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Meeting Minutes

October 2, 2005

Agenda

  1. Call to Order

 

  1. Roll Call
    1. Absent:  Devlin Cary
  1. Accepting or Amending of the Agenda
    1. Under subcommittee reports, add building and grounds subcommittee report
    2. Ms. Levy: Amend announcements to include fundraiser for Hurricane Relief
    3. Motion to accept agenda:
      1. Passed.

 

  1. Accepting or Amending of the Minutes
    1. Motion to amend:
      1. Mr. Neely:
        1. [V.e.ii.]: Robert’s Rule of Order: have to be recognized by the “chair”, not “share”
        2. Change “Choy” to “Ms. Choy”
        3.  [VII. i.] Honor Code Committee renamed to Professionalism Committee; working with the faculty on the honor code.
        4. Best statement ever in minutes: “[The library] is under construction”.
        5. [VIII. e.] Kevin Neely proposed the subcommittee for Mr. Arnold.
      2. James Tsai
        1. [IX.] reflect that the proposal to fund the volleyball tourny only lost by 1 vote, and 2 votes remaining.
    2. Motion to accept minutes as amended:
      1. passed.
  1. Officers Reports
    1. President’s Report
      1. Congrats to the newly elected senators.
      2. Presentations are limited to 3 min.  Debate on each appeal is limited to 5 minutes to keep meeting moving quickly.
    2. Vice-President’s Report
      1. Welcomes new senators.
      2. Email Ms. Choy your senator’s goal’s worksheet.  Primary goal for each senator is to perform the duties of their committee.
      3. Faculty-Student Breakfast #2 - Oct 18th.
        1. 8:30-9:30am: Cox Center Int’l Professors.  Ms. Choy sending around roster for each senator to invite a professor.  Good way for senators to network with professors.  Would like a better turnout of professors this time.
      4. Outside Organization Fair - Oct 12.
    3. Secretary’s Report
      1. Reschedule next meeting (Oct. 20).  Vote on issue later in meeting. 
      2. 2.04 of bylaws explains absences.  5 overall absences allowed; implied leniency for excused absences. 
    4. Treasurer’s Report
      1. Mr. McLaughlin handed out a number of sheets for the budget requests.
    5. Senate Counsel’s Report
      1. Welcomes the new senators.
      2. Explains the use of Robert’s Rules at meetings.  You can get a copy at Half Price Books.  An anonymous professor said it’s a book that every lawyer should have on their bookshelf.
        1. Mr. Neely isn’t going to go over a Rule today because the meeting will be long.
          1. Senators given a Robert’s Rules paper.  Explains motions that will be needed at the session today.
      3. Reviews last meetings Rule: confusion about debate.  Time for debate is when the motion is on the floor.
      4. The issue about campaigns of Ms. Iriarte and Ms. Textoris has been discussed too much already, but Mr. Neely is wiling to entertain questions should anyone have any.
      5. Clarification of absence rule discussed earlier.  Senators get 4 absences, no differentiation between excused and unexcused.  An absence does not count if there is a conflicting class.  The majority of the exec board can deem an absence as not being an absence. 
    6. Introduction of all SBA members—new and old.
    7. Mr. Martenson, Director of CSO, corrected Mr. Cary’s comments regarding interviewing.  An interviewee will lose two “bids” rather than two “interviews” if they cancel an interview.

 

  1. Committee Reports
    1. Student Life: last bar review kicked A**.
  1. Subcommittee Reports
    1. Building and Grounds: Mr. Arnold has successfully gotten the CIA to open the parking lot at 5pm.  Everyone whoops and claps.

