USU/SA Executive Council changes house rules
The USU Student Association Executive Council met for the first time this year and changed its house rules to allow proxy voting. Though they met for 30 minutes, but the group resolved an issue from last semester.
Proxy voting allows a representative of an elected official to vote on council matters in place of said official in the event of their absence.
At the last meeting before the winter break, Sonina Hernandez, organizations and diversity vice president, brought to attention a schedule conflict. In order to graduate in May, she needs to take a class during the normal meeting time at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
President Doug Fiefia used the break to look at all the schedules and figure out the best time to meet. Unfortunately, there is not a time everyone is available. An option discussed at the end of the fall semester was having an individual in Hernandez’s council represent her in the meeting to speak her opinions and vote for her.
“We still need to give her a voice because she has so many constituents,” Fiefia said.
Robert’s Rules is the system of rules the council uses to conduct its meetings and has no specific guideline for proxy voting, only that it has to be stated in the house rules.
They decided to change the house rules to allow Hernandez’s unique situation, but she wasn’t present at the meeting.
There was initial concern about her representative having speaking rights. Charley Riddle, athletics and campus recreation VP, said it wouldn’t be a problem as long as Hernandez and her representative met before the meeting and decided what needed to be said on her behalf.
The group ultimately decided not to give speaking rights to the individual Hernandez chooses to represent her.
The executive council will meet again at 5 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Neil O. Gruwell Senate Chambers, TSC 336.