The Student Government Association (SGA) met in the Multipurpose Room of the Frank G. Pogue Student Center Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. to discuss amendment proposals to the organization's constitution.
"We've had meetings like this over the past three years," said SGA President Jamie Lutz. "Making changes to the constitution is a difficult process, but it can be done with students motivated enough to follow through." Parliamentarian Benjamin Krutko proposed four amendments to the SGA constitution, the most prevalent of which was the removal of the House of Representatives and all references thereof, then replacing it and restructuring a new House.
The other amendments called for the establishment of a governmental order of power to prevent controversy with finalized decisions and the addition of three subcommittees to better address student issues and concerns.
"Our previous Parliamentarian Seth Thompson looked at student-governing guidelines from other PASSHE schools," said Krutko.
"We made adjustments to suit our needs at Edinboro and find what works for us."
SGA's re-mastered House of Representatives will include new student Congress positions for each school of enrollment, university offices and year of study, as well as for 15 predetermined student interest groups and each group of 150 students of the campus at large.
Krutko called these amendments more flexible than their original counterparts insofar as students can apply for election willingly instead of facing requirements to acquire and maintain voting rights in a given student organization or group.
Anyone wishing to represent a certain group must present an election packet, available at the SGA office, along with more information regarding the student bodies specified for representation.
In terms of the remaining amendment proposals, the Order of Affairs regarding all relevant issues would travel through the Committee Chair and Executive Board until its resolution in the SGA General Body.
"Issues arose with confusion over where the buck stops and where final decisions were made in times of controversy, " said Krutko. "This amendment would prevent that confusion and controversy."
Should any issues remain unresolved in the process, SGA would place authority with the Advisor and Attorney to make the final, non-negotiable decision.
Additional subcommittees under the amendment proposals include Multi-Cultural Expansion and Educational Enrichment Committees under Student Concerns and the Student Activity Committee under Public Relations.
"These committees are, again, based on information from other universities," said Krutko. "This amendment will allow us to address larger student concerns in these areas."
Despite Edinboro's existing learning and multi-cultural centers, SGA reported substantial amounts of student concern and therefore proposed committee extensions in compensation.
The SGA Executive Board expect probable and numerous changes to be made before finalizing the amendments and ratifying the modified constitution.
"With these amendments, the SGA is reverting back similarly to its original state, only we've worked in more seats to hear more student voices," said Lutz. "We have a good feeling about the change and we're hoping for positive reactions from students."
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