Actions by the ASUO Programs Finance Committee have prompted one student organization to file a grievance.
PFC called an emergency meeting last week to make preparations for the coming year. Members elected officers, made amendments to the bylaws and approved the ASUO programs budget packet after minor grammatical changes.
Emerald editor in chief Michael J. Kleckner filed a grievance with the ASUO, complaining that PFC had given no reason for the meeting’s short notice.
Notice for the 8 a.m. emergency meeting was given at 10:23 p.m. the night before, according to the grievance. Under the Oregon Public Meetings Law, officials must include reasons for an emergency session in their meeting minutes.
According to the Clark Document and the ASUO Constitution, PFC is required to follow Oregon Public Meetings Law.
PFC At-Large Kate Shull said the emergency meeting was necessary for two reasons.
First, PFC members wanted to tell student group representatives at an ASUO Programs Council meeting — which took place the day after — who the PFC leadership and assigned tags would be.
Second, Shull said scheduling conflicts between PFC members made it difficult to meet at another time.
Kleckner asked in his grievance for a written explanation of the emergency meeting, including how the meeting business related to the emergency. He also has requested that the explanation be amended to the minutes before approval at the next meeting.
Programs Administrator Vanessa Harris, who handles many grievances regarding ASUO programs, could not be reached for comment.
In other meeting business, PFC announced it will review mission and goals statements for student groups during fall term instead of winter term.
Shull said they based their decision on student group feedback from last year. Groups complained that approving mission and goals took too long and should take place earlier in the process.
PFC Programs Appointee Joy Nair proposed an amendment to the bylaws, changing the date by which PFC must submit a completed budget from Feb. 22 to Feb. 28. The amendment passed unanimously.
PFC also elected new leadership for this year via secret ballot.
Shull was elected chairwoman over other PFC At-Large James Tilford, and Nair was elected vice chairwoman, running unopposed.
Excerpts from the grievance:
“The ASUO Programs Finance Committee held what they called an ’emergency meeting’ at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002. Notice was sent… at 10:23 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002. At the meeting, no mention was made of the ’emergency’ or how the meeting agenda items related to the ’emergency.’
Oregon Public Meetings Law, 192.640 (3), states, ‘No special meeting shall be held without at least 24 hours’ notice…. In case of an actual emergency, a meeting may be held upon such notice as is appropriate to the circumstances, but the minutes for such a meeting shall describe the emergency justifying less than 24 hours’ notice.’”
SOURCE: Michael J. Kleckner
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