The Student Senate Tuesday night reviewed for a third time the Zombie Survival Club’s case for recognition and also examined the BOP’s method of selecting the Bachelor’s editor-inchief. The Senate recognized the club and decided not to send the BOP matter to the CBPR committee for review just yet.
After beginning the session at 7:05 P.M., the officer, committee, and club reports proceeded as usual. President Venis wished to remind the student body about the survey on Blackboard concerning Senate funds, and Vice President Moton briefly mentioned the Senior Merit Award. Following this, Vice President Moton opened for new business.
Shane Dube requested $1438 for the Malcom X Institute to visit the Black Holocaust Musuem in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and this was approved, bringing the Senate’s General Fund down to $27374.74. Tom Elliot ’08 proceeded to defend the Zombie Survival Club and stated that the club’s purpose was to “prepare students, faculty, and any interested community members to survive an attack by undead individuals or groups.”
He also noted that he had obtained signatures from the ten members necessary to begin a Senate-funded student organization and that 102 extra supporters had signed his petition, including Professor of Religion and Philosophy Bill Placher. The Senate, through a majority vote, recognized the new club. “I hope I was able to sway hearts and minds,” said Mr. Elliot as he departed.
After the club had been recognized, it was reported that Senate Secretary Royce Gregerson ’09 (who was not present for this session of the Senate) had raised an objection to the Board of Publications’ method of choosing a new editor- in-chief, stating that Bachelor advisor Howard Hewitt and Director of Public Affairs Jim Amidon ’87 possess too much involvement, thereby violating the Student Organization Leadership Act.
In light of the Wabash Conservative Union and their recent controversy concerning SOLA, the accusation is certainly not trivial. Senator Patrick McAlister ‘10 maintained that students controlled the selection of the editor-inchief and brought a statement from current Bachelor Editor- In-Chief Patrick Smith ’08 affirming this.
Josh Harris ‘08, who functioned as a proxy for Senator Charlie Kelly ‘11, retorted, “I think that the BOP is violating the spirit of SOLA. But I think that SOLA is the problem.” A motion was raised to take the case to the CBPR for review, but the motion was retracted.