Student Council efforts to create a Rules and Ethics Board were delayed at last night's meeting because of concern about the selection process of the Board's members. Among concerns raised by Council members was the fact that Law School students would not be included on the Board.
Council proposed a bill on this topic last week, which, before being tabled, had been scheduled for a vote last night. The bill's purpose is to create a Rules and Ethics Board whose goal would be to respond to issues concerning the bylaws, constitution and ethics of Council, according to Student Council President Lauren Tilton.
"The Board comes into play when there is clearly not an answer [in regards to Council's constitution and bylaws] that the parliamentarian can rule on ... the Board acts as a good outlet to have a confirmed understanding of bylaws or an ethical issue," Tilton said, describing her view of the Board's role within Council.
Law School Rep. Kendra Paul brought up the issue of Law School membership on the Board during last night's meeting, suggesting the Law School should be represented on the Board.
"This is one area where the Law School can really contribute ... where we can really help," Paul said, noting Law students' ability to interpret laws.
Paul emphasized that she did not feel the Law School had been excluded intentionally and said the Board could offer an opportunity for the Law School to become more involved with Council.
"We are just trying to get involved in some way," Paul said, adding that the Law School often does not find many ways to become involved in Council.
According to Tilton, the bill recommended nine students for Board membership. Five are College students, two are Commerce students, one is a Darden student and the last is a Graduate Arts & Sciences student.
College Rep. Todd Eley agreed that a Law School student should serve on the Board.
"What we know is that the Law School has the most competent people to be on the Board, and we should have at least one of them," Eley said.
According to Tilton, Council's bylaws state recommendations for membership on the Board must come from the vice presidents of Council, while the final decision rests with the Executive Board.
Both Tilton and Executive Vice President Melissa Warnke emphasized that there was no intention to exclude the Law School or other schools.
"We just want to clarify that it's not that we didn't think that the Law School wouldn't do a good job," Warnke said, adding that members looked for people who were known to have "good moral judgment."
Tilton said people with experience dealing with bylaws and constitutional issues were also sought.
Council ended discussion after voting to affirm Law School Rep. Kevin Walsh's motion to table the bill until next week.
Graduate Arts & Sciences Rep. Tom Bryan said the delay would give members time to review the process by which Board members are selected and to determine if all those interested in serving on the Board have been given an opportunity to get involved.
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