SA Senate 02.13.2017

Agenda Approval of Minutes and Agenda Feedback on Proposed Changes to Distribution System. Proposal for Campaign Regulations Introduction of SA Constitution Referendum Introduction of Referendum from Honor Council Introduction of BRIDGE Act Resolution Introduction of Senate Bill 6 - H&D Reform Announcements: Elections Petitions due tonight at 11:59 PM! Save date for changeover reception on Friday, March 24th at 7:30 PM! Release of the Academic Freedom Working Group application The Immigration Day of Action happening this Friday Health Professions Task Force Members

Proposed Campaign Regulations At no time may a student, candidate, or officer promise, suggest, or in any way indicate that a person or organization will receive preferential access to Blanket Tax or Initiative funding for assisting or supporting a candidate’s campaign. Additionally, no entity unaffiliated with Rice University (affiliated meaning for example, a student or registered student club) may engage in the electoral process in any way, unless said organization is compensated at market value for the services rendered. Such restrictions include donations of intellectual or creative work product as well. For example, A candidate may purchase custom t-shirts from a vender unaffiliated with Rice, but a candidate may not receive donated t-shirts from an outside group. A candidate may pay an unaffiliated graphic designer to create marketing materials for his/her campaign, but may not receive in-kind donations of this work. A candidate may pay an unaffiliated campaign strategist at market value for assistance with his/her campaign, but may not receive in-kind donations of any physical or intellectual work product.

The Brand New SA Constitution and Bylaws 2/13/2017

Committee Convened last spring through Senate Bill #1, charged with general review Benchmarked other university constitutions, looked at structure and language Met with the Committee, made up a diverse group, multiple times Held a Constitutional Convention! Talked with Blanket Tax Crack team members, surveyed BT stakeholders A lot of what you’re seeing is familiar - used what worked from old constitution

Goals of New SA Constitution To create a sustainable Constitution that works long-term for the SA To make the Constitution accessible to all members of the Student Association Address confusion in the Blanket Tax section

General Changes to the Constitution Separated Constitution and Bylaws Clarified processes, and streamlined language for better transparency Combined Dependent and Blanket Tax (formally Subsidiary) Sections Reformed Blanket Tax process to address the challenges encountered during the first two years of implementation

Specific Changes to the Constitution Open/closed meetings Changeover Back to Resolutions Directors -> Executive Council / Appointed Officers Changed language of second round election Parliamentarian’s discretion on absences “Business days” -> “class days” More specific Campaign Finance Regulations

Blanket Tax Changes Blanket Tax Fund Access Applications every two years Updated Initiative Fund Purpose Removed “priority access” Removed subsidiary organization

Judicial Changes Constitution (basic purpose) vs. by-laws (rules/procedures) More accessible language Clearer procedures, easier to follow Streamlined sections More time for UCourt to schedule hearings Provision for decorum during hearings

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