A.S. University Council

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

APRIL 9, 2014 – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CONRAD PREBYS AZTEC STUDENT UNION – 3:30 PM

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Vice President of University Affairs Morgan Chan called the meeting to order at 3:40 PM.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL:

A. Voting Members Present: Morgan Chan, Stav Geffner, Cindy Lopez, Jack Losey, Sean Zaher, Onochie Ani, Alex Ben, Lindsey Schaefer, Tasnim El Mezain, Kristina Morales, Raquel Martin, Blaire Ward, Katelynne Willis, Joshua Beverly, Savannah Sawaged, Cameron Wilmore, Brady Balolong, Jonathan Cole, Chad Karczewski, Jessika Seekatz, Josh Morse, Becca Cohen, Javier Gomez, Mariah Kelly.

B. Voting Members Absent: Jordan Harrison, Marya Edgar, Michelle Mitchell.

C. Ex-Officios (non-voting) Present: Christina Brown, Dr. Cesar Ornatowski, Clarice Mendoza.

D. Ex-Officios (non-voting) Absent: Dr. Timothy Quinnan.

E. Visitors Present: Jennifer Esquivel-Parker, Corey Polant, Josh Garman, Hassan Abdinur, Jen Halperin, Sarah Katularu, Alessio Avellan, Jared Allyn, Freddie Sanchez, Chelsea Baer, Maria Cavataio, Nirit Revzin, Aleena Nawabi., Michael Kostukovsky, Brett Kirchick, Salaheddin Al-khawaja, Sheli Grumet, Ilana Sherrington, Yishai Dvash, Jackie Tolley, Arnelle Sambile, Michael Kagan, Conor Ryan, June Cummins, Niran Avni, Gabriel Benji, Nadir Bouhmouch, Tessa Wiley, Delena Truong, Kelby Kupersmid, Jessica Marin, Mechelle Negrete, Osama Alkhawaja,

IV. MODIFICATIONS TO AGENDA:

It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda of April 9, 2014.

EL MEZAIN/LOPEZ

Becca Cohen added an action item under Items for Consideration as Item C to determine the timeline for the approval process of #UCB S14-01 Resolution in Support of Divestment for the Human Rights of the Palestinian People, as a friendly amendment. Javier Gomez added a time certain at 3:45 PM for Item C under University Reports and Presentations, as a friendly amendment.

The agenda was approved amended.

V. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:

It was moved and seconded to approve the previous minutes of March 19, 2014.

WARD/BEN CARRIED

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT:

A. Delena Truong, Asian Pacific Student Alliance Representative, reported:

1. Associated Students is invited to the 18th Annual Fashion Talent Show on Friday, April 18 from 6-10 PM. It is a free event, located at Montezuma Hall in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. Hope to see everyone there!

B. Allesio Avellan, tellM App Representative, reported:

1. The tellM App, made by SDSU students, is available now in the App Store for Apple devices.

C. Sheli Grumet, Aztec for Israel Representative, reported:

1. It is not morally correct to divest, but it is moral to invest in Israel.

2. Sheli spoke on the companies targeted by this resolution and its impact in Israel.

D. Sarah Kataularu, Aztecs for Israel Representative, reported:

1. The safety barrier present in Israel is not an apartheid wall and is necessary for Israelis’ survival.

2. Sarah finds the resolution deeply offensive to her friends and family here and in Israel.

E. Jessica Marin, Association of Chicana Activists Representative, reported:

1. Jessica does not want our university to support or help build the safety barrier in Israel. It violates basic human rights and it is important for our university to stay true and compliant to its mission statement.

F. Yishai Dvash, Stand With Us San Diego Representative and Former Officer in the Israeli Corps, reported:

1. The resolution promotes deception and hate to the Jewish people, by trying to take down the Israeli government.

2. Yishai advises the University Council to do their own research on the topic to formulate their decision.

G. Ilana Sherrington, Former Israeli Citizen and Israeli Defense Force Officer, reported:

1. This resolution attacks the officers and military personnel serving Israel and is an act of hatred, in efforts to bring down the state of Israel.