 

  1. Old Business
  1.   New Business
    1. Confirmation of Election Results:
      1. Document from Mr. Neely summarizes and explains what happens during the elections.
        1. Mr. Mortenson asks about whether 3L Phil Davolos needs to be confirmed.  Yes, that’s also included in the documents.
        2. The LLM election was a close election.  10 votes for William Chang. 
          1. The best LLM election Mr. Neely has ever seen.
          2. Mr. Tsai wants the SBA to consider adding more representative spots for LLMs based on numbers.
          3. Mr. Neely says it’s been tried before, but never passed.
      2. Motion to accept the election results.
        1. Passed. 
    2. New Senator Induction:  Senators give the oath. 
      1. Everyone claps. 
      2. Now they can vote!!!
    3. Budget Requests:  Mr. McLaughlin leads the discussion
      1. What the Budget committee does:  13 people on the committee are charged with allocating the money that student’s pay through the activity fee in the tuition. Had to allocate $58,000.  Committee had to cut almost $20,000.  The meeting almost lasted 5 hours.  The minimum an organization can receive is $110.  If the org wanted more than that, they had to fill out an event form. 
      2. Appeal by ABA/LSD:  Governor. Chris Chan
        1. Asked everyone to examine the appeal document.  The ABA received the default budget of $110 but would like to appeal for $1400.  The document outlines why ABA should receive a larger allocation and where the money should come from.  See attached.
        2.  Over 70 new students have signed up to participate.  The
          organization brings recognition to the school. Can actually improve
          school standing in rankings.  Has a international work internship program with over 50 different international law firms from Argentina to Italy to Tibet..  There are Moot Court, Negotiations, and Client Counseling Competitions available to students.  There are many leadership opportunities and other networking opportunities for all students.  Wants to build a strong chapter at Case.
        3. Mr. Neely would like to know ABA's contribution to the Fall Ball budget.  It was listed on last year's donation for Fall Ball.  Mr. Neely concludes that this is because Mr. Stan was involved in both organizations last year.  To Mr. McLaughlin's knowledge, ABA has never given to Fall Ball.
        4.  Mr. McLaughlin explains that the fiscal year calendar has changed to October.  Says that SBA doesn't have to worry about cutting budgets because there will be a substantial rollover (roughly $11,000).  Suggests that SBA accept the budget committee's recommendations as is.
        5. Mr. Arnold moves to reject the budget appeal.  Seconded by Ms. Swaine.
        6. Ms. Swaine asks Mr. Chan, as representative of the 6th Circuit (corrects her to say that he is Governor), which school is he representing?  
          1. As Governor he represents all of the 18 ABA accredited law schools in the 3 states of OH, MI, and KY in the Sixth Circuit from Univ. of Michigan to Ohio State to Univ. of Kentucky.  He is a student at Case and would like to build a strong organization here which can help benefit all law students.
          2.  Mr. Chan explains that Case standing can improve because of all the events it participates in nationally.
            1.  An example is the Katrina Relief fund.  Every law school in the nation has  been raising funds for the Katrina Relief fund.  The ABA tracks and compiles the data to present to legislatures, lobbying groups, and the public.  This show how Case compares to the rest of the schools as well as giving recognition to our school on the national stage. 
        7. Mr. Zink asks about the $110 minimum budget allotment, $100 for a meeting and $10 for supplies.  Why does ABA need more money than that per meeting? 
          1.   Mr. Chan responds that higher numbers attend ABA meetings (over 100 at the last meeting).  Usually meetings only attended by 40.  Also the default budget is $100 for ALL meetings; not of $100 per meeting.  
          2. Mr. Zink clarifies that he would like to know why $200 is necessary.
            1. Mr. Chan says it’s for food and supplies.
        8. Mr. Mortenson limits the time for discussion of the motion.
        9. Mr. Ryan asks about the 6th circuit conference, to which SBA gave $500 last year.  Will there be another event?
          1. Mr. Chan says that it won't be held here because it was last year.
        10. Mr. Malbasa says he would vote against the motion to reject all funding because there will be money in the rollover and that the ABA provides valuable services to the school and students.
        11.  Ms. Levy inquires whether a limited amount of money can be spent on food. 
          1.  Mr. McLaughlin doesn't believe that to be the case. Ms. Levy believes that this is a waste of money.  That she doesn't feel that this will improve school life.
          2.   Mr. Arnold doesn't think people will go to Case because
            of ABA's food and doesn't think that ABA will retain 70 students.
        12.  Mr. Kringle asks whether the national ABA contributes
