[302] in UA Senate
Re: 41 UAS 5.4 - ASA Bylaws
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Paul Baranay)
Sun Nov 15 15:08:33 2009
In-Reply-To: <9d4f87ed0911151152y327fab06ke6cfd1caf706cbce@mail.gmail.com>
From: Paul Baranay <pbaranay@MIT.EDU>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:01:23 -0500
To: hwkns@mit.edu
Cc: Rachel Meyer <remeyer@mit.edu>, ua-senate@mit.edu
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Hawkins is correct (as is the agenda).
- Paul
On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Daniel Hawkins <hwkns@mit.edu> wrote:
> Isn't it a majority to bring it off the table and 2/3 to pass?
>
> -hwkns
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 9:08 AM, Rachel Meyer <remeyer@mit.edu> wrote:
>
>> Hey everyone,
>> I just wanted to bring this thread up again to see if anyone has any
>> additional questions after the last meeting. As you can see from the
>> agenda, I plan on trying to bring this off the table and it needs a
>> 2/3rds vote to come off the table and a 2/3rds vote to pass.
>> -Rachel
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 7:06 PM, Paul Baranay <pbaranay@mit.edu> wrote:
>> > Tim,
>> >
>> > The answer to your question is, in short, yes. Changing the ASA Bylaws
>> is
>> > intentionally made to be difficult, and intentionally requires approval
>> from
>> > both the UA and the GSC. This is because the Bylaws are, for the ASA,
>> the
>> > highest and most fundamental document. They define the basics of what
>> the
>> > ASA is and does, and are not intended to change frequently.
>> > (http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-bylaws.html)
>> >
>> > To address matters that are somewhat more fluid, and may need to change
>> more
>> > often than the Bylaws, the ASA also has a set of Operating Guidelines.
>> By
>> > design, these can be changed somewhat more easily than the Bylaws, by a
>> 2/3
>> > vote of the ASA Executive Board; however, the UA and GSC both have an
>> > opportunity to oppose a change to the Operating Guidelines, and force
>> the
>> > amendment to come before the Senate and the GSC for approval.
>> > (http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-guidelines.html)
>> >
>> > Finally, the ASA also has a limited number of policies, which can be
>> enacted
>> > as needed by the Executive Board, but are intended to be fairly limited
>> in
>> > scope. (http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-policies.html)
>> >
>> > You can find much, much more about ASA document structure, policies, and
>> > rules on the website: http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/index.html and the
>> > associated subpages should be helpful. If anything still seems
>> confusing
>> > after reading those pages, please let me know. I'm constantly on the
>> > lookout for ways to improve the ASA website, and I'd be eager to hear
>> your
>> > thoughts on how to make it better.
>> >
>> > - Paul
>> > (ASA Secretary)
>> >
>> > On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 4:37 PM, Tim Jenks <trjenks@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I'll preface my comments by saying that I'm not overly familiar with
>> the
>> >> innards of the ASA, so please correct me if I'm wrong on any points,
>> but
>> >> there are a few issues that I'd at least like more information on
>> before
>> >> voting on the bill.
>> >>
>> >> If the ASA ever needs to change its bylaws, wouldn't it have to ask
>> Senate
>> >> and the GSC to amend their bylaws too to get those changes made? This
>> might
>> >> happen only once in a blue moon, but it still seems unnecessary and
>> >> excessive.
>> >>
>> >> Also, the other committees are just enumerated in the Senate Bylaws.
>> >> There are no other bylaws, mission statements, guidelines on how the
>> >> committee should be run within the Senate bylaws. It seems reasonable
>> to me
>> >> that the ASA bylaws should be kept in a different document, and the
>> Senate
>> >> bylaws should address just the Senate. But the problem arises because
>> the
>> >> ASA already operates under its current bylaws, and the GSC has already
>> >> approved them, so any changes we made would have to be approved by the
>> GSC
>> >> too...
>> >>
>> >> --Tim Jenks
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 9:12 AM, Rachel Meyer <remeyer@mit.edu> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> Hey, one more time...
>> >>>
>> >>> As I said in my earlier email: I just wanted to start some threads
>> about
>> >>> the
>> >>> various pieces of legislation I wrote so we can try to get some
>> questions
>> >>> resolved before tonight. Sorry for not doing this sooner - I've been
>> >>> sick.
>> >>>
>> >>> This bill is at: http://web.mit.edu/ua/senate/UAS41/5/4/.pdf
>> >>>
>> >>> Basically, I think it would be sorta nice if ASA technically existed
>> and
>> >>> was
>> >>> recognized.
