Last night’s meeting of the Undergraduate Student Government covered a variety of issues and sparked some debate, but in the end, only one bill was passed.
USG unanimously approved a measure to secure representation for the off-campus apartments added this year to accomodate rising enrollment at the university. After only a few minutes of debate, the resolution was taken to a vote. The result will add a senator to USG to work for the special needs of students living off campus.
Debate over the power and influence over USG’s legislative process during summer required extended debate and will most likely be taken to a vote next meeting. Senator Matt Clark expressed concern over the current system which allows a smaller group of six representatives to have the same decision-making powers as the school year legislative body.
“They could do whatever they wanted. They could change the whole constitution,” Clark said.
A proposed amendment would require senators to be contacted by the summer representatives only in emergency situations.
Senators may then vote by the USG listproc or via phone to the Speaker of the Senate according to Clark. The debate was tabled until next Monday’s meeting.
Wanda Overland, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, announced the addition of new security measures for USG’s on-line elections April 11 and 12. Though Overland declined to comment on what the changes were she insisted they were not in response to any problem or concern over election security.
“We wanted to make sure this election was safe and secure for a fair process. Nothing was wrong,” Overland said.
Concerns had been raised over the security of the on-line voting process during previous USG meetings. Students will vote using their username, same as their email ID, and their P number.
Skeptics say that the information is easily obtained and thus the voting process could be compromised. The unidentified changes will be made known after the election, Overland said.
Chief Adminstrator Erica Baughman wished the USG presidential and vice presidential candidates good luck — noting that beginning of campaigning yesterday morning.
Michael Ginsburg, associate dean of students, urged candidates to run clean and honest campaigns — and to remember their friendships with each other.
“If you notice campaign violations, confront each other first,” Ginsburg said. USG vice presidential debates will be held today in Olscamp 113 at 6 p.m. according to Baughman. The debate will not be televised live but at a later date which is yet to be determined.
