2008 Woodie Awards
Unanimous Student Congress vote changes constitution
Rick Kurker
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: News
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"In the past, the vice president of student services was needed for approval under many items of the constitution," said Athena Fokaidis '09, vice president of the Class of 2009. "Conveniently, [Rev. J. Stuart McPhail, O.P., vice president of student services] was both Student Congress' moderator and the vice president, so in the end, it just made sense to refer to him to obtain approval for anything."
According to Student Congress President Amy Baker, Father McPhail had acted as the moderator of Congress for the past 18 years. Speaking from two years of experience, Baker noted that students had been "fed up with the administration" in the past because it did not seem to welcome student input. Now that there is a new vice president, as well as a new college president, Baker said it was time for a change. Baker and her fellow Congress members have spoken several times with new vice president of student services, Rev. Brendan Murphy, O.P., to voice their opinions about making Congress "more conducive to student voice," Baker said.
"Other clubs on campus have the capacity to choose their own moderator," she added. "This change allows the students in Congress to regain some control."
Though the ideas stemmed from conversations with Father Murphy, the decision was ultimately left to Student Congress. The Congress executive board proposed the legislation, and Congress members voted to pass it. Now, Student Congress must find a new moderator for the organization.
"This, however, does not change the administrative duties for the vice president of student services," said Kevin Johnson '08, representative for the Class of 2008. "Congress must present all legislation and still have checks signed by the new vice president of student services."