STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATIONGENERAL BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 29, 2020 AGENDAI. CALL TO ORDER

1. Attendance We have a quorum AP: Thanks for coming, sorry about the room change, thank you for being flexible. If

you know anyone coming late please let them know2. Approval of January 15, 2020 meeting minutes

Motion: Sam Iachello Second: Kayla Welch Approved as posted

II. CONSTITUENT TIME1. No constituent time

III. LIAISON REPORTS1. No liaison reports

IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORTS1. President Page

Alumni Association update – next meeting Feb 11, which will be with the new president

E-board elections

● Information packet coming on TWEN – new changes to election policy and new position changes. Want to make sure its correct information – will be emailed once posted

● Nomination confirmation next meeting (Feb 5th)a. Thank you for all posted nominations b. Meeting NEXT Wed.

NYLS mental health update

● Beta app test launching Feb.

● Possible lawyer wellbeing podcast – regarding mental health issues Feb townhall CANCELLED – student lunch with Dean Jacobs

● Feb 4th. 12 -1 castle – lunch provided

● Don’t want to compete with administration – want SBA to be there 2. Vice-President Shearouse

Update from Dean Jacobs

● Dean search, starts in the fall; Dean Jacobs will be on the short list

● Wants to do another Q&A lunch with SBA – more accessible to students

● Budget: expressed she wants to add administrative lunches, will be funded by us and by the deans suite, will meet with the deans with new e-board, asking for new increases

Admission Update

● Class size remaining the same

● GPA and LSAT score still rising for 4y in a row

● Applications are down 11% over all, standard for the Midwest

● Looking to find new ways to draw in from out of state Table time hours – bill tonight, 7h recommendation, based on what is planned so far,

barrister’s still has spots Tech services

● If there is something continuously malfunctioning, be very specific

● New third floor printer, always looking to update as needed Jobs on campus:

● Work study questions – different now with the merger, Dean Jacobs doesn’t know, will get back to on how transfers over

Schedule of classes

● Short reading period, talking with Dean Taylor and Jacobs, should be fixed for upcoming years, potentially extending period – want 4 day reading period

Special accommodations and proxy voting

● Everyone is busy, cannot always be here to vote, want to make sure everyone’s voice is still heard, will be drafting something post-eboard elections, anyone have any thoughts concerns see him after the meeting

● AP: members brought to attention, could be more accommodating, similar to ABA, exploring proxy voting

Kayla Welch: Kimberly is the new admissions, working with student ambassadors David K: clarify wanting to say about not wanting to take away from break, I thought

they were with the merger AS: my understanding, no Sam Iachello: Students in Owen, extended stay ends with the undergrad schedule, will

need to know AS: ok. Also final days of exams on Ramadan, working for accommodations to ensure

they can figure something out 3. Finance Director Starostka

Update

● Currently in contact, trying to schedule finance budget meeting with the deans

● Budget the same as last meeting 4. Community Affairs Director Malec

Question of the day: if you could pick one person to play you in a movie, living or dead, who would you pick, cannot be yourself?

Update

● JC Penny: Laux idea to get a discount for formal wear for 1L’s for advocacy – want to get before oral arguments for 1Ls – will get info out as soon as finalized, unsure of the percentage, hoping 40%

a. Laux: when we were 1L’s were told to go buy a suit – want to make it easier for the students

● Venmo for office snacks so we can go this weekend. New members, please participate

V. COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS1. Social Chair: Senator Gilio

Free Yoga Class with Nelly 01/30/2020 at 5-6pm

● A bit early, Nelly is great

● Room 325

● Bring own mat/towel

● Basic yoga

● Tell your friends

● There is a fb event Ashmal Comedy Festival Performance 02/01/2020 at 6pm

● All day festival

● Robin Theatre – get there by 645 to see Ashmal

● Link for tickets in Ashmal’s insta, Ashmal will post fb link

● 30$ = 10 beers

● Fiercely funny Pre-Law Society Law Student Panel 03/10/2020 at 6pm Rm 471

● Very eager to work with us, great opportunity for MSU students to meet MSU law student

● Need from SBA: 4 volunteers, 1L,2L,3L, LLM to be on the panel, sit and answer pre-law student questions, if interested let GG know. Would be informal, but show up in suit. Great for PR for admissions

"Leprechaun Leap" on 03/19/20-- very tentative (shhhhh)

● New tradition – St. Patty theme bar crawl

● Working with various bars, will sell super cheap t-shirts 2. Barristers Ball Chair: Senator Beck Sawyer

