Student Council debates Constitution committee

Following an opening presentation by Dr. Bill Smedick on the value of synergy in student government, Student Council got down to business this past week and passed a proposition to look into rewriting their Constitution.

Smedick, the current Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs and the 12-year advisor of Student Council, opened the meeting with a pep talk on taking action, saying "It's my opinion that you [student leaders] need to have more direct influence on policy and procedures, rather than just on housing and dining times."

The talk appeared well-timed, as the Council soon moved on to discussion at the very foundation of the Student Council structure.

Senior Class President Stephen Goutman led the movement to form a committee to rewrite the current Constitution and "restructure Student Council." He proposed establishing a committee that would report back to the Council by mid-November to allow a vote before Intersession.

Class of 2004 President Bob Alleman led the opposition against the proposition, saying that, especially with such a serious decision at stake, a small committee both composed of and appointed by Council members could not be sure to represent the needs of the entire student body.

Alleman said that he did not feel the subject itself was valid, either.

"I don't think the Constitution needs to be changed," he said. "The real reason why this Council is not effective is [that] we can't debate here. We haven't even tried the full limits of the old Constitution."

Goutman suggested that the committee meetings be held in a room like the Garrett Room of the MSE Library in order to facilitate outside input.

However, although Goutman felt confident that open committee meetings in a room like the Garrett Room would remain an "informal setting" that would encourage student input, Alleman remained concerned of "over-centralizing the power of Student Council." Alleman said he would prefer keeping the discussion open at full Council meetings.

Several other Council members shared his concerns. Class of 2003 Vice-President Sarah Cummings said she was equally skeptical, citing an ill-attended meeting of the Rules Committee on Saturday as proof that small committees are not the best way of drawing outside student response.

"I'm worried about the representation of the classes [in this decision to change the Constitution]," Cummings said.

Class of 2004 Representative Ali Fenwick said that," There is a danger in a second committee. It gives Council a prepackaged idea, and you feel like you have to pass it."

Smedick had encourage the Student Council earlier to be responsive not only to those student needs that are expressly brought to its attention but also to those that remain unvoiced. Council President Anuj Mittal had asked Smedick to speak at the meeting.