          money to student chapters. 
          1. ABA contributed $75 to the last meeting. Mr. Chan is trying to reestablish the ABA Case chapter.  The money he is asking is just for Case students.
          2.  Mr. Kringle comments that ABA is great for the students and that he thinks SBA should give the money.  Says Mr. Chan is doing well.
        13. Mr. Kurnik asks how many students are registered. 
          1.  Mr. Chan answers 145 official card carrying members of the ABA as of last August. 
          2. Mr. Kurnik comments that as soon-to-be attorneys, this is the one organization that we will all be members of and should support now.
        14. Mr. Choy moves to amend that $500 be given to SBA, rather than $0.
        15. Ms. Swaine asks whether there is funding through the ABA and why Case isn't applying.  She feels that ABA would receive funding through the ABA.
        16. Mr. Malbasa asks why there wasn't an original budget request by the ABA. 
          1. Mr. Chan responds the ABA/LSD applied for initial funding through the required procedures, but he waited for the orientation meeting to assess the interest at Case. He also needed to verify with the National Organization on the events planning.  He states that the Appeal process is part of the normal course of business and that Treasurer McLaughlin said that he would recommend we go through that process.  He has fully complied with the appeal process and is before the senate today.
          2.  Mr. McLaughlin clarifies that he told Mr. Chan that ABA can appeal the SBA for more money. He thinks it would be ridiculous not to give them money and that the ABA is a worthy organization. He feels hoarding the rollover in the bank would be a waste of money.
        17. Mr. Ryan agrees to give more than $110 because ABA will run better than in the past.  He suggests less money because the ABA district meeting is a conjecture at this time and another appeal can be made at that time.
        18. Mr. Zink feels that he doesn't have a problem with $800 be given based on the calculation of $100 per meeting. Mr. Zink motions to give $800.
        19. Mr. Malbasa motions to close the debate.
          1. Passed.
        20.  Motion on floor to amend Mr. Arnold's motion, and allot $800.
          1. Vote 17 in favor, 6 opposed.
            1.  Amendment passed.
        21. Motion to vote on motion as amended.
          1. Passed.  Senator Levy would like it recognized that she voted against. 
      3. Appeal by SHLA
        1. Mr. Fargnoli explains that the application for additional funds was not submitted.  Says that the Health Law org is one of the most vibrant.  There are up to 150 members and over half are active.  The first meeting was with the Law and Medicine center.  Requests funds that are on par with what SHLA received last year.  Last year they had 3 speakers.  All events are well attended, over 100 attendees.  Specifically requests $510.  Apologizes for the error in the application.
        2. Mr. Arnold asks where the money is going if they get money from the speaker fund. Ms. Perkett—President of the org—responds that in the spring they have a large event to raise money.  Last year there was a band and raised money for Ronald McDonald House.  Wants to collaborate with FLAG for World AIDS Day on December 1.  They are frugal and active.
        3. Mr. Neely asks what was spent last year.  All but $100 before the last meeting.
          1. Asks how many are signed up.  145 students.
          2. Asks whether the spring event will be a philanthropic event.
            1. Probably not, because they already did the Alzheimer’s Walk this year. It will likely be strictly social. 
        4. Mr. Kurnik asks SHLA to itemize the cost.  Ms. Perkett responds events such as the World AIDS Day are new and they can’t forecast how much they’ll spend.  But doesn’t think that that $500 is too much.
        5. Mr. Herrick asks clarification on why they only got $110.  Only because org omitted the second part of the application. 
        6. Mr. Arnold asks how we know it won’t be blown on coke and h***s.  Mr. Fargnoli says that’s ridiculous.  This is a respected organization. 
        7. Mr. Tsai yields his time to Ms. Tenenbaum who requests the itemized application.  Mr. Fargnoli says this is possible.
        8. Motion to give $510.
        9. Mr. Arnold motions to amend and give only $110.
        10. Mr. Tsai moves to call to question Mr. Arnold’s amendment.
          1. Passed.
        11. Vote to amend motion: ($110) allocation.
          1. Passed.
        12. Mr. Zink comments that we are trying to hold orgs accountable for their spending.  He wants the SHLA to itemize their budget. 
          1. Mr. Ryan agrees that we want to hold orgs accountable, but that just gave ABA money on an event that hasn’t been planned yet
        13. Mr. Neely motions to amend motion to have SHLA submit an itemization in order to receive the $510 allotment. 
          1. Mr. McLaughlin says the itemization is a rough estimate to justify the reimbursement forms. 
