Student Senate voted 25-13 to revoke the charter of the SMU Debate and Forensics team. Many senators emphasized that this was not an end to debate at SMU but rather a chance for the organization to start over with a clean state.
“This organization is in the perfect place to start at the beginning of the new chartering process,” said Student Body President Chip Hiemenz. Senate members worked all last year developing this process exactly for a situation like this, he said.
The debate team came under charter review approximately seven weeks ago because the organization had no faculty advisor as required by the Student Code of Conduct.
At that time, the team was charged with proving to the committee that it was, in fact, in compliance with all the regulations outlined in the code, including a constitution, by-laws, a membership roster with at least 12 active members and a faculty/staff advisor.
According to Organizations Chair Melissa Dozier, the committee gave the team four weeks to present the required information and have its advisor meet with Thomas Hailey, assistant director of student activities.
According to Dozier, the team failed to meet this initial deadline, and while the committee gave it another two weeks, the group still failed to complete all the requirements by the assigned deadlines.
During that time, the organizations committee also visited one of the team’s standard meetings. Besides the officers, only one member attended.
Dozier emphasized the committee had not gone to check up on the group but had originally intended to attend to gain a better understanding of the internal workings of the organization.
Debate President Ben Hatch told senators only one member attended because he had informed team members only 30 minutes before the meeting. At a senate meeting the day before, he invited the entire body to attend.
According to Engineering Senator Ryan Dalton, a member of the organizations committee, after seven weeks of working extensively with the team, the committee voted to revoke its charter. He assured members of the debate team present at the meeting that there was no ulterior motive behind the committee’s decision.
“There’s no witch hunt here,” he said.
Members of the debate team spoke to the body during the open Speaker’s Podium and debated with senators before the final vote. Members presented arguments alleging they had met all the requirements given to them by the organizations committee. Hatch pleaded with senators to allow the organization to keep its charter.
“We came to you at the beginning of the semester asking for help,” he said. “What kind of message will you be sending to your organizations if you revoke our charter after we came to you for help months ago?”
Dedman II Senator Christy Cangelosi echoed Hatch’s opinion. Taking away their charter will not help them grow as an organization, she said.
Student Trustee Thomas Kincaid said he admired the care with which senators were treating the subject. “This an issue about the student debate team,” he said. “If it’s not your problem, whose is it?”
Student Senate also voted to approve, in a split vote, Highland Park Presbyterian College Ministries move into the probationary phase of the chartering process despite concerns last week about whether or not the group was led and maintained by students.
The finance committee recommended Senate fund $2,453.61 for the Student Activities Center, $1,000 more than its initial recommendation last week. Last week’s recommendation included funding only for a new laminator. After reviewing its recommendation following a filed complaint, the committee decided to recommend the fully requested amount of more than $2,000 for both a new automatic button maker and a laminator.
Senate passed legislation to fund the purchase of 3,000 condoms by Bacchus for its World AIDS Day event. The group initial asked for $285 for 5,000 condoms. Author Asian-American Senator Jason Shyung accepted a friendly amendment to fund for only 3,000 condoms, and the legislation passed in a split vote.
Senate approved unanimously to pass a resolution commending the university for taking steps to improve the student experience at home football games.
After another friendly amendment, Senate also pass unanimously to fund $4,500 to the Association of Black Students to aid in its participation in the Big XII Black Leadership Empowerment conference. Author Student Body Secretary Gabe Travers approved the amendment to only fund for the conference registration and transportation costs.
Hiemenz reported the Hilltop Watch Committee would meet for the first time this week. He encouraged senators to tell him or members of the committee about any ideas for improving campus safety. “It’s so important to contribute ideas,” he said. “This is an issue that we face day-in, day-out, and it’s an issue that won’t go away.”
