Online exclusive: Constitutional amendments added to ballot

The ASPSU Student Senate unanimously approved a list of constitutional amendments last week to be added to the elections ballot, one of which would allow next year’s Elections Board to function more efficiently.

If the revisions are passed, the 2011–12 E-board would be established by the end of fall term. Currently, the ASPSU president appoints the board in winter term, giving it only a few short weeks to begin preparing for student government elections. 

“Because we’re appointed so late in winter term, we really didn’t [start preparing for elections] until February,” E-board Vice Chair Aubrey Hoffman said. “And having no framework in which how to run the elections…left a lot of growing pains.”

E-Board Chair Ari Wubbold added that E-board plans to create a guideline after the elections so that future E-boards will run more smoothly. 

In addition, another amendment proposes a change in the annual election time frame. The current constitution specifies that annual election must take place between the third and fifth week of spring term. However, the amendment would do away with such restrictions, and the E-board would have anytime until May 31 to hold the elections.

According to Hoffman, this “open window” would give the E-board more time to ensure that candidates are eligible to run for office before they begin campaigning.

“It also gives the Elections Board more time to promote, and to get more candidates, more time to campaign and promote themselves, it gives the opportunity for further debate, and it gives the entire student body more time to gather information.”

Because elections could potentially be held on May 31, elected officers will officially take office on July 1, rather than on June 1. According to Hoffman, this is also more in line with the fiscal year.

“The president inherits last year’s budget,” she said.

Other notable amendments include the addition of more stringent academic requirements for ASPSU members. According to Judicial Board Chair Anandi Hall, if passed, undergraduate officers would be required to maintain a 2.0 GPA and be taking at least six credits. Currently, undergraduate members only need a 2.5 GPA. Graduate members, however, will still need to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

“[PSU] has the lowest GPA requirement for student government,” Hall said.  “We’re supposed to be representing the student body, and provide excellence, and if we don’t require excellence in our own standards…then we’re not doing our job.”

The amendments are included on this year’s ballot, which students can find at banweb.pdx.edu. A link to the revisions is available on the ballot, which will be open until May 1. ?