SGA constitution revisions in the works

The 19-page SGA Constitution is under revision once again. One reason being that the current by-laws are in contradiction with the SGA constitution. The other is to create less time-consuming, complicated processes and better serve UCCS students.

The 10-page proposed draft, now in review, will mainly address issues of funding and SGA office positions. The goal is to pass the new draft by April 16.

Matt Seay, Chair of the Rules and Organizations Committee and a student representative in the House of Representatives, commented on the overall picture of the changes. "It's good to be well-defined on some things, but if a process is defined by the constitution, it can make things very time consuming and complicated."

Seay said that the Rules and Organizations Committee has been working to clear up ambiguities and make processes more understandable. "We also plan to enact a uniform set of by-laws to avoid conflicts in both definitions and processes."

Another issue addressed in the revised constitution proposal is simplifying the funding process for school clubs.

In the current system, students apply for funding through the ROAR Office. The requests are forwarded to the Budget Advisory Committee, which then makes recommendations to the House or Senate. The student club representatives present their funding proposal to the House or Senate, after which the chamber votes to approve or deny the request.

This presentation, and the sometimes intense questioning that can sometimes follow, can last several hours and exert a toll on clubs asking for funding.

In the proposed draft, this process would be cut in half. The Budget Advisory Board would process the club funding requests, meet with the club to discuss the proposal and then make a decision. Additionally, the Student Body President would no longer have the power to veto a club funding proposal. The Student Director of Finance would also become a member of the Executive Council.

"Under the current system, many clubs seem to be confused and intimidated by our funding process," commented Seay. "By adding this revision, club members can have personal interaction with members of Student Government, gain familiarity with the funding process, and do not have to worry about presenting to the Senate or House."

With the constitutional funding changes, Seay believes SGA would have more time available to focus on other roles like legislation and ballot initiatives.

The second significant change to the SGA Constitution would be the terms of eligibility for office. In the current constitution, Seay says, "Requirements for eligibility to hold office in SGA are relatively low and difficult to enforce."     

The impeachment process is also vague. The new version would have be more stringent: Members who aren't serving students according to the SGA Constitution can be removed from office. The new draft clearly lays out the terms of eligibility and an impeachment process.