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The Senate In Session
Descriptions &
Responsibilites of the Student Senate
The ringing of the Beta Bells at 6:00
p.m. on a Tuesday evening signals the opening of a session
of the Student Senate. The roll is called, the Chair
makes his announcements, and legislative business gets
underway.
At the beginning of each weekly meeting,
the Executive Vice President and the Cabinet accompany
the Senate for a customary two minutes of silence. The
Executive Vice President serves as the Chair and presiding
officer. In the Vice President's absence, the President
pro tempore--generally, but not always--presides, or
another designee will take the chair. Senators must
direct all remarks to the presiding officer, whom they
address as "Mr. Chair" or "Madame Chair."
At the right in front of the Chair are
the consultants and clerks of the Senate. The administrative
assistant records minutes of the proceedings, as is
required by the Constitution. The parliamentarian advises
the presiding officer and members regarding Senate rules
and procedures, and Roberts Rules of Order.
The Student Senators occupy the desks
in the center aisle. The pro tempore and the chair of
the Administrative committee have traditionally sit
towards the front.
Reporters from the Miami Student and
the High Street Journal sit on the right of the chamber
while transcribing their notes. By the end of the week
the proceedings, along with related materials, are posted
online and printed in the respective newspapers.
To the left of the Chair is seated the
Executive Cabinet consisting of twelve elected officers.
Ex-oficio members and members of the gallery traditionally
sit behind the Cabinet in the upper rows of the Senate
chamber, in either the left or right rows.
The Senate usually begins with announcements
from the Chair, followed by a period designated as "Special
Business." Here members often present business
outside of usual legislation or business of an immediate
nature. Speakers often visit the Senate during Special
Business. The Senate then moves on to "Old Business"
where it considers both executive and legislative business.
During an executive session the Senate considers matters
of personnel internal to ASG. Nominations to executive
offices or other bodies politic are confirmed by a simple
majority. Executive sessions, which are called only
during times of elections, are conducted with the galleries
cleared and the doors closed, enabling senators to speak
freely about the character of nominees.
Legislative business consumes the largest
share of the senate's time. The Senate may debate at
length any and all Old Business, with a formal roll
call vote ultimately deciding a matter. A bill may be
enacted simply by "unanimous consent," with
only a brief reading of its title and a request by the
leadership that it be adopted without objection, generally
by voice vote. If a single member objects, however,
roll call must be taken.
The Senate has long operated under the
principle of "unlimited debate,"that is, all
members may speak for as long as they wish on the matter
under consideration. To expedite matters, the leadership
may at any time limit the time a speaker has.
When a bill is being debated, the author
or authors will take the floor beside the Chair. When
the question is called to a vote, all members present
record their "ayes" and "nays."
The Senate continues on the agenda with
procedural questions of "New Business." New
Business is presented and left with the Senators to
take back to their constituents for debate and discussion.
New Business becomes Old Business at the following week's
session.
Whenever the Senate is in session, you
can find your Associated Student Government in Harrison
Hall, named for President Benjamin Harrison. When the
legislative load is especially heavy, senate may hold
sessions long into the night. The public is always welcome
to the galleries to witness proceedings.
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