By a vote of 14-13, the Student Government Association passed a resolution to request that the administration make unused snow days school holidays.
This academic spring semester runs 17 weeks long, as opposed to the normal 16 weeks. The resolution states that two years ago, the additional week was added to the semester in anticipation of classes being cancelled due to snow.
Resolution (SR)-0018-00 calls for the administration to give the SLU community one day off during the week before finals-the week of May 1-for each unused snow day.
Undergraduate commuter Rich Bergin, who co-authored the resolution, said that he had spoken with several faculty members about the issue. “They felt the same way I did,” Bergin said. “They agreed that classes should be canceled.”
The resolution states that by giving the SLU community the extra days off, the time could be spent using to prepare for exams or working on other projects.
Some senators strongly opposed the resolution.
“I thought the authors were kidding,” said Arts and Sciences Senator Jason Sengheiser. “I think they should be thankful for the extra week of knowledge.” Sengheiser pointed out that some student organizations may already have events planned for the week of May 1.
Academic Vice President Meghan Clune voiced her opposition to the resolution, saying that the extra week could have been noted earlier. “It’s too late in the game,” Clune said. “We’re already almost halfway through the semester.” Clune said that the better approach would be to plan for the future and suggest changes to the administration.
Whether or not the extra week would benefit students and faculty-as well as how it would affect them-sparked debate among the senators.
“If we go out there and tell [the students] that we voted down a week of school, they’re not going to like it,” said Arts and Sciences Senator Todd Stonewater. “Ultimately, we’re here to represent the students.”
First Year Senator Heidi Bookwalter agreed with Clune, stating that professors may have already accounted for that extra week. “This will not happen this year,” Bookwalter said. “Teachers have already made that decision [on how to spend their time].”
Graduate Commuter Senator John Fusco, who co-authored the bill with Bergin, said that faculty members whom he talked to planned their schedules based on 16
weeks. “I’m also a faculty member. I’ve talked to a lot of faculty members,” Fusco said. “Most people I know have had their lessons planned for 16 weeks anyway. Losing that is no extra loss for me.”
Fusco added, “Students are not happy about this either. This was done two years in advance, but it wasn’t released two years in advance.”
The resolution passed, along with a friendly amendment proposed by SGA president Jay Perry stating that any future changes made to the University’s academic calendar be done so with student, faculty and staff, thus keeping with the principles of shared governance.
Other Business
The senate also tabled a constitutional amendment to reflect changes in impeachment procedures. If passed, senators in danger of being impeached would be given advanced notice in writing.
“There was some question as to what impeachment was exactly,” said administrative vice president Tony Wagner. “This allows the [Committee for Internal Affairs] to present a bill of impeachment to the senate.”
SGA’s attendance policy-which is not included in the standing rules or by-laws of the SGA constitution-states that “after two unexcused absences, impeachment proceedings shall commence, as set forth in the impeachment process guidelines.”
The guidelines further state that senators be sent written notice that impeachment proceedings have been initiated against them. Those members can address the CIA before it forwards any impeachment recommendations, in the form of a senate bill, to the senate, which makes any final impeachment decisions.
Wagner addressed the issue of attendance to the senators.
“There is a fairly light dividing line when you look at absences up to this point,” Wagner said.
Whereas a larger number of senators have several absences, a fewer number of senators have absences ranging from seven to 13.
Wagner said that on Wednesday, nine senators were sent either e-mail or written notice that the CIA was raising the question of their impeachment at its next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
“Anyone with five or more absences received a letter,” Wagner said. “That’s what the CIA will take up.”
Undergraduate Commuter Senator Brian Black questioned why the number of absences before impeachment increased to five instead of two.
“When I was reviewing the attendance records, I saw that there was a large number of senators . with unexcused absences. For the sake of efficiency and trying to be fair about everything . we made the cut off at five.”
Wagner added, “I didn’t want to have 35 senators coming to the CIA meeting trying to explain [their absences]. The attendance policy gives everyone an idea of what the committee had discussed. These are the guidelines my committee set forth in the interest of being efficient and effective.”
The question of what constitutes an excused versus an unexcused absence was raised by Marguerite Senator Nick Fagan. Wagner explained that examples of excused absences include class, make-up tests, sickness or doctor’s appointments.
Arts and Sciences Senator Lauren Gretz pointed out that senators know that attendance is required at every meeting and that any scheduling conflicts should be avoided.
“That’s no excuse for that. You know how many meetings you’ve missed,” Gretz said.
Wagner pointed out that in some cases, especially with graduating students, classes are only offered during the same time as senate meetings on Wednesday evenings.
Wagner added, “All this means is we’re going to take a look at [individual attendance records]. It does not mean you’re going to be impeached. The senate has the final word.”
Attendance records for the SGA executive committee will be available at next week’s senate meeting.
