The proposed new student government constitution will be voted on by the student body next week in a referendum.
The new constitution makes faculty committees more accessible to students, changes the responsibilities of senators and creates a stipend for senators, among other things. For a complete synopsis see accompanying Highlights.
Senior Joel Whitaker, one of the key writers of the new constitution, said he has received a lot of positive feedback on the proposed constitution. He met with Student Senate this week to talk about their concerns. "Senate was surprisingly enthusiastic," Whitaker said, adding that their enthusiasm wasn't too surprising, since Senators know best what is wrong with the system.
Senator sophomore Whitney Smith said, "I think with the new system Senate could do a lot for the student body."
Senators expressed enthusiasm about the adjustments to the constitution, particularly the increased access of non-senators to faculty committees like the Educational Plans and Policies Committee and the Student Life Committee.
Senator sophomore Bobby Lopez said, "People centered on issues [will be able to] get on committees they need to get on that they can make the most change."
The only issue Whitaker has received concerns about is the new stipend for senators. Many people do not think senators in the current system deserve a stipend. Whitaker says the new system will increase senators responsibilites, and a stipend will be crucial. "I think the stipend is absolutely necessary for low-income students," he said.
To be ratified, the new constitution needs to get the support of two-thirds of students who vote in the referendum. One-half of the student body must vote.
Whitaker said he is confident the constitution will get the two-thirds vote, but that the one-half of the student body will be more of a challenge.
Whitaker thinks the 50 percent requirement is do-able, however. He said he plans to be aggressive about getting students to vote.
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