>> >>>
>> >>> The ASA Bylaws as posted on the ASA website
>> >>> (http://mit.edu/asa/rules/pdf/ASA-Bylaws.pdf) and as they appear in
>> the
>> >>> GSC
>> >>> Bylaws (http://gsc.mit.edu/index.php/about-gsc/const-bylaw) require
>> that
>> >>> the
>> >>> bylaws are in both the UA and GSC Bylaws since ASA is a joint
>> committee
>> >>> of the
>> >>> UA and GSC.
>> >>>
>> >>> Why in the Senate Bylaws?
>> >>> (which are at:
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> http://web.mit.edu/ua/docs/senate/govdocs/Senate%20Bylaws%20as%20of%20April%2027,%202009.pdf
>> )
>> >>> This is where the committees are enumerated so it seemed like the
>> >>> appropriate
>> >>> place for any further bylaws on committees.
>> >>>
>> >>> Why hasn't this happened previously?
>> >>> I don't have a particularly good or complete answer for this... I
>> would
>> >>> guess
>> >>> that these bylaws may have been viewed as a separate document or as
>> being
>> >>> bylaws of the ASA and ASA being a committee of the UA they were
>> already
>> >>> in the
>> >>> UA bylaws. Whatever the case may be, I think it would be highly
>> >>> beneficial for
>> >>> these bylaws to be explicitly in one of the 3 main UA governing
>> documents
>> >>> and
>> >>> this seems like the most appropriate place.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> Again, please ask any questions, discuss any concerns, etc.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> Thanks,
>> >>> Rachel
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
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Hawkins is correct (as is the agenda).<div><div><br></div><div>- Paul<br><b=
r><div class=3D"gmail_quote">On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Daniel Hawkin=
s <span dir=3D"ltr"><<a href=3D"mailto:hwkns@mit.edu">hwkns@mit.edu</a>&=
gt;</span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1p=
x #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">Isn't it a majority to bring it off the=
table and 2/3 to pass?<br><br>-hwkns<div><div></div><div class=3D"h5"><br>=
<br>
<div class=3D"gmail_quote">On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 9:08 AM, Rachel Meyer <s=
pan dir=3D"ltr"><<a href=3D"mailto:remeyer@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">re=
meyer@mit.edu</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"border-left:1px solid rgb(204, 2=
04, 204);margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex">Hey everyone,<br>
I just wanted to bring this thread up again to see if anyone has any<br>
additional questions after the last meeting. =A0As you can see from the<br>
agenda, I plan on trying to bring this off the table and it needs a<br>
2/3rds vote to come off the table and a 2/3rds vote to pass.<br>
<font color=3D"#888888">-Rachel<br>
</font><div><div></div><div><br>
On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 7:06 PM, Paul Baranay <<a href=3D"mailto:pbaranay=
@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">pbaranay@mit.edu</a>> wrote:<br>
> Tim,<br>
><br>
> The answer to your question is, in short, yes.=A0 Changing the ASA Byl=
aws is<br>
> intentionally made to be difficult, and intentionally requires approva=
l from<br>
> both the UA and the GSC.=A0 This is because the Bylaws are, for the AS=
A, the<br>
> highest and most fundamental document.=A0 They define the basics of wh=
at the<br>
> ASA is and does, and are not intended to change frequently.<br>
> (<a href=3D"http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-bylaws.html" target=3D"_b=
lank">http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-bylaws.html</a>)<br>
><br>
> To address matters that are somewhat more fluid, and may need to chang=
e more<br>
> often than the Bylaws, the ASA also has a set of Operating Guidelines.=
=A0 By<br>
> design, these can be changed somewhat more easily than the Bylaws, by =
a 2/3<br>
> vote of the ASA Executive Board; however, the UA and GSC both have an<=
br>
> opportunity to oppose a change to the Operating Guidelines, and force =
the<br>
> amendment to come before the Senate and the GSC for approval.<br>
> (<a href=3D"http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-guidelines.html" target=
=3D"_blank">http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-guidelines.html</a>)<br>
><br>
> Finally, the ASA also has a limited number of policies, which can be e=
nacted<br>
> as needed by the Executive Board, but are intended to be fairly limite=
d in<br>
> scope. (<a href=3D"http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-policies.html" tar=
get=3D"_blank">http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/asa-policies.html</a>)<br>