        14. Mr. Kurnik doesn’t think its not that big of a deal that they forgot their second page of the application and that SBA should trust the opinion of the SBA treasurer, who can gauge whether they have responsibly spent funds.
        15. Motion to vote on motion as amended: has to bring in itemized list to receive $510.
        16. Motion on motion as amended.
          1. Passed.  Mr. Arnold opposed.  Mr. Tsai abstained.
      4. Mr. Arnold motions to take the rollover and allocate it all to the commencement committee.  $11,000.
        1. Mr. McLaughlin offers Mr. Arnold water.
          1. He explains that SBA requested $0 from the budget committee, except for what’s allotted to Commencement Committee.  The rollover goes to the SBA meetings and organizations that want to request more money. 
        2. There is no seconding the motion. Motion fails.
      5. Mr. Tsai would like to amend the agenda to add appeal from Professional Council for more funds. 
        1. Mr. Mortenson recognizes that any organization can still appeal for more funding.
        2. Passed.  Mr. McLaughlin opposes, Mr. Neely abstains.
      6. Mr. Tsai appeals for Professional Council
          1. The Professional School has members from all the professional schools at Case.  Activities last year included the mixer at Rock Bottom.  This past weekend was a baseball game. 
        1. Mr. Tsai requests the same amount they were given last year, a full $700.  Would like to put money towards events.
        2. Mr. Neely would like to know which beverages will be offered at the cocktail event.
        3. Mr. Ryan asks for an itemization. 
          1. $700 from the law school.  $600 from Med school.  $300 Social Services.  $500 dental school, $500 nursing, $500 business school.  Total of $3100.
          2. Mr. Arnold would like to know whether he’s asking for more because he didn’t get money for his professional council volleyball team. 
        4. Mr. Kringle asks about the financial aid disbursement policy the professional committee is looking into. 
          1. Mr. Mortenson comments that the surveys on financial aid have been received from the various schools.
        5. Mr. Schmitt points to the bylaws that suggest that orgs can appeal without first submitting the budget application form.  Mr. Neely says that’s how they’re being  interpreted; that it can be done.
        6. Mr. Ryan makes a motion to give the professional council $110. 
          1. Mr. Ryan says that the allocation should reflect that the professional council did not apply for formal funding. 
          2. Mr. Mortenson asks how the professional council advertises its events.
          3. Ms. Choy explains that they have various events at the different schools and it facilitates communication between the schools.
          4. 250 people attended the baseball game last week, 40 were law students.
          5. Every year they have a mixer to benefit the Coalition For the Homeless.
          6. Every week, or every other week, there are events to get professional students together.
          7. The bulk of the $700 is for the Rock Bottom event at the end of the year, which will be a St. Patty’s day party. 
        7. Mr. Schaefer motions to amend and make allocation $700.
        8. Mr. McLaughlin motions to amend and require an itemized expenditures list.
        9. Mr. Ryan Accepts both amendments. 
        10. Vote on motion as amended: $700 with itemization of funds within 2 weeks.
          1. Passed.  Mr. Arnold opposed.
      7. Ms. Levy is moving to reduce the allocation for groups as outlined in the ABA document:  BALSA, J. Rueben Clark society, Mulitcultural Irish Council, Delta Theta Pi, married Law Students’ Association, APALSA.
        1. Mr. Tsai asks whether these organizations were notified that their budgets may be cut. 
          1. Mr. McLaughlin answers that they were notified, not specifically that their budgets may be cut, but that the budget will be finalized. 
            1. Ms. Tenebaum reads the email aloud to the Senate.
            2. Mr. McLaughlin recommends the SBA give great deference to the budget committee because they worked so hard.  There would be no reason to have a budget committee if we went though each allotment. 
              1. Explains that 13 members of budget committee voted on the allocations generally gave the most concessions to the organizations that attended. 
          2. Mr. Ryan agrees with Mr. McLaughlin that the budget committee does a good job, and that he doesn’t want to be at the Senate meeting for the next 3 hours. 
          3. Mr. Neely says that the committee doesn’t specifically endorse their recommendations.
            1. Mr. Chan says that he added orgs to his list that had the highest funding recommendations, no other reason.
          4. Ms. Swaine agrees with Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Ryan that the committee works very hard.  Her concern is the allotment of $2000 to the Weatherheadless Ball, as a business school event.  She wants clarification on that allotment size. 
            1. Mr. McLaughlin answers that the JD/MBAs had $2000 specifically set aside rather than come in to make an additional request.
