Student Council considered six bills during their Tuesday legislative session, including one which created a new Legislative Advisory Board and another which would allow Student Council to compile resources to help first-year and prospective students.
In the legislative session, the Representative Body saw four bills that had previously been tabled for administrative reasons regarding amendments to bylaws.
SB17-22, SB17-23 and SB17-24 were all passed unanimously with little discussion. The bills were each amendments to various bylaws, which would make changes to the processes for the creation of new committees and positions.
The representatives also voted on one more bill carried over from last week, SB17-25. The legislation, which was passed unanimously, established a new Legislative Advisory Board consisting of advisors for national, Commonwealth and city affairs.
The creation of a Legislative Advisory Board has been part of third-year College student and Student Council President Sarah Kenny’s plans for the body since her campaign, when she proposed the idea as a way to stay ahead of any bills at the state and national levels possibly affecting student life at the University.
She said the new advisory board would help Student Council be prepared and aware in regards to relevant legislation.
“[It’s] so that we’re not caught off guard if there’s a bill in Richmond and students feel concerned,” Kenny said. “It’s really a way to make sure the Executive Board is on the offensive.”
Third-year College student and College representative Austin Gogal said the aim of the bill would be informing Kenny.
“It’s really about providing [Kenny] with information that will help [her] defend the student body,” Gogal said.
Another bill, SB17-26, proposed creating a “first-year book” and a “student experience video.” The book would be a comprehensive source for information and resources first-year students might need — a response to what Kenny called a “decentralization” of such information.
The video, funded by $10,000 from the University Parents Fund, would demonstrate for first-year and prospective students what the University experience is like.
“What this bill is doing is focusing on the first-year experience and prospective student experience,” Kenny said.
Kenny said it was important for students to have input on how the University is portrayed to new and prospective students, rather than only the administration.
“This was motivated by my desire to put control of what U.Va. looks like to prospective students and the community in students’ hands,” she said.
After a request by one representative to amend the bill to emphasize the importance of diversity in the student experience video, it was tabled for further consideration.
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