thursday, September 26, 2003
news
the university daily kansan 5A
Bill granting authorship fails in Senate committee
By Paul Kramer
pkramer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
A bill to allow all students the right to write legislation failed at last night's Student Senate committee meeting.
A similar bill that would allow all students speaking privileges at Senate failed two weeks ago in committee.
Scott McKenzie, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator, wrote the bill and said students were intelligent enough to write bills.
"Students have the ability to write bills, this untethers them from having a senator write their bill for them," McKenzie said.
The speech opposing the bill
came from Leo Khayet, CLAS senator. Khayet said that the Senate was elected for a purpose and
STUDENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
SENATE
should carry out certain responsibilities without students.
"It really hurts the body to say regular students can do this," Khavet said.
Khayet said that although he encouraged and wanted the influence of students, there was a limit.
"I draw the line that I don't allow students to author legislation." Khavet said.
The bill, which did not pass the University Affairs Committee, will not be heard at full Senate next Wednesday.
A bill written by Jeff Allmon, holdover senator, caused prolonged debate. The bill was meant to allow greater involvement by the Graduate and Professional Association Committee.
The bill called for all bills sent to the University Affairs Committee to also be sent to the committee. This would require a bill to pass three committees instead of the
two it now has to pass.
Allon and one of the bill's sponsors, James Owen, School of Law senator, argued that although graduate students represent 24 percent of the University's student body, they do not have representation in committees other than the GPA committee.
Catherine Bell, student body vice-president, spoke in opposition to the bill. Bell said she agreed that the committee needed to be more involved, but this bill was not the way to get that accomplished.
"This would require the committee to change its charge." Bell said.
The committee sided with Bell's position as it voted to reject the bill.
Other happenings at last night's senate meeting included:
A bill to give $431 in general funding to the KU Classics Club passed unanimously. The club promotes Greek and Latin culture.
John Mackey, president of the KU Classics Club, said the club was open to all who are interested.
"We give an extra outlet to students who are classics majors or are interested in the classics," Mackev said.
General funding of $431 was also given to the KU Psychology Club for promotional material.
Veggie Lunch will receive $431 in general funding for promotions. Veggie Lunch provides a free vegetarian lunch to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m Thursdays in the Ecumenical Christian Ministries building, 1204 Oread Ave.
Senate supported Free State High School by passing a resolution to keep the school's fee for using Memorial Stadium for football games at $3,700 a game. The University of Kansas Athletics Corporation wanted to raise the fee to $6,000 a game.
The bill's author, Brian Thomas, University Affairs Committee member, said the resolution was a sign of goodwill from the University to the Lawrence community.
"There was a great public outcry when Lew Perkins thought about increasing the fee." Thomas said.
All passed bills and resolutions will be voted on at next Wednesday night's Student Senate meeting.
Edited by Jonathan Reeder
SENATE SPOTLIGHT
Each week, The University Daily Kansan will feature a student senator chosen at random
Name: Chris Cardinal*
Hometown: Salina
Senate seat: CLAS Senator
Coalition: KUnited
Year/Major: Junior in political science and communications
Office hours: 12:30 p.m to 1:30 p.m Mondays
Favorite television show: Real Time with Bill Maher, followed closely by The Price is Right.
Favorite food: Buffalo Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 1012 Massachusetts St.
Best park to being a senator: Having the opportunity to represent the students of the University of Kansas, and being involved with so many
Cardinal
dedicated students who want to make a difference.
Worst thing about being a senator: People sign up at the table at Wescoe Hall and not showing up. Politician dead or alive you would most like to meet: Wesley Clark, because he is an extremely well-accomplished and intelligent man, and because he is going to be our next president.
"Cardinal is also a Kansan columnist.
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