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Campaigning barred at Senate's meetings

Candidates cannot stump on Senate floor, speaker says

By Geronimo Rodriguez
Senior Staff Writer

As filing for candidacy in this year's Student Government Association general election continues, candidates should know that they won't be allowed to campaign during SGA Senate meetings, Speaker of the Senate David Burkley said.

"Our Senate meetings are held for the purpose of conducting business, and I'm not going to allow it from now on," Burkley said.

During the open forum segment of Wednesday's meeting, Student Voice member H. Rechard Thomas fielded questions from senators after announcing his candidacy for SGA president. Burkley ended the questioning once it "got out of hand," cutting off College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Sen. Ola Kareem.

"We should have the opportunity to ask questions that we feel are pertinent. When (Burkley) did that, I felt he was censoring the Senate," Kareem said, adding that she wanted Thomas, who was soliciting votes, to explain why he deserved her vote.

Burkley said he meant no disrespect toward Kareem and, from now on, "candidates won't be campaigning at Senate meetings because it hinders the Senate from getting things done."

The SGA Senate will hold an emergency meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, in a location to be announced, with the hopes of approving the Election Commission's budget proposal.
 

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