Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) updated its standing rules during its meeting on March 4. Following this update, senators passed several Internal Operating Budget (IOB) items from the last meeting, as well as previously denied items.
Under the new standing rules, senators removed motions to censure and to confirm, required a three-fifths majority to pass the IOB and updated attendance and alternate senator policies.
According to Merriam-Webster, a censure is a formal disapproval of an individual. Senators needed a majority to reach this motion.
Senators passed a motion to confirm budget items in the senate meeting on March 4, which meant the items needed a two-thirds majority to pass. As a result, senators denied portions of both Student Body President Will Brinley’s and Secretary of Infrastructure and Sustainability John Day’s budgets.
Senator Charles Amara expressed his opinion against the change in the IOB majority vote.
“I don’t think it’s very democratic that a minority of senators can withhold what the majority of the senate wants to do,” Amara said.
Senator Wade Warren said the change creates a consensus between a simple majority and the two-thirds majority needed to confirm a motion.
Secretary of the Treasury Hunter Rode presented the edited IOB items from Chief of Staff Nya Hodge and Secretary of Off-Campus Affairs Patrick Houlihan that were tabled from the week before. All items were passed under the new majority.
“I made the edits based on the conversation that we had in senate,” Hodge said. “It was really great feedback.”
Speaker of the Senate Shelby Alford said that because the new standing rules removed the motion to confirm, Brinley’s and Day’s budget items could be reintroduced to be passed under the three-fifths majority rule; senators passed all of their remaining IOB items, including Day’s request for green event funding.
Following that, Senator Susanne Morrissey reported back on a student concern about not enough allergen stations in dining halls. She said Miami Dining told her it has limited space and needs more room for kitchens.
Senator Ryan Jeansonne said he is working on an initiative with another senator to inform students why a fire alarm went off after students complained when an alarm went off at 2 a.m. in central quad.
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Senator James Li said there is a student concern about the salad station in Garden Dining Hall. He said it is not being maintained well, and there are instances of cross-contamination between salad options. The concern was committed to the On-Campus Committee.
Senator Victoria Rivas will chair the Financial Improvements Ad Hoc Committee that was established during the last senate meeting. She said the committee is currently drafting legislation.
Alford appointed Warren to the steering committee to replace newly elected Parliamentarian Aiden Bryant.
Secretary for Academic Affairs Caitlin Spyra said the Outstanding Professor Awards nomination form ends on March 14. Students must be seniors graduating this year to fill it out.
ASG’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. on March 11 in the Joslin Senate Chamber. The Student Body President and Student Body Vice President debate will be from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. following ASG’s meeting.
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