PSG candidates disagree on referendum to restructure Senate

By Dave Stephens
Assistant Campus Editor

Both candidates for student body president want Purdue Student Government’s senators to be held accountable for their actions.

But Damon Hall and Brenda Shea disagree on the effect of the referendum that proposes restructuring the number of senators in PSG.

The referendum, which was proposed by PSG’s Internal Review Committee, recommends that student senate representation be based on academic schools rather than housing organizations, as it is now.

"Students should vote 'no' on the referendum because students will not be represented well by the proposed system," said Hall, a junior in the School of Agriculture.

Hall said he sees a need for change in the way the student government is run but more time should be spent studying other alternative plans.

"It’s like when you go to buy a new car," said Hall. "Do you buy the first car that you see or do you shop around until you find the best one?"

But Brenda Shea, who is in favor of the referendum, said the proposal wasn’t hastily written — it has been worked on for six months.

Hall said there needs to be a sense of accountability in PSG but voting for senators based on their schools, instead of their residences, would shift the focus to academics and away from student issues.

"Issues would not be as well-represented," said Hall. "Why would a senator from the (Schools) of Engineering want to bring up legislation dealing with a residence hall issue when not all of his constituents live in the residence hall?"

Shea said student issues are already being ignored because many senators are appointed to PSG instead of elected.

"If you can’t vote for your senator, I don’t call that being well-represented," said Shea. "People bring up all these hypothetical issues, but the bottom line is nothing is getting accomplished the way the system works now."

Shea said it makes sense for students to be represented by their school instead of by where they live because academics are why students are in college.

"When you come to Purdue, people don’t ask you what hall you live in or what street you live on; they ask you what major you're in," said Shea.

Shea said she wasn’t sure what her plan of action would be if the referendum were voted down and her ticket won the election, but she said she’d still work to make PSG better for students.

"We’ve lost all credibility," Shea said. "I think change is sorely needed."

Hall said that if he was elected and the referendum was passed, he would try to represent the students' interests.

"I could absolutely work with (the new system) because I would make sure that the lines of communication are open to all areas of campus, so that everyone’s voice is heard."

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Campus editor: Laura Pelner

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