Announcement

● Tickets sold till Feb 14

● Feb 10 for afterparty

● Boat questions: boat is not leaving the dock

● Encourage people to get the tickets now to have a better head count

● When tabling, signing up for tables, 8 per table

● Scholarships: a. Met with Deans, problems in the past with mid-semester scholarship,

would retroactively affect financial aide, this year has 1 scholarship per class, LLM and 1 merit based, the 1-2L will go to next fall, 3L’s will be. “bar prep” scholarship, will just get a check.

b. Law docket: The 5 scholarships will be granted based on need.Applications for this year’s Barristers' Ball scholarships should be emailed to osalaw@law.msu.edu. All law students who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply: Students must have a 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA. Applicants should submit a one-page essay about what action the student takes to minimize student debt and how this scholarship will ease the burden of extra school expenses, such as technology and books

3. Internal Affairs Chair: Senator Konarske Committee Report

● Thanks the committee

● Only the meeting procedures are changing this year, everything relating to nomination won’t affect till nect year – will be explained when bills come up

● Meeting after the election, going to try and get committee chair stuff done asap.

VI. OLD BUSINESS1. Special Elections

VII. NEW BUSINESS1. Bill 06: Table Time Hours – Vice President Shearouse

7h 2. Bill 07: Community Affairs and Administration Directors Roles – Director Beale

Constitution Rosie: Laux: because both this and Bill 9 are constitutional Amendments, need 2/3 majority

to pass as opposed to simple majority 3. Bill 08: Community Affairs and Administration Directors Roles – Director Beale

Bylaws AP: bill 7/8 was the reasons the elections packet was not up; this affects the positions

descriptions – make sure4 you know the rules and responsibilities you are running for AS: if you are running for the positions outside the positions, please read the election

packet, it has info on all the positions that has changes from last year – AP: Feb 5th meeting we will go over

4. Bill 09: Election Policy – Senator Wang Constitution Put all the processes into the bylaws from the constitution Clarified the language 1A and 1D added 1B clarified Shearouse; E-board has gone over this too, if there are concerns, can come to IA or E-

board Konrad; former member? Sam Iachello: that was previously in, in the IA minutes, there was a large discussion Kayla Welch: at least one semester in the organization, what about new members Wang: they would be allowed Shearouse: understanding that they came in and competed that semester, it counts AP: read IA minutes, talk to IA

5. Bill 10: Election Policy – Senator Wang Bylaws Adding entire new section to Bylaws 7.1.1 addition of election commissar and deputy election commissioner – just

codifying what was happening

(b)(i) claified election commissioner cannot vote Time line added Will be more clear for the next election Nomination procedures (2) 2a: longer term for e-board – now will end beginning of march C-d clarification already existing language Section 3 – will be codified for this current election Time line B, F, G, codified H,(i) and (ii) added clauses, can have more time to speak if ties (if the board chooses)

ahd more discussion before additional round of voting occurs I – records J- clarifies already exiting language Haley G; I know it was already in constitution, problem with 7.1.3j – don’t like the idea

that if you don’t get a position can just go down Wang; candidates may have not wanted to run initially, senators might thing the

candidate might be good for a role not previously considered, can streamline the process. Not a perfect system, but don’t have a better alternative

Konarske: amendment to clarify (See below for amendment)

● Second: Laux

● Passed Konrad: 7.1.1.b.2 – what does neutral mean here?

● Wang: discussed in IA – to clarify, cannot be whispering to tell people who to vote for

Shearouse: in response to Haley, if we didn’t have the system we currently have, three of us would not be in their positions, don’t want to lose out on great candidates. If you like how the board functions now, this because of section J

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS1. Rosie Beale: if 2/3L’s can volunteer to get a second mentee (or first) please email me so I can

match the new members. 2. Jimmy Budreau: Wellness

Blood drive update – feb 27 in castle – starts at 11 – 445 (THURSDAY)

● Will be posted to social media Other wellness committee updates

3. Cristine Wang: Come get cookies Idea of doing a pal-entines sba event Iachello: we should make it like thanksgiving Wang: I have a clubhouse

● Will make a post on fb 4. Laux:

No liaison report for this meeting, COGs is meeting next month, COGs has a potential thing coming up, not sure of the legality

5. Sara: currently barbri rep. tell the 3L’s looking to hire 3L’s and if you do that get 1500 towards barbari, + everyone you sign up get more off

6. AP: Apartment will be available – will be on fb Barrister’s dresses if someone needs – want to help someone who might need help

affording a dress – maybe we can do a dress swap/fb post thing

Ashmal: I have suits too if anyone needs Jimmy: dress code for after party Anna Klippert: working on transportation from Kellogg to afterparty, just stay in the

dress IX. ADJOURNX. - motion: Glynis

XI. - Second: nelly

BEFORE YOU LEAVE: Recycle all meeting materials you do not plan on keeping Return your name card Put the tables back

