The ASUO Senate heard from an advocate against the University’s proposed development along the Willamette River and reexamined its rules of operation at its last meeting of the 2010 Summer Session Wednesday night.
Nathan Howard, ASUO environmental advocate, raised the issue of the Oregon Research Institute’s new possible building on the riverfront. He referenced resolutions made by Senates in past years requesting student voice in the discussion and recommended this Senate do something similar.
“It’s a new Senate,” Howard said. “Last year’s Senate took a stand on this issue.”
Sen. Ian Fielding referenced the positive qualities that the ORI brought to the community. He said that it would not be taking up much space (1.66 acres) and would present 120 parking spots.
Howard did not negate the positives and said he was not against the development entirely, just that he hoped for more student voice and transparency in the decision.
“Students love the open space,” he said. “(The two-story building) doesn’t utilize the space like a several story building with an underground parking facility.”
Sen. Blake Sedgley agreed with the sentiment.
“If you just like, build a Jaqua Center next to the Willamette, it’ll look retarded,” Sedgley said.
Howard said he would work with Connecting Eugene, an organization opposing the development, to develop a resolution by Friday to be discussed at Senate’s next meeting on Wednesday, the first official session of the 2010-11 school year.
When some Senators felt that conversation was being bogged down by Robert’s Rules, Senate’s list of formal procedures, Sen. Chris Bocchicchio moved to abandon them for the rest of the meeting. Sen. Jeremy Blanchard moved to begin an ad hoc method of dealing with bylaws.
“‘Robert’s Rules’ is really hard to read,” he said. “(It should be) something less strict than bylaws, and more strict than just motions.”
Blanchard chaired a meeting of the rules committee immediately following Senate to discuss possible changes.
There were no representatives for the special requests from the Assault Prevention Shuttle or the Survival Center.
The Oregon Voice requested $265 to pay for telephone service, which was approved by the Senate.
“It sounds like a pretty reasonable request,” Bocchicchio said.
Campus & Federal Politics
[email protected]