Taken by Bryan Tuttle

On Oct. 29, the ASUCR Senate meeting brought forth a series of reports, which involved increased officer stipends, the movement in GCAP committee funds and voting ballot initiatives.

Under Chapter VII of the Stipends and Regulations bylaws, section five, item d was specifically addressed. With a current maximum for all senator stipends, ASUCR President Liam Dow successfully motioned to temporarily suspend section five, item d, which states: “Under no circumstances may the maximum stipend level for the Officers of the Associated Students exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).” President Dow argues that the line item, which has not been reviewed for over 10 years, is outdated.

Vice President of Internal Affairs Kevin Jo delivered his GCAP report, which requested the internal rollover of $30,000 in GCAP club revenue to the solar panel fund. The shift in funds will be used as part of a one-year funding commitment to finance the Lot 30 solar-powered canopies. Current sustainability plans by GCAP will be complementary to UCR’s 6.8 acre solar-powered farm initiative.

With a greater push for the “Get Out the Vote” initiative this week, ASUCR senators have been tabling at the Bell Tower and in front of the former Exchange store. Vice President of External Affairs Lazaro Cardenas suggested the possibility of distributing a general map of nearby polling precincts around UCR. On Nov.5, the voting rally also consisted of face painting, voter floats and the distribution of other celebratory items.

Lastly, a brief UCR student-made video was shown at the end of the meeting, which included an empowering speech by Governor Jerry Brown who pushed for support of Proposition 30 and education in California.

Top 10 Senate Highlights:

ASPB cancelled part three of the “Meet the Ballot Political Speakers Series: Debate on Gay Marriage,” due to Hurricane Sandy. On Oct. 27, Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts, therefore halting many out-of-state flights—including one with the expected speakers. former Senator Cheryl Jacques (D-MA) and Congressman John H. Rogers (D-MA), as confirmed by ASPB vice chairperson Lacy Bruins.

With the collaborative efforts of ASUCR and CALPIRG, over 4,125 individuals were registered to vote for the 2012 election.

On Nov. 8, the UC student regents will visit UCR. An informal meeting consisting of raffles and prizes will take place at the HUB Plaza from 12 to 1 p.m., followed by a formal presentation on Proposition 30 at 6 p.m. in HUB 379.

On Nov. 9-11, UCR will host the 24th annual Student of Color Conference, with an expected attendance of over 1,300 students—the largest turnout in the event’s history.

As one of many outreach events, UCR’s sixth annual “Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference” took place on Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.

As part of the “Stuff the Bus” initiative, ASUCR will be collecting donations for Operation Safehouse, an at-risk youth shelter in Riverside County.

Personnel Chair Director Marianne Melleka will be assembling a sexual harassment committee, which will fall under the ASUCR Outreach General Committee.

Due to insufficient supply, the criteria requirements for supplemental instruction (SI) tutors are being reviewed.

Vice Chief Justice Mark Orland was unable to establish a Judicial Review Board, due to a conflict of interest in reviewing passed legislation by ASUCR senators.

Second-year UCR undergraduate Christopher Sanchez was bestowed a parliamentary appointment by ASUCR Executive Vice President Armando Saldana. The position entails monitoring the legal proceedings of ASUCR in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order—the most widely-used constitutional template in the United States.