“I am disappointed in the process”
The executive appointee for Senate Seat #2, Diego Hernandez, the first executive appointee on tonight’s senate agenda, did not pass with a vote of 6 to 3 – that is, the first time around. The next three appointees – Billy Hatch (seat 5), Steven Wilsey (seat 12) and Patrick Boye (seat 1) – were all voted into the Senate and took their seats around the table.
Next, Senator Nate Gulley moved to “reconsider” the vote on Hernandez. The Senate took a recess to check the rulebook. Gulley said the Senate should revote because the discussion attaining to Hernandez was about the process, which many senators disagreed with. President Emily McLain and VP San SunOwen did not interview every student that applied for Senate positions and several senators were displeased with this fact. The phrase “I disagree with the process” was used more times than “let’s leave” is said at Taylor’s. This was mentioned throughout every applicant.
After the recess, the Robert’s Rules of Order was looked up on a laptop computer, and it was determined that new information must be brought to the table to rescind the vote. Senator Neil Brown motioned to reconsider the vote to “make sure to do this by the book” and “not rush into it.” The motion failed with a two-thirds majority, 8 to 4. When I asked the Senate what the “new information” was, Senator Gulley responded that the vote on Hernandez was unfair because many Senators focused on the process but still voted in the other three candidates and that there were now three new senators – all appointed by the executive. What the “new information” is, I still don’t know. The second vote to instate Hernandez was tied 6 to 6, with all three new appointees voting to instate Hernandez. The tie-breaker went to San-SunOwen, who voted Hernandez into the Senate.
So, the first appointee fails. The next three executive appointees are voted in. These three senators heard the presentation by Hernandez and the following question and answer session, but were bystanders, not senators, at this time. There was not any discussion on the issue, as Gulley moved to vote directly after “answering” my question. The inclusion of the three new appointed senators swung the decision and Hernadez took his place at the table among the other senators.
Afterwards, Senator Brown said he was very disappointed in how the executives handled the application process, but is looking forward to working with the four new senators and reforming the student government as his elected slate promised the students.
[…] the bottom of the Emeralds refreshingly feisty coverage of last night’s fiasco business as usual, there is one tiny little paragraph which changes everything. It goes a little something like this: […]
Hey, thats awesome. I thought Jared was bad… looks like this year’s executive is off to a great start on the appointments. And it looks like Senate needs to work a little harder to assert themselves and make sure that the checks and balances that are supposed to be present ARE. Thanks. Also for the three that were appointed and voted. It would have seemed appropriate to abstain from voting but maybe that’s just me…I love the ASUO…!!!
Well, newbie Senators, welcome to the wonderful world of the ASUO. Oh, and those of you who intended to support the many needed reforms have just lost your clear majority, and handed away all of last years hard-won progress.
Well, at least you have now learned an important lesson. Many of you probably supported reform as a good way to get elected, without realizing how dire the need for it is. Now, hopefully, you get it. It’s just too bad that the ten-year (at least) high water mark for reformists on Senate only lasted for one meeting, and was destroyed a week later in an emergency meeting.
So, if you think the ASUO needs to be reformed (and after this meeting…) strap yourselves in for a long, long year ahead. You know now that anything goes in the ASUO, so remember the feelings you felt leaving the meeting last night, and decide now if you are going to do something about it, or if you will simply play along with the “ASUO: The Game” next year. Oh, and be prepared for what is coming at you. People know that many of you are inexperienced, and they will hit you hard with shit that it takes a lot of guts to face up to. For a sample, search for “Diego Hernandez” on the Daily Emerald website… and spend your summer preparing to face those kinds of attacks for advocating common sense reform.
Welcome to the jungle, babies!
Seems like Nate Gulley has taken a page out of good ol’ George W. Bush: I demand a recount!
And then San gets to play Chief Justice Rehnquist, who’s second time voting for President Bush meant a lot more.
Wait, I thought these two affiliated with liberals and Democrats?
Or maybe both sides are sore, whiney losers.
That’s democracy for you!