Student Council met two days ago and passed a bill that would allow the University Board of Elections to standardize the guidelines for students to submit constitutional amendment proposals. Both the Honor Committee and University Judiciary Committee have passed similar bills, all of which will be put to referenda during the University-wide elections later this month. These initiatives shine light on student organizations attempting to make their practices more easily understood for students.
UBE already has the power to oversee and handle University-wide elections for these three organizations. Thus, Council members agreed that UBE should have the authority to set an overarching policy that would streamline the petition procedure. Although the vast majority of amendments arise from members of the organizations, these proposals would simplify petitioning by outside students. Last year, a Hoos for Single Sanction petition caused confusion between UBE and the Committee because of conflicting submission guidelines, resulting in the current initiatives.\nTo have an amendment proposed, the Committee's by-laws require either the support of 10 percent of the student body or a two-thirds vote by the Committee. UJC must have a vote of two-thirds of its entire membership. Council, on the other hand, can have petitions proposed in three different ways: by a 5 percent vote of the student body, a written petition of 25 students that is passed by a two-thirds vote of the representative body or a three-fourths vote of the representative body. These referenda would eliminate such discrepancies by calling on the UBE to outline a rigid set of guidelines that will better organize the process.
This endeavor is commendable for its potential to increase student involvement the University's governance. "Hopefully it will clarify our procedures, as well as [those of] Honor and UJC," Council President John Nelson said. Ideally, Council is representative of the entire student body, and steps toward making its proceedings more accessible are steps in the right direction.
Students are encouraged to vote to pass these referenda. And though these barriers to participation may be removed, students must take full advantage of the privilege of self-governance and inform themselves about the opportunities within these organizations to make their voices heard.
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