Minutes
University Assembly Meeting
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
4: 30 � 6:00 p.m.
316 Day Hall

I. Call to Order

R. Orme called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

II. Roll Call

Roll was taken via sign-in sheet. Present: A. Craig, M. Fontana, A. Frieden, K. Laden, N. Raps, E. Strong, L. Laurence, B. Liddick, R. Orme, K. Speiser, J. Blair, M. Hatch, E. Sanders, A. Stroock, R. Wayne, B. McKinney

Not Present: R. Stein, C. Robertson, N. Brideau, S. Pardo, E. Loew, K. Duch, M. Walsh

Also In Attendance: A. Epstein, P. Beach, A. O’Donnell, S. Dittman, B. McKinney, R. Doyle, B. Lyons, N. Evenson, C. Lyons, Y. Zhang

III. Reports from Constituent Assemblies — SA, GPSA, EA, FS

SA�There was no report.

GPSA� E. Strong reported they saw a resolution that clarified an SA resolution regarding student groups. They determined it doesn’t apply to groups with more than 40% grad students. There was also a resolution encouraging the university to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

EA�B. Liddick said he had no report.

FS�M. Hatch said at the last meeting Provost Fuchs discussed the budget and there will be a resolution presented at the next meeting.

IV. Call for Late Additions to the Agenda

M. Hatch suggested if time permits, the assembly could look at the resolution that will be proposed in the FS. The resolution is in circulation and is seeking support from the UA.

V. Approval of Minutes

M. Hatch made a motion to approve the minutes for the previous meeting. B. Liddick seconded. The minutes were voted on and approved.

VI. Business of the Day

A. Discussion of BUHS Resolution— 30 minutes

M. Hatch said this resolution is similar to the resolution on the sustainability committee. This is a way of adjusting the BUHS to fit the current status of various councils concerning health care. He reported he had been working with Sharon Dittman and Seth Pardo to discuss the issue. This resolution attempts to develop a more streamlined committee but still covers the responsibility of the relationships between the UA and health services. If we cut the membership of these committees to four members (which is the minimum number required), it would be more streamlined and would still represent the four constituencies.

S. Dittman said the goal of Gannett is to have a direct relationship with the UA. She has found some committees aren’t sustainable due to a lack of interested members. One solution was temporary committees formed specifically for a particular issue, but she feels it is more important to maintain a regular yet dynamic relationship between the Gannett staff and the UA. The alternative might be to have a Gannett staffer come to UA meetings regularly.

S. Dittman said there is the possibility of a liaison, where one UA member would meet with one Gannett staffer. An advantage would be those two people would be constantly engaged.

J. Blair observed the committees seem to be meeting their missions but the connections are broken. He did not feel it was necessary to create a committee to make that connection.

M. Hatch asked about changing the charter to adjust the number of voting members on a committee. A. Epstein said the charter could be amended.

J. Blair suggested the assembly table the resolution and send it to the executive committee to discuss. He suggested they recommend if the committee is needed, what the relationship should be, and then fix the paperwork accordingly. He added if the committees have suffered, it isn’t to the point where they cannot function anymore. They need leadership before they need a connection committee.

M. Hatch wanted to bring attention to the president’s statement about the BUHS. It has the responsibility of debating potential changes in policy.

M. Hatch suggested tabling the resolution. B. Liddick seconded.

M. Hatch asked if anyone else was interested in being part of the discussion. K. Laden said he was. M. Hatch said they would get a group together to discuss the issue with S. Dittman. R. Orme said he would send out an email about this.

B. Discussion of the appointment of the UA liaison to the University Sustainability

Committee — 5 minutes M. Hatch asked for a volunteer to be the convener /liaison for the USC. A. Frieden volunteered to be the convener.

K. Laden asked about the breakdown of the committee and the selection process of the members. M. Hatch replied that each assembly will appoint its member(s). He said the committee can be expanded through sub-committee structures or Ad-Hoc members. The committee can decide later if it wants to use an application process for the expansions.

