A.S. Meeting #14 — Nov. 30
Public Input
Earl Warren College senior Daniel Watts spoke against a proposed allocation of $200 to the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity on the grounds that passing the item would exceed double the limit allowed under council guidelines. Watts asked the council to withdraw the item, announcing that he planned to “slam them with this” in his quest for the A.S. presidency in the event that it was passed.
Items of Immediate Consideration
Item E
The council allocated an additional $800 to the Koala from the media-unallocated account. Although Koala affiliates have been the center of much recent A.S. controversy, the allocation was ultimately passed in a 17-2-0 vote.
Item I
Despite Watts’ protest and a motion to table the item indefinitely, the extra $200 dollars were awarded to the fraternity by a vote of 13-2-4.
Reports
President Christopher Sweeten
Sweeten announced that applications for the A.S. elections manager are now open to oversee the special election called by “Koala TV” petitioners earlier this month. The election will take place from Jan. 23 to 27 and applications for the position will close Dec. 2.
Sixth College Senior Senator Matt Corrales
Corrales presented 35 students’ requests for refunds of their portion of student activity fees spent on the Nov. 15 production of the Koala. Petitions to request the refunds have 10 calendar days to be filed, and must be honored by the council.
Council Caucus
John Muir College Council Chair Neil Spears discussed the current A.S. Council listserv, and the advantages and potential disadvantages of allowing any UCSD students to access it. Currently, any student who wishes to gain access to the listserv may do so by making a request to the A.S. executive assistant.
Several councilmembers expressed the desire to limit access and posting to councilmembers, not for “sinister purposes” but because it is a place for the council to carry out initial brainstorms outside of student and media scrutiny.
However, responding to the desire to media-proof council business, some councilmembers argued that forethought and restraint represent a better way to avoid embarrassing publicity.
“What we say should matter,” Muir Sophomore Senator Aida Kuzucan said. “I think if we open it up, it would put a little more weight on us to act as representatives, rather than show just our own opinions.”
Spears later proposed legislation that would allow any undergraduate student who wanted access to the listserv the ability to obtain it. Although 12 senators voted in favor of Spears’ item, seven voted against it, and thus it did not reach the threshold needed for passage.
