With more than five weeks since my last update, I figured I should write something, and give a quick look at this Sunday's upcoming senate meeting. What was supposed to be a blisteringly fast summer took a turn for the worst during the first SLIC meeting about a month ago. It looks like my chairmanship of SLIC will not start until early August. I'm currently faced with the problem of how to start procuring funds for SLIC, since the only money allocated to the committee will be my salary. Although I'm looking forward to getting paid to use my brain, unless I can secure funding from SA directly for what will be an eventful year for SLIC, I'll probably have to use funds from the $3500 chairman stipend.
In other news, the Socialist Student Association has finally gotten our office together, and begun planning for next year. Things are looking good up here in 364/394, and I think we'll be able to accomplish many exciting things. I'm excited to announce that two members of the SSA will be (hopefully) filling RSO seats on SAC, myself, and Hector Santiago. For too long, SAC has been powerless to stop opportunist grant-rolling and deception. If appointed to SAC, I intend to fix these problems for good.
I was also appointed to the President's Commission to enact 36.09(5), which will work over the course of the year to codify student gov's place at UWM. The final product should help strengthen the students and give the SA more clout. I'll keep this updated on progress here.
Finally, I submitted my first piece of legislation to the SA, which is set to vote on it the 25th. I've decided to call this bill, which would set up a formal question and answer session for spectators after senate meetings, the People's Bill. I believe introducing a bill aimed at increasing transparency and activity is a good place to start. More legislation is on the way. I have the first executive committee meeting coming up this Thursday, which will be historic in its democratic and open administration of the senate agenda. Full speed ahead to the 25th!
-Red Menace out.
THANK YOU!
12 years ago
Imagine the system that you have set up, where the President has total control, and a body of 50 separately elected Senators is powerless to stop them. Now imagine that system with someone other then Travis, say, me for instance, occupying the position of President. Suddenly, that system that you have set up seems even more oppressive then the system it replaced.
ReplyDeleteOr does the new stipend Travis bought you off with prevent you from thinking clearly?
Systems should be set up to function soundly regardless of the people in specific positions. The old system was far from perfect, but you have to wonder, how much worse is the new system if someone like me were to become President next term? You guys have set it up so it's nearly impossible to alter, so you may be stuck with a nightmare worse then you think I was.
Sorry, didn't mean to rain on your parade. Hate to burst your bubble, but corrupt SA officials have been buying votes for decades. And here, I thought you wouldn't fall for that. Guess I gave you too much credit.
Why are you so fat, Duerstein
ReplyDeleteKyle,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see your blog in action during the summer. If only more students would care so much about SA affairs, we'd have a much more active and transparent SA.
What I can't understand, is why you and Senators Campbell and Walker think that the recent bylaw changes put so much power into the hands of the executive. By creating an executive committee to handle agenda matters, for instance, power is shared by multiple people. By demanding a 2/3 vote of the sitting senate to change bylaws, it ensures a stable and democratic senate.
You speak loads about the growing power of the president Kyle, but who took part in an emergency meeting to effectively neuter the executive branch after Burseth was elected?
Tyrants fear tyranny, and I believe that you and the others who fear that Travis may grab power are only balking at the shadows of your past actions.
As for paid stipends, I remember you appointing Walker to Shared Governance, although there already was a Shared Governance Director, sounds a whole lot like nepotism to me. Luckily, that position doesn't exist currently.