Senate calls for Bishop to stand firm on hall dances
By MEGHANNE DOWNES
Associate News Editor
Senators called on Libby Bishop to give them a copy of her Board of Trustees report and to stress the reinstatement of in-hall dances for a year-long probationary period at Monday's emergency Student Senate meeting.
Eight senators submitted a petition on Friday for an emergency meeting to discuss the content of Bishop's report because of concern that Bishop would not accurately represent student opinion regarding in-hall dances.
Bishop said at the beginning of the meeting she was glad senators called the meeting to hear their opinions but did not attend in order to argue the issue.
"I have been frustrated by the way this meeting has been called and how this was gone about," Bishop said. "As much as I appreciate your input, I have been entrusted to make the report and in the end it is my report and I feel you have to respect that."
Bishop said the report was not completed on Friday as originally intended and that she decided to take the additional time to reflect and make changes. She said the report will include opinions she received from dance commissioners, the freshman class council and students and that she still must draft her conclusion. Bishop said her report is more informational and she removed the clause regarding a proposal for one in-hall dance per year per dorm.
Bishop does not want to "put all of her eggs in one basket" and said, "I am not asking for anything. I am conveying to them how students feel."
Senators were divided on what the role of the Senate should be with regard to directing Bishop on her report's content. Erin Cushing, off-campus senator, said the Senate should trust Bishop to express student opinion, wait to hear the results of the Board of Trustees meeting and then decide whether another step is necessary. Blake Haan, Keenan Hall senator, said it was not the duty of the Senate to direct Bishop on this matter and the Senate should work through channels on campus in order to apply pressure to the Office of Student Affairs, rather than bypass Bishop and show a lack of confidence in her.
The Student Union Constitution states the Senate must approve the topics and content for the fall and spring Board of Trustees report made by the student body president. Jeremy Staley, Sorin Hall senator, said, "The only reason why we don't have input is because the constitution is not updated and had it been updated, would that have changed the discussion and content?"
Bishop said her position as student body president grants her the right to gauge student opinion and determine the focus of her report. Rick Harris, Siegfried Hall senator, said Bishop, as the ex-officio representative to the Board of Trustees does not necessarily hold a monopoly on student view.
Harris made a motion to direct Bishop to release a copy of her Board of Trustees report to senators so that potential issues could be addressed directly. Jason Creek, Knott Hall senator, said, "Whether this is our last chance or not [to make a plea for in-hall dances], I don't think it is unreasonable to ask to see it."
Bishop said a check on the student body president from the Senate was not appropriate. "What I think you want is more input, but the flaw is that you are taking away from the power of the student body president. What about a resolution where we can meet and discuss. A check is not necessary," Bishop said.
The motion initially failed but was passed later during the meeting in a 20-4 vote. Senators said they wanted to receive a copy of the report before Wednesday's Senate meeting. Bishop said the report will be sent to the printer today and she did not know when it would be given to senators. Bishop leaves for the Board of Trustees meeting in Naples, Fla., before Wednesday's Senate meeting.
Katie Boyle, Cavanaugh Hall senator, made a motion to reconsider the failed resolution from Wednesday's meeting. This resolution was a letter addressed to the Board of Trustees asking for in-hall dances to be reinstated for a one-year period. The resolution failed again in a 10-12 vote.
The Senate introduced a resolution to direct Bishop to stress to the Board of Trustees the reinstatement of all in-hall dances for a probationary period next year and anything less would be inaccurate of student body and Senate opinion. The resolution states that because the Senate " shall formulate and advance the position of the student body on all issues concerning student life" its opinion regarding in-hall dances is legitimate and must be heard.
Bishop said, "I will be strong, but I will judge how strong I will be. I urge you not to pass this resolution."
The Student Union Constitution states the student body president must approve a resolution within a week after it is approved in order to be adopted. Some senators questioned the purpose of passing the resolution because Bishop could opt not to sign it and Senate would not be able to take action to override her veto before the Board of Trustees meeting. Harris said passing the resolution would make a statement and show Senate's opinion regarding the report. The Senate passed the resolution in a 17-9 vote.
Bishop said after the meeting, "Just reflecting on the division in the Senate that became clear this week and last week, it becomes clear why I am recognizing a division in this report over opinion on in-hall dances."
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 4, 2003