Bill No. 07

January 28, 2020, Introduced by Director Beale

Supported by: Director Malec, Vice President Shearouse, President Page, Chairman Konarske, Senator Wang

A Bill: To amend the Constitutional duties of the Community Affairs Director and the Administrative Director

Whereas, the position of the Community Affairs Director entails practices and duties focused on the greater MSU College of Law community and the East Lansing area,

Whereas, the position of Administrative Director entails practices and duties focused on the inner-workings of the Student Bar Association and its accompanying administrative tasks,

Whereas, the position descriptions of the Community Affairs Director and of the Administrative Director as they currently stand within the SBA Constitution do not reflect existing practices,

Whereas, the Community Affairs Director should take control of the social media as it is a better fit within the new goals for the positions.

Be it enacted by the General Board of the MSU Student Bar Association assembled,

(a) This bill may be referenced as the Position Update – Community Affairs Director and Administrative Director.

(b) Article III(B)(4) shall be amended to read as follows:

4. Community Affairs Directora. Act as a liaison between the student body and SBA.b. Maintain the student concern box and seek out and respond to student concerns.c. Maintain and oversee the organization’s social media presence.d. Oversee all marketing and promotion of the SBA events.

(c) Article III(B)(5) shall be amended to read as follows:

5. Administrative Directora. Maintain and oversee the organization’s TWEN site and website.b. Take and maintain detailed minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board, General Board,

and Townhalls.

c. Make General Board meetings and Townhall minutes available to the student body.d. Serve as the Election Coordinator for the General Board Elections along with any special

elections held throughout the Administrative Director’s term in office.e. Retain a copy of all communications relevant to the organization.f. Keep a record of SBA’s accomplishments and activities for the year.g. Collect all items such as pictures and news clippings about SBA and its members to preserve

for future members.

Be it further enacted, this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage.

Bill No. 08

January 28, 2020, Introduced by Director Beale

Supported by: Director Malec, Vice President Shearouse, President Page, Chairman Konarske, Senator Wang

A Bill: To amend the duties of the Community Affairs Director and the Administrative Director within the SBA Bylaws

Whereas, the position of the Community Affairs Director entails practices and duties focused on the greater MSU College of Law community and the East Lansing area,

Whereas, the position of Administrative Director entails practices and duties focused on the inner-workings of the Student Bar Association and its accompanying administrative tasks,

Whereas, the position descriptions of the Community Affairs Director and of the Administrative Director as they currently stand within the SBA Bylaws do not reflect existing practices.

Be it enacted by the General Board of the MSU Student Bar Association assembled,

(a) This bill may be referenced as the Bylaws Update – Community Affairs Director and Administrative Director.

(b) Section 2.4 of the SBA Bylaws shall be amended to read as follows:

1. The Community Affairs Director shall:a. Provide assistance to committee chairs in hosting events.b. Update the SBA news bulletin board.c. Connect with members of other student organizations and update SBA with current

happenings in the College of Law.d. Coordinate between the organization and external events and legal, governmental, and

academic communities in the surrounding area.e. Implement SBA’s informal newsletter on at least a monthly basis.f. Be an aide to the President.

(c) Section 2.5 of the SBA Bylaws shall be amended to read as follows:

1. The Administrative Director shall:

a. Provide assistance to committee chairs with internal social events.b. Receive, compile, and make available the agenda to General Board members and the student

body at least three (3) days in advance of the next General Board meeting.c. Co-sign all checks on the treasury of the SBA that are more than $250.00 that are not already

signed by the President.d. Be an aide to the President.

Be it further enacted, this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage.

Bill No. 09

January 29, 2020, Introduced by Senator Wang.

Supported by: Chairman Konarske, Parliamentarian Sklar

A Bill: To amend the Constitution for the purpose of updating the Election Policy

Whereas, the SBA elects its Executive Board each year in the Spring semester,

Whereas, the election process for the 2020-2021 SBA Executive Board has already been initiated,

Whereas, upon closer review, the current Election Policy with regard to the election of the Executive Board is vague and requires clarification in order to ensure a fair and impartial election process,

Whereas, an efficient and impartial election process is necessary to ensure the continuity of previous Board campaigns and initiatives through the election of competent and effective Executive Board members.

Be it enacted by the General Board of the MSU Student Bar Association assembled,

(a) This bill may be referenced as the Constitutional Amendment of the Election Policy

(b) The Title of Article VI, Section A of the SBA Constitution shall be amended to read as follows: Qualifications of At-Large, Section, and Class Representatives.

