So I’m not the only one that thinks OASIS should be open 24/7.

After further review and a hearing on the complaint filed by Paul Ruddle, the Elections Committee of the Student Government Association in a majority decision decided that the Proposed Constitution of the Student Government Association did not meet the requirements of 10% for ratification. Therefore, the decision stands that the proposed constitution has failed and will not take effect.

For the backstory, see here.

As surprising as this is, maybe this is a positive step forward for the new SGA administration. By having some sort of accountability, some in SGA (read: not President Peper or VP Suber) have shown they want to make SGA a stronger, more student-friendly organization.

But, I think we should all be disappointed in the representation of a few. Outgoing SGA President Peper and VP Suber tried to cover up this matter, deceive students, and were extremely upset that their opinions weren’t final. If they had had their way, the students’ opinions would have been foregone, in the name of what is best for students.

PS – You heard it first at Hatin’ SGA.

The question here is that the SGA Constitution requires 10% of the students to vote in a “special election” for the SGA Constitution, before the Constitution can be approved.

So, how many students voted in the election? Well, it depends what the definition of “special election” is, Mr. Clinton.
Here are the official results of the SGA Election (referendums only):

To me, the SGA Constitution did not pass. Only 2,888 students voted, below the needed 10%. This is more like 8%.
But SGA officials contend that 3,662 students total voted ANYWHERE on the ballot, and thus, the Constitution was approved (and 3,662 is just barely 10%). Some students, it seems, voted only for candidates (probably their friends, brothers, or sisters) and didn’t bother to vote on any of the referendums.

Who knows if this is true? Only the SGA and the UGA administration, it seems. Both are refusing to supply the election results and final vote tallies to anyone who asks. The SGA website says the following:

***More accurate statistical information will soon be available. [see here]

I think this is completely wrong, and I encourage students to act. Do not let narrow-minded SGA officials try and squeeze through approval of their precious Constitution.

Click here to send an email to all members of the Elections Committee, and tell them you disagree with the new SGA Constitution being approved.

“Basically, it’s a real big circle jerk of people padding each others’ resumes.”

HA! I would challenge the R&B to print that as their quote of the week!

PS – In case you didn’t understand the term circle jerk, Wikipedia has this to say:

“The terms ‘mutual masturbation’ and ‘circle jerk’ are sometimes used as vulgar metaphors. They can refer to a situation, often in the workplace, politics or academia, where people are stroking each other’s ego without producing anything of value.”

What a fitting definition.  SGA, not producing anything of value???  No…

See it? Right there beneath the ‘amendment or issue’ box, there is a link to ugasga.org with the text “To view the SGA Constitution or other SGA information, click here to visit ugasga.org.”

Curious students click on the link, and it takes them to SGA’s homepage. And on SGA’s homepage… a desperate plea for you to vote to continue SGA.

This one is simple. We want you to make sure you vote “YES” to keep SGA working for you.

This is rather improper. Someone decided to add this link to the ballot, and it links to an SGA homepage where the SGA Prex and VP beg you to vote in their favor.

It is completely unethical that while you are voting, someone (SGA) tells you how to vote.

That, and there isn’t even a link to the new SGA Constitution on the page. It is buried in the news section, where you have to click 3 additional links to get to it and download it (in Word format, which students might not have access to).

This is a serious problem for the SGA Election, and it completely compromises the election’s integrity.

SGA is hosting a “Rock the Vote” campaign from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Thursday in Tate Plaza. Local musicians Atticus Hicks and Allison Weiss will play.

This event is an SGA run event, and as such, shouldn’t be associated with the SOS Party.

But, like usual, it seems there is a little behind-the-scenes, insider action going on.

Allison Weiss, one of the musicians performing at the “Rock the Vote”, works for the SOS Party. She is their webmaster. Nothing like a little free exposure, and maybe some album sales, for working for the SGA insiders.

You judge for youself, but this reeks of cronyism.

*Update*

To make this look even more like cronyism, Allison Weiss made a Facebook event for the “Rock the Vote” Rally (which is tomorrow, R&B wrong again). And under the description:

I’ll have CDs and shit for sale so hell yeah for that.

Crony-what?

Peach Pundit

I’m interested in anything else that the Peach Pundit writers might have to say about this situation.

It seems that our venerable SGA President Jamie Peper is having some problems with her communication (one of her administration’s three main points) skills as of late. She sent this email out over quite a few campus organization listservs today:

*Vote Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday on OASIS in Student Body Elections!*

Take the time to make your voice heard. This year vote on:
- The Collegiate Readership Program
- Student Senators who represent you to your college and dean
- A Student Body President and Vice President who will represent your views to the administration .
- A SGA Constition that makes SGA a more effective and productive body

For more information about this year’s Referendums, candidates, and the roles of your elected representatives please check out www.uga.edu/sga and to vote please visit OASIS.

It seems that if you were trying to save your organization and trying to communicate effectively with our campus’ 33,000+ students, you would make an effort at using spell check and grammar check. Wow, just wow.