            2. Ms. Swaine thinks this is a sneaky way to get money because in the past it was a controversial allotment.
            3. Mr. McLaughlin says that business school donates $3000, and the point of contention was that last year the law school wasn’t recognized. 
          5. Ms. Swaine moves to amend to include Weatherheadless Ball to Ms. Levy’s original motion. 
            1. Ms. Levy accepts.
          6. Ms. Levy moves to extend debate time.
            1. Passed.
          7. Mr. Ryan thinks now is a good time to debate funding for the event.  Last year we were rushed.
            1. Mr. McLaughlin clarifies that the total cost of the event is $10,000. 
          8. Mr. Davolos asked what the consequences are of not donating $2000. 
          9. Mr. Malbasa clarifies what the motion is: it’s to make all the changes as listed on the ABA appeal., plus Weatherheadless Ball
          10. Mr. Arnold says that Weatherheadless Ball is a fun event and brings in a lot of people. 
          11. Mr. Neely comments that there are a lot of law student attendees.
            1. Motions to divide the question: wants to divide the Weatherheadless Ball from the budget cuts as proposed by Ms. Levy.
          12. Mr. Ryan suggests that the SBA confirm the budget as recommended by the committee, including the Weatherheadless Ball.
          13. Mr. Kurnik would like us to get recognition this year and take money away from business school because they failed to last year.
          14. Ms. Swaine would like to know what the business school budget is and whether we can approve our donation accordingly. 
          15. Mr. McLaughlin believes the business school spent a little over $3000.
          16. Mr. McLaughlin would like to point out that if we don’t donate to event it would be an insult to the other schools. 
          17. Mr. Ryan says that by allotting the money now, we can get recognition. 
          18. Ms. Levy notes that despite the budget committee’s hard work, we should not give complete deference to their work because we are held accountable by the student body. 
          19. Mr. Samtoy clarifies that senators had the opportunity, could have gone to the meeting and gone through the entire budget at that time.
          20. Mr. Zink says that he feels that the committee may have legitimately weighed the budget requests and that we shouldn’t make any abstract comments about the budget.
          21. Mr. Herrick wants to support the budget committee.
        2. Ms. Swaine withdraws motions as amended and reduce Weatherheadless ball budget to $0.  
          1. Ms. Tenenbaum says that organizer of Weatherheadless ball reported the budget was $4-5,000 for the event. 
        3. Vote on Senator Levy’s motion to reduce the organizations’ budgets as listed on ABA proposal. 
          1. Fails
        4. Mr. Malsbasa motions to amend Ms. Swaine’s amendment to $2000 or 1/5th of total cost, whichever is less. 
          1. Mr. Mclaughlin suggests that we don’t notify them of our donation yet so we can make the calculation.
        5. Mr. Davolos notes that the whole problem was the issue of recognition. So we can’t give them the money afterwards. 
        6. Mr. Mortenson says we have a general idea of what 20% of the event will be and can make that allotment now.
        7. Mr. Ryan suggests that the SBA can withdraw that funding a week beforehand if it so chooses.
        8. Mr. Mclaughlin says that SBA should give $2000 after someone calls Weatherhead to ensure what the budget will be.
        9. Mr. Kringle notes that it is conflicting that we ask organizations for itemized spending lists and then arbitrarily allocate 20%. It is the SBA’s “fiduciary duty” to be more fiscally responsible.  Says that business students would never go into a boardroom this way (thanks BA for this intelligent statement).
          1. Last year about 150 law students attended, and 1000 people attended over the course of the night. 
        10. Mr. Mortenson says that allocating half of the total budget should require that Weatherhead more specifically present their budget to the SBA. 
        11. Mr. Ryan moves to amend the amended motion, that SBA give $0 for now, and have a representative (who is not Josh Stan) from the business school present the itemized budget to the SBA to vote on the allotment.    
          1. Mr. Malbasa accepts this as a friendly amendment.
        12. Mr. Arnold wonders why all the liberals clam up when there’s a party on the line. 
        13. Mr. Ryan motions to extend debate for Senator Ryan.  How convenient.
          1. Passed
        14. Mr. Ryan notes that the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the 18th, and that that is enough time before the 29th for Weatherhead to recognize us. 
          1. Mr. Mortenson doesn’t think 9 days is enough to receive publicity. 
        15. Mr. Mortenson says that he wants to call Mr. Malbasa “Mr. Kielbasa” when referring to him. 
      8. Vote on the amended motion by Mr. Malbasa.
        1. Passed.  2 objections.
      9. Vote on motion by Ms. Swaine to not give $2000.
        1. Passed. 2 objections and 1 abstention (Mr. Tsai)

