Guest Speakers Mark Kilker and Nancy Weaver

Dean of College of Health Sciences – Dean Kilker distributed a commencement speaker nomination form and asked the students to use their voice to speak to the campus and community to find speakers for the future. The speaker should be someone who has connections and supports ESU in some way.

Dr. Nancy Weaver, Assistant to VP of Student Affairs and Mr. Brian Crawford, Food Service Director

Nancy and Brian are the Food People on campus.

Discussion about Food on Campus

•  Why have prices in the Food Court increased, but the cost for meal swipe in Dansbury Commons is the same?

The statewide system has adopted a dining/flex dollars policy. The locations where you use flex dollars will charge retail prices which is not allowed for meal plans. The flex dollar policy is very confusing and doesn’t really work; however, it is what we have to work with.

• The cafeteria has meals that are more balanced; a lot of the food in the Food Court has been frozen.

• The price of purchasing food has increased for Aramark; however, the costs to the students are set once a year under the contract with the State which is based on the consumer price index.

• Slippery Rock University has eliminated Flex Dollars – other universities are watching Slippery Rock to see what the results will be.

• Food costs are affected by many things such as oil prices for transporting food and weather conditions.

• If you have any problems, concerns or suggestions about the Food Service you can contact Brian, Nancy or the Senators that sit on the Food Committee – Jessica, George and Anthony.

• Aramark is here because their bid won the ESU contract. The bid was $7.10 daily rate for a 19 meal plan and $5.30 daily rate for a 10 meal plan. Missed meals are considered when bids are compiled; only 65 – 75% of the students that have meal plans eat every meal. Aramark’s contracted daily rate is very good compared to the University of Scranton who has an $18 daily rate for meal plans.

• The Food Committee is looking for feedback – let them know what you like when you eat (grab & go or do you take the time to sit and eat), also let them know what type of food you would like to have.

• Why can’t students use their meal plans in the Library?

Aramark needs one location for pure retail sales.

• Could we get wraps in the cafeteria on Saturdays?

Sure, that is one of the changes that we can make.

• What happened to the sushi?

We had to change suppliers, but we plan to make our own sushi and bring it back.

Aramark is also talking about having a hibachi restaurant for dinner meetings.

• Another comment was made that all 4 cashiers in the Food Court should be open during busy times.

March 7th Full Senate Meeting

Guest Speaker: Brooke Donovan

Interim Director of Alumni Association located in Alumni Center.

They would love to get students involved with the Alumni

Over 500 family generations to attend ESUBiggest selling point- Alumni Harold Magazine, shares were fellow alumni members are working, etc.

Through alumni there are benefits and discounts- Renters insurance, credit cards, trips, etc. Application for new members is up

• Summit is Wednesday, March 13
• University Wide Senate is Monday, March 11
• See Stroud Courier for current information regarding SILLS students.
• Unpaid balance letters went out to student March 8th, if you received one speak with someone from enrollment services ASAP.
• Inconsistencies regarding parking tickets is being worked on.
• Club awards will be held April 17th
• Final review of budgets are this week.
• Senior Proficiency test will be coming out shortly to anyone who is interested in taking it.
• 35+ scholarships available for next semester! Take advantage.

The Office of Academic Affairs in conjunction with Enrollment Services has reached out to the Student Senate to make students aware of the March 8th deadline to have bills paid in full. As of now, there are a high volume of students that have an outstanding debt either from this semester or previous semesters. On March 8th, letters will be sent out to students that have accrued this debt, and subsequent notifications will be issued after the original letter. Students will be asked to leave East Stroudsburg University if they do not pay their owed amount or set up a payment/financial plan with university officials. if you have any questions feel free to contact Student Senate

Rumors regarding SILS program students walking at Graduation

-At this point there has been no discussion about them walking at graduation.  If anyone has any questions email jscala@esu.edu

• President Welsh Inauguration week will be held the week of April 1, 2013.
• Community on the quad will be held May 4th. Theme is ” Night at the Oscars”
• There is a new commuter parking lot where the old police station used to be located.
• Next Summit meeting will be held on March 13,2013 in the Senate chambers on the second floor of the University center at 7pm.
• Club awards will be held April 17,2013.
• Budget reviews started on Tuesday February 19th.

