SG ends on a sour note

On Wed. April 15, the same day that students started voting for next year’s student government representatives, the current representatives convened for the last meeting of the 2008-2009 academic year. The first item on the agenda was Executive Order 005, which seeks to establish an “MVP” (Most Valuable Professor) award that SG would give at the end of each academic year. The order mandates that a committee consisting of the vice president, one senator from each college, and chaired by SG President James Cortez start meeting on April 15 and by April 21 announce its selection for the MVP award. Several senators objected to being asked to start meeting on a new committee under short notice, including Alfredo Jimenez (COAS). “It’s just too short notice,” said Jimenez. Attempting to allay concerns of the time it would take to make an informed choice, Cortez pointed out that each should by now be well acquainted with the faculty in his/her college. “Presumably, you have all met with your departments. You’ve talked to students and kept up with their concerns,” Cortez said. After College of Education Sen. Maritza Morris asked for a more defined criteria to use in the selection process, Cortez told them the details could be worked out by the next administration, but they should move forward and select a faculty member for this year.”I have faith that [senators] are informed enough to make a good decision on this,” he said.The senate attempted to pass a motion against the establishment of the MVP committee. The motion, second, and discussion were riddled with confusion, partly due to the awkward wording: “motion to not support.”Exacerbating the situation, Vice President Eliezar Castañeda kept recognizing Cortez, allowing him to repeat his case several times. At one point, Cortez tried to convince senators that since they’re voting on a motion to “not support” then a vote of “disapprove” would be a de facto vote in favor of his idea. Cortez kept citing “Point of Personal Privilege” as the reason for his unusual level of involvement in the senate’s discussion. Points of personal privilege are usually asserted when a member of a deliberative body feels his/her position or viewpoint has been unfairly mischaracterized. It is rarely used in SG meetings and has never been evoked as frequently as it was by Cortez. Finally, Gerardo Alva, Director of the Office of Student Activities and official SG Sponsor, broke the deadlock and declared that since Cortez issued an executive order, the committee can be created and the award given despite earlier warnings by Sen. Jimenez that the constitution gives the senate oversight over executive orders. Specifically, Article VI, Section 1 of the SG Bylaws states that “All ad hoc study and/or action committees created by the Student Body President shall be established only by written Executive Order, subject to review of the Student Senate.”Though the senate approved the “motion to not support” the committee, it remained unclear whether it would go forward. The open meetings that SG holds at noon on Wednesdays are senate meetings. The president is considered a guest. Guests usually are allowed to speak during the open floor (there was no time for an open floor on Wed.). The level of involvement in senate matters by the SG president has varied considerably with each administration. Former president Margarita Hernandez actually ran the senate meetings in 2001; whereas, her successor Maria Guadalupe Garcia chose not to attend them at all. Speaking after the meeting, Cortez said he felt strongly about the MVP award because it may help retain faculty. “Faculty turnover is high, and it’s important for them to receive an award that comes from the students,” Cortez said. “Even if it’s not done perfectly this first time, it’s better to err on the side of helping. Nobody is hurt by this.”