2008 Woodie Awards
After lengthy debate, senate tables re-rec
Justin Oswald
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
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The roughly two-hour debate in the full Student Senate centered around what level the senate would recognize the National Society of Black Engineers and P.I.N.K. Women at. Levels, which range from I to IV, determine the size of groups' budgets and other "perks" such as office space and phones. Level I groups are traditionally the most-funded organizations.
Though the senate voted down amendments that - if passed - would have changed the levels of NSBE and P.I.N.K. Women, the groups will need to wait until Nov. 28 before a final decision.
In the meantime, senate officers implored their peers to learn more about the bill and issues before returning after Thanksgiving recess.
Student Organization Advisory and Review Committee Chairwoman Amanda LaRocca said she was disappointed with the lack of knowledge of some of the senators about the senate's policies on recognizing groups.
"It makes me feel like I have wasted every single minute that I have been doing this bill," LaRocca said. She added that it's like "10 percent of the people are doing 100 percent of the job."
LaRocca was not the only senator baffled by the lack of some senators' knowledge and the impact that the recognition bill has on the student body. Despite multiple media accounts explaining the level system, documentation available in the senate office and committee meetings, some senators needed clarification of the process.
"I don't think half the people in this room know what they're voting on or the consequences of their actions," Academic Affairs Committee Chairwoman Cristin Langworthy said. "Please, somebody table it so I don't go insane."
Langworthy got her wish when Allen Petit motioned to table the bill, giving the senate an extra two weeks to study its contents.
After the meeting, President Neil Leston said he was relieved senators agreed to hold the bill.