Collegian File Photo
A 268-202 student vote added the new executive position, but caused problems between Senators
Associated Students, Inc. failed to pass an updated election code, which would recognize the new position students passed in the recent referendum, in a move President Selena Farnesi called an “embarrassment.”
Students passed a referendum earlier this week creating the position of Vice President of External Affairs. The referendum passed with a 268-202 vote.
In order for it to be recognized as an executive position and abide by campaign policy, the Senate was asked to vote for a new code.
However, three senators had opposing views of the student majority and voted against an updated code.
“I am so embarrassed that it was my Senate that did that,” Farnesi said. “This year we really tried to focus on a body that works together and actually does the right thing, despite their own political opinion ”” I’m sad that it’s not working as well as I want it to.”
Farnesi was able to implement the new code despite opposing views due to the student vote overriding the senators’ wishes.
Sean Kiernan, currently the Senator of Resident Affairs, is one who will be vying for the new position of Vice President of External Affairs. He was present at Thursday’s meeting and shared Farnesi’s sentiment.
“This morning was very frustrating both for me, Selena and the executives ”” really everyone on the Senate ”” because the referendum to create this position passed,” Kiernan said. “What we were trying to do this morning was update our election code for this new position, because our election code doesn’t say anything about this position for people to run for.”
Without the new position in the election code, candidates running for the position wouldn’t have to abide by campaign rules that other executive positions must follow.
Senator Jose Luis Nava wasn’t physically present at the meeting, but contributed his disproval in the new code by voting against it over a phone conference.
Nava said that ASI could have better advertised the election which only attracted 470 voters, and said the new code needs to amend its bylaws to allow more advertising for a larger voter outcome.
“I believe that here, at Fresno State, our elections are very limited,” said Nava. “Other CSU campuses are more, I guess you can say, democratic in the essence of campaigning.”
However, since petitions for positions have to be available 60 days prior to the election, no amendment could be made to make the Friday deadline.
Along with Nava, Senators Victoria Partida and Oscar Perez also voted no to the new code but wouldn’t comment on why.
Senator Breannah Evans was late to the 7 a.m. meeting, and was forced to give up voting rights, while Senators Parmita Choudhury and Fernando Moreno were both absent.
Farnesi expressed her frustration to the Senate in an e-mail that The Collegian obtained.
“I hope that each of you will think strongly about why you are a Senator and what it means to be a responsible representative of students as well as a responsible steward of the organization,” said Farnesi.
Despite three senators voting no, and three senators not present for the voting, the new code will be implemented. Farnesi still hopes to get the new code passed by the senators as well as other bylaws and policy votes in next Wednesday’s Senate meeting.
Marc Cohn • Feb 3, 2012 at 11:23 am
Homie in the blue sweater looks depressed. Seriously, every shot i see of him in Collegian or at the ASI meetings even on youtube he surely has characteristics of a luna-ticking time bomb ready to snap.
Curious • Feb 1, 2012 at 9:29 am
Victoria Partida,
I understand that you want to represent the students, but as a Senator, it was all of your responsibilities to get more students to vote. Unfortunately such a small amount of students voted, but that is the students fault. Students were told about the vote MANY times. I am a student, and I received at least 2 emails about it. However, voting on the election code has nothing to do with that. Voting no on the election code does not eliminate the position that the students voted yes for. So please explain to me, what is it that you are trying to gain from voting no on an election code? Since the election code is just giving guidelines as to how this position may run, not if the position may run.
Also, who are your constituents? I have never seen you around campus before, and I believe every senator has constituents that they are supposed to present themselves in front of. What students are you representing while voting no on this election code?
Victoria Partida • Jan 31, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Referendums passed by ASI should be a reflection of the whole student body, not merely small segments. Holding strong to such a principle is the equivalent of supporting a fair and just democratic system. However, the hate and vitriol expressed by Ms. Farnesi, as well as the Collegian staff, show widespread distaste for democracy; the words against my fellow senators and I, from both Ms. Farnesi and the Fresno State Collegian, were malicious and misguided. As a senator who voted against the updated election code, I believe I have fulfilled my duty by representing the students who were opposed to the position of Vice President of External Affairs. Ms. Farnesi has stated that it was “irresponsible” to have voted no, but I beg to differ”“voting “yes” would have been irresponsible. In light of the continuous fee increases, I stood with students who opposed yet another ASI paid position, and I will continue to stand with them. I swore an oath to represent the voice of the students in its entirety. I strongly urge Ms. Farnesi to remember the oath she swore to before she resorts to hate and child-like pettiness.
Thank You,
Victoria Partida
Senator of Activities, Fresno State ASI
Student • Jan 31, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Jose Nava,
Why would you say 570? If you can do math, 470 students voted.
Jose Luis Nava • Jan 27, 2012 at 5:25 am
You misquoted me I said “570”.
thanks