Student Government passed S.Res-102 unanimously, 18-0, at the Senate meeting Tuesday night in the Student Center.
In passing the resolution, the Senate voted to “urge the Board of Regents to act in the best interest of the university by voting at its meeting on February 5, 2016, to immediately provide notice of intent to end any affiliation with the Education Achievement Authority.”
The Senate passed an earlier version of the resolution at their previous meeting. The resolution was vetoed by Student Government President Steven Cole after speaking with the author, Senator Sam Jones-Darling.
In his rational behind the veto, he said both her and Jones-Darling agreed that the resolution had structural and factual errors and it focused too narrowly on one decision by the Regents.
“If the Senate wishes to broadly express disapproval of the leadership of our Board of Regents, Senator Jones-Darling and I believe that position could be more powerfully supported with multiple examples,” Cole said in the statement. “On the other hand, if the intent is to express disapproval of the Regents’ decision not to vote on terminating the Interlocal Agreement that permits the EAA to continue to operate, a resolution should say exactly that.”
Senator Joseph Pernicano, who previously voted no on the resolution, said he is “happy it was cleaned up” and he would be supporting the new version.
Senator Evan Sweet updated the Senate on the campus-wide water drive for the city of Flint, which will run until Feb. 12.
Flint left the Detroit water system in 2014 and began using water from the Flint River in order to save money. Citizens noticed a change in the smell and color of their water and blood tests of children show higher than normal levels of lead in them. A slow reaction from local government caused outrage, drawing national attention.
“This is a massive undertaking,” Martin said. “It’s a good cause, it’s going to help a lot of people.”
The Student Government office, Student Center Room 342, is one of the campus drop-off locations. Sweet said more information on locations and details of the drive would be announced later in the week.
General updates were also given on the newly formed Energy and Sustainability Commission and Athletic Commission.
Regular committee meetings will continue to be held in the Student Center Tuesday evenings. For the full schedule, including locations, go here. More information on Student Government can be found here.
