Student Senate passed a resolution Monday night 19-8 supporting the UW-System’s revisions to Chapter 17, which mainly includes new language regarding non-academic conduct of students, specifically off campus.
Senate Treasurer Michael Umhoefer said changes to Chapter 17 and Chapter 18 had not been made in 13 years. On average, he said, changes are normally made every 10 years.
“It is definitely been . over its timelines,” Umhoefer said.
Before Senate voted and finished for the night, there was continuous debate between many of its members, focusing on how some feel the new language could harm students’ rights and how some believe the current wording is fine.
“I’m a little concerned with the language being used,” Sen. Dylan Jambrek said. “Somehow the university system feels as though they should regulate behavior off campus . I don’t think this is helping students because the language is anti-student.”
Many discussed the revision that states a student could be found innocent of a crime but still be expelled or suspended from school.
“For the administration to have so much power, I don’t necessarily agree with that,” Sen. Daniel Gawronski said. “I really have a problem with . people getting kicked out of school or suspended and be found innocent of the crime. People have plans and something like that can really screw it up.”
Student Body Vice-President Meghan Charlier said during discussion that the new language could potentially benefit students, not necessarily curtail their rights.
“In some cases, it will not always expel or suspend the student,” Charlier said. “It’s about helping them .we are looking at this completely backwards . I don’t see that all administrators are out to get students.”
Umhoefer said the changing of the language stemmed from noise complaints at UW-Milwaukee. He pointed out that although the language and changes may not specifically apply to UW-Eau Claire, he urged the Senate for support.
“We are a UW-System,” he said. “We need an active voice in supporting our other schools.”
Senate also voted unanimously to delay the United Council Referendum for two weeks and proposed two new bills: one regarding renovation of the lighting in Schofield Auditorium and the other supporting the University Centers portable lighting system upgrade.
Director of University Centers Charles Farrell also presented Senate with the University Centers Segregated Fee Budget Process for 2009-2010. The university is expected to gain more than $4.7 million in revenue and has $4.6 million in current expenses. There is also an $180,500 total capital reserve estimate, according to documents given out by Farrell.
-Breann Schossow contributed to this report
