Legal questions kept the University Senate from voting Thursday on a bill that would update the Student Code with smoking, pet and privacy regulations.
Instead, the senate voted to send the legislation back to the Student and Campus Life Council to clarify language about the use of recording equipment in the residence halls and what pets would be allowed in the residence halls.
The bill, which introduces rules already passed by the senate or the Residence Hall Association, bans the "unauthorized use of audio, video or photographic devices...."
Sen. Mark Popovich, journalism professor, said the bill is unclear as to whether the use was banned in public or private spaces, when U.S. law allows for such use in public.
Sen. Eric Kelly, architecture professor, said the vagueness of the phrase "likely to cause injury or distress" in the same passage concerned him.
"That's disastrous stuff that will lead to abuse," Kelly said.
The passage needs to be clarified so people can clearly understand what it means, he said.
The legislation also includes a ban on smoking within 30 feet of buildings and the ban of all pets except for fish in the residence halls.
Senators expressed concern that the bill would cause confusion because it says "Pets are not permitted in the residence halls" but then goes on to allow fish.
The senate did pass legislation that allows faculty members three days of bereavement leave if they are not able to attend a funeral for a close relative.
The senate's next meeting is at 4 p.m. April 28 in Art and Journalism Building room 175.
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