New officers debate parliamentarian nomination
By LAURA ROMPF
Assistant News Editor
Last night's Student Senate meeting was the first for the new officers and vice president Brooke Norton. Although the agenda included very few items, the meeting lasted nearly two hours due to a lengthy debate over the nomination for parliamentarian.
"I'm not sure why there is so much debate over a simple nomination for an office like parliamentarian," said former Judicial Council president Kelly Folks. She continued by advising new senators that this type of debate for a routine nomination was "not normal."
Earlier in the week, current council president Tony Wagner had nominated John Osborn, Board of Trustees Chair, as parliamentarian.
"There were two applicants for the position. We carefully read over the applications, conducted interviews and decided John would be best for the position. It was a hard decision to make because both candidates were qualified. However, John brought some experience outside student government and there is the argument that student government simply replicates itself, so we thought it would be good to have a fresh face," Wagner said.
Some senators thought that Paul Sladek, former St. Edward's Hall senator, the other applicant, was better qualified for the position.
"We have a duty as an oversight group to just not simply stamp everything that comes across our desk," said Audra Hagan, Pasquerilla West senator.
"If a nominee is not qualified, we should reject the nomination," said Katie Thompson, the McGlinn senator. "I know as a new senator, I may not know the constitution well, but it is the parliamentarian's job to know it intimately and I think it would be better to have someone who actually worked on putting this constitution together."
However, several senators disagreed.
"I do not know [Osborn] well at all, but he seems extremely intelligent and qualified for this position," said Grant Gholson, Keenan senator. "If we can get anyone to do this job, I think that is good. I think we should respect the nomination, I do not see any reason to reject it. He seems willing to learn and it will not be hard to get the rules down."
Others agreed.
"We're questioning a judicial council decision here. Personally, I think we should respect other parts of the student union," Luciana Reali, Lewis Hall senator.
"I know John Osborn very well and I can attest to the quality of his character," said Ryan Becker, Zahm hall senator. "He is dedicated and does care a great deal about student government. He wants to stay involved and I feel this is a perfect way. I am confident he can serve in this task."
The recent acquaintance rape on campus was another topic of discussion at last night's meeting.
"When I read the Viewpoint article in The Observer, it is clear that this is an issue that effects many students," said Reali. "It is a difficult issue to deal with on this campus because people are not willing to talk about it."
Reali recommended that the senate form a committee to create an education system for the campus to educate students on the issue.
"I belive we should form a committee immediately to try and solve some of this issue," Reali said. "We must start to raise awareness."
Reali said that senators should talk to administrators, students and rectors in order to get a complete understanding of problem and what can be done.
In other senate news
u Nominations were presented last night as following: Trip Foley for secretary of the student union, John Osborn for student senate parliamentarian, Mark Lesheey for chaplain of student senate, Jay Smith for office of the president chief of staff, Susan Roberts for academic delegate and Matt Clark for office of the president controller.
u Senate passed a resolution establishing a Sophomore Signature Event Planning Committee.
All News Stories for Thursday, April 6, 2000
