday, the Senate
would be having a social gathering at Secretary Zuniga's
house and everyone was invited.
X. Adjournment
Senator Urquijo moved to adjourn at 8:37 a.m. Seconded
by Senator Preston. Motion carried 12-0.
