ASB Senate passes revised constitution

BRANDON NIEMEYER
DM Staff Writer

Associated Student Body Senators passed a revised ASB Constitution on Sunday while attending an orientation retreat.

The revision won overwhelmingly, with 60 votes in favor, one opposed and one abstention.

The vote was the culmination of several months of revising, editing and changing portions of the ASB Constitution that were out-dated, misspelled or confusing.

"Everyone who worked on revising the Constitution is happy that it passed through the senate a second time," ASB Attorney General Casey O'Shea said. "But, you won't see any of us doing an end-zone dance now. We will be much happier with the Constitution when the students pass it."

The revised copy of the ASB Constitution will go before the student body on Tuesday.

Other business at the special session held in the Union ballroom included the election of Haden Roberts as president pro-tempore of the Senate.

"I'm surprised and very enthusiastic about working with the senate," Roberts, a sophomore biochemistry major from Pascagoula said.

The goals of the retreat included giving the senators a chance to get to know each other.

"The retreat had an informal meeting and a relaxed setting, in which senators could meet each other and also learn about the Senate itself," ASB vice-president Brynna Clark said. "The senators need to get along with each other and know each other for the Senate to really work well."

The retreat featured a special workshop for senators to learn about standard parliamentary procedure.

In addition, senators were treated to a picnic outside the Union after the workshop and special session.

Melissa Gong, Parliamentarian of the Senate, conducted the workshop which introduced new senators to the formal proceedings involved in Senate meetings.

"The meeting was a lot of fun and it was great to meet fellow senators," said Laura Piazza, a freshman biology major from Jackson, representing Martin Hall. "It was also very helpful to learn about parliamentary procedure."

Ryan Allen, a freshman biolgy major form Rossville Tenn. representing Kincannon Hall, agreed.

"I met a lot of nice people today, and it gave me a chance to learn the formal parliamentary procedures," said Allen.