Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What Constitutional Amendment?
A howl to our friend over at ASUN Watchdog for the scoop on a constitutional amendment passed by the students in the 2008 general election that is still pending ("Public Information Request").
Voters may remember that they agreed to a constitutional amendment nearly a year ago. What they may not know is after the voters agree to one, it must be approved by the Board of Regents. To ensure that it was clearly expressed as someone's duty, the Senate enacted the Constitutional Amendments Procedure Act of 2008. That law (or suggestion) states whenever "an amendment to the Constitution has been ratified by the membership of the Association, pursuant to the provisions of Article V of the Constitution, the Chair of the Commission on Association Elections shall forthwith certify to the President of the University that the amendment was ratified pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution" (section 3(a), ASUN Public Law 75-40).
The voters approved the amendment by nearly 73 percent (election results). Unfortunately, the Election Commission chair, Nicole Nelson, apparently never got the memo that her job wasn't over when the election was. Now, nearly one year later, it takes a candidate for the Senate to set things straight. Kudos to Tim.
But nothing but condemnation to the Senate. Some of the senators knew about this pending amendment--and they all should have, assuming they all voted for themselves in the last election. Shame on them for failing to conduct proper oversight on the executive. With the elections as bad as they were last year (VLEG: "It's like golf"), if they were to do one thing worthwhile all year, it would have been make sure elections this year didn't suck.
To the incumbent senators running for reelection--Jessica Purney, Brice Esplin, Gracie Geremia, and Patrick Kealy--shame on you. For this one reason alone, the voters should seriously question whether you deserve to hold office for another term. Constitutions are not things to be trifled with. A problem with the ASUN Constitution and the poor process got former president Sarah Ragsdale in a hot water last year. This year, there's simply no excuse.
UPDATE
Just realized that it might be a good idea to include a copy of the amendment. A little ironic, given the subject matter.
S. Res. 75-45, Constitutional Amendment, 2008
Posts
Where's the Nevada Sagebrush been on exposing all these goings on? I guess they're more interested in anal sex than looking out for the students' interests.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lupus for your covering of this important manner, I was going to blog about the contents of the amendment, but I think I'll just cite your article!
ReplyDeleteMegan, as always your commentary is spot on.
I love how you laud Mr. Taycher for bringing this to the forefront, but where's your objective examination? Tim is a member of the association too. Why did it take him so long to bring this up? Where was he MONTHS ago talking to his elected officials or writing to the executive branch with his concerns? Funny how he only brings this up now that we are in an election.
ReplyDeletei agree, the Elections Commissioner last year FAILED....miserably. But we all know that as we were going through elections and polling a year ago. You're to blame too, Mr. Taycher. I mean, you ARE the self-proclaimed ASUN Watchdog! (or is that ASUN puppydog????)
Best of all regards,
Anny Mous
Anny Mous,
ReplyDelete"Slander is the tool of cowards." I waited so that Eli could have a chance to do his job by his last Board of Regents meeting. I've expressed this concern to my representatives a couple of times with no action, which they couldn't have done anything but stop their feet. Anyways, I'm not a senator currently, I could just be "Joe Student" and not care and ASUN would be in the exact same place. Instead of lambasting me for actually giving a shit try having a little courage and attaching your name comments.
I'm looking into this and perhaps drafting something up. If any concerned students would like to meet with me to discuss this matter, which was never brought to my attention (as a representative), please come to the ASUN Senate workroom (during my office hours), from 5-7 p.m. tomorrow if you have any questions or matters of discussion, even if they do not relate to this matter.
ReplyDelete