Students will vote on a constitutional amendment during Spring Student Government elections that could change how Summer replacement senators are chosen.
Tuesday, Student Senate unanimously passed a bill placing an amendment to the Student Body constitution on the Spring ballot. The amendment would prevent senators from nominating their own replacements during Summer.
If the amendment passes, the Replacement and Agenda Committee will recommend applicants for open positions before Senate approves the nomination. Currently, senators pick their replacements, who are approved by the committee and then the Senate.
The bill’s author, Senator Meaghan Hanley (Impact, Journalism-02) wrote in an email that the amendment would place qualified students in Senate during a time when a significant portion of Senate’s budget is distributed.
“We have seen situations where senators simply appoint a friend for the summer term and they have no understanding of Student Government or a commitment to the office,” she said.
Senate President Smith Meyers said the amendment could allow majority party applicants to replace a minority or independent party senator’s seat, although they can object to applicants.
Senate also appointed Ian Green (Impact, Business Administration) as budget and appropriations committee chairman, replacing Charlie Brown Jr., who resigned from Senate Jan. 10, according to Alligator archives.
Meyers said Green was the only senator to apply.
“I feel like I’m more than prepared,” Green said, adding that he’s been the committee’s vice chair since October.
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