Senate looks to streamline chartering process

Senate's role could be changing drastically. That is, its role in the chartering process.

Senate unanimously passed a proposal Sunday that would revamp the process for chartering new student organizations. The proposal, which was brought forth by juniors Sarah Fineberg and Sarah Stein Greenberg, would set a maximum time limit for chartering and put the process entirely into the hands of students. Another large change would establish a grievance policy against organizations.

While the old chartering process could allow years to pass before a charter was approved, this new chartering process would take a maximum of six weeks. This would greatly speed up the ability of students to become a full-fledged organization.

Moreover, the proposal would drastically change the role of senators in the chartering process. In the past, senators have rubber stamped proposals. Proposals were also, for the most part, rubber stamped as they were forced through many other committees and councils. The new process would eliminate all of those committees and would make Senate solely responsible for the chartering new student organizations. "This would be a radical departure from the way student governance has been," Stein Greenberg said.

Senate would create a sub-committee, the Eligibility and Review Board, of the Senate officers that would take on the hefty responsibility for issuing charters. The officers would make up six voting members with the Student Organizational Coordinator (a senator) and the Dean of Student Life or her designee as non-voting members of the ERB. After meeting with the Student Organizational Coordinator, the charter would go in front of ERB for consideration.

Another major difference would be that ERB members would be allowed to vote according to the impact the organization might have on the community or liability concerns.

The proposal not only encompasses the way charters are approved, but it also sets up a grievance policy to hold organizations accountable for their charters. If a person has a grievance with an organization, then they can make a claim to the ERB. The claim will be reviewed and the ERB can then decide if the organization is at fault and then either be censured or sanctioned. Censuring involves making public the conclusions of ERB. Sanction forces the organization to write a statement regarding their violation and plans to make reconciliation with the community. "It will be the first time that an organization will be responsible for themselves," said Stein Greenberg.

In this process there is no faculty member who will approve a charter: it will be totally student run. Moreover, it will give greater power to senate to represent the views of the student body.

All senators were excited about the prospect of the new chartering process. Fortunately, senators, especially sophomore senator Aaron Leavy, recognize the weight of that power. "[Power] is a double edged sword," he said.

The proposal must go through the Student Life Committee and General Faculty meetings before it is approved.

Senate is also busy putting together its advisory councils. Advisory councils deal with certain issues on campus. First-year senator Chris Anton is working on a new advisory council that would address students' rights. "It's about rights education," Anton said. "In the past three months I've seen more violations of students' rights than in Tibet."

Junior senator Jonathan Curley and sophomore senator Noah Kirshbaum will be taking up a hefty job with his advisory council. In hopes of improving town-gown relations, the two plan on working within the community and College.

Other advisory councils include the Course Evaluation Guidebook and a proposed advisory council to address mental health concerns.

Senate is also putting into effect a proposal for Senate mobilization that passed last semester. The mobilization will work to help CEG talk to professors about the guidebook.

First-year senator and Educational Coordinator Sandor Winkler is working on publicizing Senate. He is also trying to start a campaign to educate students about "what they can do to be heard."

Senators have also been working on summer private readings for credit, the Senate web page and a possible referendum concerning Senate elections.