A.S. University Council

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

APRIL 16, 2014 – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CONRAD PREBYS AZTEC STUDENT UNION – 4:30 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, Jordan Harrison, Alex Ben, Lindsey Schaefer, Marya Edgar, Tasnim El Mezain, Kristina Morales, Raquel Martin, Blaire Ward, Katelynne Willis, Joshua Beverly, Michelle Mitchell, Savannah Sawaged, Cameron Wilmore, Brady Balolong, Jonathan Cole, Chad Karczewski, Jessika Seekatz, Josh Morse, Becca Cohen, Javier Gomez, Mariah Kelly.

B. Voting Members Absent: Jack Losey, Sean Zaher, Onochie Ani.

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

D. Ex-Officios (non-voting) Absent: Dr. Cesar Ornatowski.

E. Visitors Present: Jennifer Esquivel-Parker, Sean Guardian, Michelle Ong, Nick Serrano, Kevin Hancock, Hassan Abdinur, Josh Garman, Washington Navarrete, Chris Lara-Cruz, Sheli Grumet, Sarah Katularu, Anisa Hagi-Mohamed, Charlie Heller, Kelby Kupersmid, Josh Spiegel, Ahmed Fayaz Nawabi, Mohammed Hassoun, Nadine Hassoun, Lesley Reyes, Daisy Ramirez, Carlos Perez, Bo Elder, Nadir Bouhmouch, Zahra Buzeriba, Nirit Revzin, Joshua Spiegel, Elias Purmul

IV. MODIFICATIONS TO AGENDA:

It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda of April 16, 2014.

HARRISON/EL MEZAIN CARRIED

V. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:

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

LOPEZ/SCHAEFER CARRIED

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT:

A. Zahra Buzeriba, Students for Justice in Palestine Representative, reported:

1. Israel is singled out because it is the most relevant to students worldwide.

2. SDSU should not be investing in crimes against human rights.

3. Palestinians are displaced.

B. Anisa Hagi-Mohamed, Muslim Student Association Representative, reported:

1. Vote yes on divestment. In Israel, everything is second to human rights.

2. When making the decision on passing the resolution, your conscience should come first.

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

1. Vote no on divestment. Although alterations can be made to separate this resolution from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign language, it will still be considered a part of the movement.

2. According to the SDSU website in support of divestment, their campaign still mentioned that they are a part of the BDS movement.

3. By passing the Resolution, SDSU will be supporting an anti-human rights agenda. The BDS will still use SDSU’s voice for their own movement’s purposes.

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

1. Before voting, ensure that all accusations are true before forming your decision.

2. All Israeli government actions are fair to both Israelis and Palestinians and have made accommodations to the Palestinian people.

3. The Resolution contains false and misleading accusation.

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

1. Voting no does not make you against human rights.

2. Not denying human rights means you are taking a stance.

3. By taking a stance, you do not support the potential of peace and dialogue between sides.

F. Joshua Spiegel, Student, reported:

1. The document before you all is not a resolution because nothing will be resolved after approving it.

2. There is no real solution from divesting from the targeted companies.

3. Everyone’s perspective is not considered in this resolution, making it a proclamation.

G. Charlie Heller, Jewish Student Union Representative, reported:

1. A video of Obama referring to Israel’s security was played for the University Council members.

H. Elias Purmul, Muslim Student Association Representative, reported:

1. It is important to make these issues important to you, as representatives of the student body.

2.Several counter arguments are addressed, such as the argument that this issue is divisive and the aftermath of passing the resolution resulting in no dialogue. Dialogue between the two sides can still ensue.

i. Fayaz Nawabi, Student, reported:

1. Factual numbers were read off for University Council, proving that the infrastructure of Israel is being targeted and destroyed.

2. The illegal use of white phosphorous is being practiced in Israel.

J. Kelby Kupersmid, Student, reported:

1. Saying that the BDS movement does not call for the destruction of Israel is an offense. Their real motive is to promote the hatred of Jewish and Israeli individuals. It is a violation of basic human rights.

2. By supporting the BDS movement, you are proclaiming the hatred of Palestine.

K. Nadine Hassoun, Students for Justice in Palestine Representative, reported:

1. The approval of the Resolution in Support of Divestment for the Human Rights of the Palestinian People won’t change the campus climate. The students are responsible for changing the campus climate.

2. The Resolution attacks companies, not people.

L. Mohamad Hassoun, Students for Justice in Palestine Representative, reported:

1. Vote yes on divestment.

2. Mohamad detailed attacks in early January and the harm done to civilians in Israel.

M. Nadir Bouhmouch, Student Union for Representation and Justice Representative, reported:

1. Nadir addressed the counterargument against demolition notices of homes. Palestinian people are required to pay the government to demolish their own homes.

2. Nadir shared his own personal experiences, relating to the protection of human rights.

N. Carlos Perez, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/Chicana De Aztlan Representative, reported:

1. The corporations involved in the violation of human rights must not be supported by our investments. The Resolution will stop SDSU from violating human rights.

2. Vote yes on divestment. The main purpose of the document is to stop these corporations.

VII. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:

A. Action Item Review for Appointments & Review Committee: (Information)

Nick Serrano reviewed the University Council’s representatives on the Appointments and Review Committee with University Council and presented the interview schedule for appointed positions next year. Alex Ben and Marya Edgar were approved as the two representatives of the University Council on the Appointments and Review Committee.

IX. INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATIVE MATTERS:

A. Resolution in Support of Divestment for the Human Rights of the Palestinian People: (2nd Reading)

1. The Resolution was discussed and amendments were made. Additional amendments were proposed and members asked that a copy of the proposed amendments be sent out. Both the updated resolutions are proposed amendments are attached.

X. REPORTS OF CAMPUS LIFE COUNCIL MEMBERS:

None.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

MORSE/HARRISON CARRIED

Vice President of University Affairs Morgan Chan adjourned the meeting at 6:33 PM.