MSA meeting discusses new position, KCOU
He hopes to prevent future communication breakdowns with auxiliaries.
Published Jan. 30, 2009
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Missouri Students Association Senator Phyllis Williams speaks Wednesday against a proposed amendment to the Board of Elections Commissioners handbook that would allow all candidates running for MSA office to campaign door-to-door off-campus. Williams was open to allowing such campaigning for presidential elections but not Senate elections.
Following miscommunication with KCOU and other auxiliaries, Missouri Students Association President Jordan Paul proposed the creation of a second chief of staff position.
The bill, which had its first reading at the full Senate meeting Wednesday night, would make a salaried position identical to the existing chief of staff position except in duties. Paul said this second person is necessary because of "communication breakdowns" with KCOU and the Craft Studio.
"The current structure is flawed," Paul said. "This position flattens the bureaucracy. This would give the auxiliaries someone who is in touch with them all on a regular basis."
This would be a trial run and will not be a line item for next year's budget, Paul said.
Paul said after a meeting with KCOU directors he would remain committed to keeping them under the MSA umbrella for the next year.
"I was on the fence," Paul said. "At this point, though, I thought it would be a mistake to the throw them out with no guaranteed source of future funds."
Paul said MSA will reduce KCOU funding by 20 percent, but the station is scheduled to have 40 percent carryover from its previous year's budget. KCOU had to use this money on a one-time capital improvement project associated with the new tower.
"They will have the funding capabilities to offer the same services and programming as this year," Paul said. "It also decreases our commitment in case they fall apart. We have a security blanket."
The Senate also approved Rachel Grabowski as the new Department of Student Affairs director. Grabowski spent three and a half years working with DSA, primarily on the music committee.
"I generally have a good idea of what the position of director entails," Grabowski said during her confirmation hearing. "As director, I would like to get more involved with the committees."
Academic Affairs Committee Chairman Craig Stevenson reported he will soon meet with several academic advisors to discuss ways to improve advising.
Campus and Community Relations Committee has continued efforts to get a bid for construction of a walkway from Crowder Hall to Stankowski Field, Committee Chairman Tim Noce said.
Student Affairs Committee Chairman Paul Whiteside has requested to move the ATMs from Brady Commons to a new location, to ensure that these would still be accessible to students.
Student Affairs also plans to look into obtaining healthier options in the dining hall, as well as updating university Web sites that are very out of date, Whiteside said.
As MSA Senate Speaker Jonathan Mays' term will soon end, discussions about the dates of the upcoming Senate speaker election were held. Nominations will start Feb. 14 and the election for the position will be held on Feb. 25 at the full Senate meeting.
Paul discussed his work on getting emergency phones placed in various locations around campus.
"Barring something unexpected, those should be up within a few weeks," Paul said.
Once the phones are in place, Paul plans to begin installing cameras in the remaining parking garages around campus. He also plans to promote the upcoming sustainability referendum.