The student government’s new Recognition Review Committee, which has already approved the mission, goals and bylaws of almost 25 student fee-funded programs, went under review Tuesday by the ASUO Constitution Court.
Led by Chief Justice Tony McCown, the court questioned RRC Chairman and Programs Administrator David Goward about the committee’s recently created by-laws. Since the beginning of the term, the ASUO Executive has not required the committee to have an official mission, goals and bylaws. Instead, it was governed by one of former ASUO President Adam Petkun’s memos.
Goward announced at the beginning of the hearing that “it is (the Executive’s) opinion that bylaws are not required for this committee,” and that creating them is merely an attempt to be transparent and consistent with other programs and governing bodies within student government.
The RRC has passed all 18 of the 24 reviewed groups contingent on the groups updating or revising their by-laws in accordance with an ASUO rules template. Remaining groups will be heard this or the following week. Thirty-six total programs are scheduled for review this year.
The RRC decides whether the Executive will recognize student groups by ensuring services aren’t duplicated and that they are beneficial to students. Only groups that are recognized by the Executive are allowed entrance to the Programs Finance Committee process, where incidental fees are allocated.
McCown said Tuesday he looked into whether approval of the template itself by the court is necessary.
Justice Charlotte Nisser asked why the committee decided to create by-laws if it believes it’s not required.
Goward said the committee should be consistent with other ASUO programs and governing bodies.
“To work better with student groups and to respond to not only to this court, but to program concerns, we have drafted these bylaws to clearer state our position,” he said.
Goward told the court that he revised the by-laws to ease concerns voiced while the Executive was creating the committee. He said he also allotted 72 hours starting last Friday for programs to give feedback and suggest changes to the committee’s bylaws. Only minor wording changes were made after a suggestions from Student Senate Ombudsman Jared Axelrod.
ASUO President Adam Walsh and the RRC approved the bylaws on Monday.
Goward said the ASUO is looking into fully incorporating the RRC into the Green Tape Notebook, the official rules and regulations guide for student government.
Also at the hearing, the Constitution Court heard a petition from Axelrod, who represented the entire Senate. Rahmat Rahmat, who was elected by the student body in the spring, has not yet attended any of the five Senate meetings or made it to his office hours. The Green Tape Notebook states that two absences constitute non-fullfillment of duties, which is punishable by removal of elected position.
All Constitution Court decisions will be publicized in the next seven days.

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