by Alec Williams
A general meeting was held for the associated student government (ASG) of CMU on Wednesday, Sept. 21, to cover the weekly topics for the senate.
Following this meeting, ASG President Josh Dillinger, Vice President Ben Linzey and fee allocations committee (FAC) chairman Jake Carmin held an informational meeting for senators on a proposed bill that will cut ASG executive pay by a collective amount of $11,500.
The bill was discussed at the previous ASG general meeting, one that turned into a rapid-fire discussion between senators and President Dillinger.
ASG’s Wednesday meeting began with the induction of nine recently elected senators from various majors and student groups. Carmin reviewed bills seen before the committee over the previous week.
The national science teachers association requested $17,000 for a “science cruise” on Monday and was unanimously denied.
Director of external affairs Rykel Menor updated senators on the upcoming homecoming carnival and the preparations concerning the activities held for it.
Senators were encouraged by student trustee Lucy Benoit to review the ASG constitution so they can fully understand and participate in discussions.
The meeting was adjourned and Dillinger encouraged ASG members to stay for the discussion on the ASG constitution and the amendments proposed.
Senators later expressed they did not understand they were going to be discussing the large bill and believed the talk was going to involve basic ASG information.
The meeting began around 7:30 p.m. and lasted over two hours. In that time Dillinger, Linzey and Carmin held an open question and answer discussion. The senators continued to step out as the time grew later and the discussion turned more heated.
Social and behavioral science senator Elizabeth Bierbaum stressed the miscommunication that had transpired in the previous meeting.
“Through the grapevine of previous senators that I’ve worked with, the way that it came across from you guys, and I hate to say this, but that conveyed, and excuse my language: ‘[expletive] you’ to the senate,” Bierbaum said.
As this was not an official ASG meeting, the conversation began to consist of raised voices and talking over one another. Senators continued to question Dillinger and the pay cuts proposed. As the pay cuts would not take effect until the next academic year, senators questioned whether the cuts were correct to be proposed.
“So, if you want to save money this year, you can get rid of some of your executives and you can lead by example,” graduate senator Tracy Langford said.
The meeting reached the most heated point when Dillinger and Linzey were explaining more work should be done by ASG senators in terms of providing bills and being present at discussions.
“The fact that there is this many people here right now, I think that shows that we are leaning in a positive direction,” Linzey said.
“And it’s something as radical as a constitution change to get this many people here-” Dillinger said before being cut off by social and behavioral science senator Jacob Reimer, who has been an open opponent to the proposal.
“So, it’s the senators’ fault then!” Reimer said and the rest of the senators attempted to cut in as Reimer raised his voice.
“So, because the senators have bad leaders that are already cutting back, it’s our fault for stepping up. Is that what we’re getting?”
Senators and executives returned with disagreement towards Reimer’s comments as Langford followed up with more questions. A few moments later Reimer grabbed his belongings and exited the room laughing. Senator Bierbaum later described Reimer’s exit as “disrespectful” and encouraged Dillinger to speak with him on the matter.
The meeting ended around 10 p.m., the remaining nine senators, Dillinger, Linzey and senate leader Brooke Houston being the only ones left at the meeting. The majority of this group of senators entered the meeting against the bill, but after the discussion had ended all expressed their support by a show of hands including self-identified opponent Langford.
“One thing you guys have done tonight: you guys stayed here and you guys have really gave us pieces of your mind and told us everything,” campus resident senator Kevin Kahuena said to Dillinger and Linzey.
Kahuena then turned to the other senators “And sometimes guys, I’m going to be real, sometimes we have got to shut our mouths and open our ears, we really do,” he said before the meeting was brought to an end.
