Student Government introduces new amendments, announces VP vacancy

Student Government announced that Vice President of Administration Jessica Armstrong stepped down Oct. 4. Applications for a new VP have opened.

The applications for VP close Oct. 25 and presentations for the nominees will take place Nov. 1 during the SG general Assembly meeting.Voting for VP of Administration nominees open Nov. 1 at 11:30 and voting ends Nov.8. 

Those interested in applying for the VP of Administration can apply here. 

The executive council did not comment on the vacancy.

Additionally, two new amendments to the SG constitution were introduced after a period of time when submissions were allowed. SG President Joe Contreras submitted both Amendments Sept. 30 and were presented at the Oct. 3 student government general assembly meeting.

Amendment 1 is a proposal to change what constitutes quorum. Currently, quorum is defined in the constitution as the following: “A simple majority of recognized organization representatives who choose to participate in SG (50% +1) shall constitute a quorum for conducting official business.”

The amendment would change quorum’s definition in the constitution to the following: “Quorum: A quorum is required for Student Government to conduct business. The Student Government at the University of Houston-Clear Lake defines a quorum as a simple majority (50% +1) of elected and appointed Executive Council, Senate, Directors, and Student Government Shared Governance Committee members who are actively fulfilling the duties of the role within Student Government.”

The rationale for the amendment was it is imperative to redefine quorum in order for Student Government to conduct business effectively.

Amendment 2 is a proposal to change the Student Life Office’s name to Office of Student Involvement and Leadership in the constitution.

The rationale for this amendment was that the amendment allows the Student Government Constitution to have accurate office and department names.

Both amendments must now sit on the floor for 30 days before being voted on.