Parliamentarian David Scherr '05 apologized for failing to prevent the lack of decorum in the Nov. 20 meeting, at which senators questioned the integrity of senator A.J. Korytoski '05. Scherr noted that many comments were "out of order" according to the parliamentary procedure handbook used by the senate.
"When a question is pending, a member can condemn the … consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but … under no circumstances can he attack or question the motives of another member," the handbook states regarding decorum in debate.
Senator Luke Swarthout '04 agreed that the senate's prior conduct was inappropriate. "We dragged a fellow senator through the mud … we could all benefit from respecting each other a bit more," he said.
Treasurer Paris Wallace '04 presented the Budgetary Committee's (BC) weekly recommendations. In total, the BC recommended $2,811 this week, leaving about $3,000 in the discretionary fund, which will roll over into spring semester funds. The recommendations were approved unanimously.
Judiciary Council (JC) Chair Andre Deckrow '06 commented that the continued recognition of The Amherst Hamster was "controversial" and would be assessed after he consults with Dean of Students Ben Lieber and the College's legal counsel. The JC will also examine campus publications to attempt to eliminate redundant magazines and to establish a minimum number of issues each must publish per semester to remain a recognized club.
Deckrow presented an amendment to the AAS bylaws, which added to the "Guidelines for Evaluation During Review and Recognition" a section that requires the JC to "render a decision on the recognition of an unrecognized club within two (2) weeks of the club submitting the requisite paperwork." The amendment also added, "Newly recognized clubs must be recognized at least four (4) weeks prior to the beginning of the budgetary cycle for the subsequent semester in order to be eligible to receive a budget for that semester."
The amendment passed after brief discussion. Amendments to the bylaws of the AAS constitution require a two-thirds vote of the senate.
Senator Dan Reiss '05 presented an amendment to the bylaws concerning the conduct of the BC. The bylaw would require BC members with a "controlling interest" in an AAS-funded club to "physically remove himself or herself" during the BC meeting when the club is discussed.
Wallace agreed that when BC members are on the executive board of a club, it alters the way that club is treated in a BC meeting. "I feel my clubs get discussed differently even if I don't talk … We can still have other e-board members speak for us … It'd leave a better taste in everyone's mouths," he said.
"The more information, the better," countered senator Ethan Davis '05. "I don't think your [Wallace's] clubs got discussed any differently," he added.
Some senators questioned the vagueness of the phrase "controlling interest." "The distinction of 'controlling interest' as executive board membership ... doesn't get to the heart of the problem ... I may have friends in clubs that I care about, or I may have been a past president," Swarthout said.
"Most people [who are BC members] will abstain from voting if it's their club," said senator Rania Arja '06.
Despite support within the senate for some reform of the BC process, the amendment failed.
Swarthout proposed a resolution opposing a bill in the Massachusetts state legislature that would prohibit students at state universities from enacting waivable fees on tuition bills. The resolution termed the bill "anti-student" and "anti-democratic." The senate voted to endorse the resolution, which will be sent to the legislature.
Scherr, the junior class council chair, presented the junior class project proposal. The junior senators wanted to spend $213, of the $1,000 they are allocated, on what Scherr termed the "Junior Class Study Break Extravaganza," an event to be held during the exam period in the basement of a social dorm.
"There's no intrinsic value to this whatsoever," said Wallace. "This is a waste of the money entrusted to us ... I think this is an embarrassment to the institution," he added.
"This isn't a sign of our complete incompetence ... this is our contingency plan," said Scherr. The class council's first plan was to purchase benches for the veranda outside of Schwemm's, but administrative difficulties prevented it.
With the juniors abstaining, senators voted 10-9 to approve the project.
Senator Noah Isserman '07 presented the first-year class project. The council wants to purchase two older arcade-style games for Keefe Campus Center and a subscription to the paper edition of The Onion, which would be available to students in Valentine Dining Hall. Senators approved the project, 20-6, though some doubted its feasibility.
Senator Christian Sanchez '05 was removed as a senator for exceeding the absence limit. Senator Mira Serrill-Robins '06 stepped down from her position on the BC due to scheduling conflicts and a conflict of interest. Secretary Alex Linden '04 stepped down from her position. She has served in the senate for over three years. The open positions will be filled by election next semester.