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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Assembly discusses Student Life legislation

Body considers writing resolution against contested policy

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, the Student Association Assembly met to voice its opinions on the proposed Student Life legislation, which would possibly shift much of SA's power to the university-administered Student Life.

The Assembly discussed its options and decided to hold a meeting on Oct. 31 to discuss a proposed resolution to the legislation, prior to the second Student Life forum, which will be held on Nov. 5.

The resolution would be a formal document that would give a voice to the students through the Assembly.

The proposed Student Life legislation could change the way clubs operate and exist on campus. It states each club must have a university adviser, cannot be dually recognized and must be re-recognized every year.

The Assembly recognized SA President Travis Nemmer was collecting signatures against the proposed legislation and agreed the body members would sign it to show their support. The Assembly agreed a resolution would be a good way to be a separate entity, to put into its own words why they don't support the legislation.

Assembly Speaker Steven Jackson thought Wednesday's meeting was one of the best he's ever held. Although he didn't attend Sunday's forum, Jackson wants to make sure he's adequately representing the voice of the Assembly and the student body as a whole.

"[The Assembly had] really good input," Jackson said. "They had really good opinions, and they were giving me great ideas - tabling in the Union, flyers, holding a pseudo-vote on it - I think that's absolutely awesome. I was a little concerned in the beginning of the year when only 13 people had petitioned to join the Assembly, but it actually paid off."

Tim Cerny, a freshman physics major and SA sound technician, attended the meeting to hear the body's opinions. Cerny has been a part of groups like the Strategists and Role Players Association and the UB Paranormal Research Association. He said having a faculty adviser at a research institution would be problematic.

"There'sno motivation whatsoever for a faculty member to assist a club unless they personally are invested in the topic," Cerny said "That's the kind of thing where you have hundreds of student organizations, and we may have plenty of faculty, but what percentage of those are able [help] time-wise? The percentage that are interested that would actually go out and [act as an adviser] is completely ludicrous."

Cameron Longo, a sophomore medicinal chemistry major, is a part of Assembly, LGBTA and Schussmeisters. Longo thinks the Assembly held a productive meeting to hear all opinions, but he doesn't like the idea of advisers in the new legislation.

"Personally, the advisers clause just makes it seem like [Student Life is] trying to play big brother to something that, aside from a few [problems], has done well," Longo said. "I don't think it needs any extra help."

The Assembly will hold their next meeting to discuss a resolution for Student Life on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. in 378 Student Union.

Email: news@ubspectrum.com


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