2008 Woodie Awards
Senate votes not to put issue up for referendum vote
Steven Glenn
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: News
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The student senate meeting on Jan. 22 started out like any other senate meeting, but contained possibly the biggest decision made by student leaders at ISU so far this semester. In an 11-8 vote, the Associated Students of ISU Senate approved Option 2 of the Reed Gym Project after rejecting a call by some senators to let the students of ISU voice their opinion on the issue in another referendum vote.
Sen. Kelissa Borrowman, College of Education, called for the vote on Option 2 after denying a friendly amendment to put the issue up for a referendum vote.
"I am all for student voice…but I feel I was elected to represent the students… We had all semester last semester…we need to move forward with this so we can actually say that we have accomplished something this semester," stated Borrowman.
Talking to those in the gallery, Dr. Lee Krieble, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, and Lowell Richards, Director of the Student Union Building and ASISU General Manager, both said that they were shocked that the Senate made a decision that night.
Trevor Jensen, a former member of the ASISU Senate, stated, "This is the most arrogant, indefensible vote that I have ever seen taken by ASISU. It's a sad day in student representation when the minority of ASISU is representing the majority of students."
Noah House, Vice President for ASISU Idaho Falls, who has been in the gallery at almost every Senate meeting this year, stated, "If it wasn't so ridiculous, it would be absolutely hilarious that we have student senators questioning what some of the primary pieces of the project (Reed Gym Options) are. I thought the Senate would have sent this to referendum…I am surprised that they didn't."
When asked what the students of Idaho Falls would think of this, House said there hasn't been one student senator who inquired about what the students there think about the project. House said that the students in Idaho Falls are, for the most part, ignorant of the project and process, and the fault lies with the student government. He also commented that 20 percent of the fees going to this project are coming out of Idaho Falls students, and no one ever asked the students' their opinion. House further stated that when the Senate met in Idaho Falls last semester, and students in Idaho Falls voiced their disapproval for the Reed Gym Project, the senate did not listen.
Sen. Kelissa Borrowman, College of Education, called for the vote on Option 2 after denying a friendly amendment to put the issue up for a referendum vote.
"I am all for student voice…but I feel I was elected to represent the students… We had all semester last semester…we need to move forward with this so we can actually say that we have accomplished something this semester," stated Borrowman.
Talking to those in the gallery, Dr. Lee Krieble, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, and Lowell Richards, Director of the Student Union Building and ASISU General Manager, both said that they were shocked that the Senate made a decision that night.
Trevor Jensen, a former member of the ASISU Senate, stated, "This is the most arrogant, indefensible vote that I have ever seen taken by ASISU. It's a sad day in student representation when the minority of ASISU is representing the majority of students."
Noah House, Vice President for ASISU Idaho Falls, who has been in the gallery at almost every Senate meeting this year, stated, "If it wasn't so ridiculous, it would be absolutely hilarious that we have student senators questioning what some of the primary pieces of the project (Reed Gym Options) are. I thought the Senate would have sent this to referendum…I am surprised that they didn't."
When asked what the students of Idaho Falls would think of this, House said there hasn't been one student senator who inquired about what the students there think about the project. House said that the students in Idaho Falls are, for the most part, ignorant of the project and process, and the fault lies with the student government. He also commented that 20 percent of the fees going to this project are coming out of Idaho Falls students, and no one ever asked the students' their opinion. House further stated that when the Senate met in Idaho Falls last semester, and students in Idaho Falls voiced their disapproval for the Reed Gym Project, the senate did not listen.
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