The Organizations Task Force proposed changes to the StudentCode of Conduct and the organizations committee, at the StudentSenate meeting on Tuesday.
The Task Force, appointed by Student Body President, ThomasKincaid, is proposing bylaws for a tiered process for organizationsseeking a charter and funding by SMU. The bylaws in questionpertain directly to the chartering of an organization.
“This process, in essence, ensures that the organizationis accountable and valid to us,” Student Body Vice PresidentLyndsey Humbert said.
Kincaid said that he first asked the organizations committee totake a look at the organizations and their success in the yearafter the charter was granted. He saw a need for the change inobtaining charters since groups were allocated money and thenfailed to develop the interests of the campus.
“The principle is, if we give out this money is itbettering the university?” Chief of Staff Chip Hiemenzsaid.
Student Senate is trying to make the process to obtain a chartermore stringent. The new system includes a three-tiered progressionto make certain the organization has leadership and legitimacy.
As it stands, there are now two types of organizations, listedand chartered. A listed organization can receive money from Senatefor special projects. Chartered groups may use SMU or SouthernMethodist University as part of its name and can submit a budget tothe Senate.
The new organization first needs to meet preliminaryrequirements before even applying for a charter. After thoserequirements are met, the organization may apply and receive aprobationary charter. This charter limits the privileges of thestudent organization; it has limited access to funds. Theorganization is considered probationary for 10 weeks before asecond Senate meeting decides the status of the organization.
The next step, temporary chartered organization, will have therights of fully chartered organizations, but lack an annual budget.From the point of installation, the organization has one year tomeet the requirements and have a meeting with the OrganizationCommittee to discuss charter status.
If no complaints are made against the group and it complies withnecessary standards, the grouping is granted a full charter. Thechartered organizations receive all the benefits that currentchartered organizations have.
The Senate is currently fine-tuning the new bylaws before theyare instated into the Student Code of Conduct. At the meeting, sixcomplaints about the bylaws were addressed and resolved.
In other Senate news, Kincaid announced that the faculty islooking for feedback on Senior Week, the week after classes end,while setting the 2005-2006 academic calendar. Also, Senate generalelection applications are due on Friday.
