Senate passes changes to bylaws

Brian Foster Arizona Daily Wildcat ASUA Sen. Cisco Aguilar takes part in the last ASUA meeting of the 1997-1998 Cabinet, in ASUA's conference room. The meeting addressed end-of-the-year issues and controversies.

For the third week in a row, senators and Administrative Vice President-elect Ryan Rosensteel sparred over Rosensteel's attempts to create a new program and paid position.

Two weeks ago, the Senate rejected Rosensteel's attempt to have the position added to the ASUA bylaws.

Recently, Rosensteel has said even if the Senate does not approve of his plans, such as creating a new "community development" program and paid position, he would go forth with his ideas using his executive privileges.

A phrase in the proposed bylaw changes mandated that the Senate approve all executive orders created by the president, executive vice-president and administrative vice-president.

ASUA President Gilbert Davidson said the bylaw change would ensure the Senate kept the powers it already has to control the creation of new positions.

"I think they (the officials) need to be up front with you," Davidson said.

Sen. Rosanna Savone questioned Rosensteel about his resistance to the proposed Senate approval process.

"What are you scared of?" she asked.

Despite reassurances by Executive Vice President Casey Cuny that the Senate was not launching a personal attack on Rosensteel and his ideas, Rosensteel later said he felt the Senate was purposely condemning his plans.

The line mandating senatorial approval of executive orders remained, and all 10 members of the Senate passed the bylaw changes.

In other business, the Senate approved a resolution written by Sen. Mary Peterson "encouraging" the University of Arizona to create a committee designed to "engage in a formal discussion of the relationship between the University and business."

The resolution provides encouragement for the proposed committee to develop "guidelines for business interactions."

The business resolution follows a move last week by Peterson and Sen. Morgan Long to remove anti-privatization language from the statement on CatCard the Senate passed.

"I don't think it had a proper role in the CatCard resolution," she said after the meeting. "I think this resolution addresses it in a broad way and the CatCard resolution did not do that."

The CatCard issue, however, was not discussed last night, and nine senators approved Peterson's new resolution, with Sen. Aaron Young dissenting.

The new Senate will hold its first official meeting Wednesday, and Monday is Inauguration Day for ASUA officials. The current senators relinquish their positions today.