UGS Votes on Controversial Election Bill—Will Your Vote Be Counted? Shocking Details Inside!

At its recent meeting, the Undergraduate Senate (UGS) at Stanford University took significant steps toward updating its governance structure by passing a Joint Bill aimed at amending the election certification process outlined in Article V, Sections 8 and 9 of the Joint Bylaws of the Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU). This bill introduces a clearer framework for how elections are certified, ensuring more transparency and accountability in the student government.

The newly proposed bylaws stipulate that legislative bodies will have a 14-day window to adopt a motion to invalidate an election by securing a two-thirds vote. If no motion is adopted within that period, the election will be automatically certified. The bill details the grounds for invalidation, which include voter fraud, voter disenfranchisement, and non-compliance with the Constitution. Should a motion to invalidate pass, a new election must be scheduled within 10 days, with the Constitutional Council holding final authority in the event that another election cannot be conducted.

Following its passage in the UGS, the bill will now move to the Graduate Student Council (GSC) for further consideration. This multi-tiered approach to governance reflects an ongoing effort to enhance student representation and address issues in the election process.

In addition to the election certification bill, the UGS also introduced a Bill to Amend the Undergraduate Senate Bylaws, which seeks to establish governance standards for class presidents and amend the provisions surrounding their elections. Deputy Chair Minji Cho, a member of the UGS, highlighted the current disconnect between class presidents and the ASSU, noting that although class president elections are administered by the ASSU, these leaders are not formally recognized as part of the organization. This bill aims to integrate class presidents into the ASSU framework, allowing for the establishment of formal bylaws that define their responsibilities.

“This makes it harder for administrators and frankly the entire student population to know exactly what to expect,” Cho said.

Under the proposed changes, the size of class president slates will be standardized to four students across all class years. Responsibilities will also be clearly defined, focusing on understanding the specific needs of each class and ensuring that class presidents can effectively coordinate with both the UGS and the ASSU as a whole. Cho emphasized that these new bylaws aim to foster accountability and engagement among elected representatives.

“These bylaws will exist to make sure elected representatives are staying engaged, and there is a basic level of accountability for these representatives,” said Cho. Importantly, the amendments will not disrupt existing support structures; class presidents will continue to receive guidance from the Office of Student Engagement and funding from the same sources, with election timing remaining unchanged.

The UGS further introduced a Joint Bill to Establish Proportional Funding and Equitable Cost-sharing for organizations supported by the student activities fee. This proposal aims to modify funding distributions for these organizations, ensuring that allocations are proportional to their undergraduate and graduate membership as recorded in CardinalEngage. UGS Chair David Sengthay noted the collaborative discussions with GSC treasurers, including Celeste Angeline Vargas, Brion Ye, and Elena Vasilache, which have influenced this shift toward a proportional funding model.

“We decided that from this year forward, the best way to fund joint student organizations would be a proportional system,” Sengthay explained.

Despite the advantages of this new funding model, some members of the GSC have expressed concerns about potential implications, including rumors regarding a dramatic increase in graduate student fees to $1,000—a claim Sengthay dismissed as unfounded.

“We’re concerned that their anxieties about this joint bill are based in fear and speculation from misinformation online,” he remarked.

ASSU Financial Manager Johann Sotelo clarified that the actual prospective fee increase for graduate students would be a modest $18 per year, which aligns with trends in annual grants from previous years. This clarification aims to alleviate concerns and assure students that the proposed funding changes will not impose undue financial burdens.

As noted by Associate Director of Student Organizations Pete Cerneka, the current bureaucratic landscape makes it challenging for students to plan events and access resources effectively. He remarked, “There’s a ton of bureaucracy right now if you’re trying to program an event, and so this is the government’s opportunity to streamline [our] own process… to me it’s a no brainer.”

The measures approved by the UGS represent a concerted effort to modernize and clarify student governance at Stanford University. By addressing the intricacies of election certification, the roles of class presidents, and funding methodologies, these reforms aim to enhance student engagement and ensure a more equitable representation across the university's diverse student body.