The Student Senate was called to order at 6:07 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6. It was a full meeting, with multiple issues being presented and discussed.
The night began with an address detailing the transit updates. Tina Deetz, with the transit commission, displayed a presentation containing statistics on the updated plan. Deetzs came to the meeting in support of the new transit reforms.
Deetz discussed how the rides would end at 8:30 p.m., which was a great concern for the senators. Deetz said the university planned to rely on Safe Ride to replace the transit in the later hours. Senators said the current state may lack the resources to support the program.
The senate then moved into a presentation on the new identity system. Information Technology Commission Director Drew Morehouse displayed Okta Verify, the multi-factor authentication (MFA) system replacing Duo Mobile in the spring semester. President Brett Farmer was a guinea pig for the new program and showed the senate how simple it is.
Farmer introduced resolution 67-R-5: “Urging the Joint Committee on Employment Relations to Approve the 2023-2025 University of Wisconsin Pay Plan” to the senate. Farmer authored this piece of legislation alongside Vice President Sam Consigulio.
The resolution supports the legislation currently being blocked in the Wisconsin State Senate. The bill urges the university to support its faculty and employees, and states that the senate will stand with the faculty and employees.
Farmer and Consigulio wrote this bill following a meeting in Madison with UW System President Jay Rothman and decided to bring the issue to the senate. Farmer described the funding as essential, and in such wrote and passed the bill in a single week.
“Everybody agreed we have all had amazing professors, and it’s simply just wrong they’re not getting paid,” Farmer said.
He also described it as a non-political issue.
“Our job is to support our students, and our campus as a whole, including our faculty. If we are not supporting our faculty, it’s a detriment to our students,” Consiglio said.
The debate floor was opened, and senators gave mainly support. Senator Matthew Lehner was among those who spoke about the piece.
Lehner said this resolution is “ a crucial and timely piece of legislation,” with most members of the body agreeing with his sentiment.
The bill passed unanimously with a vote of 27-0-5 and five members were not present.
The senate adjourned at 7:30 p.m. and will reconvene at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13 in the Dakota Ballroom of Davies Student Center.
Leick can be reached at l[email protected].
