The Falcon   |   Volume 83, Issue 52

Published 5/22/13   |   Log In

Senate tables proposed SMC Bylaw changes

By CHRISTINE COOK, Assistant News Editor

Published: May 16, 2012

After a heated debate last week, the Associated Students of Seattle Pacific Senate agreed to indefinitely table Bylaw changes in the Student Ministry Coordinator Program.

Vice President of Ministries senior Courtney Farance said there were multiple reasons the Bylaw was tabled.

She said there was a lack of communication with Dr. Stephen Newby, director of University Ministries.

“[Dr. Newby] hadn’t seen the proposal or approved of it, which is a big problem,” Farance said.

Farance also took the upcoming change in university leadership into consideration. Dr. Daniel Martin, Seattle Pacific president-elect, should be referred to, she said.

The updated purpose statement presented read, “The purpose of the SMC program is to create a safe space for all members of the residence halls regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation by establishing a tone of grace, love, honor and respect through the integrity of our lifestyles and collaboration of other ministries.”

Last week, Vice President of Finance junior Nate Strong felt that the language used in the proposed mission statement for the SMC program was prickly.

After conversations with various faculty members, Farance discovered that the anti- discriminatory terms used in the proposed changes were not in line with SPU’s policy.

“The Bylaw change could definitely use some polishing,” Farance said. “We could [be making] a statement that we don’t want to make.”

After speaking with Residence Life, those in charge of the Bylaw changes discovered that “safe space” also wasn’t the appropriate term to use.

“There was conversation about ‘safe space’ and what it means to the [peer adviser] program and even on other campuses,” Farance said. “We decided that ‘safe space’ isn’t the best term to use.”

Farance said that instead of making a hasty decision, she would prefer that leadership work collaboratively next year with the right people to make the appropriate Bylaw changes.

Executive Vice President junior Alyssa Sutherland encouraged those at Senate who are continuing in leadership next year to carry on the goal of working on the SMC Bylaws.

In other news:

• Senate approved $1,728.25 for Leadership Kickoff, which will be held June 1 in Royal Brougham Pavilion.

The event, which will include dinner, is a way for all student leaders to gather together, Strong said.

“It provides the ability to cast vision for next year and [have] a lot of fun in the process,” he said. “We’re able to pray over next year’s leaders and send them into the summer with tools to get ready for the next year.”

ASSP will spend $1,478.25 on catering for 250 guests through Sodexo, and $250 will go to Plant Services.

• Senate passed Bylaw changes for vice president of ministries and vice president of campus activities, which had been held for a week of academic consideration.

© 2008-2010 The Falcon        Contact        Advertise        SPU.edu