The resolution on the Student Health Insurance Policy passed unanimously at the first Associated Students, Inc. Board of Directors meeting of the semester on Sept. 17.

The legislation, sponsored by Vice President of University Affairs Josh Wood, will fund a research and planning committee with $3,000 of ASI’s $12,800 yearly project budget.

Several students spoke in favor of SHIP at the open forum before the meeting.

The plan will create a committee consisting of Wood, Director of the Health Center Joyce Harris, Director of Health and Human Services Alexis Clemons and Director of Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies Angel Barajas, as well as three students at large.

According to the resolution’s legislation, the committee will oversee the development of SHIP to “ensure [it’s] quality, integrity, and affordability.”

The board also voted to provide $2,000 to support the “No on Prop 54” effort on campus.

Another piece of legislation that passed was a resolution for a “Unity Celebration.” Board member Angel Barajas, who sponsored the resolution, is working closely with Leonard Valdez of the Multicultural Center, Pat Grady of the Women’s Resource Center and Dean Sorensen of UNIQUE Programs to host a two-day event to celebrate the diversity of Sacramento and Sac State’s campus.

Each of these three organizations will provide $1,000, along with ASI who will contribute $3,000 of the project’s $6,000 budget.

A Unity committee made up of ASI board members was also established to direct the planning of the event which is scheduled to take place April 15-16.

ASI also approved a piece of emergency legislation which will provide the government department with $250 to host a student forum the day of the gubernatorial debates. Because many students were upset about the scarcity of debate tickets, the department will reserve a room in the University Union where students can watch the debate on television and participate in an open forum afterwards.

There was disagreement among two returning board members regarding the appointment of newcomer Kristin Dawidczik at the meeting.

Dawidczik, who was appointed by ASI President Peter Ucovich, received a 4-3 vote in her favor, but only after 15 minutes of debate.

Vice President of Finance Luke Wood stood against the appointment, instead suggesting former ASI graduate director Mohamed Hamada for the post.

Like Dawidczik, Hamada applied for the position in June.

However, Hamada was labeled ineligible by Ucovich.

“I was adding classes at the time and didn’t have all of my units, so because I technically didn’t meet the requirements, it showed that I was ineligible for the position,” Hamada said.

Wood motioned for a closed meeting to discuss the issue, but was told that bylaws prohibited such an action.

Hamada later pointed out that according to the Gloria Act nothing can prevent “a legislative body from holding closed sessions during a regular or special meeting to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline or dismissal of an employee of the student body organization.”

Unless Hamada lobbies for students to sign a petition for his appointment as the new graduate director, he will not be joining ASI this academic year.

Hamada said he does not intend to start such a petition, and said it would be a suprise if he ran for office next year.

The next ASI board meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 1, in the Foothill Suite of the Union.

submit: Send