MSA Senate approves revised Constitution
Published April 2, 2004
The Missouri Students Association passed a bill revising its Constitution at its Senate meeting Wednesday night. The student body will vote on the new Constitution in a special election from April 19 to 21.
Some changes to the Constitution include clarifying how much time the president has to veto a bill, changing the way senators restructure Senate and clarifying who can be included as members of Senate. The Senate comprises elected senators, officers and various ex officio members.
If passed, any change to the number of senators would require a three-fourths majority of the Senate, not a vote by the student body. Any restructuring bill would be discussed in two full Senate meetings that would be open to any student or group wishing to express an opinion.
Operations Committee Chairwoman Amy Engelkenjohn said though a student-body vote would not be required, it still would be a possibility.
Senate Clerk Greg Chase said eliminating the student vote would not affect students' opportunities to voice their opinions on Senate restructuring.
"Students are more than welcome to come ask senators questions," he said. "We've been very open to having students voice opinions about the constitution in committee meetings. We want to make sure we're giving the students what they want and not just what senators want."
The bill originally would have changed the impeachment process to include a Student Court trial of an impeached officer.
But an amendment to keep the current impeachment process passed because of concerns of a Student Court conflict of interest. Members of the court are appointed by the MSA president.
The current Constitution states that any officer can be impeached by a petition signed by 20 percent of the Senate. Officers can be convicted by a resolution passed by two-thirds of the Senate.
Student Fee Review Committee Chairman Matthew Sokoloff proposed the amendment to keep the current impeachment process after concerns were brought to his attention.
"I want to do everything possible to make sure the Constitution passes, and I didn't want something like that holding it back," he said. "The impeachment process, as is, needs to be looked at. We need to find a democratic way to impeach the president."
Chase said he thinks the Senate should revisit this issue in the future. Any future changes to the Constitution would require the student body's approval, Chase said.
The revised Constitution, with the amendment to keep the impeachment process as is, passed through Senate without opposition. Engelkenjohn said she was surprised but happy there was so little opposition.
"I'm excited to know that the senators have read over the Constitution, they know what's in it and they like it," she said.