Senate Spotlight - Nov. 9, 2022

In their most recent meeting, the Senate discussed a presidential veto, approved several grants, welcomed a new Justice, and voted to impeach a senator. The SGA Student Senate convened on Nov. 9 at 7 pm in the Irvington Community Room. 

Dylan Noble | dnoble@butler.edu 

The first business of the night was a discussion over Presidential Veto, a Resolution granting $4,000 for the installation of new trash cans around campus. President Chezem explained his veto, stating that SGA should not be providing funds for necessary amenities. That responsibility should fall to the University itself. Senators voted to open discussion, where most disagreed with the President’s veto. The consensus was that a new Resolution that takes President Chezem’s criticisms into account will likely be drafted.

Next up was a presentation by Commuters at Butler, seeking endorsement. CAB’s mission is to support Butler’s commuter population, who tend to be isolated and have a lack of accommodations, according to the organization. There are 60+ students interested in joining.

The next several presentations were for grants, starting with Students of Color Allied in Healthcare. This organization seeks to empower students of color who are going into a career in healthcare. They have 15 members and around 1 event per month, which can range from small group discussions to speeches by guest speakers. They sought $50 to help fund some upcoming events. 

[SR2223-044 - Fund SOCAH: PASSED 15 in favor, 1 abstention]

The Peace and Politics Student Association followed, seeking a $118 grant. The PPSA provides opportunities and holds events for Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies students. The grant money would be used for funding some upcoming events.

[SR2223-043 - Fund PPSA: PASSED 15 in favor, 1 abstention]

After PPSA went Stencil, an organization that encourages the celebration of the visual arts. With 48 members, they have biweekly “hands-on creative meetings” which can include painting, ceramics, and art history lectures, to name just a few activities. They requested $480 to provide supplies.

[SR2223-045 - Fund Stencil: PASSED 16 in favor, 0 against]

The next presentation regarded a new amendment to the Senate’s general bylaws. This amendment would formalize SGA’s transition to a wage-based compensation system, replacing the old stipend system. 

[SR2223-042 - Bylaw Amendment: PASSED 15 in favor, 1 abstention]

The final presentation was by Caden Schulz, who made the case for why he should be the next Justice on the SGA’s Judicial Branch. The Senate voted to approve him, and he was sworn into office by Chief Justice Ryan Crnarich.

[SR2223-046 - confirm Caden Schulz as Justice: PASSED 16 in favor, 0 against]

The Senate also voted to endorse Students for Rare, who presented at the 11/2 meeting.

[SR2223-040 - Endorse Students for Rare: PASSED 16 in favor, 0 against]

Following presentations, the Senate began impeachment proceedings. Chief Justice Crnarich presided, announcing that the Court had drafted Articles of Impeachment against Senator Simpson concerning her attendance record. With eight Articles in total, a ⅔ vote of the Senate on at least one article was needed to convict. 

Sen. Simpson was not present for her defense, so the Senate moved to vote on all eight Articles. All but one were passed unanimously. Following the vote to convict, Chief Justice Crnarich announced her immediate removal from the Senate and her ineligibility from working with SGA in the future.

[SR2223-041 - Impeach Sen. Simpson: PASSED Article 1 16 in favor, 1 against; Articles 2-8 17 in favor, 0 against]

“This is the first impeachment in the Senate at least in the last 5 years,” said Chief Justice Crnarich after the fact. “I do hope that this recent proceeding sets a standard…that our positions are serious and our job is to serve the student body.”

The meeting concluded with some announcements. The Committee Chairs each briefly announced some future outreach events and other plans, and several Senators commented on upcoming campus events.

The Senate adjourned at 8:35 pm. Meetings reoccur every Wednesday at 7 pm in the Irvington Community Room.