Describing this year as “a new era in the history of Boston University,” Ethan Clay announced at last night’s Boston University Student Union Senate meeting that the Union had officially succeeded in its campaign to see changes made in the guest policy.
Although Clay could not comment on the specific changes made to the policy, he did describe it as “a major step forward for Boston University and the Student Union.”
The Dean of Students Office will be releasing the official details of the guest policy changes sometime later this week, according to Clay.
Clay did, however, disclose that the changes would be a positive step.
“It has not been accepted in full,” he said, “but some modifications have allowed students increased freedom and mobility.”
According to Clay, even the fact changes occurred is a small triumph of its own, especially for the promises made by the “True” Slate in its spring campaign.
“The fact that there are even changes at all is a promise fulfilled,” he said. “It shows that the ‘True’ slate is true to their values.”
At last night’s meeting, Executive VP Vanessa Tebescheff also announced another triumph for the Student Union.
According to Tebescheff, Clay has been selected as the only student member to serve on the committee that will preliminarily select candidates for the position of president.
“This is completely unprecedented,” Clay said regarding his selection. The addition of Clay to the preliminary selection committee represents the first time in BU history that a student has participated in the presidential selection process.
According to Clay, he was given the position after writing a letter to the Board of Trustees indicating his concern over student influence in the selection of a new president.
“It is critical that there is student involvement,” he added. “I am very pleased with the decision to give me this honor.”
Clay will serve on a preliminary selection committee, while the final decision regarding the new president will be made by a secondary committee, which will include 17 students, according to Tebescheff. Tebescheff said the selection of this secondary committee has yet to be determined.
NEW MEMBERS ADDED
The Student Union Senate overwhelmingly approved the appointment of three new positions at last night’s meeting, including a new senator, Tribunal member, and SUEC member.
Lauren Tucker, the new senator of Danielsen Hall; Nayan Ranchhod, the new Tribunal member; and Olga Romanova, the new SUEC member, were all sworn in last night, along with another already appointed senator.
Tucker, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said she hopes her position will allow those students who live at Danielsen Hall to have an active voice in the Student Union and on campus in general.
“Basically, I want to get Danielsen more involved in campus activity,” she said. “Right now there is apathy.”
Ranchhod, a CAS freshman, said he hopes to provide a fresh perspective to the tribunal, seeing as the other two Tribunal members are seniors. Ranchhod’s experiences before his appointment included a summer spent at a law firm and a current position as VP of the Hyatt RHA.
Ranchhod said he does not believe his RHA position will affect his duties as a Tribunal member.
“My main goal is the Tribunal, and that’s where it is going to be,” he said.
Ranchhod got a chance to see what the Tribunal does during his first Senate meeting, as problems arose during a vote regarding funding. The vote had to be canceled, and a revote had to be taken, putting Ranchhod right in the middle.
“I didn’t expect to deal with what I did tonight,” he said. “I understand what is going to be asked of me [now].”
The question over the constitutional rule came up after the Senate was asked to vote whether or not to allocate funds to the Organization of Pakistani students for a Pakistani band they said they hoped to host at the Copley Theater. The group asked for $1,000 from the Union; however, the Financial Review Board only recommended allocating $732.50.
The Union had a majority vote to pass the resolution for allocating a thousand dollars; however, the constitution called for a two-thirds vote for funding outside of the Union. Two-thirds of the Senate voted and approved allocating the money, only after the Tribunal realized a majority was not enough, and multiple re-votes occurred.
The Senate then added a stipulation to the resolution in which the group repays 30 percent of the profit it receives after the event. It also said the group would have to repay only if it accumulated at least $750 in its student activities account, and the Union would be paid back at least $100.