Guest Speaker Kim Raub (Commuter services)

•  65% of students are commuter students.
• Road Warrior has been going out, article for commuter students.
• Will be taking over off campus housing.
• Student Association Organization currently has 12 members, looking for more.
• Starting to hand out coupons for Aramark.
•  Every Friday they pick 3 winners for any car Kim sees with Road Warrior license plate.
• Good Neighbor Program, Adopt-A-Block progam.
• Feb 21 Alcohol and Tobacco “Great American Spit It Out”

• Community on the Quad: May 4-The theme is ” A night at the Oscars”
• Please Vote for a Student and Faculty of the month (check ESU email for details.)
• Looking for commencement speaker for graduation
• Looking into getting an App for phones to tell students where the shuttles are.

Petitions are now available for Spring elections in the Senate office, on the second floor of the University center. Completed petitions are due on Thursday February 7th by 4pm in the S.A.A office on the second floor of the University center. Elections will then be held Monday the 11th, and Tuesday the 12th from 11-3 in the foyer.

“Speak up and be Heard”

Guest Speakers

 Dr.Welsh

• Dr. Welsh spoke about the AFSCUF negotiations.
• You deserve to have a classroom free of union issues; please report any strike talk during classes.
•  The votes for authorizing a strike will be counted on Friday.
•  In the event of a strike – ESU will remain open, classes will continue.  There are contingency plans in place if there is a strike.   Classes for seniors will have priority; we will do everything we can to keep all students on track.
•  Faculty pay, benefits and access to their offices will be immeditately suspended if they strike.
•  A graph was distributed that showed the average salaries of full time instructional staff equated to 9 month contracts comparing PASSHE with national peer institutions.
•  Each faculty member has the right to work and not strike.
•  Study the websites, PASSHE and APSCUF, to learn both sides.

Dr.Miele and Dr.Selving

• Review the website or the Pocono Record – see both sides for information.

Q&A

• What is being cut?  There are no exact numbers, but there could be a reduction in pay for temporary faculty and the part time faculty will also be negatively impacted by the proposed monetary package.

There are also proposals that will reduce funds for retirement.

The amount spent on non-academic areas have increased.

•  Will the entire faculty go on strike?  The odds are good that most of the faculty will strike.
• Has there ever been a faculty strike at ESU?  No there hasn’t, do we want to strike now – no we don’t.
•  Do you really feel comfortable soliciting students to back you and encouraging us to contact the Chancellor?  We feel that you are entitled to know what is going on in negotiations, check the websites and make your own decisions.

•  University Senate – Monday at 3:00pm in the Keystone Room – anyone can attend.
•  The Teddy Bear Drive is December 1st
• The Banner System will be updated to a new version which will be in place for fall registration.
•  Again this year, the Office of Student Activities is providing an incentive for student organizations to submit the Community Service Registration Forms. Those organizations that appropriately submit the forms will be entered into a drawing for $250 that will be deposited into your organization’s SAA club account.
• November 28th – ESU Summit

November 8^th Student Senate Meeting

• Student Senate awarded Michael Copeland as October Student of the Month,  as well as Dr. Michael Grey from the History Department as October Faculty/ Staff member of the month.
• Senate voted on, and approved The Women’s Rugby teams request for  $484 for the purpose of playoff travel money.
• President Lauren Zirkelbach announced Dr. Welsh’s plan to hold a presentation concerning the possible strike. Date and Time to be announced.
• Teddy Bear Drive will be held on December 1^st, gently used Teddy bears and new toys are being accepted in the senate office as donations for the children that will be attending.

Student Senate will be holding its annual Teddy Bear drive on December 1st in the Keystone room. At the Teddy Bear Drive the senate will provide a toy for each of the underprivileged children. Along with doing arts and crafts with them and providing snacks and refreshments for everyone in attendance. Greek life will also be raffling off Christmas trees to families in attendance. Christmas toys can be dropped off in the senate office, it is asked that if they are used they are in good condition. Help us help less fortunate members of the community!