2. There is a need to ensure that Israel is a secure place that still has hope.

H. Tessa Wiley, Student Union for Representation and Justice Representative, reported:

1. By failing or ignoring this resolution, it harms life and promotes violence.

2.Help Israel pave a path to ensure peace.

I. Joshua Garman, Student, reported:

1. Currently, SDSU is funding only one side of the conflict.

2. Josh encourages University Council to support divestment and to expand the resolution.

3. None of SDSU’s funding should be coming from blood money.

J. Hassan Adbunir, Student, reported:

1. The university is funded by companies that violate human rights.

2. This resolution is not politically new or different to A.S.

K. Salaheddin Al-khawaja, Students for Justice in Palestine Representative, reported:

1. The statements about technology coming from Israel are wrong.

2. Companies are currently profiting from human rights violations.

L. Osama Alkhawaja, Muslim Student Association Representative, reported:

1. By the distribution of this resolution in the SDSU community, the national community has shown their support for divesting from companies that violate basic human rights.

2. This resolution is targeting U.S. companies, not Israeli companies. Stand up and divest.

M. Arnelle Sambile, Student, reported:

1. As students at SDSU, it is our job to be neutral in conflicts such as this.

2. It is important to enhance the student voice.

N. Nirit Revzin, Aztecs for Israel Representative, reported:

1. In order to move forward, peace and dialogue must happen to relieve this tension between the two sides of the argument. There is no better place to start than in a university.

2. If we could see both sides of the story, it could save lives.

O. Michael Kagan, Aztecs for Israel Representative, reported:

1. Vote no to divestment. Many incorrect statements are in this resolution and it is propaganda. Look at the facts to see what is true and what is false.

2. This resolution is responsible for tearing many people apart worldwide and at SDSU. If people could come together, it could make a difference and show the nation that Israeli and Palestinian people can work together.

P. Conor Ryan, Students for Justice in Palestine, reported:

1. Human rights abuses are being done by the listed companies in the resolution.

2. By failing this resolution, SDSU is agreeing to ignore the experiences of oppressed people.

Q. Nadir Bouhmouch, Student, reported:

1. There are many false concerns to the safety barrier in Israel.

2. The BDS movement is support by numerous highly reputable organizations.

3. Discussed the many aims of the BDS movement.

VII. UNIVERSITY REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

A. University Senate Designee, Dr. Cesar Ornatowski: No report.

B. SDSU Vice President of Student Affairs Designee, Dr. Tim Quinnan: No report.

C. Learning Outcomes Presentation – Graduate Student Association President, Freddie Sanchez, and College of Sciences Student Council President, Jared Allyn, reported:

1. The Learning Outcomes presented to University Council at the last meeting were presented, again explaining the structure and listed outcomes determined by the Academic Affairs Committee. Each outcome satisfies the need for measurable goals to see what students are gaining from serving on college councils. Freddie and Jared invited the University Council members to ask them questions regarding the Learning Outcomes.

D. College Council Open Forums: (Discussion)

1. University Council discussed the open forums they held this past year and discussed ways they could improve the requirement. A main concern for the members was that high numbers of attendees and effective outreach are aimed for, but how do council members reach out to students reach out to the students in their college without offering an incentive for attendance? The members discussed other options for an event that is more specific and guided.

VIII. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:

A. General Consent Agenda: (Action)

It was moved and seconded to approve the General Consent Agenda, as attached.

COHEN/MORALES CARRIED

B. General Consent Report: (Information)

The General Consent Report was reviewed via electronic copy. For further reference please request a full agenda copy from the Government Secretary.

C. Timeline for the Approval of the Resolution Process: (Action)

It was moved and approved to hold a special meeting next Wednesday, April 16 at 4:30 PM, after the scheduled Campus Life Council meeting, for a second reading of the Resolution in Support of Divestment for the Human Rights of the Palestinian People.

EL MEZAIN/ANI CARRIED

IX. INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATIVE MATTERS:

A. Resolution in Support of Divestment for the Human Rights of the Palestinian People, as attached. (1st Reading)

X. REPORTS OF CAMPUS LIFE COUNCIL MEMBERS:

None.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

KELLY/GOMEZ CARRIED

Vice President of University Affairs Morgan Chan adjourned the meeting at 6:25 PM.