Because there are empty positions on university senate and Student Affairs Council (SAC), Miami University's Associated Student Government (ASG) is working on legislation that would make the positions more desirable to students and easier to fill.
According to ASG Executive Vice President Ben Lingeman, the positions that aren't filled are the student at-large positions. Lingeman said there are three at-large positions on SAC and 10 available on university senate, and only about half are filled on each.
With the current system, undergraduate students who are interested in running for university senate or SAC need to get a petition from ASG. The petition requires 135 undergraduate student signatures. Once the student has 135 signatures he or she can then run for election.
When ASG votes on legislation within the next week, the number of signatures needed may be reduced to 35, which is the number that off-campus senators need in order to run for election. SAC had problems filling seats last April and only four students ran for university senate at-large positions last year.
While students are usually elected in the spring, it does not matter what time of year a student runs when positions are available.
Currently, spots are still open on both university senate and SAC for undergraduates and any student can run for these yearlong positions.
Members of university senate represent different organizations and academic departments, with approximately 70 faculty members, administrators, the ASG President and students filling positions. University senate deals with issues that are of an academic nature.
SAC has faculty and administrators as members, but is largely comprised of undergraduate students. SAC deals with all issues that are outside of academic policy. This includes changes in Miami's constitution, student handbook, alcohol policies, parking policies and student organizations.
"135 signatures can be quite daunting," said Jens Sutmöller, off-campus student senator "It is discouraging to students who are just throwing around the idea of running for a position."
Sutmöller did not consider the unfilled positions to be an immediate problem, because last year's students are filling in the spots temporarily until others can be selected.
"We just want to create participation above what we already have," Sutmöller said.
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Lingeman also said he did not consider the unfilled spots a dilemma.
Another piece of legislation that may be passed Tuesday will allow students to hold positions on both university senate and SAC. According to Sutmöller, students have already been serving on both, yet it is technically not allowed by current ASG bylaws. Because of precedent, neither Sutmöller nor Lingeman see students sitting on both as a problem.
Lingeman believes that students can also handle the responsibility of both.
"Student Affairs Council only meets when needed," Lingeman said. "Usually that's only once or twice a month - sometimes less.
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