Maroon

              loyola  maroon March 16,1973 VoI.XLIX No. 19 SGAto revise constitution by JO ANN KOTTER Operating on an inadequate and often neglected constitution the SGA is in the process of revising the document to meet the approval of the Loyola administration and Board of Directors of the university. A constitutional revision committee has been created to ameliorate existing problems and consolidate all by-law changes and amendments which have not been incorporated in the existing document since the last convention two years ago. The present SGA administration has been disregarding the constitution because it is inoperative, according to Andy Tipton, chairman of the constitutional revision committee. "The clause on electing the city college delegation constitutes a prejudice that the SGA is not willing to underwrite," added Tipton. The clause requires city college students seeking the presidential or vice-presidential office of their delegation to have completed five full time semesters instead of the normal four. Changes within the constitution itself will be minimal, although most by-law titles will be completely revised. In other areas revision will be more clear and concise. The by-laws are not systematically organized. Tipton said, "They are organized to an extent that they fall under certain catagories but in some cases the catagories themselves are insufficient," certain matter-of-fact clauses will also be clarified, added Tipton. In some areas specifics have been decided, however the committee is still reviewing the titles for further inadequacies. Rev. James C. Carter, Provost has recommended various changes to be made in the by-laws. He is interested in removing duplications of certain SGA and university committees and Increasing the clarity of the situations. Title V, section IV gives the Students Right's committee the power to investigate any situation, decision, document or practice which affects in any way the rights of Loyola students. Fr. Carter wants this clause clarified stating the relationship of this committee to those committees stipulated in the Student Rights and Freedoms document. He said, "the investigative powers of all committees in this section would have to be clarified in the light of consent of the governed' theory on which the constitution is based." In response to Carter's suggestion, Tipton said that the convention will delineate investigative powers and establish a clear distinction between the SGA Student Rights committee and the University Standing Rights and Freedoms committee. Carter wants the constitution to provide a clause which would incorporate the existing agreement between the SGA and the Vice-president of Finance concerning the budget. The committee will provide for the submission of the budget with a clause stating that the Dean of Students will act as bursar. Carter believes that there is a jurisdictional problem in Title VIII of the by-laws, the Loyola Student Judiciary clause. This gives the Student Judicial Court the power to try any Loyola student or organization who may be accused of violating the SGA constitution or by-laws, the date book, parking, student handbook, or general bulletin regulations and posted official notices and official instructions that may be given. Carter said that there are members of the academic community involved in enforcing these regulations. Tipton plans to consider the committee's viabilities and rewrite the Student Judicial Court clause. Title IX is a program for students, administration and faculty cooperation. Carter believes this program to be insufficient and inoperative. This title sets a structured way of communicating with the university community on matters of student activities, student complaints and present or future SGA business. This section will be completely restructures, sa id Tipton. Title X provides for the SGA to unite with the student body and sever all ties with the university if a irreconcilable situation occurs on the Loyola campus which would prove harmful to the academics of Loyola students. This will definitely be abolished because the administration will never approve such a title, since they never foresaw such a situation happening, said Bob Rayhawk, president of the SGA. "It would be a contradiction in terms for the administration of the university to make itself party to this title, which is postulated on a break-down of ties between the SGA and the administration," Carter said. He believes the SGA should formulate some procedures where-by grievences could be resolved. The recent conflict concerning the interpretation of the SGA constitution concerning members' absences from the weekly SGA meetings did not bring about the call for the constitutional convention Rayhawk pointed out. The revision is primarily to incorporate Carter's suggestions and consolidate all new admendments in operation and therefore receive the university's approval. "This is necessary because once the administration approves the constitution and by-laws they are granting the authority that we are stating we have," said Rayhawk. He believes that the intent of the by-laws is clear, however, the mechanics are inadequate. "The criteria used is vague. The word (suspension) as used in the absence clause is not enumerated or defined," Rayhawk added. "The by-laws demonstrate a certain amount of capriciousness and a great deal of nebulosity in the statement of time limits," said Rayhawk. Andy Tipton, A&S delegation president, was appointed chairman by Rayhawk because of his past experiences on the SGA and his knowledge of the amending process. The ten member delegation comprised of mainly presidental appointees are not part of the regular Rayhawk coalition. Most are newly elected members of the SGA who will be the power, responsibility and leadership in the organization next year and will need a thorough understanding of the SGA constitution, said Rayhawk. These people have shown a willingness and eagerness in the SGA and have demonstrated competence to deal with such complicated matters, added Rayhawk. Andy Tipton: familiar with the changing process List of 1973 graduates p. 3 Features: Mel Jvey on music p. 8 Reviews: "Steelyard Blues". p. 13 Sports: Field House series. Part 111 p. 16 Smmm A chance 4w|||;A for community involvement . »ee page 7