 

  1. Budget Confirmation: Motion to accept budget as amended. 
    1. Passed. 23 in favor of budget.  2 opposed.  Mr. Arnold and Mr. Kringle.
  1. Rescheduling next meeting from Oct. 20 to Oct. 18.
      1. Mr. Ryan motions to change to 7:30pm on Oct. 18.
      2. Mr. Mortenson moves to amend to 8:00pm on Oct. 18.
        1. Motion to accept as amended
          1. passes. 2 opposed.
    1. Mr. Tsai motions to suspend all the bylaws.
      1. Motion fails.

 

  1. Announcements
    1. Ms. Levy announcing that students are having an event on Friday Oct. 13 to plan a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina Relief.
    2. Ms. Choy announces that there are sign-ups for the Dean’s Roundtable meeting.
    3. Mr. Malbasa announces that there is an event to meet Mr. Jackson, mayoral candidate for Cleveland.  Talk to Mr. Malbasa if interested.
    4. Ms. Falcone announces that the fall ball ticket sales doing well.
    5. JD/LLM soccer tournament, “Katz Cup”, October 15. 
  1. Cheers & Jeers
    1. Cheers
      1. New senators
      2. Everyone for working so hard
      3. Colin McLaughlin
      4. New senators
      5. Budget committee
      6. Certain senators and other SBA members for dealing with an irritating situation
      7. All those that volunteered at the fall ball ticket sales
      8. Laura Falcone for covering Kevin Neely at the ticket sale table
      9. Everyone for coming to a Sunday meeting
      10. Election committee for making elections run smoothly
      11. Oasis—most rockin band.
      12. Brio
      13. Exec board for a great meeting
      14. Bengals
      15. Josh Stan for all his appearances at this meeting.

 

    1. Jeer
      1. Professional council for not turning in form on time
      2. Liberal hippie punks
      3. Greg McNeil
      4. Lisa levy
      5. Oasis
      6. Kurnik from Treasurer McLaughlin
  1. Adjournment