Union discusses moving E-board elections to Nov.

Student Union senators discussed a proposal to change the timing of the executive board elections to the end of November in a meeting Monday night.

The amendment to the Union constitution would shift terms from school years to calendar years, with campaigning in November and results announced by Dec. 1.

Alex Staikos, Union Vice President and a junior in the School of Management, said the alteration would diminish the role of the executive board by ensuring uniformity in agenda, focusing on the issues instead of the leaders themselves.

“It currently works with all groups – the E-board and cabinet – transitioning all at once. The E-board very often has different things they’re working on before the school year starts to get some momentum going,” Staikos said. “With this [new] way, we’d see that everyone is represented and comes up with initiatives. We want to make sure the campus votes on what to work on, not the executive board.”

With the proposal’s formal introduction at a meeting with lower-than-average attendance, some senators voiced complaints about the proposal process and the communication involved with constituencies before next meeting’s official vote.

“I’m concerned with this process,” said Luke Rebecchi, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Obviously these are senators and you’re not a parent who can make sure they show up to these meetings, but there needs to be some sort of follow up that senators and E-board are doing their jobs.”

Union President Howard Male, a School of Hospitality Administration and SMG senior, said that despite the low attendance, senators were informed of the election amendment two weeks ago and would have enough time to “consult with constituencies” before voting on the proposal.

“We want feedback from anyone. Amendments to amendment would come along with the discussion to pass the proposal. We’ve already spoken with previous E-boards, previous slates that have run and not been elected and other stakeholders,” Male said.

“The major thing that boggles my mind is that we haven’t consulted those actually voting,” Rebecchi responded. “We’re passing an amendment without consulting the student body that we govern . . . I’m not concerned with the actual amendment, but with the communication of it.”

A presentation from the executive board outlining the reasons for the change said continuity and a decrease in individual leaders’ power were primary motives for the amendment.

The presentation said that with November elections, an outgoing executive board would be available “to assist in transition,” to make “introductions to stakeholders” and to explain “items overlooked in the transition period.”

The change would also apply to directors and chiefs of staff, excluding committee chairs who would be elected on the school year calendar with senators. The forthcoming elections in April would still occur, but the election would only be for a six month period before the next election.

“Because it doesn’t directly impact me as a senior, I am able to facilitate this discussion,” Male said. “My understanding based off feedback since last discussion and other meetings would be to simplify the next election to a six month term.”