2008 Woodie Awards
SGA vacancies remain open
Ivan Cason
Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
In the past couple of years, the SGA had a difficult time getting enough applicants to fill their positions.
Beth Rutt, of campus activities, said there can be a total of 42 senators, and there are 22 seats vacant. Rutt said the SGA has had more problems with vacancies this year than usual.
"These vacancies greatly affect how the senate performs," said Patricia Hager, Senate Selection Committee chair.
"We are a liaison for the students, and small numbers make being a liaison difficult at times.
"Senators have busy lives outside the senate floor, and therefore, it can be difficult at times to effectively pass legislation and work for the students."
"[The vacancies] definitely affect the way we do business because parliamentary procedure dictates a percentage of the senate body in order to conduct business," said Alex Workman, senaor from the Harmon College of Business.
"For example, in order to have a quorum, there must be one half of the total body plus one present and in order to handle major business, such as approving nominations and amendments, two-thirds is needed. The smaller the numbers, the harder it is to get these high percentages."
These vacancies also limit the amount of representation the students have across campus.
"I have seen senates at Rockhurst and MU, and they get more done in the interest of the students and are able to effectively express the opinions of the student body," Workman said.
These vacancies are not a new problem for the SGA. Neither Workman nor Hager has seen a full senate at work in the two to three years they have been on.
Workman said a few reasons for the lack of involvement in SGA may the apathy of the students or that they would rather do other activities.
Hager said the vacant seats include 12 vacant at-large seats, three seats in the College of Applied Sciences and Technology, one seat in the College of Arts and Sciences, four seats in the College of Education and Human Services, one seat in the Harmon College of Business Administration and one seat in the Honors College.
Hager said there are two ways to become a student senator.
The first way is to attain 30 signatures in order to be placed on the ballot and during the election, which will take place April 11 and 12 this year when the student body votes on the candidates.
The second way is to do an application and interview process. This process involves completing and submitting an application and then having an interview with the senate selections committee.
If an applicant passes the interview, the entire senate will vote on that candidate.
Hager said the SGA is looking for candidates with a strong sense of leadership, an ability to work well with others, a willingness to bring and raise issues to the senate, a passion or interest in campus affairs and a willingness to listen to his/her constituents and follow through with their wants or needs.
For information. students may visit the SGA office located in the Union beside the Campus Activities office.
Beth Rutt, of campus activities, said there can be a total of 42 senators, and there are 22 seats vacant. Rutt said the SGA has had more problems with vacancies this year than usual.
"These vacancies greatly affect how the senate performs," said Patricia Hager, Senate Selection Committee chair.
"We are a liaison for the students, and small numbers make being a liaison difficult at times.
"Senators have busy lives outside the senate floor, and therefore, it can be difficult at times to effectively pass legislation and work for the students."
"[The vacancies] definitely affect the way we do business because parliamentary procedure dictates a percentage of the senate body in order to conduct business," said Alex Workman, senaor from the Harmon College of Business.
"For example, in order to have a quorum, there must be one half of the total body plus one present and in order to handle major business, such as approving nominations and amendments, two-thirds is needed. The smaller the numbers, the harder it is to get these high percentages."
These vacancies also limit the amount of representation the students have across campus.
"I have seen senates at Rockhurst and MU, and they get more done in the interest of the students and are able to effectively express the opinions of the student body," Workman said.
These vacancies are not a new problem for the SGA. Neither Workman nor Hager has seen a full senate at work in the two to three years they have been on.
Workman said a few reasons for the lack of involvement in SGA may the apathy of the students or that they would rather do other activities.
Hager said the vacant seats include 12 vacant at-large seats, three seats in the College of Applied Sciences and Technology, one seat in the College of Arts and Sciences, four seats in the College of Education and Human Services, one seat in the Harmon College of Business Administration and one seat in the Honors College.
Hager said there are two ways to become a student senator.
The first way is to attain 30 signatures in order to be placed on the ballot and during the election, which will take place April 11 and 12 this year when the student body votes on the candidates.
The second way is to do an application and interview process. This process involves completing and submitting an application and then having an interview with the senate selections committee.
If an applicant passes the interview, the entire senate will vote on that candidate.
Hager said the SGA is looking for candidates with a strong sense of leadership, an ability to work well with others, a willingness to bring and raise issues to the senate, a passion or interest in campus affairs and a willingness to listen to his/her constituents and follow through with their wants or needs.
For information. students may visit the SGA office located in the Union beside the Campus Activities office.