SGA: alternate representatives or senators are not allowed

No vacancy

SGA: alternate representatives or senators are not allowed

Jazmin Farraj

Contributing Writer

No alternative senators or representatives are allowed during SGA meetings, according to a clarification by SGA Pro Tempore Trae Block during Sept. 24’s full Legislature assembly.

In fact, he said, it would be unconstitutional if they permitted it to happen. 

Block’s statement was prompted by a question asked during the first SGA meeting of the semester.  The representative was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to attend every scheduled meeting, and was asking if alternates would be allowed this term, as they had been in the past.

At the time, Speaker of the House of Organizations Zach Webb told her that no alternates were allowed; however, he would check with the Rules Committee. 

Block, a member of the Rules Committee himself, answered that question definitively.  He said that the SGA Constitution merely stated that each organization was required to fill vacancies.  Specifically, under Article IV Legislative Branch, Section 5 states: “It shall be the responsibility of each student organization to fill Representative vacancies from the ranks of their membership.”

Otherwise, according to the SGA Constitution, only three absences are permitted before an organization is issued a suspension.  However, excused absences, such as those with a doctor’s excuse or university event, are accepted.