SGA introduces revised constitution, office updates in executive sessions
Syracuse University’s Student Government Association discussed constitutional revisions, leadership stipends and office responsibilities in recent confidential meetings known as “executive sessions.” Charlie Hynes | Staff Photographer
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
Syracuse University’s Student Government Association recently passed its constitutional revisions, introduced discussions surrounding stipends for executive leaders and updated responsibilities for its offices in recent executive sessions.
Specifics regarding the changes have been discussed in SGA’s executive session, which was agreed upon by majority vote to discuss “confidential matters,” according to a statement by incoming SGA President Emily Castillo-Melean to The Daily Orange. Only assembly members and individually invited guests may attend, in accordance with the organization’s bylaws.
At recent meetings, assembly members discussed the drafting and revision of SGA’s constitution and bylaws, before its approval, Castillo-Melean wrote.
SGA cited the “complexity” of the constitution’s language as the primary reason for the revision. The revised constitution contains clear, more accessible wording to improve “transparency and usability for the broader student body,” per Castillo-Melean.
During the session, SGA heard contested perspectives, which largely centered on the constitution and bylaws’ structure, clarity and the balance between “flexibility and specificity” in the governing documents.
“Executive sessions have consistently remained spaces where members engage thoughtfully and constructively, even when opinions differ, allowing the Assembly to reach well-informed and collaborative outcomes,” according to the statement.
SGA has five governing documents: the constitution, bylaws, fiscal codes, ethics codes and election codes. The new constitution’s goal is to consolidate the fiscal, ethics and election codes into the bylaws, SGA President German Nolivos said.
In a recent executive session, a motion was also made to discuss stipends for SGA’s executive leaders, per the statement. During the session, leadership roles and responsibilities within the organization were evaluated, and feedback regarding individual positions and internal operations was provided.
Another executive session focused on restructuring SGA’s collaboration with its offices, including the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Office of University Affairs, the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of Community Engagement and Government Affairs and the Executive Office.
SGA placed emphasis on its collaboration with the five offices during recent executive sessions to ensure better organized responsibilities amid the constitutional restrictions, Castillo-Melean wrote.
In the restructuring of the constitution and bylaws, executive leaders also sought feedback from assembly members on SGA’s future structure and function, according to the statement. The discussion resulted in a clearer definition of each office’s “additional responsibilities,” the statement also said.
“The final outcome was the successful passage of revised documents that are clearer, more accessible, and better aligned with the needs of the student body,” Castillo-Melean wrote.