(c) Article VI(A)(4) of the SBA Constitution shall be stricken.

(d) Article VI(B) of the SBA Constitution shall now be Article VI(C) of the SBA Constitution.

(e) The Title of Article VI(B) of the SBA Constitution shall then be amended to read as follows: Executive Board Elections

(f) The SBA Constitution shall be amended to include the following language under Article VI(B):

1) A current or former member of the General and Executive Boards shall be eligible for an Executive Board position if the person:

a. Has served at least one semester in the organization in any capacity; andb. Is in good standing regarding table time hours and absences for the current period or, in the

case of a former member, left in good standing; and

c. Has at least one nomination and one second for the position; andd. Has at least one academic year on campus remaining at the College of Law at the time of

election.2) Procedures for the nomination and election of members to the Executive Board shall be adopted in the

Bylaws.

Be it further enacted, this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage.

Bill No. 10

January 29, 2020, Introduced by Senator Wang.

Supported by: Chairman Konarske, Parliamentarian Sklar

A Bill: To amend the Bylaws for the purpose of updating the Election Policy.

Whereas, the SBA elects its Executive Board each year in the Spring semester,

Whereas, the election process for the 2020-2021 SBA Executive Board has already been initiated,

Whereas, upon closer review, the current Election Policy with regard to the election of the Executive Board is vague and requires clarification in order to ensure a fair and impartial election process,

Whereas, an efficient and impartial election process is necessary to ensure the continuity of previous Board campaigns and initiatives through the election of competent and effective Executive Board members.

Be it enacted by the General Board of the MSU Student Bar Association assembled,

(g) This bill may be referenced as the Bylaw Amendments of the Election Policy.

(h) Section 7: Elections, shall be added to the SBA Bylaws and shall read as follows:

SECTION 7.1 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS1. Election Commissioner

a. The Election Commissioner shall be a member with no academic terms remaining who is appointed by the current Executive Board with the advice and consent of the General Board.

b. The Election Commissioner shalli. Establish and administer a nomination process in compliance with these bylaws;

ii. Appoint one Deputy Election Commissioner who shall be a neutral, non-voting party to the election and is eligible for the position of Election Commissioner;

iii. Be a neutral party in the current election;iv. Preside over the Executive Board Elections meetingv. Tabulate the vote totals during the election meeting; and

vi. Shall not have the right to vote in the election of any Executive Board position for any reason.

c. The Election Commissioner shall be elected before the end of the fall semester immediately preceding the election.

d. If the Election Commissioner would like to speak during the Election Meeting, he or she must speak at the beginning of the discussion period, subject to section 3(e).

2. Nomination Proceduresa. The nomination process shall begin at the last meeting before Spring Break and end 48 hours

before the election meeting.b. Nominations, seconds, and the names of those who put them forward shall be available to the

student body upon request.c. Any SBA member shall be allotted no more than one nomination and one second of a

candidate for each Executive Board position.d. If any Executive Board position only has one candidate on the ballot at the beginning of the

election meeting, additional candidates may be nominated and seconded for that position before the election proceedings begin.

3. Election Meetinga. The election of Executive Board positions shall occur at the first meeting after Spring Break

in a closed meeting of the General Board.b. The minutes of the Election Meeting shall only contain the names of the candidates for each

position and the final outcome of the vote.c. Positions shall be elected in the following order: President, Vice President, Finance Director,

Community Affairs Director, and Administrative Director.d. Each candidate shall have five minutes to deliver a presentation for his or her candidacy and

answer any questions from the General Board.e. Each Senator is allotted one minute during the discussion for each position. Time may not roll

over from previous discussions.f. Voting shall be by paper ballots; votes shall be counted in the room in which the meeting is

being held.g. Candidates for a specific position may not be present during candidate presentations,

discussion and debate, and voting. Candidates are also prohibited from voting for the position that they are running for.

h. If no candidate gets a majority vote for a position, there shall be a run-off vote between the top two candidates who get the most votes.

i. The Election Commissioner may move to allow each candidate up to three additional minutes to speak before a second vote is held.

ii. If the run-off election results in neither candidate receiving a majority vote, each candidate will be allowed to speak for an additional two minutes and each senator shall receive one more minute of discussion before an additional round of voting occurs.

i. The vote totals from the election shall be maintained for at least two weeks and may only be accessed by candidates for the relevant position.

j. If a candidate does not receive a majority vote for a position, the candidate may, on the motion of themselves or another member, run for any position whose election follows that of the position the candidate was initially nominated for.

k. Unless otherwise prescribed in the Constitution or these Bylaws, the Elections meeting shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

4. Assuming Officea. The newly elected Executive Board shall assume office at the beginning of the next General

Board meeting following the Election Meeting.b. Upon the completion of their term, a former Executive Board member may serve the

remainder of the academic year as a Senator.

