The Associated Student Body will pursue passing a joint resolution with Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi requesting the state legislator to change the state flag.
According Vice President John Brahan, the meeting to discuss the removal will take place on November 16th.
“Their student governments reached out to us to pass a joint resolution urging the state legislature to change the flag,” said ASB Secretary Amy Hall. “We want to keep the momentum that we have so that we can put real pressure on the legislature when they meet in January. I think it’s great idea so that it doesn’t look like Ole Miss is standing alone, but rather that this is an issue that is unifying the student governments across Mississippi because of how strongly the students feel about this.”
During their weekly meeting on Tuesday, ASB met to discuss and vote on several pieces of legislation concerning elections on campus.
(ASB senators plan to collaborate with representatives from other schools to encourage the Mississippi Legislation to change the state flag. | Photo by: Ariel Cobbert)
ASB senator Blake Hembree and ASB Attorney General Loden Walker presented a bill to amend Title V of the ASB Code in accordance with election dates specified in the ASB constitution.
This amendment would allow the dates of primary elections to be at the discretion of the ASB Attorney General, a position currently held by Loden Walker.
ASB Senator Bella Gonzalez believes that this change could provide many benefits.
“I remember when there was a conflict with Labor Day and previous elections,” Gonzalez said. “There is no reason why this amendment should not pass. It would remove all conflict.”
The amendment would also require all Elections Review Board decisions to be passed by a supermajority vote of a quorum, which is the minimum number of senators required to be present at a meeting to make its legislation valid.
“By adding a voting standard, it will create a fair hearing for the board,” Hembree said. “A supermajority vote on a panel with seven people is just one vote difference. This will make the process much more fair.”
An amendment was added to the ASB constitution which called for a mission statement. A bill, which would clarify the number of campaign representatives allowed in residence halls, will be discussed at a later date. All other legislation passed with unanimous consent.
The elections are scheduled to be held during the third Tuesday in February for Associated Student Body officers. These dates are suggested and subject to change by the Attorney General.
