SGA budget allocation vote ruled unconstitutional
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: News
Southwest Baptist University Student Government Association will vote a second time on Monday, May 18 to approve the SGA Student Fee Allocation after the original SGA Student Fee Allocation vote of April 27 was ruled unconstitutional.
SGA's Judicial Council of sophomore Stephanie Hoover, senior John Fuchs and freshman Dierra Blankenship, ruled May 11 that the original vote violated Article VI of the Constitution, which stipulates the budget "shall be posted in front of the SGA office at least one week before the time of approval."
"It is the recommendation of the Southwest Baptist University Student Government Association Judicial Council that clubs and organizations are informed that the appeal process is attendance of the SGA meeting at which the annual student activity fee allocation vote occurs," the Council said.
The Council's decision followed an appeal by incoming Omnibus Editor-in-Chief Brendan Block. After taking part in the Budget and Finance meetings for the Omnibus, Block was concerned about not getting a fair hearing, and looked to the bylaws for a possible appeals process. After contacting members of SGA, he formally requested a hearing.
Director of Student Activities Zach Waters and Student Body Treasurer sophomore Jordan Hart faced off with junior Brendan Block of the Omnibus over the constitutionality of the SGA budget allocation, after Block, who had not been notified of the voting night for approval or the amount his club was supposed to receive.
The bylaws in question included bylaw 9.10 that states SGA needs to announce the student activity fee vote two weeks prior to the vote and, "The vote shall be advertised through the Omnibus and shall be announced at Chapel," which Block said had not been done.
The Council, however, ruled that this bylaw applied to raising or lowering the overall student fee, not to the allocation of the student fee itself.
While Block lost his appeal on bylaw 9.10, the Council found that Article VI of the Constitution required that the budget be posted in front of the SGA office. Since it had not been posted, a second vote was required.
"I was very happy with the ruling today for my side," Block said. "Too much power is concentrated in the Student Body Treasurer's office with a willy-nilly nothing goes attitude. I had a bad feeling leaving the Budget and Finance hearings, wanted an appeal, and the ruling showed that procedure was violated."
If a student wants to challenge something, they need to send a written message to Waters, the Student Body President, and Chief Justice. The Judicial Council then makes a decision and sometimes requires a hearing, according to Associate Justice senior John Fuchs.
"The Judicial Council's role is to handle allegations concerning the legality of the resolutions and activities of the student government, UAC, and clubs and organizations on campus," he said.
SGA's Judicial Council of sophomore Stephanie Hoover, senior John Fuchs and freshman Dierra Blankenship, ruled May 11 that the original vote violated Article VI of the Constitution, which stipulates the budget "shall be posted in front of the SGA office at least one week before the time of approval."
"It is the recommendation of the Southwest Baptist University Student Government Association Judicial Council that clubs and organizations are informed that the appeal process is attendance of the SGA meeting at which the annual student activity fee allocation vote occurs," the Council said.
The Council's decision followed an appeal by incoming Omnibus Editor-in-Chief Brendan Block. After taking part in the Budget and Finance meetings for the Omnibus, Block was concerned about not getting a fair hearing, and looked to the bylaws for a possible appeals process. After contacting members of SGA, he formally requested a hearing.
Director of Student Activities Zach Waters and Student Body Treasurer sophomore Jordan Hart faced off with junior Brendan Block of the Omnibus over the constitutionality of the SGA budget allocation, after Block, who had not been notified of the voting night for approval or the amount his club was supposed to receive.
The bylaws in question included bylaw 9.10 that states SGA needs to announce the student activity fee vote two weeks prior to the vote and, "The vote shall be advertised through the Omnibus and shall be announced at Chapel," which Block said had not been done.
The Council, however, ruled that this bylaw applied to raising or lowering the overall student fee, not to the allocation of the student fee itself.
While Block lost his appeal on bylaw 9.10, the Council found that Article VI of the Constitution required that the budget be posted in front of the SGA office. Since it had not been posted, a second vote was required.
"I was very happy with the ruling today for my side," Block said. "Too much power is concentrated in the Student Body Treasurer's office with a willy-nilly nothing goes attitude. I had a bad feeling leaving the Budget and Finance hearings, wanted an appeal, and the ruling showed that procedure was violated."
If a student wants to challenge something, they need to send a written message to Waters, the Student Body President, and Chief Justice. The Judicial Council then makes a decision and sometimes requires a hearing, according to Associate Justice senior John Fuchs.
"The Judicial Council's role is to handle allegations concerning the legality of the resolutions and activities of the student government, UAC, and clubs and organizations on campus," he said.
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