Changes to constitution passed unanimously by SGA

Alright, this isn't REALLY concerning (not directly) our Congress. But this is a college. Read this and consider the implications of what is happening in College level "politics".

Imagine now a few years from now some of these same people getting elected to higher offices and saying "It worked back then, why not now?"


Changes to constitution passed unanimously by SGA

By Nick Beadleston
nbeadles@uccs.edu
Published: Monday, February 10, 2014
Updated: Monday, February 10, 2014 15:02

http://www.uccsscribe.com/polopoly_f...2256222312.jpg Photo by Nick Burns
SGA Vice President Donald Apelo spoke Feb. 7 concerning the new constitution.



The Student Government Association approved a new constitution Feb. 7. Both the House and Senate voted unanimously for the bill.


Under the new constitution the Senate will absorb the House, changing the Legislative branch to a unicameral (one chamber) structure.


The Senate will be comprised of 16 elected student senators, seven of whom will represent colleges and schools. Seven more will be senators at large. The remaining two seats will be the senator of multicultural affairs and the senator of sustainability.


Those two campus demographics are currently represented by secretaries of the same name in the Executive branch. Currently the multicultural affairs and sustainability secretaries do not have the authority to vote.


Under the new constitution the positions of secretary of athletics and secretary of housing, currently held by Katie Hoehn and Laura Schreiner respectively, will be dissolved. The new Executive branch will only consist of three members, the president, vice president and the director of finance.


According to Jasmine Caldwell, SGA president, the new system will be more efficient than the previous one.


The new constitution does not state what percentage of the Senate must vote in favor of a bill for it to pass.


Information from Section J. under the Powers and Duties of The Legislative Branch does not appear in the new constitution.


Previously the section read “The Legislative Branch shall actively peruse University Policies they deem in the best interest of the student body and shall, to the extent permitted by University Policy, take action to improve student life and welfare.”


Other changes include reducing the number of Justices from nine to four. Their terms, which were previously life terms, will be limited to four years.
Also the UCCS SGA Fund will be retitles the UCCS Student Activity Fee Fund.


All current SGA members will finish out their terms, which run through May 31.


The turn in deadline for SGA election packets to the Student Life and Leadership Office is 5:15 p.m. Feb. 11.


Elections will be held March 10 -14. Results will be announced by 6 p.m. on the final day of voting.