At its meeting last night, Student Council passed seven pieces of legislation, including a bill that will send a ballot referendum to students asking their opinion on public records for Council members' votes.
Council members debated the bill more than any other piece of legislation yesterday.
"The only way we can be held accountable is by election or reelection," said Gavin Reddick, a representative from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Those opposed to the bill argued that it would politicize the process.
"It would make it more an individual basis than Student Council as a whole," College Rep. Dionna Lewis said.
Those in favor said constituents have the right to know how their representatives are voting.
"I think it's very sad we are even having this debate because we are all elected by our fellow students and they need to know what we are doing," College Rep. Tom Gibson said.
After a vote of 18 in favor, four against, three not present and one abstention, the referendum will appear on the spring 2005 election ballot.
In addition, Council unanimously passed the appropriations bill, which divides the appropriations process into different categories. The bill set appropriations criteria, required applications for the practice, and included specific guidelines for allocation.
In a vote of 21-3, a bill regarding student opinion on reading days passed, and the question will be placed on the spring ballot.
"I feel compelled to put this before you guys because I had several conversations with people last semester who wanted us to do something about it," Executive Vice President Whitney Garrison said. "I feel that, how is the administration going to know how the students feel unless we ask them?"
Council President Noah Sullivan expressed concern over the timing of the proposed referendum.
"I really like the spirit of this idea, gauging student opinion," Sullivan said. "For implementation's sake, though, this was the worst possible time to put this on the ballot. If we wait a couple of years, it would be smarter for us to get some feedback."
As a result, the bill was amended before it was passed. A disclaimer was added to the bill informing students that results would not be able to take place immediately.
A bill gauging student preference for Coca-Cola or Pepsi also passed, resulting in another referendum for the spring ballot.
Council also unanimously passed a resolution to endorse the Law School's ongoing project to revise the University's Sexual Assault Policy.
The last piece of legislation that passed unanimously sought to recognize the death of Brian Love, a fourth-year student who died last week in a skiing accident.
Council will consider ahate crimes referendum bill to be voted on next week.
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