With a goal of becoming a more effective, responsible, and functional body, student government at Southern (formally ASSOU) is presenting a new constitution to the student body. The current constitution, the founding document of the student body, was written in 1971. As a result, the document is pretty archaic, with terminology that is difficult to understand and policies which are outdated for the size of our university. To remedy this situation, many students have come together to create a new constitution. Student senate has sent this new document to a vote of the student body; the election takes place this week, running February 15-19.
Here are some changes and improvements of the new constitution:
• Comprehensive bill of rights for students: This includes things we think a student government should always fight for and keep in mind throughout all of their work.
• Separated branches of government: The document provides clear separations and guidelines for each branch of the government. The three branches are similar to that of the US government. In addition, each branch must enforce a code of conduct.
• Incorporation of athletics and Residence Hall Association: As these are major components of campus life, they will be incorporated as part of an advisory council which will help oversee the government and student organizations in general.
• Increases involvement in student code of conduct and hearing boards: This allows student government and students in general to have more involvement in the system of disciplinary action at Southern.
• Allows each branch to create its own positions: Specific positions are removed from the constitution, which allows the branches of government to become more fluid and changeable, based on the needs of the student body at any given time.
