Dog Days of Summer
Some people said that Calstuff would have nothing to write about, since there is no ASUC news over the summer. Well, it is clear that they were wrong.
Last semester’s Judicial Council has been called upon for a new hearing, Daryani v. ASUC Senate. The hearing revolves around a new GA/ASUC Memorandum of Understanding, passed the week after Spring Break on the Consent Calendar by the Senate. Of course, this MOU contained provisions to amend the ASUC Constitution and the relationship between the ASUC and GA. (Note: This was, of course, when I was off in England for Spring Break. Figures.)
So, the lawsuit looks to overturn the most important parts of the MOU, which include:
- Allowing the GA to appoint 3 members of the Judicial Council
- Allowing the GA to appoint the Assistant Elections Council Chair
- Re-calculating the amount that the ASUC owes to $30,000 for past elections and 22% of future elections. The actual amount, depending on who you ask, ranges from $36,000 to $92,000.
This raises an important question: does the ASUC Constitution protect against stupidity? If the Senate gives its power away voluntarily, does it override the provisions of balance of power already in existence?
In any event, JC Chair Bobby Gregg has already issued a preliminary injunction freezing $92,000 worth of funds from the GA. When the hearing is held, we’ll let you all know the details. A copy of the proposed MOU will be uploaded later as well.
Let’s hope that with a fresh CalSERVE and hopefully a new Student Action the same mistakes of years past will not be repeated.
Maybe we should have made the GA autonomous. Can the senate just do that on its own? We shouldn’t have to pay them anything besides their own student fees.
Comment by Anonymous — July 4, 2005 @ 1:36 am
In the real world, the U.S. Legislatures can’t delegate their own powers like this. The balance of power isn’t just there to protect the Senate itself, it’s there to protect the whole matzo ball.
Comment by holohan — July 4, 2005 @ 2:11 pm
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In the real world, the U.S. Legislatures can’t delegate their own powers like this. The balance of power isn’t just there to protect the Senate itself, it’s there to protect the whole matzo ball.
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Sorry Holohan. If you’ve read Mike Davis’s comments ad infinitum as I have, you’ll realize that the Berkeley J-Council does not pay attention to constitutional arguments or common sense. It’s not fair for J-Council to ignore constitutional arguments when it hurts the GA or CalServe, but suddenly bring these arguments up when it might help the GA. Total judicial hackery…
Comment by jonp — July 4, 2005 @ 10:59 pm
Well, I don’t want to get too deep into this tiring discussion, so I guess I’ll just mention the minor detail that Matt Holohan and Mike Davis are different people.
Comment by B.A.D. — July 4, 2005 @ 11:21 pm
In the real world…
EXACTLY JON! The ASUC senate isn’t real, nor the ASUC, to any significant measure. ASUC people should stop pretending they’re playing “assembly” or “Supreme Court”, graduate and do something useful and productive with their lives.
Comment by Anonymous — July 5, 2005 @ 12:42 am
Sorry, that was holohan’s post. My mistake.
Comment by Anonymous — July 5, 2005 @ 12:43 am
people who post on calstuff should do something real with their lives!
Comment by Crazyguy! — July 5, 2005 @ 2:50 pm
People who insult people who post on calstuff should do something real with their lives!
Comment by Anonymous — July 5, 2005 @ 6:07 pm