ASUN unprepared to usher in new code
When the students voted to adopt a new constitution for the Associated Students of the University of Nevada last spring they expected their government would take care of the rest – namely making a smooth transition to the new code.
As it turns out, our senate did not hold its end of the bargain and now it is tasked with figuring out how to keep the government running while it ushers in its new constitution despite having all summer to accomplish that job.
So what’s next? Our senate will adjourn the old document Wednesday and then immediately vote in the new constitution, but with one catch: the bylaws that ASUN currently operates under – which govern everything from the fiscal board to this very newspaper – will cease to exist after the old constitution dissolves.
That simple.
And our elected representatives’ solution to this is to redo the entire code line by line starting this Wednesday, a process that should have been taken care of months ago.
In the midst of all this, our leaders are asking that we have “good faith”in their ability to transition documents without abuse. But that is a lot to ask of the students, especially after our leaders neglected to do their job.
The senate knew this constitution change was coming, but decided to put it off until the last minute like a core humanities paper.
This major oversight falls into the laps of Speaker Greg Green and Rules and Actions Committee Chairman Sean McDonald, who should have been working on these governing documents since spring.
But hindsight is 20/20.
So instead of rewriting every bylaw, a possible solution to the senate’s self-imposed conundrum would be to vote in the old codes and eliminate the unconstitutional language, as proposed by President Sarah Ragsdale.
Ragsdale’s solution may not be ideal, but considering the little time the senate has to construct a government around the new code, at least she thought of a plan.
But now, instead of giving senators and the public enough time to thoughtfully review the constitution’s bylaws, our new governing documents are going to be drafted in a wild rush, just like that core humanities paper.
Our elected representatives should have set aside more time over the summer to figure out what to do with the 800-pound gorilla in the room instead of taking the time to dress up as fictitious creatures on their retreat.
This is government, people, not man-bear-pig central.
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9 Responses to “ASUN unprepared to usher in new code”
This is a great article that gives students a good perspective on what is going on. All summer I was very concerned about the transition to the new constitution and urged Senator McDonald to convene the Rules and Actions committee to address the issue. Instead, Rules and Actions only convened once during the summer to discuss a bill to force the Sagebrush to publish government articles. I was just as dismayed as you are now.
As an elected ASUN official, I would like to officially apologize for the transitional confusion. I give you and the students my solemn promise to make this transition as smooth and legal as possible given the situation.
Thanks for always keeping us in check,
Kyle Rea
Senator for the College of Liberal Arts
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A few points need to be clarified.
As Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Actions, several attempts were made to obtain schedules from the members of the committee so as to schedule regular meetings during the summer. The goal of these meetings would have been to draft an action plan regarding the execution of the new constitution. Because of the nature of schedules during the summer, however, quorum could not be met.
It needs to be made clear that our government is not without a plan during this transition. As in any democracy, we must take the time necessary to follow the process. This is the best way to implement new government in a transparent, credible, and legal manner. The reality of the situation is that no government can be executed legally or well overnight. It takes time.
During this process, ASUN has not ceased to function. For example:
-Clubs are asking for and receiving funding
-ASUN services are still available to the student body
-The New Union will open as planned
-Programming continues to make this campus vibrant
-The Senate is still meeting, and your Senators are still representing you at the table
ASUN is open for business, and always will be. In my view, there is nothing for which to apologize.
Sincerely,
Sean McDonald
Speaker pro tempore
Senate of the Associated Students
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THis is rediculious. The best thing that ASUN could do is to beg that former senator Calero to come back. Like him or not from what I heard he is the only one that can keep Ronald Mcdonald at bay. THis kid seems to be a jerk on his own island yet no one can keep his crazy ideas at bay. Why dont they remove him.
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I agree with the last comment I have never meet the guy but he seems like a jackass. From what I have heard he has pissed everyone off and has no friends becasue of the way he treats other people. Why dont they remove sean Mcdonald and remove the drama from asun?
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impeach sean
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The best thing would be for ASUN would to be to bring back former senator calerio. Love him or hate him he seemed to be the only one who could keep the ideas of senator mcdonald at bay. HE was the good vs sean’s evil.
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Bringing back Steven Caloiaro would be bringing back misogyny, chauvinism, arrogance, and egotism. I cannot believe that this is even a thought in the minds of the students of this great university.
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It would be nice if the concerned students so brilliantly and accurately opining about the current situation in ASUN actually knew what they where talking about.
Just like former Senator Colairo, you attack Senator McDonald because you don’t like him. In not liking Mr. McDonald you are not alone, but you are stupid and thoughtless in dismissing his contributions to the Association.
Like everyone who gets involved in ASUN, Sean McDonald is well-intentioned, but because of his personality problems, it is very hard for people to accept his ideas. I don’t have a problem with people criticizing McDonald, what is annoying is people running their mouths about issues they haven’t taken time to become informed on.
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I agree with the majority. Sean is ruining this University…but i might get in trouble for saying that because apparently people at UNR cant verbally call others names (ex. Steven Caloiaro)
The only good thing about ASUN was peole like steven who took the time and actually cared. The only thing Sean cares about is rules and regulations…he doesnt care about UNR or the people here at ALL.
Bring back Steven
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