University Student Senate

Winter Retreat 2008Student Body President – Hollyanne Pronko

My Senate History• Freshman/Sophomore – 6th Senate (Jim Finore)– Clueless Freshman– Student Affairs, Communications (Spring)– Dining Services Chair (Fall)

• Sophomore/Junior – 7th Senate (Mike McDonald)– Not so clueless– Vice President for Communications

Why Senate? Because we actually make a difference.

Our Constitution states:“The purpose of the USS shall be to provide

full representation of the views and opinions of the students..

..as well as strongly and vehemently advocate the sentiment and interests of the students in both University and community

affairs..”

• We have the power to improve each individual student’s experience at Saint Joseph’s University.

• As you will see, there are several different areas that you can be involved in to make SJU a better place.

• Each Vice President will explain in depth exactly what they deal with, and you can decide where you would like to focus your attention.

Overview of the Senate

Meetings• Held every Monday at 5:30 pm in the Presidents’

Lounge

• Dress is Business Casual

• An agenda is made by the Speaker detailing exactly what will be discussed at the meeting

• Resolutions will be voted on, initiatives will be discussed, etc.

What is a resolution?• A resolution is a snazzy way of stating:

– what you are doing– why you are doing it– how it will benefit the USS– and finally that it is acted upon

• It uses fancy language like, “whereas”, but it is a simple concept.

• Basically, if I were to say that meetings were no longer to be business casual, I might write a resolution saying:– What: I am changing meeting dress code to Pajamas– Why: Because we would be more comfy– Benefit: We can be more relaxed during meetings

• The resolution must be read aloud at the Senate meeting by its author

• The topic at hand will be discussed, questioned and perhaps edited OR tabled until a further meeting

• It must then be voted on by the entire Senate and must pass by a majority of votes

What is an Initiative? • Anything you want! (well, almost)• Most senators have personal initiatives that they want accomplished

throughout their terms. For example:• BC Trip• Community Day• Shuttle Schedule• Dining Plan Handouts• SJU Listens• Off-Campus Housing Fair

**If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry!! You will!!

My Goals for the 8th U.S.S.• Continue to provide a voice for the Student Body of SJU

– Senate is in a good place right now. We need to keep up the great work!– Continue to motivate the Executive Board as well as the Administrative

Board to ensure continued enthusiasm. – Maintain focus on increased Communication with the Student Body

• Develop essential relationships with other aspects of campus and the community.– Vice President for Mission

• Selected from within Campus Ministry in order to ensure full commitment and dedication to bridging the gap and improving communication of the Jesuit Ideals on campus.

– Form Senate Sub-committees made up of students involved in different areas on campus not necessarily in student life.• Athletics, Res. Life, Foreign Students, Commuters, etc.

• Offer more opportunities for discussion and student feedback– At a minimum, hold 2 open forums/semester discussing:

• Hot Campus Topics (Campion, Diversity)• Courageous Conversations (War, Politics, Religion)

– *Sen. McNamara• Large Senate Initiatives (Its up to you guys!)

• Improve the sense of Community at SJU– Diversity Roundtable

• Compile a group of students, faculty and administration from a variety of different areas on campus to meet and discuss current issues and how to combat them

• Form a stronger bond with Multicultural Life• Admissions• Continue Community Day

• Improve the Advising Programs at SJU– Investigate both Advising Programs in HSB and A&S

• What works, what doesn’t• What do students say?

– Look into an Advising Center for Arts & Sciences• How can we get one?• What do students say?

• Develop cohesive, large and important 8th Senate goals, and facilitate their implementation– New “Initiative Chair” positions

• Entire Senate Goal-Setting session• One senator per initiative, committee behind it• Bi-monthly check-ins with me to ensure progress• Final result: “LOOK WHAT THE 8TH SENATE DID!”

We will be having our goal setting session after lunch & the VP presentations, so please keep your wheels turning throughout the day so you can be ready to rumble!

ANYONE is eligible for an initiative chair position, as well as chair positions under the Vice Presidents!

Thank you for your time & attention!

Questions?