Student Senate has called for a special constitutional election to be held on March 2 and 3. Students will have the opportunity to vote for the addition of a Bill of Rights to the University’s constitution as well as reorganization of the judicial branch.
The University’s constitution currently deals mainly with the organization of student government. Senior Senator Kyle Haugh of the College of Education and Social Sciences introduced the idea for a Bill of Rights to the student sen¬ate at the beginning of Spring 2010.
“The Bill of Rights gives the student government precedence to step in when a student’s rights have been violated,” Haugh said. “I think it is important for the first time in the history of the University, there is a student group that will be available to protect students.”
This is the second time in the 2009-2010 school year that a constitutional amendment will be voted upon by the stu¬dent body. The constitution is being changed to fit the evolving role of student government in the 21st century and the evolving needs of students. Student Government Vice President, Tim Vela, said he sees this as a positive development.
“The Bill of Rights gives us, as students, the ability to govern ourselves,” Vela said. “It will probably give students more of a reason to be involved.”
The proposed Bill of Rights contains 13 sections covering topics such as academic rights, freedom of expression and due process. Senator Haugh said he thinks the conduct and due process sections will be the most important to students.
“[The conduct and due process] clause affirms student government’s beliefs of how students should be treated during disciplinary hearings,” Haugh said. “If any of these were violated [student government] could step in and assist.”
Although the proposed changes would give students an added form of protection against the threat of injustice, Haugh said it is important students understand that the Bill of Rights would not be binding.
“Employees of WT don’t have to listen to [these changes], and to be honest, Student Government doesn’t have an army to enforce them,” Haugh said. “We do, however, have a powerful voice that will allow us to fight tooth and nail throughout the University and the A&M system if need be.”
In addition to the Bill of Rights, students will be voting to reorganize the judicial branch of student government to facilitate more equity of representation on the judicial board. Vela believes the reorganization of the judicial branch will have a positive impact.
“I think it’s good for the judicial branch because it gives the chief justice more variety of justices and the [ability] to do more within student government due to the addition of judicial review,” Vela said.
A full list of the proposed changes and additions will be available on the Student Government website.
What Will Be On the Ballot?
Bill of Rights Ballot Question
- Yes, I support the addition of the Bill of Rights to Article II of the West Texas A&M University Student Government Constitution that was passed by Student Senate, and posted on the Student Government website.
- No, I do not support the addition of the Bill of Rights to Article II of the West Texas A&M University Student Government Constitution that was passed by Student Senate, and posted on the Student Government website.
Judicial Board Reorganization Ballot Question
- Yes, I support the Judicial Reorganization Act and its changes to Article V of the West Texas A&M University Student Government
Constitution that was passed by the Student Senate, and posted on the Student Government website. - No, I do not support the Judicial Reorganization Act and its changes to Article V of the West Texas A&M University Student Government Constitution that was passed by the Student Senate, and posted on the Student Government website.