Senate introduces by-law revisions tied to Big Event veto

Senate unanimously voted to revise Student Association Constitution by-laws pertaining to presidential powers after last semester’s Big Event veto.

Vice President of Finance and By-Law Revision Committee member Elizabeth Rotherham, junior of Balfour, North Dakota, introduced the proposed by-law revisions, citing the need to put “a procedure in place” to avoid further confusion if a conflict similar to the Big Event veto occurs in the future.

The current by-law under Article III: Executive Branch, sections 3.4 reads: “The President may submit petitions to the Constitutional Court concerning constitutional questions.” In the revised section, the by-law would state “The President of Student Senate reserves the right to be the sole power to determine his or her conflict of interest or widely perceived material or substantial conflict of interest with  a veto. Should the President feel any indication at all that he or she is unable to render a fair judgment for the veto, the President must recuse themselves of the veto immediately after the President determines there is a conflict.”

“A. If the body of the Student Senate finds that the President has a material or substantial bias regarding the current matter, but chooses not to recuse his or herself, the Senate may make a motion to recognize the President’s conflict of interest and through their motion stay the veto until the Constitutional Court may review the alleged conflict of interest.”

An added section 3.5 would state “Upon a material or substantial conflict of interest, as described in section 3.4 and subsection 3.4A, by the President, the President may delegate his or her veto to the Vice President. If a material or substantial conflict of interest lies with the Vice President as well, the veto will then be passed down to the Secretary.”

Chief Justice Samantha Merrill, senior of Oral, South Dakota, explained that these revisions would put the by-laws “on par” with other by-laws and rules found in the Constitution.

“We’re basically just making it constitutional now and it’s going to follow the train of power as expressed in other places in the Constitution and by-laws. The determination of the conflict of interest is mirrored in the Court rules, so we’re doing it on par with other sections of the Constitution by-laws and rules and basically making so in the event that The Big Event [veto] happens again that there would be a set procedure followed,” Merrill said.

Other by-law revisions include changes to By-Law VI: Faculty Advisors, section A, which states “Three (3) employees of Chadron State College shall advise the CAB: The Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Affairs, and Director of Internships & Career Services.” The revision eliminates the specific title qualifications for advisers and only requires three employees to advise, regardless of title. The final revision regards By-Law II: Attendance, section B, number one, and will revise “Two tardies will equal one (1) unexcused absence”, to “Two incidents of tardiness will equal one (1) unexcused absence”.

Because revisions are considered constitutional amendments, the student body must vote on the changes. The revisions will be on the upcoming election ballot and will not go into effect until after the spring elections.

AFB budget workshops will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. Vice Chair of Finance Lelisse Umeta, sophomore of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and CAB Vice Chair of Finance Isaac Langan, senior of McCook, will discuss budget packets and will help clubs fill out their packets. All budget packets are due March 1.

Following budget packet submissions, budget hearings will be held Monday, March 11, through Friday, March 15. Hearings will be scheduled Monday through Thursday, with Friday reserved for appeals. In order to get feedback on concerns or issues with the budget process, Umeta said surveys will be issued following the hearings.

“If there’s any issue we can fix, we want to fix it for next year,” Umeta said.

Senate unanimously approved $725.80 for the International Club’s upcoming trip to the University of Colorado-Boulder. 18 club members and two advisers will be traveling for an event with UCB’s International Club. The money for this will come out of the CAB trip budget, which is part of $135,000 previously allocated.

Senate also approved the $2,500 request from the International Club to cover costs for the International Food Tasting Party. $1,250 of the allocation will pay for for 125 students to dine, while the remaining $1,250 will be used as fundraising money to cover costs for 125 plates reserved for community members. Tickets will be sold to the public at $10 per plate.

CAB Chair Kimberly Hernandez, senior of Scottsbluff, reminded Senate that CAB will be hosting its spring club fair from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. Clubs are required to have a booth and have at least one representative sitting for the 3-hour event.

Vice President Konery Klueber, junior of Rapid City, South Dakota, announced plans for the Health and Well-Being Committee to continue the Feminine Hygiene Initiative. As products are running low, Klueber said the committee is looking for other ways to keep the products stocked, including looking at companies that would be willing to sell wholesale or donate.

Klueber also announced the committee’s plans for a peer survey regarding student health habits. A mini-survey will be conducted through a table at lunch where questions including a student’s grade, exercise routines and eating habits. Plans to offer a “healthy” and “unhealthy” snack option are also being considered to help further gauge students’ dietary choices.

The Events Committee is planning a budget as well as prospective dates for Spring Daze and the Nearly Naked Mile. According to Senator Aaron Wood, the committee plans to keep the budget at “$6,000 maximum,” calling the number “a reasonable price” for both events. A theme has not yet been chosen, but ideas such as a “masquerade” theme and an “electro/techno” theme are being discussed.

Senate currently has $30,999.79 in unallocated funds.