With election week in full swing, A.S. President Harry Khanna unveiled new amendments designed to streamline council procedure. Specifically, Khanna said he wants to publish the meeting agenda over the weekend so that members will be more aware of potential issues before meetings. He also said he wanted reform in the committee system and paper wastage. A seemingly innocuous amendment, which introduced a mandatory oath of office – similar to the teapot dance of Earl Warren College – became a hot-button issue, generating much controversy and debate later in the meeting.
When asked what would happen if a member refused to take the oath, Khanna responded that they would not be allowed to exercise the rights and privileges of councilmembers, but would still maintain their title.
Associate Vice President of Athletic Relations Kari Gohd pointed out that some organizations cannot take oaths.
“”The last thing I want to see is for someone to feel uncomfortable or not a part of the council,”” she said.
A straw poll Khanna took revealed the council was evenly divided on the issue of the oath, which resulted in a motion to remove that section entirely.
Khanna’s reforms will be in effect starting next week.
During the period reserved for public input, Student Affirmative Action Committee spokeswoman Cheyenne Stevens spoke out against the council’s plans to remove a SAAC representative.
She insisted that SAAC should have a voice on the A.S. Council because it “”represent[s] so many communities on campus.””
Thurgood Marshall College Junior Senator Kyle Samia, who was also the SAAC representative last year, supported Stevens.
“”I don’t know that I trust this council to represent certain communities,”” he said.
The council continued to debate the topic well into the meeting.
Another topic of exhaustive debate was the traditional moment of silence, held at the beginning of every meeting.
The councilmembers were divided on the merits of such a ritual, with some members pointing out its religious undertones.
Sixth College Senior Senator Fabianne Furman said the moment of silence was not religious, but a moment to chill out. She said she usually watches other people during the silence.
However, the general sentiment was against the custom.
“”I find them frustrating,”” Marshall Senior Senator Adam Gardner said. “”Is someone going to say something serious, or funny … or just make up something serious?””
The motion to keep the moment of silence failed 10-6.
Finally, Associate Vice President of Programming Di Lam revealed that there would be two headliners for Sun God, a hip-hop artist and a rock artist.
She said she could not reveal any details until the end of this month despite repeated queries by councilmembers.
