Senate Fails to Meet Quorum Twice, Discusses Amendments

Editor-in-Chief

   The Student Senate held its first meeting of the semester Wednesday, Jan. 21 and called a special session for Friday, Jan. 23 after not meeting a quorum. The senate failed to meet a quorum again at the special session.

Photo by Danielle Kloap

Amendments - Senator Zack Tucker discusses different amendments during the special session Friday, Jan. 23. The Student Senate could not vote on any business since it did not meet a quorum.

   In the meeting on Wednesday, Senate member Zack Tucker said the senate could not formally make any decisions without meeting a quorum. A quorum is the number of senators needed to transact business, which is 51 percent.

   In the special session, Tucker announced the senate would present amendments to be voted on at the next senate meeting.

   Senator Angelia Buford presented an ethics reform amendment. She said she had previously presented an amendment to create an ethics clause for the bylaws.

   “There were a lot of holes (in the old amendment), and I’ve tried to fill those holes with this new amendment,” Buford said.

   She said senators should follow the student handbook and if a student is found in violation of the handbook and the matter is public knowledge, the case should go to the senate ethics committee. The accused would then be notified about the charge and allowed to meet with the committee to defend their position, according to Buford. The bill stated the committee would have to vote unanimously to expel or suspend the accused. She said after the committee voted, a vote would be brought to the senate.

   Tucker added the process would work just like court. He said the challenger submitting the charge will be required to provide witnesses or evidence. The accused will also be allowed to submit a written statement and provide witnesses and evidence.

   Sandy Herring, president pro-tempore, said if the challenger did not provide enough factual evidence, the committee could dismiss the case.

   If the matter is not public knowledge and is a confidential issue, Buford said the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Clay Brown, would determine if the senator would be expelled or not on a case-by-case basis. Buford said Brown would then inform the senate of his decision.

   “This keeps the confidentiality in place,” Buford said. “(The senate) trusts the faculty to make a wise decision.”

   Buford also noted any accusations brought before the committee would be kept confidential within the group appointed by Herring .

   Tucker said the accused can appeal decisions made by the senate if the matter is public record by speaking with Brown. Currently, there is no procedure in place if someone on the ethics committee is accused of unethical behavior. Tucker said the senate will consider adding an amendment for that situation.

   Another amendment, presented by Senator Yvonne Hinshaw, will create a secretary position in the senate if it passes. The senate currently has a clerk position, which handles all of the paperwork both during and outside of meetings. During the authorship speech, Tucker said when the new bylaws passed, this created a large amount of paperwork. He said this amendment would add the new secretary position and would differentiate between the clerk and secretary.

   “The clerk will handle all meeting business and the secretary will handle all out of meeting business,” Tucker said.

   In announcements, Tucker said Student Government Association President Michael Thomas signed the constitutional conference bill Tuesday, Jan. 20. The constitutional conference bill passed last semester, creating a group of appointed senators and students to rewrite the SGA constitution. The group, appointed by Herring, will have its first meeting today at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Classroom Building on the second floor.

   Tucker also announced the senate now has a link to its Web site on the SGA Web site. He said the site has many resources, including a library with any bills or amendments passed during any senate sessions.

   At the next meeting, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m., Tucker said the senate could vote on the amendments presented, start forming committees and will take nominations for the election commission. SGA office positions and some senate positions will be up for re-election in March. Tucker said the election commission will be in charge of the guidelines and rules for the election.

   For more information on the Student Senate, contact Student Programs and Activities Director Mindy Holcomb at 870-460-1396 or Holcomb@uamont.edu.

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