Constitution ratified

With elections rapidly approaching, an emergency congress of the IU Student Association scrambled Wednesday night to ratify a new constitution for the student body to vote upon. \nMeeting after the basketball game for about an hour, IUSA congress put the finishing touches on a constitution that will be included on the ballot as a referendum vote. A majority of the students who vote must approve the constitution for it to be enacted.\nThe fundamental difference between the proposed constitution and the existing one is mainly concerning the inner workings of IUSA. Junior Paul Musgrave, IUSA deputy director of student rights and original author of the proposed constitution, said the changes are mainly internal but there are added benefits for students who are not part of IUSA.\n"The biggest change is that this constitution respects separation of powers," he said. "Also, it is easier to read, allowing for greater understanding of IUSA."\nMusgrave said another change benefitting IUSA is how seats in congress are not specifically appropriated.\n"The apportionment of seats not being specific makes this document more flexible," he said. "New schools are created, and this constitution allows for more flexibility if that happens. It easily accommodates changes."\nGraduate students are still included in the new constitution, but the focus on schools will help graduate concerns be voiced.\nSenior James Motter, chair of the constitutional committee, said the proposed constitution gives power to the schools and students.\n"This constitution views IUSA through the school perspective," he said. "Each degree-granting unit is given a seat in congress so no school's interests are hurt."\nMotter added that the proposed guidelines give IUSA a stronger voice.\n"It doesn't make IUSA stronger in comparison to other student groups," he said. "However, it does give us more power relative to administration. It makes administration easier to access and lobby for change."\nJunior Charles Kuntz, IUSA College of Arts and Sciences representative, said the new constitution is needed but shouldn't be hurried.\n"I disagree with the constitution being rushed through so it can be put on the ballot for this election," he said. "If what it takes is another year to perfect it, then that is what we should take."\nAlthough he disagreed with the pace that the new constitution was passed through IUSA, Kuntz is confident the students will ratify the guidelines.\n"I anticipate the students to vote for the new constitution," he said. "Traditionally, only 12 to 16 percent of the student body votes, and those who do are familiar with IUSA and the tickets. They will approve the new constitution because of the benefits that IUSA will receive."\nThe constitution was passed with no debate and by well more than the two-thirds majority needed.\n"Even though there was no debate (last night), there has been a months-long informal process and a month-long process to debate (the new constitution)," Musgrave said. "The new constitution isn't perfect -- no document is -- but it comes a good deal closer to perfection than any other constitution in the Big Ten, and incredibly closer than the current document, which is virtually unreadable"