The 67th Senate of the Associated Students of New Mexico State University met for their senate meeting on Thursday, October 26, 2023, and then again on Monday, October 30, 2023, for an emergency meeting.
Vice President Eddie Gallegos began the meeting by speaking on the duties of senators to their constituents.
“I understand being busy and the need to juggle multiple responsibilities, but it is no excuse. We are here on scholarship and it is our job to be in contact with our college councils and to represent our constituents. We are not here to hash out personal issues on the senate floor,” Gallegos said.
COW sessions create controversy around bills
The senate then broke out into its first Committee of the Whole session, where they discussed Resolution 87 and Bills 51 and 34. Bill 51, presented by Sen. Hiram Camarena, managed the need for additional funds to be sent to the emergency fund account.
The emergency fund is partially funded by the ASNMSU Senate, but not under the control of ASNMSU. The fund exists for students who find themselves in emergency financial situations and require immediate aid.
“We have students who can’t afford the bare necessities and it’s in our abilities to help these students, so why are we deliberating over adding funds,” Camerena said.
However, some believed that ASNMSU financial advisors would not approve Bill 51 because it violated bylaws. In response to this, several senators spoke on their desire to help these students but recognized the barrier currently stopping them.
“I will sleep better at night knowing that we have done the most to help our constituents, even if the bill is stopped by our fiscal advisors because we have done all we can do to help them,” Sen. Abdul Elakshar stated.
Bill 64, presented by Camerena, was written during the meeting to ensure that Bill 51 could still be passed through senate. This bill was a bylaw change that was intended to raise the minimum balance that the emergency fund has to reach before additional funds can be allocated from senate.
Bill 64 was passed and raised the minimum balance to $8,000, but the financial advisors could still disapprove Bill 51 for additional legal issues.
The following Monday, senate held a continuation of Thursday’s senate meeting on Zoom. The meeting picked up where the prior meeting had ended, starting with Resolution 16.
Resolution 16, presented by Sen. Omar Bashammakh, was written in regard to the lack of parking for pregnant students and mothers with young children. The resolution, after short debate, received an approval from the senate.
Following this resolution, Bashammakh tabled resolutions 28, 32, 33, 37, 38, 51, 56 and 42.
The Round Up has reached out to Sen. Bashammakh for further clarification on his reasoning but has yet to receive a response.
Memorial 1 honors senator after his resignation
The final item on the agenda for this meeting was Memorial 1 for Sen. Jackson Williams, which was written following William’s resignation in honor of his service to senate. Williams had been part of the senate for only a short time, but has contributed much of his time and talents since joining. Jackson served as the parliamentarian of the 67th senate, which meant it was his job to answer questions regarding Roberts’ Rules, as well as the function of the senate.
“Jackson although his time was very short-lived, he demonstrated knowledge and expertise that will far surpass his peers. With his future endeavors be in the Netherlands his knowledge and expertise will only grow. Hopefully one day I will see him up on Capital Hill” said Sen. Alex Duran, a long-time compatriate of Sen. Williams.
The Round Up has reached out to Sen. Williams for further clarification on his reasoning but has yet to receive a response.