Be it further enacted, Amendments to 7.1(3) shall take immediate effect and the remainder of the bill shall take effect on August 31, 2020.

BILL 10 WITH AMENDMENT

Bill No. 10

January 29, 2020, Introduced by Senator Wang.

Supported by: Chairman Konarske, Parliamentarian Sklar

A Bill: To amend the Bylaws for the purpose of updating the Election Policy.

Whereas, the SBA elects its Executive Board each year in the Spring semester,

Whereas, the election process for the 2020-2021 SBA Executive Board has already been initiated,

Whereas, upon closer review, the current Election Policy with regard to the election of the Executive Board is vague and requires clarification in order to ensure a fair and impartial election process,

Whereas, an efficient and impartial election process is necessary to ensure the continuity of previous Board campaigns and initiatives through the election of competent and effective Executive Board members.

Be it enacted by the General Board of the MSU Student Bar Association assembled,

(a) This bill may be referenced as the Bylaw Amendments of the Election Policy.

(b) Section 7: Elections, shall be added to the SBA Bylaws and shall read as follows:

SECTION 7.1 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS

1. Election Commissioner

a. The Election Commissioner shall be a member with no academic terms remaining who is appointed by the current Executive Board with the advice and consent of the General Board.

b. The Election Commissioner shall

i. Establish and administer a nomination process in compliance with these bylaws;

ii. Appoint one Deputy Election Commissioner who shall be a neutral, non-voting party to the election and is eligible for the position of Election Commissioner;

iii. Be a neutral party in the current election;

iv. Preside over the Executive Board Elections meeting

v. Tabulate the vote totals during the election meeting; and

vi. Shall not have the right to vote in the election of any Executive Board position for any reason.

c. The Election Commissioner shall be elected before the end of the fall semester immediately preceding the election.

d. If the Election Commissioner would like to speak during the Election Meeting, he or she must speak at the beginning of the discussion period, subject to section 3(e).

2. Nomination Procedures

a. The nomination process shall begin at the last meeting before Spring Break and end 48 hours before the election meeting.

b. Nominations, seconds, and the names of those who put them forward shall be available to the student body upon request.

c. Any SBA member shall be allotted no more than one nomination and one second of a candidate for each Executive Board position.

d. If any Executive Board position only has one candidate on the ballot at the beginning of the election meeting, additional candidates may be nominated and seconded for that position before the election proceedings begin.

3. Election Meeting

a. The election of Executive Board positions shall occur at the first meeting after Spring Break in a closed meeting of the General Board.

b. The minutes of the Election Meeting shall only contain the names of the candidates for each position and the final outcome of the vote.

c. Positions shall be elected in the following order: President, Vice President, Finance Director, Community Affairs Director, and Administrative Director.

d. Each candidate shall have five minutes to deliver a presentation for his or her candidacy and answer any questions from the General Board.

e. Each Senator is allotted one minute during the discussion for each position. Time may not roll over from previous discussions.

f. Voting shall be by paper ballots; votes shall be counted in the room in which the meeting is being held.

g. Candidates for a specific position may not be present during candidate presentations, discussion and debate, and voting. Candidates are also prohibited from voting for the position that they are running for.

h. If no candidate gets a majority vote for a position, there shall be a run-off vote between the top two candidates who get the most votes.

i. The Election Commissioner may move to allow each candidate up to three additional minutes to speak before a second vote is held.

ii. If the run-off election results in neither candidate receiving a majority vote, each candidate will be allowed to speak for an additional two minutes and each senator shall receive one more minute of discussion before an additional round of voting occurs.

i. The vote totals from the election shall be maintained for at least two weeks and may only be accessed by candidates for the relevant position.

j. If a candidate does not receive a majority vote for a position, the candidate may, on the motion of themselves or another member, run for any position whose election follows that of the position the candidate was initially nominated for.

k. Unless otherwise prescribed in the Constitution or these Bylaws, the Elections meeting shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

4. Assuming Office

a. The newly elected Executive Board shall assume office at the beginning of the next General Board meeting following the Election Meeting.

b. Upon the completion of their term, a former Executive Board member may serve the remainder of the academic year as a Senator.

Be it further enacted, Amendments to 7.1(3), excluding 7.1(3)(a), shall take immediate effect and the remainder of the bill shall take effect on August 31, 2020.