The Santa Rosa Junior College Associated Students Senate confirmed an elections coordinator for the student elections in April, ratified funds for Music Appreciation Day (MAD) Wednesdays and continued a legislative dialogue for a student center fee referendum at their Feb. 23 and March 3 sessions.
The senate appointed James Rogers as election coordinator for student elections during the week of April 20.
Rogers will be expected to mobilize SRJC students to vote and act as the elections referee for the various candidates. The Senate stressed the importance of impartiality, time commitment and reliable political instincts for this position.
Rogers’ credentials include coaching high school debate teams and participation in his high school government elections. He studies computer programing and forensics at SRJC. Rogers said his experience in debate enables him to divorce himself from his personal beliefs, to ensure political objectivity.
The senate approved a $500 budget to compensate student employees for MAD Wednesdays.
Students employed for MAD Wednesdays will play four-hour segments of music in the SRJC quad on Wednesday afternoons during the weeks preceding the election to raise election awareness.
In addition to electing student representatives in April, students will vote to implement a student center fee. The funds will derive from a mandatory enrollment fee, with some exceptions, such as the Bog wavier. The charge will be in correlation to units and will have an annual 10-unit cap.
The exact sum and distribution of the service fee fund remains vague, but the intent is to use the funds for student community purposes. A new student lounge is one proposed use.
The senate also discussed the ongoing constitutional convention and drafting of a new student bill of rights, which is under jurisdiction of an ad hoc constitutional committee that meets every Friday at 1 p.m. in the Bertolini Center. Any constitution requires senate approval and ultimate implementation entails a two-thirds majority in the student election.
The senate overwhelmingly supported greater student involvement and input in elections and committee proceedings.
Members specifically endorsed incrementing information to students on an individual and mass basis as well as cultivating potential candidates to ensure political competition.
