Senate Passes Amendment Reducing At-Large Senators and Tables Affinity Group Amendment
Campus Photo (Photo Allyson Frantz/The Gettysburgian)
By Katie Oglesby, News Editor
Student Senate on Monday, Nov. 16 began with officer reports. Parliamentarian Lauren Browning ‘22 asked whether anyone had any opinions about how information released about the spring semester would impact Senate. More specifically, Browning wondered if members who decide to take gap semesters in the spring will be able to continue participating in the Senate.
Harrison Moore ‘23 argued that, in these unprecedented times, a sunset period could be offered for Senators who choose to take a gap semester in the spring. This would allow them to continue participating remotely.
“We want this body to work for everybody at the college, and everybody includes those people who are going to make the decision to take a gap semester,” said Abby Hauer ‘21.
Sustainability Committee Chair Nadine Snyder ‘21 disagreed. “I just don’t think it’s fair for students who aren’t paying tuition to make decisions for students who are paying tuition,” she said.
In response, Browning clarified that it would be a referendum that would only apply to the spring semester.
Then, Browning brought back the amendment to reduce the number of at-large senators to six. This would prevent a tie, bringing the overall number of voting members to an odd number. The reduction of at-large senators would not take effect until the next election cycle. The amendment passed.
She brought back the affinity group amendment with revisions calling for club representatives to be given a warning if they missed an affinity group meeting and then a hearing after three missed meetings to determine whether they should be disbanded and allow the club to defend why they couldn’t attend the meetings. The previous iteration of the amendment proposed disbanding clubs if they missed three affinity group meetings without a hearing.
The amendment was tabled until the next meeting.
Afterward, committees presented their reports. Treasurer Connor Heath ‘23 reminded everyone that there would be a budget request to be approved at the next meeting. Chair of Opinions Committee Giacomo Coppola ‘22 said his committee was organizing an opinion about bias training. Snyder noted that the Sustainability Committee was working on an opinion about a sustainability orientation.
The meeting was adjourned, ending with good wishes for the Thanksgiving Break and a reminder that the next meeting would be Monday, Nov. 30.
