By Paul A. Anthony, Editor in Chief
Congress postponed discussion of a plan Wednesday that would cause a major shake-up of Students’ Association structure.
The meeting was prefaced by an apology from Jeremy Smith, SA executive president, who said he had stepped over the line in his defense of the proposal during last week’s question-and-answer session.
“Last week, I blew my cool,” Smith said, reading a prepared statement. “I was offensive; I was downright rude. I apologize. That’s not who I am.”
Smith later challenged Congress to come up with a better plan while suggesting members take a week to think about it.
“It’s pretty obvious after last week’s meeting that SA is not ready right now to take the next step,” Smith said. “I thought after weeks of looking at it that it was a pretty good idea, but it’s not.”
Smith and the other executive officers had put together a plan elevating all student groups to the level of SA committees, removing them from the supervision of the executive officers, making advocacy the sole responsibility of all voting members and creating an SA endowment fund.
The plan faced widespread opposition from many committee chairs, who objected to being placed under an adviser in the university administration, and from most class officers, who objected to the removal of their activity-planning role.
Smith lobbied for the plan throughout the week but apparently became convinced he did not have enough congressional support to make the plan a reality. He said many people had told him they did not like the proposal but could not offer an alternative.
“My suggestion is we take the next week to ask yourselves this question,” Smith said: “Should SA serve the entire student body, and do we serve the entire student body?”
Congress approved four grants made by the Appropriations Committee this week. Two honors societies, Mu Phi Epsilon and Sigma Tau Epsilon, received funds, as did Gamma Sigma Phi and Wildcat Kids. A total of $1,542.27 was granted, leaving $1,152.50 remaining in the Student Request Fund.
Congress also approved Johnathan Eaves, freshman high school education major from Golden, as McKinzie Hall’s new representative.
