Associated Student, Inc. senators had cell phones visible at
Wednesday’s meeting after just passing an updated Senator
Expectations Policy that prohibits devices that allow outside
communication at Senate meetings.
James Ramirez / The Collegian

Associated Students, Inc. senators violated an updated Senator Expectations Policy they had passed just minutes prior at Wednesday’s Senate meeting.

Noting several senators with cell phones visible, Executive Vice President Craig Parks had to remind senators that devices that allow outside communication are prohibited during Senate meetings.

“You guys literally just passed a Senator Expectations Policy that states you will not have devices out during meetings,” Parks said. “So please put your phones away while in meeting.”

A 13-1 vote had updated the policy, with Jose Luis Nava being the only vote against an update.

A representative for Nava wouldn’t comment on what was wrong with the update that caused Nava to vote against it. Senators William Daly, Parmita Choudhury and Breannah Evans were not present at Wednesday’s meeting.

Referring to the three senators absent at Wednesday’s meeting, Farnesi said an updated bylaw and policy that passed at the Feb. 1 Senate meeting allows senators to miss two meetings.

“Once you miss two, your spot is considered vacant,” said Farnesi.

Farnesi also said that if a spot becomes vacant, she would replace the senator.

“Each of them will have one absence now, some of them might already have had one previously,” said Farnesi. “So we’ll have to check the attendance and see who is now in violation and who is not.”

Senators Oscar Perez, Victoria Partida and Jose Luis Nava were also asked by Parks to be quiet during the meeting after they disrupted a presentation by Senator Kevin Boles and student activist Neil O’Brien regarding parking tickets.

“Senator Perez, Partida and Nava, please be more respectful to our presenters in the future ”” chattering and laughing amongst yourself isn’t professional,” Parks said.

The next regularly scheduled Senate meeting is Feb. 29 at 4 p.m. in the University Student Union Room 312-314.