A detailed recap of last session’s student legislation
From the Greeks to CU’s crew team and funding cuts to the UMC and Wardenburg Health Center, the University of Colorado Student Union had a big year in legislation last session.
Below are the voting records and a brief outline of the major events of last year’s UCSU session. For full coverage of the events of last semester and all you ever wanted to know about UCSU, click here.
Bill: A Bill for Fair and Equal Access
Description: Last spring, Greek-affiliated members of the UCSU Legislative Council threatened the closure of cost centers such as the UMC, the Student Recreation Center, and Wardenburg Health Center unless they were granted certain amenities and allowances denied them by their refusal to sign CU’s Registered Fraternal Organization Agreement.
The agreement, signed by CU’s sororities and Multicultural Greek Council, placed certain restrictions on the Greek community for the protection of students, especially freshmen, in the wake of the 2004 death of fraternity pledge Lynn Gordon Bailey Jr.
The Interfraternity Council felt the restrictions of the agreement were unfair and did not sign. Thus, last spring, then UCSU Legislative Council Vice President and IFC President Chris Kline attempted to regain lost privileges. Student and UCSU cost center outcry against the bill eventually resulted in the creation of a watered-down version in the form an amendment to the 2007-2008 Fiscal Appropriations bill and was barely passed by a vote of 9 to 8.
For the full story, click here.
Bill: Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Appropriations Bill
Description: Every year, UCSU decides how it’s going to spend its $30 million allotment of student fees. Beginning in January, the UCSU finance board debated exactly how the money will be distributed between the thirteen UCSU cost centers, capital construction efforts and the funding of various referenda.
In March of this year, the official appropriations bill went to Legislative Council for debate. Those cost centers and programs, such as program council, the student wellness programs and UMC capital construction funds spoke out vehemently about proposed cuts.
Various changes and amendments were considered and many Legislative Council sessions went into the wee hours of the morning. Eventually all sides came to a compromise, and the amended appropriations bill was passed with a vote of 11 to 5.
For more on the appropriations bill controversy, click here
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To see the results, click here.
Bill: Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Bill
Description: In an effort to address diversity and discrimination and to hold individuals and groups representing UCSU accountable for their actions, members of Legislative Council attempted to pass a bill that would appeal to “the authority of UCSU.”
The bill was structured to alleviate pressure from certain “discriminated groups on campus” and create a procedure for the executive branch of UCSU to follow in the event of discrimination and for the promotion of diversity. But this measure failed in a vote of 8 to 9.
Bill: A Bill to Correct Inequitable Funding for the Colorado Club Crew Team
Description: This bill was designed to allocate over $25,000 to the Colorado Club Crew team to compensate for their denial of funds by the Student Groups Funding Board for the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 semesters.
SGFB specifically denies funding to competitive sports teams. This measure was passed in a vote of 14 to 4, but was vetoed by the Tri-executives.
Bill: Approval of Associated Students of Colorado Bylaws
Description: This bill, passed unanimously by Legislative Council, acknowledged the existence of the Associated Students of Colorado as a legitimate representative body of all students attending higher education institutions in the state of Colorado with the power to lobby in such condition on a state and federal level.
Contact Campus Press campus editor Brandon Springer at brandon.springer@thecampuspress.com
