UA to hold 2nd convention

Under the direction of a new moderator, the Undergraduate Assembly will continue to debate student government's functions and structure at its second constitutional convention Sunday. UA Chairperson Duchess Harris moderated last month's meeting, which some student leaders complained was unproductive because it was mired in details. Following last month's meeting, Harris selected Thomas Goldstein, director of the American Association of University Students, to moderate the convention. At Sunday's meeting, the 33 convention delegates will divide into brainstorming groups to propose possible alternatives to the current government system. In addition, the delegates will examine the relationship between student government and the University administration and to identify the actual power that student government wields. Goldstein, who is not a University student, said last night that the current undergraduate government structure needs improvement, but added that he is confident that the convention will result in positive changes. Goldstein said that the convention may encounter difficulties because of the number of student leaders involved, whom he said may all want to pursue their own agendas. "It is like a ship with 40 admirals, and that it is not conducive to good decision-making," he said. But he added that he believes the leaders will work together. Goldstein has been the moderator for several projects similar to the constitutional convention at other universities including Boston University and Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

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