Associated Student Government senators agreed to form a committee to review the organization’s practices and effectiveness in representing and reaching students.
ASG President Jane Lee said senators and other students from the student body came to her asking for a committee critiquing ASG, and senators approved the committee at last week’s meeting.
“There are a lot of merits to this committee,” said Lee, a Weinberg senior. “I thought that this is something very important to do.”
Lee introduced the legislation at the Feb. 9 Senate meeting as a special order, and it was approved by senators.
“Constitutionally, the ASG president is the only one who can create ad hoc committees,” Lee said.
Although Lee will select a committee chairperson who will be confirmed by the Senate, she said she will not set the agenda for the committee.
“The committee will have a more loose structure,” Lee said. “I believe in a shared identity and a shared purpose, and I want the chair to have this ability.”
She said she would be happy to attend committee meetings if the chairperson wanted her to and expected to work closely with the leader.
The chairperson of the committee will be chosen by application, which will become available by the end of the week. Any student can apply for the position. This person will be confirmed by Senate on March 2.
Members of the committee, who do not have to be ASG senators, will be selected by Lee and the chairperson.
“We’re really going to invite anyone who wants to get involved to get involved,” Lee said. “We want individuals who will come consistently and go back to talk to students about how we can best improve ourselves for the student body.”
Another important aspect of the committee is its ability to hold open meetings for students. Lee said she hopes students will come to express their opinions and concerns.
“This is a campus issue,” Lee said. “If anyone wants to be a part of the committee, then it should be open to all students.”
Lee said she hopes the committee will be fully established by the end of the quarter.
“This will definitely be in place by next quarter, and there will be something strong in place by the time we get back (from Spring Break),” Lee said.
Northwestern Community Development Corps Sen. Zach Galin said students should be allowed to attend all committee meetings.
“If meetings are closed, there usually is a reason behind them (being closed),” said Galin, a Weinberg sophomore.
Galin also said he thinks having a committee to review ASG’s policies will be an effective way to improve the Senate.
“If energy and commitment is put in, I think we can get something very good out of it,” Galin said.
Reach Jason Prager at [email protected].
