The Alligator’s Amendment Recommendations

We’ve done the hard part for you. With Student Government elections taking place today and Wednesday, here’s how we think you should vote on the amendments listed on the ballot and why.

Yes on 1

In a gist: Amendment 1 asks whether UF’s Student Government should be in full compliance with all federal and state nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws, orders and regulations and shall adhere to UF nondiscrimination policies.

Why we support it: We at the Alligator believe that all methods of preserving this will only benefit UF. As a governing body overseeing a $20 million budget, SG should be held to the same equal opportunity.

No on 2

In a gist: Student Senate currently has 100 senators, and Amendment 2 would keep it at that versus the original 120. If struck down, students will be able to vote for 10 more senators for both Fall and Spring elections.

Why we don’t support it: We don’t know much about the history of the other 20 seats, but more seats mean more representation.

Yes on 3

In a gist: Amendment 3 asks whether Summer replacement senators should be appointed at the last meeting of the Spring semester. Currently, the SG constitution requires replacement senators be confirmed by the Student Senate by May 1.

Why we support it: With Student Senate not holding meetings during the time between Spring semester and Summer A, this can leave a lot of empty seats and a lot of students unrepresented. Having senators chosen before the end of Spring would ensure students are more continuously represented.

Yes on 5

In a gist: Amendment 5 establishes term limits for the heads of executive departments in SG. This would set that the terms of the persons expire with the regular terms of the elected executive ticket, meaning the Student Body president, vice president and treasurer serve about one year.

Why we support it: Term limits incentivize those in executive positions to get their agenda done in a year, and it creates more cohesion for the president to carry out his or her policies.

Yes on 6

In a gist: Amendment 6 concerns whether remote online voting should be allowed.

Why we support it: Online voting would the voting Student Body. About a week ago, 2,420 students were admitted to PaCE, where students take their first 60 credits online. Innovation Academy, where students aren’t on campus in Fall, admitted 979. If you’re lucky enough to be on campus and cast a vote, there’s no reason students who work just as hard as you shouldn’t.

No on 8

In a gist: Amendment 8 would allow for the SG Elections Commission to determine if petitions made by students have accurate summaries before going on the ballot. If not, the Commission would be able to modify the summary before sending it to be on the ballot.

Why we don’t support it: It is the concern of the Alligator that by making petition summaries reviewable solely by the Elections Commision and the Supervisor of Elections that this could exclude the makers of the petition and jeopardize the language students petition for.

No on 11

In a gist: Amendment 11 asks whether the Replacement and Agenda Committee should have authority to choose Summer replacements for senators who won’t be there during Summer. Currently, senators choose their own replacements.

Why we don’t support it: We believe senators should choose who replaces them. By giving the committee the power, which is typically controlled by the majority party, it renders independent and minority senators voiceless.

The Alligator chose not to endorse amendments 4, 7, 9 and 10 due to not knowing the possible effects of the amendments if passed or failed. 

See the full list of 11 amendments here.