Schorr, Debicella debate future of UA constitution

Amidst prolonged debate about constitutional reform, two Undergraduate Assembly leaders remain diametrically opposed about the future structure of student government. UA representative and College senior Dan Schorr claims that an effective student government must be unified. But for UA Chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella, other branches of student government should be left alone. In recent weeks, the UA newsgroup, upenn.undergraduate-assembly, has been a forum for concerned students and UA members alike to discuss ideas to reform the existing constitution. Schorr posted his proposal for the constitution on the newsgroup earlier this week. Schorr said his proposal involves significant changes that include two other branches of student government besides the UA -- the Nominations and Elections Committee and the Student Activities Council. Regarding NEC, Schorr said that as of now,"elected people aren't deciding what opinions are represented on the University committees, and that's a problem." NEC Chairperson and College senior Rick Gresh said the NEC is an apolitical group and therefore cannot disclose their opinions on the issue. "It will be NEC's responsibility to run the election if anything changes," he said. "But we respect the right of the student body to change what they want to change." "We believe very strongly in students' rights," Gresh added. Schorr said another component of the proposal involves placing the SAC Finance committee under the UA. The UA would take on full responsibility for funding recommendations to student groups. "Student funds aren't being allocated by democratically elected people," Schorr said. "They are elected by the SAC body and not by students at the University." He added that, according to his proposal, there would be one student government, while the remaining branches -- the Social Planning and Events Committee, Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, and Class Boards -- would become SAC-type student groups. Schorr said he believes the newly-formed student government's increased power will encourage better people to run for the positions. Debicella, however, said the problem lies not with the members, but with the UA's internal election structure. Schorr agrees with Debicella that internal structure needs to be dealt with, and said he sees a two-part solution to the problem. "One is by election reform and one is by UA Steering better utilizing resources," Schorr said. "Both [aspects] have to be dealt with." Debicella said he believes Schorr's idea to create a one-student government is not necessary, and that the other branches of student government do not need to be changed. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said Debicella. "For SAC and NEC to be disbanded –– that's like throwing the baby out with the bath-water." He added that the UA's main job does not include funding or nominations, but rather student advocacy. Debicella also said he supports the inclusion of a supremacy clause in the new Constitution. "Any action taken by [the other branches of] student government can be overturned by the UA," he said. "It wouldn't affect the workings of the other branches." Currently, however, SAC and SCUE are autonomous branches and do not need to look toward UA for final approval on decisions their organization makes. Referring to the reform process, Debicella said time will tell on its success. "How far this goes, we will see –– it's been tried in the past," he said.

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