USG Feud: Senate Vs. The Organization-At-Large
At the USG Meeting Tuesday night, the Senate discussed changing the Security Policy Resolution, Amendment Procedure, and Participation Amendment.
The Security Policy Resolution addresses the new security measures around campus. The resolution is asking for the administration to remove temporary fences, get rid of the after 9:00 pm rule that only allows USC students and faculty on campus at night. According to the Senate, the resoulution recognizes the history of USC’s states policies, asking for USC to, “invest in surrounding communities, increase students’ safety and make students more away of the environment.”
Their goal was to attain 1000 in-favor-responses, however the Senate gathered 300. Assistant Director of Campus Affairs, Logan Heley says, “Millions of dollars are invested for new security policies. 300 signatures is not going to cut it.” Heley frankly stated the Senate is not as informed as they think they are. He argued the AD’s meet with D.P.S. once a month and are up-to-speed with the issue. Heley claims the senate does not, nor do they meet with administration to further understand the policies. Senator Jasmine McAlllister’s rebuttals: “I’ve been hearing from the students about this issue since the policy began about 4 months ago.” According to McAllister, almost all students are in favor of this proposal, so the resolution passed.
The Amendment Procedure Amendment works to amend the USG bylaws, splitting up the voting procedure between the Senate and the organization-at-large. Senator Maheen Sahoo says she fears “if this passes, this will hurt the Senates credibility.” A USG executive, Pierre Tasci, told the Senate, “you guys were voted in as Senators and you wear two hats, your first hat… is a student… your second hat as USG member… you care how this organization is run. I’m in USG so I should technically have as much say as you, we should all have equal representation.”
Tasci believes that a set up like the U.S. system with check-and-balances, would decrease the “number of headaches” and result in a more accurate vote that benefits the majority of students. He told the Senate that they don't treat or take the other USG members comments into consideration.
Senator Vicken Antounian argued, “The Senate is an openly elected position, if someone wants a voting ability, you can run instead of shifting rules of Senate.” The Amendment was tabled indefinitely.
The Particpation Amendment would implement a selection committee to appoint an Executive Director, Finance Director and Administration Director. As of now, the President is soley in charge of this decision. Committee members were anxious to pass this amendment immediately and wrote up a resolution of the bylaws changes. However, the amendment was tabled indefinitely.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The GE Forum Resolution, which serves to pass on to the Board a recommendation of holding a GE forum to introduce students to the new plan regarding diversity, passed. The Senate believes this would be great to show administration.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Alumni Affairs gave their final report to the Senate, ending on a positive note about the success of the Great Zamberini event.
Diversity Affairs sent out survey of socioeconomic survey of campus and are trying to promote disability awareness.
University Affairs had a conference call with the executive of EVIVE (company that creates machines that sanitize, clean and refill water bottles.) They discussed plans to provide free machines around campus, in which EVIVE will profit by students purchasing water bottles for machine and advertising on the machines. The committee hopes to get the support of student body and administrators.
Program Board announced several events around the corner, such as: Spring Fest, Performing Arts Fest, a PR event, Que Pasa APASA event, Study Nights and TOMORROW’s event USC Best Dance Crew.
