ASI
Senate passes multiple legislation,
creates “Maxson Day”
By Daniel Linck Savino
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
In an active session Wednesday, the Associated Students Senate approved multiple
pieces of legislation. The new amendments will have far-reaching effects, ranging
from worker’s compensation and information security to the current case
against ASI President Jamie Pollock.
The continuing controversy over Pollock’s decision to give a $15,864 stipend
to her chief of staff instead of the AS administrator has been partially resolved.
The “Policy on Executive Fellowships,” allowing both positions to
be paid, passed with 16 senators voting in support of the amendment. Sens. Amin
Km, College of Natural Science and Math, and Mike Emenhiser, College of Business,
opposed the measure. Absent from Wednesday’s meeting was Senator-at-Large
Sandra Olmedo.
The amendment has been through several iterations and delays.
Sen. Heidi Chavez, College of Health and Human Services, urged the Senate to
pass this version.
“I recommend [to] the board that we just pass this as is,” Chavez
said. “This just needs to pass, then we can move on.”
Sen. Jessica Viera, College of Education, described the debate as having gone
on for “way too long.”
The amendment, retroactive to Nov. 1, does not resolve the legality of payments
already made to chief of staff Bobby Godina. That issue is the focus of a case
currently before the AS Judiciary.
Workers’ compensation, the subject of another amendment passed with minimal
debate, will now be extended to all student volunteers. State law allows non-profit
corporations such as ASI to consider volunteer workers “employees” for
the purposes of workers’ compensation.
The ASI’s insurance company has agreed to provide the coverage at no cost,
due to the low number of on-the-job accidents in past years. At the end of the
school year, the company will re-evaluate the situation, and if they decide to
charge a premium for the added coverage, the Senate has the option of changing
the policy.
Next year’s AS elections will have a different tenor, due to the passage
of the “Policy on Political Activity.” The majority of the policy
discusses political activity in regional, state or federal government campaigns.
It is specifically worded, however, to prevent any AS officer from using their
position or AS resources to support student election campaigns. During the 2005
AS elections, multiple members of student government actively campaigned for
various candidates. Students can, as individuals, still actively participate
in school or regional/national politics.
The legislation is part of a larger reform effort that came out of last year’s
elections.
“
Last year was an example of a system gone out of control,””AS Executive
Director Richard Haller said.
Numerous complaints, two AS Judiciary court cases and the temporary revocation
of Pollock’s victory were part of an electoral season that quickly devolved
into a spectacle of litigation.
New rules on information privacy and records management were also passed without
opposition and minimal debate.
The two topics, in two separate policies, were designed to bring ASI into compliance
with various state laws and university
policies on privacy.
The evening’s least contentious work was a resolution honoring President
Robert C. Maxson and his wife, Sylvia.
Additionally, the resolution now titles
Nov. 9 as “Maxson Day.” Though Viera and Chavez were the initial
sponsors, the resolution was quickly amended to add all 20 senators as co-sponsors.
The only debate was how to most staunchly express their support, either by passing
it with unanimous consent or a roll-call vote. In the end, a roll-call vote had
each senator giving their support and a”“Go Beach” as the votes
were recorded.
Each senator took a minute or two to express their appreciation and personal
gratitude to Maxson.
Sen. Shelena McClinton, College of Liberal Arts, moved to tears, said Maxson’s
frequent promotion of extra-curricular activities helped motivate her to participate
in ASI.
Km, finding himself at a loss for words, gave his respect and honor with a Bangladeshi
custom. On bent knee, Km touched Maxson’s feet and asked for his blessing.
The tradition is a way of honoring a wise or respected community member.
Maxson thanked the Senate for their appreciation.
“
Nothing has meant more to us than this moment tonight,” he said.
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