TTP , I COTT - ,TITUTION - AT,T
If yoi' wanted to characterize the present school year
in one word, the most appropriate vorde would be am
biguity. By far the most ambiguous word thrown ar
ound this campus recently is CONSTITUTION. What hap
pened?...Why did it happen?...What is being done now?
These are just a few of the questions many of the stu
dents are asking themselves. They are forced to ask
themselves for no one else seems to know. To help dis
sipate the ever growing cloud of confusion concerning
this new constitution; what follows is a summary of
what has happened concerning the document beginning
Spring Term 1967.
Practically one year ago today, elections were held for
the office of President of the SGA for the upcoming
year and the Vice-President and Treasurer were also to
be selected at this time. Under the 1964 Constitution
which was in effect, the President, Vice-President and
Treasurer were to be selected from the four "carry-over"
members. As it turned out, only two of the four members
would be enrolled as full-time students for an entire
school year.
only two candidates available.
tion several students pushed, shoved and finally rati-
fled an amendment which would allow students (other
than "carry-overs") to run for the office of President.
Under this amendment the elections wereheld and Ron
Batchelor, Bill Benko and John Jackson were elected.
The events that followed the election have led to all
of the confusion present today.
The Committee on Student Affairs reviewed the amend , .
ment and found it to be unconstitutional in many re
spects. At the SGA meeting held during the summer,
the committee formally declared the amendment uncon
stitutional and also revoked the 1964 constitution,
partly because of ambiguous phrasing. Therefore,be
cause the amendment was unconstitutional so then was
the election; but the committee realized the need for After tedious counting, the results were
stildent leadersacted quickly and responsibly. Using factual at 6:50 late Wednesday. In the Student
the election as a basis, the committee appointed Ron Body President race, Arnie Caldwell was on top
Batchelor as President, Bill Benko as Vice-President andfor that hard fought position. Arnie, who is
John Jackson as Treasurer. The other SGA positions to treasurer now, campaigned on his experience, and
be filled by applicants who would be screened and ap- his plans for Behrend in relation to its fututre
pointed by Student Affairs. The committee also reques
ted that the new SGA begin the writing of a new consti
tlytlon as soon as possible.
Thns the school year (1967-68) began without a consti
t7ition and with offscers appointed by Student Affairs.
As soon as the SGA had its full compliment of members
a committee was formed to write a new constitution.
In the fell.c.•Ti.)-17 months the Constiti , tionai Commit-tee
worlred dilicrertly to prepare a workable and acceptable
doci'ment - Ulat , 7ould best fit the needs of an expanding
campus. After much dl.sc , Jssion and review the SGA pro
posed that the constitution be sent to the Student Af-
fairs Office for ratification. This took place at the
February 22, 1968 meeting of the SGA.
Now you ask - why don't we have a constitution by now
it has been at least three months? I can safely say
that a group of students cannot write a perfect con
stitution. Because of the students' inexperience there
were many essential points that they did not realize
were necessary. These students, along with the help of
the faculty and the Student Affairs Committee, are wor
king to make this document as perfect as possible - and
prefection takes time.
There were three positions to fill and
Because of this situa.-
I have heard a few students state that the non-stu
dent members of the Student Affairs Committee are
trying to kill the constitution by drowning it in
time. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and
as a member of this committee I can testify to this
fact.
This is where the constitution stands now, in the
hands of Student Affiars. There is only one more
section of the constitution to be reviewed and rat
ified by the committee and after this is done rat
ification seems inevitable.
I hope that through this article students will have
a better understanding of the events occuring on
campus. Look for another article next week.
Wind torn, rainswept posters and sighs of
relief on the part of both the winners
and losers are all that remain after a week
of hard campaigning for the May 15th SGA
elections. An Election Cumillittee composed of
Ron Batchelor, Mike Kosares, Sherry Mayer, Bill
McCloud and Dianne Regan deserve many thanks
for their fine effort in setting down proceedures
running the election, and counting ballots.
Preceeding the Election Day, speeches were to be
heard during the common hour in the Reed Lecture
hall. A poor showing did not discourage the can
didates. They moved their speeches to the
cafeteria longe to reach a larger part of
the Student Body.
In the election for Treasurer, Jim Burger pulled
ahead in what might be called on of the biggest
landslides in Behrend's election history. Jim
campaigned on his knowledge of the difficult
office and willingness to work in filling it.
The election of the off-campus representatives
proved the most interesting race, since all of
the candidates appeared on about half of the
ballots. Those pulling in the leading four
positions were: Gary Lacovick, Claudia White,
Deann Balmer and Paula Ignasiak.
Congratulations are in order to all of the
winners for their efforts and willingness to serve
next year's Student Body.
All candidates wish to express
their sincere thanks to all
student voters who made the
Election a success.
Bill Benko
SGA ELECTIONS
Concetta Rizzo