April 20, 2000
 
SGA Votes To Shoot Down Section Three 
Bolick and Powell's Referendum Denied By Senators, Petition to be Sent to Students
Caitlyn Payne  SGA Beat
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

After several rounds of heated debate, the Student Government Association (SGA) voted down creating a referendum to extend voting on Section Three to the student body next fall. 
The referendum was voted down 39 to 11, with two abstaining.  
According to Senator Craig Freer, Section Three would have added a section that had members of clubs and organizations to the student senate. These representatives would have had a direct vote in legislation proposed to SGA. “This (plan) is tentative,” said Freer.  
The process for the referendum is as follows: Student Government had to recommend it, and then it would be turned over to the students. Students would have to vote it in through online voting, by a simple majority of 51 percent.  
Freer said he was “excited to see SGA take these initial steps,” to bring the legislation under consideration. Under this plan, there would be a “slight reduction in senate seats,” said Freer.  
The referendum would have brought about a constitutional change allowing 19 seats in the Senate to be occupied by representatives from student clubs and organizations. These representatives would be elected by students.  
One of the first questions raised about Section Three was about diversity. A senator voiced a concern that not enough diversity would be seen in Section Three because not all students are interested in politics. But there was a response that nominations would be open to every club. Emphasis was placed on the fact that these positions would be elected, not appointed.  
SGA would oversee these elections.  
During the middle of the debate, a fire alarm went off. The Senate used this alarm to congregate outside the student union and let off steam about the debate.  The reactions of the senators were mixed, and there was obvious tension in the sharp night air.  
Senators Leslie Shier and Allison Laffin said they supported the bill. “I’m in support of it...(but) I feel a lot of students are biased because of the election results...and they are not thinking about what’s best for the students,” said Laffin.  
“We’re just re-evaluating the purpose of SGA,” said Shier. “I’m glad people are fired up!”  Senator Katherine Allen agreed. “I want to see (more) arguments...it proved people are interested,” she said.  
 “I am looking forward to energetic rounds of debate so we can become more informed...and make an informed decision,” said Senator Justin Farmer.   
Everyone was allowed to return to the building a few minutes later. But while temperatures outside were cool, temperatures in the Senate were still raging and the tension was still present with a return to the meeting.  
Jeff Blackwell, representing the Free Thought Society, opened the continuance of the debate by saying Section Three was a “good plan.”  
“The university prides itself on diversity,” said Blackwell. “This bill would be a good opportunity for everyone to be heard.”  
Despite these ideas, there was some violent opposition. Senator Missouri Waite wondered why club members were not there at the SGA meeting, if it was so important that their voices be heard. He feared that Section Three took away democracy, opening the door for special interest groups to take over the Senate.  
Senator Sonja Speck firmly reminded the Senate that they were not voting on Section Three, they were voting on sending it to students for their consideration.  
“Why is Senate here if we turn the votes over to the constituents,?” Senator Brian Boyer fired back.  
Vice president-elect Preston Powell asked, “Let the students decide on this referendum...we want the students to decide.”  
There was also a challenge that the Senate was using personal interests to decide on this issue. “Do what’s right, not what you are biased toward,” said Senator Tripp Coin.  
Tired of the endless debate and mudslinging, a motion was put on the floor to accept the referendum and put it into effect. It was shot down in a roll call vote, with 39 senators against the referendum.  
A petition will now be sent to the students.  
If 10 percent of the student body signs the petition in favor of the bill, it will be brought under consideration in next year’s Senate.  
Several senators commented on the electric atmosphere in the meeting after adjournment. “ It was a lively debate, good points were made on both sides,” said SGA President Sam Searcy.  
“The non-voters of this campus should now know that their interests are as important as any other student,” said Waite.  
SGA President-elect Ryan Bolick was visibly upset by the results. “I am glad people took an interest...senators stood up and took a stand...(but) I am upset that this Senate has taken away the right to let the student body have their voice be heard. (This is) just a hurdle in the road...a platform goal Preston and I ran on...we’re going to pursue it until it comes to pass or students voice their opposition,” said Bolick. “Next year, we’ll pursue all our platform goals with vigor.”  
 
 
 
 
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