SA Constitution reform bill fails in Senate

A bill designed to overhaul the Constitution and redefine a number of aspects within the Student Association failed to pass the Senate at a special meeting of the body on Tuesday night in the Marvin Center. In a thirty-minute meeting the Senate decided to table the bill, which effectively killed the legislation. Senate rules prohibit pending legislation from carrying over into the next administration.

A dark cloud hung over the meeting in response to swirling controversy surrounding the formulation of the bill. GW Law School Senators claim the bill was hastily written, poorly conceived and without proper public input. Senator and President-Elect Julie Bindleglass began the process intending to abstain, then supported the bill, and within the last two days decided to oppose the proposal for a new Constitution on the grounds that it can wait until next semester when she is President. The motive behind the shift remains unclear.

Bindleglass did not speak at the meeting.

Adding to the drama is the input of Tim Miler, the Executive Director of the Student Activities Center, who distributed an e-mail to the Senate prior to the meeting. The e-mail was critical of the bill calling it a “grave mistake.” Miller writes, “It appears that this is a last minute, rushed, clandestine and exclusive process to get something through without proper debate and discussion prior to the end of the year.”

President Vishal Aswani often alluded to actions by "the administration" that made running the student organization difficult. 

Miller was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

In an exclusive interview after what was likely the last SA meeting of his Presidency, Mr. Aswani vented his frustration against a body he called “apathetic” and “disgraceful.”

“You have people here who generally are not interested in the Constitution. People here are just extremely immature. Timing and lame duck status is irrelevant. If you don’t want to be in office, get out of here. The student’s don’t need students who check out in March,” Aswani said, “The lack of interest by this year’s Senate, minus the Student Life committee, to do something as fundamental as their job shows exactly why reform is needed.”

While he concedes that the timing around exams is "unfortunate," Mr. Aswani maintains that the Senate was properly notified and that he followed the proper by-laws in calling the meeting.

Had the measure passed the resolution would have gone before the student body in September. Students would have voted on whether or not to implement the new constitution.

Senator Julie Bindleglass takes office April 30. It is unclear if she will pursue changes to the Constitution.

For more background on the bill in question click here: "A Constitutional Controversy"

- Jesse Regis

Developing Story: Pres. Aswani Vetoes Election-Reform Bill

Update: 10:26 a.m.

In a statement released to WRGW News, Melissa Meyer, Chair of the Marvin Center Governing Board claims that the body was never approached to discuss the proposed reform in SB-09-13, which would have changed the length of the board's general election to a single day rather than the current two.

"No changes to the election format have ever been proposed or discussed with the Marvin Center Governing Board. As a Board we are welcome to the discussion of the issue if ever proposed." - Melissa Meyer, Chair, Marvin Center Governing Board

Posted: 1:48 a.m.

After a prolonged election season a bill intended to change the length of the general and run-off elections from two days to one day each was vetoed by Student Association President Vishal Aswani Thursday night based on what he claims is a lack of support from two organizations whose elections would be impacted by the move.

Sponsored by current Senator and unsuccessful Presidential candidate Nick Polk (U-At-Large) SB-09-13, "A Bill to Adjust the JEC Charter to Online Voting" passed through the Senate last week.

After what he said were "lengthy deliberations," Aswani used the veto pen for just the second time in his administration and released the following statement:

“While the bill itself has significant positive attributes given the elections are now held fully online, I can not justify any legislation that has an impact on Marvin Center Governing Board or Program Board elections without support from both bodies.”

The bill would have taken effect May 1, 2009. The future of the bill remains unclear.

WRGW will have more information as it becomes available.

- Jesse Regis