BOG reacts to election, debates structure
By SARAH RYKOWSKI
News Writer
As a direct result of the controversy still circling around the recent Saint Mary's student body presidential elections, amendments and the proposal of a new oversight committee for the Saint Mary's constitution were the orders at Tuesday's Board of Governance meeting.
The new committee, as proposed by student body vice president Angie Little, would include representatives from each of the class boards, the Elections Committee, the Residence Hall Association and the Student Academic Council and would be chaired by the executive vice president.
"This committee would not be making the amendments," Little said. "They would be presenting [the amendments] to BOG to vote on them."
Student body president-elect Crissie Renner, also this year's elections commissioner, voiced a concern that echoed those of the student body in the week since the election.
"There needs to be an outlet for the student body to voice their complaints," Renner said.
BOG will vote on the addition of this new committee at next week's meeting, just in time for the class board elections. The board will also rule on the proposed constitutional amendments at this meeting.
"These are [only] clarifications [of existing policies]," executive secretary Bridget Heffernan said.
Among the amendments is the addition of a policy detailing the proper procedures in the event that an election results in a tie.
The amendment to be discussed appendix now reads: "In the situation that a tie occurs in the run-off election [an equal number of raw votes for both tickets], the raw votes from the primary election and the run-off election will be added. The votes for `abstain,' all original tickets and discarded ballots will be counted. The winner is determined by the ticket with the highest number of raw votes."
The final proposed amendment made to an appendix states: "If a further tie occurs, a course of action is at the discretion of the Elections Committee."
"Consistency is important," said Nancy Midden, current student body president.
The submission of a petition, signed by over 400 Saint Mary's students, conveying their dissatisfaction with the election process, was also discussed in the meeting.
The three writers of the petition suggested restarting the elections, holding a series of open forums to clarify events and then holding a revote. They also asked for the creation of either some sort of review board that would maintain control over the election process, or an electoral college, comprised of resident advisors from each dorm. The fact that RAs are not elected by popular vote, as are the members of the Executive Board, was brought to Midden's attention.
Christine Arzt, an RA who was present at the meeting, spoke in her group's defense. "Even though we are not elected, we go through a rigorous selection process. We touch the lives of every single member of the student body."
Midden stated that she felt she had answered the students' concerns listed in the petition in her letter that was mailed to the entire student body last Friday.
"We understand that students are concerned," Midden said. Senior class president Anne Pangilinan seconded Midden's opinion.
"As a representative, a lot of people have approached me as well," Pangilinan said. "They are pleased about the apology."
The petition was given to Midden on Friday, the same day the BOG letter went out to students.
"The Executive Board has addressed the issue and will get back to the three authors of the petition," Georgeanna Rosenbush, director of student activities, said.
As for the class elections to be held next week, Renner stated that the response has been good.
"Currently there are four to five tickets for the Class of 2003, three for the Class of 2002, and two for 2001," Renner said. "BOG applications will be out tomorrow night."
Meet the Candidates Night is scheduled for Feb. 21, and the elections will be held on Feb. 23.
Other campus events discussed in the meeting included the inclusion of the Winter Carnival, planned for Feb. 24 to 27, to coincide with Little Sibs Weekend.
All News Stories for Wednesday, February 16, 2000
