Meeting #23

March 10, 2004

Item of Immediate Consideration

Item B

The A.S. Council approved an allocation of $1,300 for a spring quarter all-campus dance on April 2 by a vote of 19-3-0.

A $1,000 allocation was originally approved, but a bid to reconsider the item and increase the amount was successful.

Item D

The council passed a resolution with a 17-2-4 vote against a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage. See page 1 for more information.

Item F

In response to a new draft of UC policies applying to campus activities, organizations and students, the A.S. Council adopted a resolution in support of the UC Student Association’s statement of principles regarding restrictions on how student governments and organizations can spend money. See page 1 for more information

Reports

Vice President Academic Affairs Todd Tolin

Tolin reported that despite the A.S. Council’s commitment of funds, Geisel Library will not be open 24 hours-a-day during finals week because of a lack of available security staff.

Vice President Finance Eric Webster

Webster reported that 23 students requested refunds for the portion of their A.S. student activity fee that was allocated to The Koala. The refunds are 8 cents each.

Revelle College Senior Senator Stefani Martinez

Martinez reported that a sundry store will open the first week of spring quarter in Revelle Lounge in Blake Hall. Revelle College Council is overseeing the store.

Revelle College Council Chair Melissa Tsang

Tsang announced that there will be a free barbecue in Revelle Plaza on March 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in honor of Roger Revelle’s birthday.

Old Business

Items A through D

The council approved numerous changes to the council bylaws by consensus. The changes clarify ambiguities in operational rules and bring the bylaws in line with current council practices. The changes also modify which positions are non-voting members of the A.S. Council and which positions are associate members.

Item T

The council approved by consensus an amendment to the A.S. Constitution that would require the vice president internal to appoint a council parliamentarian. Currently, the council does not have a parliamentarian, and procedural questions are answered by knowledgeable council members.

As a constitutional amendment, the legislation must be ratified by four of the six college councils before taking effect.

Item X

The council approved a bylaws change that reduces the vote required to pull an item of old business from committee from three-fifths to a simple majority.

Student Council of Eleanor Roosevelt College Chair David Goodwin supported the legislation because the super-majority system allows a sizable minority to force the council to adopt a committee’s recommendation even when the majority of senators may not agree with the recommendation.

However, Thurgood Marshall College Senior Senator and Senate Chair Sierra Catcott said that lowering the vote margin would make the committees’ work less binding and less serious.

— Compiled by Neil Spears

Senior Staff Writer