A.S. Meeting #22 – Feb. 23, 2005

Public Input

Students addressed the council to both condemn and support the actions of Koala Editor and A.S. Elections Manager Steve York, who aired pornography on Student-Run Television. Several students, including Thurgood Marshall College senior Erica Kermani, said that they were disgusted by the pornography aired on SRTV. However, other students, including Sixth College junior James Cain, said that SRTV should continue to allow all students to broadcast shows to the campus.

Special Presentations

Revelle College Senior Senator Ted McCombs

McCombs proposed changes to the current structure of the A.S. Council. His proposal would give voting powers to the six council chairs as well as A.S. commissioners and the executive board. In addition, the 24 senators on the council would become nonvoting members. McCombs said that this would limit problems associated with slate politics and the lack of transfer and commuter student representation that exist in the current system.

Items of Immediate Consideration

Item D

The council passed a referendum asking students to vote on a $3 increase in the Student Activity Fee to support student-initiated outreach. The money collected would go to support activities like high school conferences and, if passed by the students in the spring elections and approved by administrators, would go into effect in fall 2005.

Council Caucus

The council discussed the broadcast of pornography on SRTV. Many members of the council said they supported the free speech exhibited in the broadcast, but thought that a forum for grievances should be established. According to station manager Chelsea Welch, 57 percent of over 200 students who contacted the station did not object to the programming. McCombs said that students who were offended by the broadcast could receive a refund for the portion of their student fees that were allocated to the Koala or SRTV.

Old Business

Item B

The council discussed McCombs’ proposed changes to the current A.S. representation structure. Citing the need for further discussion, council members have until 4 p.m. on Feb. 25 to vote.

Item F

The council examined an allocation of $1,000 from Mandated Reserves to pay for a legal review of the Food Co-op lease agreement. In order for the allocation to be approved, a three-fourths majority was needed. However, because an inadequate number of senators were present to vote on the issue, the final tally was extended through Feb. 25.

— Compiled by Patrick Allen

Senior Staff Writer