MEMBERS PRESENT:

Bernie Goldstein	Chair, Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Eric Carlson	Student Representative
Paul Regner	Student Representative
Crystal Shrouf	Student Representative
Andy Merrifield	Faculty Representative
Philip McGough	Faculty Representative

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Jamie Holian	Student Representative
Callen Kurpinsky	Student Representative

GUESTS PRESENT DURING PRESENTATION:

Monica Bohnett	Student
Krista Smith	Student
Katie Miller	Student
Brian Farrar	Student
Vicki Vescio	Fitness Coordinator, Student Union
Bob Williams	Assistant Director, Student Union
Pam Su	Recreational Sports Coordinator, Student Union
Rand Link	Vice President for Student Affairs

STAFF PRESENT:

Larry Furukawa-Schlereth	Committee Staff, Chief Financial Officer
Katie Pierce	Committee Staff, Academic Affairs Budget Officer

MEETING AGENDA

I. Welcome and Introductions

II. Approval of the Agenda

III. Distribution of Orientation Materials & Discussion of Committee Charge

IV. Proposal for Student Union Fee Referendum

V. Confirm Future Meeting Dates

VI. Adjourn

MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED

At the Meeting:

1. Committee Binders for each member

2. Sonoma Student Union Student Fee Referendum Proposal (distributed during presentation by Representatives of Student Union)

I. Chair Goldstein welcomed committee members to the first meeting of 99/00. He introduced himself and others followed in turn.

II. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: It was Moved and Seconded and Passed (unanimously), to adopt the Agenda.

III. DISTRIBUTION OF ORIENTATION MATERIALS AND DISCUSSION OF COMMITTEE CHARGE:

Katie Pierce distributed binders to each committee member. She and Eric Carlson had met during the summer to develop binders containing relevant policy and procedure documentation as well as information related to the IRA program. The binders are large enough to accommodate additional committee-related materials that will accumulate throughout the year.

IV. PROPOSAL FOR STUDENT UNION FEE REFERENDUM:

Guests arrived for their 6:15 time-certain and everyone introduced themselves. Katie Miller, Board President for the Sonoma Student Union Inc., distributed a formal written proposal (incorporated herein) and began the presentation of a proposal for a student fee referendum in support of the Student Recreation Center Project.

Vicki Vescio followed Miller's introduction with a brief recent history of the Fitness Center and recreational sports activities. She cited surveys in which SSU students have expressed a desire for more and better facilities for recreation and fitness activities.

Students Krista Smith, Monica Bohnett and Brian Farrar spoke enthusiastically in favor of the proposal. They spoke of the facility they envision, with space for fitness center, dance and aerobics rooms, indoor sports courts, additional job opportunities for students, and more appropriate space for the Outdoor Pursuits and Recreational Sports Programs. They mentioned their attendance at National University Recreational Sports Association meetings where they have learned of the great success other campuses have experienced with facilities of this kind.

Bob Williams spoke about the constructive activities that would be possible in the Recreation Center and the part such opportunities have on the retention and satisfaction of our students. He drew the group's attention to the formal proposal document which provides a through description of the envisioned facility and a financial plan. The costs of construction would be covered through Series B State bonds. To minimize the period in which students would pay increased Student Union fees before having access to the new Recreation Center, it is proposed that the fee increase not take effect until 02/03. In 02/03 fees would increase $80/semester and the following year, 03/04 increase an additional $15 per semester.

Guests representing the Student Union invited questions about their proposal. Phil McGough wondered if a 2/3 majority was required to pass the referendum. Rand Link clarified that, since the proposal is to increase an already existing student body center fee, not establish a new fee, passage requires only a majority of those voting.

Andy Merrifield expressed his concern about the impact a fee increase might have on the diversity of our student body, and the ability of less affluent students to attend SSU.

Link expressed his view that the cost of on-campus housing is the economic factor most likely to cause students not to select Sonoma. He acknowledged that the proposed fee increase would represent an increase of about 10% in the cost of attending SSU.

In response to further questions about the possibility of reducing the cost or scale of the project, Link and Williams explained that they had devised the most economical plans for a facility that would meet the needs of students for the next many years. Some features, including a swimming pool, have been eliminated from the project in order to contain costs. They further explained that this project is separate, but related to the University Center project which is also under discussion, but is not a project of the Student Union and is not projected to be funded through increased student fees.

The guests left the meeting after acknowledgement and thanks from the Committee.

After brief discussion it was Moved Seconded and Passed (unanimously) to form Subcommittees A & B, as guided by University policy.

Membership on the two committees, decided by consensus, follows:

Subcommittee A:
Eric Carlson, Chair	Staff to Subcommittee A: Cynthia Jowers
Jamie Holian
Phil McGough
Crystal Schrouf

Subcommittee B:
Paul Regner, Chair	Staff to Subcommittee B: TBA
Bernie Goldstein
Callen Kurpinsky
Andy Merrifield

The committee agreed that the timeline is very tight. Voting on the referendum is to take place November 15 and 16, and information regarding the referendum must be published in the STAR thirty days prior to that.

After consulting their calendars Subcommittee A agreed to meet at 4:30 Monday 9/18. Carlson will arrange a meeting place and will notify everyone on Subcommittee A.

V. CONFIRM FUTURE MEETING DATES

Setting future meeting dates was deferred.

It was agreed that Subcommittee activity will move forward. Everyone agreed that another meeting of the full committee will only be convened in September if time-sensitive issues arise.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Goldstein adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by,

Katie Pierce, Academic Affairs Budget Officer