Student Congress concludes 92nd session

In the final meeting of the 92nd sesssion of Student Congress, members had their say on a variety of issues, ranging from executive branch appointments to Snoop Dogg.

Student body president-elect Mary Cooper’s executive branch office appointees were approved by the body after they answered questions from members.

Zealan Hoover, Cooper’s pick for student body vice president, was asked if he had any intention of running for student body president.
He said he had considered it before, but would not if he became vice president. Adam Jutha, student body secretary nominee, also said he would not run.

Jutha, former chairman of the rules and judiciary committee, also explained comments made about the inefficacy of student government, saying he had experienced a change of heart.

“I took time away, and over the year I recognized there really is great potential to work together and propel ideas forward,” he said.
Hoover and Michelle Healy, the nominee for Honor Court chairwoman, were not present at the meeting and appeared via Skype.

Healy, Hoover and Jutha were approved by Student Congress along with Jon McCay, the nominee for student attorney general, and Zach Dexter, Cooper’s choice for student body treasurer.

Dakota Williams, current student body treasurer, attended the meeting to sponsor a bill to amend Title V, the section of the Student Code concerning financial affairs, such as the funding of student organizations.

The bill was introduced in both the finance committee and the rules and judiciary committee last week. While the finance committee passed the bill to the full body, the rules and judiciary committee reported the bill unfavorably.

Members needed a two-thirds vote to bring the bill to debate. The vote failed.

“This is my last attempt to try to help students,” Williams said. “What concerns me is that (the rules and judiciary committee) is less concerned about the bill and more about the politics behind it.”

Finance committee member Adam Horowitz said he encouraged Student Congress to debate the bill.

“Even if we don’t pass it today, it is worth debating,” he said.
Members of the rules and judiciary committee said there was not enough time to fully discuss the bill.

“The most important title in Student Congress was given half an hour in (rules and judiciary),” said Speaker Pro Tempore Zach De La Rosa.

Committee member and former speaker Deanna Santoro said the bill will likely be debated next session.

“I say we do it once and do it right and that may be in the 93rd session,” Santoro said.

The 92nd session’s final item of business was a “concurrent resolution to improve the image of Student Congress.”

The resolution, introduced by Horowitz, proposed that Student Congress sponsor the Snoop Dogg concert as a public forum.

Some members opposed sponsoring the concert, citing Snoop Dogg’s violent lyrics and controversial history with women.

Member Kristen Johnson said Student Congress should respond to the large percentage of students who want the concert.

“We are elected to represent people,” she said. “That is the job, to represent the student body and their needs and their wants.”
The symbolic resolution was rejected by a vote of 14-9.

The inauguration of the 93rd session of Student Congress will take place Tuesday and the first full meeting will take place the next day, April 6.

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