By Kelsi Peace, Managing Editor
The 85th Students’ Association Congress concluded with a lively debate over Congress’ power over election rules and a resolution supporting an alternative, instrumental Chapel option.
Congress appealed a decision from chief development officer Matt Greenberg that Rep. Casey Bingham’s movement to amend the election rules and procedures was unconstitutional because Congress does not have the power to write the rules.
“I think the Constitution clearly grants Congress the power to discuss and amend election rules,” and senior senator Brandon Smith, who opposed Greenberg’s ruling.
Smith cited a phrase that grants Congress the power to “regulate and conduct elections.” Smith argued that Congress should be able to regulate the logistics of elections, but not run them, because often Congress members are the ones who run.
Greenberg said the vice president assigns the power to set the rules to the elections committee, which he or she appoints. An amendment from Congress, he said, would be unconstitutional.
“They don’t want Congress people running the elections because they’re the people running,” he said. “This issue was addressed last year, and the decision was made last year that it was unconstitutional.”
President Matt Worthington also weighed in on the decision, backing Greenberg and telling Congress that a change to the election rules would have to come first from a change to the bylaws or the Constitution.
Rep. Casey Bingham, who opposed the decision, reminded Congress it is a “policy-making body.” “All of student Congress should be able to participate in this,” he said.
And Rep. Jared Elk, also an opponent of the decision, agreed, arguing that Congress should regulate the process, the vice president should oversee it and the elections committee should execute it.
Other members, however, backed Greenberg and Worthington.
Rep. Aaron Escobedo lauded the importance of “preserving precedent,” and senior senator Hallie Roberts read a passage from the Constitution that said, “the rules will be handled by the elections committee.”
Both sides brought up the issue of permanence.
“We need something permanent,” Smith said.
Rules made by Congress, he said, would be more solidified than those made by an impermanent committee. Greenberg, however, argued that if this year’s Congress changes the rules, there is nothing to stop a future body from doing so as well.
After contentious debate, Congress voted to uphold Greenberg and Worthington’s decision with 15 votes supporting, seven opposing and four abstaining.
Congress did not have the two-thirds of members present required to appoint new representatives and so could not appoint the representative on the agenda.
Bingham revived a resolution from last week to support an alternative praise Chapel using instrumental music. Congress requested last week that he research the issue further.
Bingham said a proposal for the alternative is sitting right now on the desk of Dr. Royce Money, president of the university.
The worship day is slated for Tuesday’s next year and could start next fall. The resolution passed by voice vote with two abstainers.
Congress adjourned for the year without discussing the amendment to the Constitution that would add a chaplain. In last week’s elections, the student body approved the amendment.
