Student Council met Tuesday to voted to approve 11 new CIOs, a vote which was scheduled to take place at last week’s meeting, but was pushed back when Council failed to meet quorum — the first time the body failed to reach quorum in nearly two years.
Representative Body Chair Abraham Axler, a second-year College student, said Council was only two people shy of having quorum, which requires at least two-thirds of the representative body be present.
“[There was] essentially a miscommunication about how long one part of the meeting would last,” he said. “I thought we would have voted by the time most people had to leave.”
Council also discussed various solutions to improving student safety on- and off-Grounds.
Safety and Wellness Committee Chair Rachel Murphy, a third-year College student, discussed the possibility of expanding the hours of SafeRide and making it more accessible to students, and having an app which allows students to communicate tips with police.
“We can create a culture of students becoming active bystanders,” Murphy said.
She said though there are major holes in education at the University, mandating more education through seminars may not be the best solution.
Chair of Internal Affairs Klaus Dollhopf, a fifth-year College student, suggested legislation mandating a student safety review board to accompany safety boards run by faculty or administration.
“[They] hear about events second hand … but we’re the ones walking home on 14th Street at 2 or 3 a.m.,” he said.
Dollhopf also suggested extending the jurisdiction of the University police to places off-Grounds where student life happens.
Student Council also heard from Hannah Bondurant, liberal co-chair of Legislatures of Tomorrow, who advocated state-level solutions.
“This year we would love to work on campus safety,” she said. “What we’re lacking is the institutional knowledge of what the problems are and how to help.”
Bondurant joined Council in highlighting problems on Grounds, coming up with solutions and brainstorming legislation.
Student Council President Jalen Ross, a fourth-year Engineering student, also spoke about an event to commemorate the life of second-year Connor Cormier, who committed suicide in October.
“His parents are at this point now much more open to some celebration or discussion of [his] life,” he said.
He said to celebrate Connor’s life, Council along with other University groups are planning a Hack-a-thon in his honor.
Read More
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | 6 hours ago"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
Faculty Senate Executives hear from Rector Sheridan and Vice Rector Wilkinson
By Xander Tilock and Grace Traxler | YesterdayRectors were in attendance for part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting and were asked about the interim president selection process.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
By Brendon Bordwine | 2 days agoThe University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes.
