The Student Government Association president has the power to veto. Last night, he used it.

President Jay Perry vetoed two pieces of legislation after an uneventful open forum at last night’s SGA meeting.

Though the bill to allow for Madrid students to vote in the upcoming on-line SGA elections passed at last week’s SGA meeting, it was vetoed by Perry.

In Perry’s written explanation for vetoing the bill, he accepted the need for all students to have a voice in the election. “However, I find that there are some uncertain factors remaining, as well as some valid arguments about guaranteeing information access for those studying abroad,” Perry stated.

Perry clarified his use of the veto. “I don’t dance around with my veto stamp in the office,” he said. “I save it for an important issue.”

One of the main reasons for the veto dealt with students in Madrid not being educated about the election.

Paul Woody, Arts and Sciences senator, pointed out that the United States does not concern itself with the education of voters.

“I understand that we’re trying to be careful, but with Madrid students, education should not be an issue,” Woody said. “With the Civil Rights movement over the past two centuries . we did away with voting restrictions concerned with education.”

Senator Adam Altman, commuter, stressed that Perry’s points were brought up during debate last week, but they were still passed overwhelmingly. “I urge the Senate to override this veto.”

With a vote of 35-2-1, the veto to allow Madrid students to vote was overridden.

“Just so you know, I’m not going to go home and cry tonight and clutch my veto stamp,” Perry said.

The other veto concerned the resolution “to endorse to the upper administration and Information Technology Services the current policy of unrestricted information as well as acknowledge and promote current and future improvements in the SLUNET campus network.”

Perry’s reasons for vetoing the legislation included the fact that very few questions were asked. “I feel that the Senate passed this resolution more in the interest of time, rather than in the interest of discussing an issue which is of crucial importance to the entire University community,” according to his letter of veto.

Brad Bakker, first year senator, is one of the co-authors of the resolution. “With this resolution, we were trying to get the students involved with ITS,” he said. “We say what the students want.”

Perry’s letter explained his veto as “a sign of respect to the authors of this bill, as well as those members of ITS who awaited its consideration.” Perry commented, “If that’s bad, then shoot me.”

Altman said, “Perry has brought up some good points. There is enough stuff that we’ll continue to work with ITS.”

Commuter Senator Jim McNichols supported the veto. “We need to beef this up and have more definite goals,” he said.

The veto survived.

Other Business

Two new senators were approved and seated. Freshman Nicholas Sarcone is the DeMattias Hall senator and Jeffrey T. Bash was seated as a graduate commuter senator.

During open forum, a “special forum on tuition and housing rates” consisted of one senator speaking.

Woody spoke on behalf of Nora Davis, junior from the School of Business Administration, who felt that the recent increase of tuition and housing rates were unfair.

“These rates are significant to someone on a fixed budget,” Woody said.

With that, the “special forum” ended. Just as in the previous meeting, tension arose between members of the senate.

When the gavel was passed to Administrative Vice President Chad Kreikemeier, he voiced his opinion as well. “I hope we get as fired up about student issues as we do parliamentary procedure.”

The meeting ended with a call for action. Dan Schniedermeier, School of Social Service, addressed parking issues on campus. “I think that with Colorado’s leaving, we should put a parking lot there,” he said. “I can’t find a spot after 7 p.m.”

The crusade did not end after it had been announced the area had already been leased to another restaurant.

“We’re going to fight this whether it is already leased or not,” McNichols said.