In a unanimous vote during a meeting on Monday, March 25, SGA passed Resolution BL.03252024, allowing students to vote for senators regardless of their major affiliation.
The resolution amends Bylaw 500.2, which bars students from voting for senators outside of their major’s school. Previously, COPA students could only vote for COPA candidates, School of Communication students for School of Communication candidates, and so on.
The previous Fall 2023 election of senators violated this bylaw, making it unconstitutional.
“The legislative body can censure an individual for violating the constitution, which is welcomed if someone wants to censure me for the Fall Election,” said Vice President Trevor FitzSimmons.
“That is their right, honestly it was a mistake on our part that was made. However I understand that we have rules and we have regulations,” FitzSimmons said.
A censure is a formal warning. According to SGA’s constitution, three censures lead to a vote for impeachment of the offender.
This election’s ballot will remain the same in the wake of the vote.
Voting is open on PointSync until Friday, March 29.
A new election board member was confirmed, by a vote of 9-0 with one abstention, after WPPJ representative August Stephens dropped out of the position.
Election board members verify SGA’s elections and must be unaffiliated with the legislature.
Opal Dickman, a senior officer for Point Park Chess, will replace Stephens as the third election board member, joined by Kayla Brown of BSU and Elliott Geary of CAB.
In an open floor discussion, Graphic Design Coordinator Alexis Faessel proposed the new $375 book fee be automatically opted out for all students instead of in.
“Personal responsibility is important, but if you forget to opt-in you still have the library as an option. If you forget to opt out, you’re down $375 you may not have meant to spend,” said Faessel.
Vice President FitzSimmons opposed her position.
“As a political science major, I feel that the majority of students at Point Park would be benefited by this program,” FitzSimmons said.
The legislative body ultimately agreed that the automatic opt-in was likely a facet of the deal made between Barnes and Noble and the university, and could not be adjusted.
The next SGA meeting will be held on Monday, April 1 in LH200 at 3:15 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.
