The Student Council Representative Body considered a bill to approve four new CIOs during their weekly Tuesday meeting, which marked the 72nd anniversary of the organization’s first-ever meeting. The representatives also passed three resolutions to honor the three University students who passed away during the course of the year.
The four CIOs were all included in SB17-33, sponsored by Ty Zirkle, a second-year College student and vice president for organizations.
Zirkle introduced each of the four organizations, all of which received his recommendation for approval for CIO status. First among them was Survivor at U.Va., an organization which organizes, competes in and films challenges inspired by the show of the same name.
“I was concerned at first about [the organization’s] sustainability, given that members get eliminated every week,” Zirkle said.
However, he said the group also has an executive board and several members interested in filming the challenges, rather than competing in them.
“They have released a trailer online for the new season, I don't know if you all have seen it,” Zirkle said. “I think it offers a unique opportunity to bring together students who are interested in filmmaking with recreation and just having fun.”
Also on the docket was The Roosevelt Society, which, according to the bill, seeks to provide the University community with a forum for open, civil political discussion, regardless of beliefs.
Bobby Stephens, a second-year Engineering student and secretary of the Roosevelt Society, attended the meeting to give insight into the society.
“It’s a non-partisan space for political discourse on Grounds,” Stephens said. “We’ve been meeting on Monday evenings for about a year now. We’ll have chairs in a circle, and we’ll have about 10 to 15 members to discuss a political issue.”
One of the criteria for new CIOs to receive the council’s approval is they must not be redundant, or in other words, no two CIOs should serve the same purpose.
Stephens made his case for a distinction between the Roosevelt Society and other similar CIOs, particularly Sustained Dialogue, saying his organization only ever debates political issues, unlike Sustained Dialogue and others, which are designed to consider a broader range of topics.
Also included in the bill and recommended for approval by Zirkle were Zeno’s Backgammon Club and the Science Policy Initiative.
SB17-33 was eventually tabled for further consideration, according to new Student Council procedures designed to give members more time to look over legislation before voting on it.
David Birkenthal, a third-year College student and chair of the representative body, then presented the representatives with a block of three bills — SB17-34, SB17-35 and SB17-36.
Sarah Kenny, a third-year College student and Student Council President, introduced the bills, which were sponsored by the Student Council Executive Board and Representative Body.
“As is traditional, we have put together resolutions to honor the three students who have passed away during the year,” Kenny said. “We will present the family with this resolution on behalf of Student Council, thanking them for their contribution to the University community, and it’s accompanied by flowers.”
The three resolutions honored Holly Edwards, Melanie Donna Wetzel and Rose “Rosie” Marie Randolph, respectively. There will be a memorial service May 2 at the University Chapel to honor the three students. The service will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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