SG Update 4/20

Overview

At the April 20 Student Government (SG) Senate meeting, a revised version of policy E30 was presented, a presentation for the Board of Trustees was previewed, news reports were given and bylaws were reviewed and approved. Newly approved members of the 2018–19 cabinet were introduced as well.

Policy E30

The revised Staff Grievance Procedure policy was previously presented to SG last spring and was interim approved over the past summer. The policy details the process in which staff can file a grievance — a formal complaint regarding actions taken by another employee that goes against standard policy and procedure or otherwise violates the vision of RIT. 

Since then, more revisions have been made as asked by the University Council. Changes include no longer having the policy be applied to terminated employees and creating a standing staff grievance pool of trained individuals to increase effectiveness of the grievance process. Additionally, the new edition of the policy will cease the grievance process once lawyers become involved, as well as allow for various new modes of communication. SG motioned to endorse the policy.

Board of Trustees Presentation Preview

A presentation is expected to be given next week to the Board of Trustees by SG President Farid Barquet, a fourth year Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience and Biomedical Sciences double major. The presentation showcases the SG's accomplishments over the past academic year. Before presenting to the board, Barquet gave a preview to SG. The presentation has four overarching topics: civic engagement, global initiatives, community relations and academics. The new leaders of SG for the 2018–19 year will also be introduced to the board during this presentation.

Reports

Updates were reported to SG by a few representatives. The e-waste, reuse and recycling event, done in conjunction with the Golisano Student Advisory Committee, was reported to have been a major success. A service week event for Rochester School for the Deaf was successful in getting enough school supply donations to be given to every student. Academic Senate elections for 2018–19 were held. NTID Student Congress (NSC) met with the Administration Council to discuss concerns for creating a safer environment for NTID students. Changes are being made by the Parking and Transportation office to increase parking availability.

SG Bylaw Changes

SG is also in the process of updating their bylaws — rules and regulations that dictate their official course of action. Bylaw changes were first presented during last week’s meeting, but were brought back for review and approval. Some corrections were made to the appendices of the bylaws. Also, a motion was passed to approve a revision that would ensure the participation of Representative Student Organization (RSO) representatives in RSO elections.

RSO Bylaw Changes

The ALANA Collegiate Assoication (ACA) made revisions to their bylaws to better fit the current language and mission of ACA. Updates were also made regarding their finances.

OUTspoken made revisions to their organization's bylaws to allow first year students to be hired for executive board. Also, outlines were made for interim presidents and vice presidents.

NTID Student Congress (NSC) also revised their bylaws, outlining changes for the interim president and vice president as well as the impeachment process for the NSC president and vice president. Changes were also made regarding the election process.

2018–19 SG Cabinet Approvals

Incoming SG President Bobby Moakley, a third year Environmental Science and International and Global Studies double major, and incoming SG Vice President Corinne Mendieta, a fourth year Mechanical Engineering Technology major, introduced the new cabinet for the 2018–19 academic year. The cabinet was then approved by the senate. A few members of the current cabinet were approved to continue, after having already served in the past year. The fresh faces appointed to the cabinet were approved. The president and vice president felt that these new members would bring energy and new ideas to the position.

Responses to Petitions

Responses were drafted for four PawPrints petitions and presented to the senate for approval. The first petition mandated the use of MyCourses by professors to post grades and syllabi. The second led to the creation of a polling site on campus. The third allowed students to use their preferred names in proSAM for the financial aid office. Finally, the fourth PawPrints petition altered the requirements of the NTID dorm scholarship so that students will be able to move off campus without first staying in dorms for three years.

All the responses were approved with some minor changes made.