Today's problem deals with University Senate election rules notbeing followed. But first, let's talk about Co-Sponsorship.
Two weeks ago I stood up on the floor of Senate and voiced myconcern about Co-Sponsorship. A few days later I received a phonecall from Steve Geraci, the President Pro-Tempore, or head Senatorof SGA. He basically explained his reasoning of why Co-Sponsorshipshould continue and it honestly made a lot of sense. I am a veryrational guy and after talking with Steve I realized that I waswrong on this issue and I backed off.
Change gears...
University Senate is a group of faculty, administrators, staff,and students that meet monthly to set the educational policy ofthis university. The student membership is listed in Article 2,Section 1, Sub-section 1.5 of the U. Senate Constitution, whichstates:
"By virtue of their offices the President of Student GovernmentAssociation, the President of Student Senate, the President Pro-Temof the Student Senate, and five undergraduate or graduate studentsare elected annually by the student body at large."
Note: When Steve Geraci became Pro-Tem he already had a seat onU. Senate so a position became vacant.
Article 2, Section 8 of the U. Senate Constitution states:
"When a position is vacated in the Senate, a replacement will beelected to complete the original term through the same process usedfor electing the vacating representative."
During Mr. Tietz's weekly report, two weeks ago, he attempted toappoint Nathan Tedrow to this open U. Senate spot. Now, I havenothing against Mr. Tedrow. In fact, I think he would be a hugeasset to students in this capacity, but I do have a major problemwith the obvious side-stepping of the rules that was taking place.More than one person had applied (myself included), which clearlymeant that there had to be an open election. So, during theapproval process, on the floor of Student Senate, I read the twosections of the U. Senate Constitution (above). Needless to say,Nathan was not confirmed.
At last week's SGA meeting the Credentials Board Chair, LaurenMellinger, stated that SGA would reopen the application process,and Ben would appoint someone (she was doing what she was told).Instead of disrupting Senate, I decided to pursue the answer to myquestion about following the U. Senate rules with Dr. Kay Bales(SGA Advisor) and Ben. The three of us went into her office wheremy question was answered with the classic line, "It's always beendone this way." I disagree, but that's a story for a differenttime. Politics should be open and fair, and we should have a rightto elect our own representative, especially if the rules sayso.
The rules are clear, and I challenge you, Ben Tietz, to do whatis right and follow them.
I am officially withdrawing my name from the application pool,because my intentions of pointing out this problem are notpersonal. Let's make it fair, let's make it open and let's followthe rules. If you want a strong voice in University Senate, I sayvote for Nathan Tedrow - he deserves it.
Write to Jayson at jamanship@bsu.edu
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