The first senate meeting of the 2010-2011 term kicked off on Sunday the 6th. The meeting saw a definite change in policy, as well as outlook in the SA. Although the ASAP party now holds a large majority, the new bylaw changes were fiercely contested by the small opposition.
These bylaw changes amended the constitution to require a 2/3 vote of all seated senators to change the bylaws in the future, as well took away a certain portion of the speaker's power. The bylaws were, in my opinion, a much needed change to a decaying system. Last year saw so many abuses by speaker Duerstein, that I think most people are looking forward to that position having some oversight, now being the executive committee. This will ensure that the speaker cannot decide not to include important bills, etc, on the agenda, not, as senator Walker and the opposition argued, enforce a dictatorship of the executive branch. The opposition is still stuck in the past, viewing inter-SA relations as a matter of endlessly balancing the power of two supposedly constantly opposed branches. Hopefully, future SA representatives will be spared the incessant bickering and backstabbing we knew all too well years past.
Today the UW board of regents is in town to discuss, amongst other things, a possible 5.5% tuition hike. As per usual, SDS is protesting their lack of ability to speak at the event. Although I would like to see a system in which every student could get a chance to talk with the administration, one must understand the concept of plausible representation. Whether they know it or not, UWM's elected executives are talking with the board of regents today, addressing the tuition hike and student concern. From the regent's perspective, SA leaders are actual representatives, whereas members of RSOs like SDS could be said to represent only a small portion of student interest. They would take SDS's demands no more seriously than those of UWM's Pagan Association. In order for the left to respected, they must become a part of UWM's legitimate authority, the best choice being to join SA. Unless they notice this, I will continue to be the SA's lone red menace.
I'm looking forward to working with on SLIC this year. I plan on putting the best of my ideas and work ethic into trying to do some good through this committee. Soon we'll have our first meeting, and I hope to hit the ground running. Although the first meeting of the term didn't go so smoothly, everything was passed eventually, and the best candidates were elected to their respective posts. I believe for SA, this is the beginning of a new, brighter chapter. Our next meeting in July should start to form what the new administration's focus will be.
Until then,
Red Menace, out.
THANK YOU!
12 years ago
