The Student Union elected this weekened to discontinue its Guest Policy committee, choosing instead to work with President Robert Brown’s committee reviewing the current policy.
The Union also announced the formation of new committees, including an anticipated constitution committee, which is expected to revise many aspects of the current constitution, including budget controls, which were called into question this semester when Union President Jon Marker authorized significant expenditures in violation of the constitution.
“This committee was created with the intention of looking at every part of the constitution and seeing where changes need to be made,” said Union Vice President Jonah Goldberg, a College of Communication junior. “The committee will propose changes at meetings. Every member of this committee is on another committee as well.”
Returning Sunday from its once-a-semester retreat, the Union issued a press release describing the phasing out of the Guest Policy committee as well as the dining committee
According to Student Union President Jon Marker, the Guest Policy committee did not continue into this semester because last semester’s committee already had reached its goals. On the other hand, the dining committee will not continue into this semester so the General Assembly can focus on other issues, according to Marker.
The union also voted to institute a committee to review the alcohol policy at BU.
Marker said one of the goals for this committee is to establish a better method of teaching students about alcohol.
Marker said one of the main concerns about the alcohol policy is students’ failure to report alcohol-related illnesses when there is a chance they will be punished.
“The concern is that a student may be hanging out with their friends, and one of them gets sick,” he said. “The friends neglect to get help because they are fearful of the consequences.”
According to Goldberg, the union voted to form the alcohol policy committee, despite cries from some General Assembly members that it would encourage underage drinking.
A committee dedicated to improving campus career services was also formed.
“It will focus on networking between career services and students, research [or] venture, and improving guidance,” Goldberg said.
The Union also voted to combine the committees that oversee grade deflation, academic advising and professor’s availability to students.
Among the issues they will focus on are grade deflation, grade differences, advising and unavailable professors.
Committees remaining from last semester include the How To Be You committee, recycling committee and technology committee.
With the Union’s secretary position still vacant, Goldberg said General Assembly members were continuing to propose a variety of solutions.
“Some people want the position filled internally and think more time is needed,” he said. “People want to see multiple candidates for Jon’s nomination.”
Goldberg said he predicts a change in the Union’s constitution regarding the nomination procedure.
However, he added, Marker will be nominating one person to fill the secretary position and have the General Assembly vote on it.
“Jon decided that something needs to be done,” he said, “but it will need to be done next semester. He’s going to bring one candidate, and we’re going to look into bringing in more candidates in the future.”
According to Marker, Megan Castellano and David Sideman are still potential nominees for the secretarial position, among at least three other applicants.
Marker said he hopes to bring his nominee before the Union at their next meeting, provided he has sufficient time to interview all of the potential applicants.