C. Cornell Store Presentation — 20 minutes

Margie Whiteleather and Bill Swisher from the Cornell Store came to talk about how the store was doing in the current financial climate. They explained the financial crisis had impacted them, but noted they had been able to fund some special projects with their reserves.

A. Stroock commented on the rising cost of textbooks on top of an already expensive tuition bill. He said he thought the university shouldn’t hide the fact they receive a portion of the revenue from the campus store. He suggested the store stop selling textbooks and contract out to an outside vendor.

B. Swisher said there is only so much return a store can generate, and the Cornell Store is near the bottom line. He explained 10% is given back to the university, 73% to the publisher, 1.5% for shipping, 5% toward overhead, part of which maintains the store.

M. Hatch asked what percentage of their profit comes from textbooks compared to everything else sold at the store. B. Swisher said there were many ways to divide the data. M. Hatch asked if the store lowered textbook prices, would it need to raise prices on other items. B. Swisher said he didn’t have the numbers to answer this.

B. Swisher said the store provides 85% of textbooks, so it would be best to figure out a way to reduce book costs. One good way is to provide used books. They explained used books are scarce, and they only buy used books if they will be used again. By May, they typically only know 44% of the titles that will be used. He added that textbook costs continue to increase, and the market continues to decrease by approximately 1% each year. A. Craig said most students sell their used books to private businesses, because they can get more money for them.

R. Wayne said textbooks weren’t optional, and that textbooks shouldn’t have tax on them.

L. Lawrence asked about the store’s top challenges. B. Swisher replied their built-in costs (employee benefits, etc.) are higher than many of their competitors.

L. Lawrence asked if the store will be laying off any staff. B. Swisher said the store is trying to produce more return instead of spending less, so no staff lay offs are planned at this time.

M. Fontana suggested the EA consider a resolution to set course material deadlines that would compel faculty to be prompt with reporting their textbook needs.

D. Discussion of Smoke-Free Campus Initiative — 10 minutes

Beth McKinney and Ruth Merle Doyle from the Wellness program introduced themselves and gave a history on this initiative. They estimated $150,000 per year could be saved on clean up around campus. Additionally, a survey on how being a smoke-free campus affected student applications showed no effect. They said the University of Iowa had gone smoke-free under President Skorton.

J. Blair questioned the cost of reinforcing the policy and the cost of signs. R. Doyle said they did not have numbers on that, but said signage would not be costly since they only need to be posted at campus limits. K. Laden suggested contacting the Univ of Iowa to get cost estimates.

R. Wayne asked how long the policy would need before going into affect. R. Doyle said it took Iowa a long time. E. Sanders pointed out this would likely benefit the university by saving money on health insurance.

M. Hatch said this will be on our agenda for a while as we formulate the health service.

E. Codes and Judicial Committee Update — 20 minutes

K. Laden talked about the resolution about gorge safety. The resolution was tabled. M. Hatch said at the next meeting, at least two CJC representatives would attend possibly someone from the JA’s office as well, to discuss the issue.

VII. Additional Items from the Floor

E. Sanders presented a resolution seeking a statement of support from the UA. The resolution concerns the budget process for the construction of new buildings.

A Craig made a motion to extend the meeting by 10 minutes. M. Hatch seconded.

E. Sanders said the resolution is about making sure financial planning mistakes with regards to construction projects are not repeated. J. Blair cautioned the resolution has to be carefully chosen. K. Speiser said most buildings do not have all funding in place at the start. B. Liddick agreed it is unrealistic to have 100% of the money in place. M. Hatch said the resolution is looking for a statement of support from the UA. K. Speiser proposed the UA invite Paul Streeter in for a discussion on budgeting. J. Blair supported this. R. Orme suggested we bring this back at the March meeting.

VIII. Adjournment

J. Blair made a motion to adjourn. L. Lawrence seconded. R. Orme adjourned at 6:14 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Yang Zhang
Office of the Assemblies