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Show THE FORUM - ASWC 18, 2012 JANUARY 7 ? Meet your senators Possible changes coming to the ASWC Constitution Briana Buendia Staff Reporter Talk of change tossed around at the ASWC Senate meeting on Jan. 9. Some of this talk was about new student election guidelines, but the main fowas cus turned to something that affects the entire ASWC. This focus was on proposed changes to the ASWC constitution. ASWC President Jonathon Pierce said that the proposed constitution is still a work in progress. One focus in the proposed constitution is the separation and l specialization of the Student Activities Commision (SAC) and the Inter-Clu- b Council (ICC) for a more effective student government. This means that SAC, ICC and the Executive Cabinet will be three separate structures. The changes are more filling out the potential of the separate branches rather than radically redefining their roles," said Pierce. Director of Clubs and Organization Nick Raoux said that the different branches will still be . at hand. posed constitution will allow more In order to be truly effective, ASWC must be able to competently represent students on all appropriate committees of the college, said Pierce, and have adequate input in every major policy and proposed change. He believes this is possible through a Senate that can spend time understanding issues and forcefully advocating on behalf of students. opportunities for students to join Were doing things in ASWC, were trying to get things moving, said Raoux. We would not be doing this if it were not for the good of ASWC and for the students. A crucial issue in the original constitution is that there is too much power and responsibility in the Executive Cabinet, said Pierce. Raoux gives an example of how that relates to some problems in the ICC: A lot of Senators have never been in dubs, so they dont working together. Separation will necessarily know what clubs need allow each group to have separate accounts. Raoux said, We would be able to make all of our own decisions. The proposed constitution will allow the ICC to recognize club leaders as the student leaders, while still respecting the ICCs independence. Pierce says that if ICC and SAC were more formally separated, students that are interested in student government or activities will be able to focus on the tasks or want. Pierce said that the power in the Executive Cabinet creates a problem with communicating information among all the members of ASWC. Pierce explained that this also creates an issue where different individuals in ASWC are unclear in their responsibilities and how to work with one another. Raoux said that things will flow much smoother if the constitution ASWC. One of Pierces main goals with the proposed constitution is to create an outline that can guide the organization for decades. He expressed the importance of having a document that will help guide ASWC through changing circumstances. The proposed constitution is planned to ensure a responsible organization that will best serve students and be flexible enough to mold to the future of the college. In the Senate meeting, Pierce said, Were really trying to get input from all the interested parties to put something together. Those interested parties include Senators, administration members and the Office of Student Life. Overall, Pierce hopes to receive input from anyone who has interest in these constitutional changes. Pierce believes that the student government should represent the student body and advocate for their interests. That means every student, said Pierce. They must work for the common interest of a first year freshman that attends every activity and an MBA graduate student that will not. Pierce expects to see the proposed constitution welcomed among the ASWC members but believes there may be some resistance when it comes to details on how to achieve everything. Whitney Warnick Social Sciences Senator Whitney Warnick is currently a Social Sciences Senator representing students from all the social sciences. Whitney has also previously been involved in Westminsters Student Activities Commission (SAC) as the Campus Community Chair. Whitney is majoring in Political Studies with a pre-la- w emphasis and a minor in film studies. She plans on graduating in May of 2013, but looks forward to serving the Westminster College student body in the meantime. Whitney is devoted not only to the service of Westminster students, but to the community at large as well. She is part of The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program, and is currently working on a BBBS project for Westminster students, so that they may become more involved in civic passes. He also said that the pro sut engagement as well. Whitney loves politics and civic activism. She volunteers for the local non-proOne Good Reason, a program run by youth to help protect youth from the manipulation of Big Tobacco. Through this group she has lobbied the local government, and made Utah a safer place. Through these experiences, she has learned that constituents need a voice, and she plans to be that voice for her Social Sciences constituents. She wants to find a way to bring better food and personal opportunities to the students of Westminster College. She is here for the students, and is open to any comments and concerns that they may have. She can be reached by email at wsw0624 westminstercollege.edu or by phone at She looks forward to (435) 660-088- 2. representing you. fit - est2bhsh thio . ARHCLEVirr51tt-- Board .IDtng and of r "Via WSlB .. Student Activities Commission shall be the board of the ASm rrests of the Westminster College community. e 2. The SAC shall be: Coordinated by a SAC chair known as the Activities Coordinator: and, a. Governed by ihe SAC board, which is composed of the chairs of each of the individual SAC b. committees, which shall be responsible for the implementation and carrying out of specific SAC events. 3. The a. 4. Vice-Preside- shall: Oversee and have final say with regard to the actions and decisions nt of SAC. Individual SAC committee chairs shall: be responsible for the appointment of individual committee members; a. O' v V- |