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| ASUI should learn from its mistakes |
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| Written by T.R. | ||||||
| Friday, 07 October 2005 | ||||||
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At the ASUI senate meeting Wednesday, the senate introduced a
resolution and a bill regarding last week’s open meeting law violation.
The resolution reprimanded sen. Travis Shofner for disclosing
information to The Argonaut, and the bill proposed a change in the ASUI
constitution, eliminating the need to follow Idaho law in senate
meetings. These actions are inappropriate and inexcusable. While the resolution against Shofner did not pass, it should not have been introduced in the first place. In admitting to The Argonaut that an executive session moved from appropriate discussion of personnel issues and into illegal territory (discussing the imminent death of Vandal Taxi), Shofner did the right thing. He admitted a mistake, something politicians need to do far more often. By telling The Argonaut what happened in the meeting, he allowed his constituents — University of Idaho students — to know what their governing body was discussing without student input. ASUI does, after all, deal with students’ funds. Shofner should be commended for his honest actions, not chastised. The bill, which has been sent to the ASUI Rules and Regulations committee for further discussion, is not illegal. ASUI does not have to adhere to the same rules as state government bodies, but it chose to by adding “all ASUI senate meetings shall be … in accordance with Idaho Code, which deals with the open meeting laws” to its constitution. Agreeing to adhere to these laws made ASUI a more viable, responsible and transparent political body. Members of the ASUI senate are gaining real-life political experience, and if they want to be considered real politicians, they should be held accountable in real-life political situations. Every state has an open meeting law, and out of college, at any level of government, ASUI senators will have to deal with these issues. Amending its constitution to remove the obligation to follow these laws would lessen ASUI’s legitimacy. It seems this bill is in reaction to The Argonaut’s article and editorial regarding the open meeting law violation. It is the media’s job to act as a “fourth estate” and keep check on governing bodies, and The Argonaut did just that. Rather than trying to change its rules to avoid further mistakes being revealed, ASUI should learn from its mistakes and do right by the students in the future. Chris Dockrey, ASUI presidential policy adviser, said the bill “won’t affect ASUI’s openness to student input and involvement.” This is a false statement. By shutting students and the media out of sessions where ASUI discusses matters pertinent to students, ASUI is definitely affecting input and involvement. If students can’t hear discussions and the media can’t report on them, how will students know what is going on and be able to speak up about it? After all, “Associated Students of the University of Idaho” means all students, not just the senate. UI students, before your chance to know what your student politicians discuss is gone, say your piece. Congratulate Shofner for his integrity and encourage senators not to pass the bill reversing a good decision. Don’t let ASUI shut you out of meetings that matter to you, your money and your university. T.R.  Add as favorites (17) | Views: 769
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