><br>
> You can find much, much more about ASA document structure, policies, a=
nd<br>
> rules on the website: <a href=3D"http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/index.ht=
ml" target=3D"_blank">http://web.mit.edu/asa/rules/index.html</a> and the<b=
r>
> associated subpages should be helpful.=A0 If anything still seems conf=
using<br>
> after reading those pages, please let me know.=A0 I'm constantly o=
n the<br>
> lookout for ways to improve the ASA website, and I'd be eager to h=
ear your<br>
> thoughts on how to make it better.<br>
><br>
> - Paul<br>
> (ASA Secretary)<br>
><br>
> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 4:37 PM, Tim Jenks <<a href=3D"mailto:trjenk=
s@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank">trjenks@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>><br>
>> I'll preface my comments by saying that I'm not overly fam=
iliar with the<br>
>> innards of the ASA, so please correct me if I'm wrong on any p=
oints, but<br>
>> there are a few issues that I'd at least like more information=
on before<br>
>> voting on the bill.<br>
>><br>
>> If the ASA ever needs to change its bylaws, wouldn't it have t=
o ask Senate<br>
>> and the GSC to amend their bylaws too to get those changes made?=
=A0 This might<br>
>> happen only once in a blue moon, but it still seems unnecessary an=
d<br>
>> excessive.<br>
>><br>
>> Also, the other committees are just enumerated in the Senate Bylaw=
s.<br>
>> There are no other bylaws, mission statements, guidelines on how t=
he<br>
>> committee should be run within the Senate bylaws.=A0 It seems reas=
onable to me<br>
>> that the ASA bylaws should be kept in a different document, and th=
e Senate<br>
>> bylaws should address just the Senate.=A0 But the problem arises b=
ecause the<br>
>> ASA already operates under its current bylaws, and the GSC has alr=
eady<br>
>> approved them, so any changes we made would have to be approved by=
the GSC<br>
>> too...<br>
>><br>
>> --Tim Jenks<br>
>><br>
>> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 9:12 AM, Rachel Meyer <<a href=3D"mailto=
:remeyer@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">remeyer@mit.edu</a>> wrote:<br>
>>><br>
>>> Hey, one more time...<br>
>>><br>
>>> As I said in my earlier email: =A0I just wanted to start some =
threads about<br>
>>> the<br>
>>> various pieces of legislation I wrote so we can try to get som=
e questions<br>
>>> resolved before tonight. =A0Sorry for not doing this sooner - =
I've been<br>
>>> sick.<br>
>>><br>
>>> This bill is at: <a href=3D"http://web.mit.edu/ua/senate/UAS41=
/5/4/.pdf" target=3D"_blank">http://web.mit.edu/ua/senate/UAS41/5/4/.pdf</a=
><br>
>>><br>
>>> Basically, I think it would be sorta nice if ASA technically e=
xisted and<br>
>>> was<br>
>>> recognized.<br>
>>><br>
>>> The ASA Bylaws as posted on the ASA website<br>
>>> (<a href=3D"http://mit.edu/asa/rules/pdf/ASA-Bylaws.pdf" targe=
t=3D"_blank">http://mit.edu/asa/rules/pdf/ASA-Bylaws.pdf</a>) and as they a=
ppear in the<br>
>>> GSC<br>
>>> Bylaws (<a href=3D"http://gsc.mit.edu/index.php/about-gsc/cons=
t-bylaw" target=3D"_blank">http://gsc.mit.edu/index.php/about-gsc/const-byl=
aw</a>) require that<br>
>>> the<br>
>>> bylaws are in both the UA and GSC Bylaws since ASA is a joint =
committee<br>
>>> of the<br>
>>> UA and GSC.<br>
>>><br>
>>> Why in the Senate Bylaws?<br>
>>> (which are at:<br>
>>><br>
>>> <a href=3D"http://web.mit.edu/ua/docs/senate/govdocs/Senate%20=
Bylaws%20as%20of%20April%2027,%202009.pdf" target=3D"_blank">http://web.mit=
.edu/ua/docs/senate/govdocs/Senate%20Bylaws%20as%20of%20April%2027,%202009.=
pdf</a>)<br>
>>> This is where the committees are enumerated so it seemed like =
the<br>
>>> appropriate<br>
>>> place for any further bylaws on committees.<br>
>>><br>
>>> Why hasn't this happened previously?<br>
>>> I don't have a particularly good or complete answer for th=
is... I would<br>
>>> guess<br>
>>> that these bylaws may have been viewed as a separate document =
or as being<br>
>>> bylaws of the ASA and ASA being a committee of the UA they wer=
e already<br>
>>> in the<br>
>>> UA bylaws. =A0Whatever the case may be, I think it would be hi=
ghly<br>
>>> beneficial for<br>
>>> these bylaws to be explicitly in one of the 3 main UA governin=
g documents<br>
>>> and<br>
>>> this seems like the most appropriate place.<br>
>>><br>
>>><br>
>>> Again, please ask any questions, discuss any concerns, etc.<br=
>
>>><br>
>>><br>
>>> Thanks,<br>
>>> Rachel<br>
>><br>
><br>
><br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br></div></div>
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