YSU Panel begins revising bylaws

The 'defeated' candidate said he has some doubts about the new committee.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University believes it has found a way to put a stop to long-running problems with Student Government elections.
An 11-member committee of current and past students as well as two university employees met for the first time last week to begin revising Student Government's 33-page constitution and bylaws.
"It's good for any organization to revisit its constitution on occasion and to strengthen and clarify the bylaws, particularly as it relates to elections," YSU President David Sweet said.
Sweet formed the committee six months after last spring's controversial election for student body president and vice president that pitted Joseph Long and Michelle Hettinga against Rajah James and Nazim Wahab.
Despite winning by a 59-percent-to-41-percent margin, the James-Wahab slate was disqualified by Student Government for violating campaign rules. The Long-Hettinga ticket was declared the winner, sparking James and Wahab to cry foul and threaten legal action.
Many questions: Dr. Cynthia Anderson, vice president for student affairs, said the election raised many questions, which led to the new committee.
"But to be honest, questions similar to that have arisen every single year at election time," she said. "Are we always going to be able to take care of any situation that arises? Absolutely not. But are there some better ways of doing things? I have to think so."
SG represents the student body in all campus issues and is in charge of allocating about $30,000 annually to various student organizations. The president is compensated full tuition for one year, while the vice president gets half-tuition.
Sweet included both Long and James on the committee, and both said they are hopeful the amended constitution and bylaws will prevent further problems.
Remarks: "YSU Student Government has more potential than can be fulfilled under the current constitution and bylaws," Long said. "It will allow us to function more efficiently, to understand our positions better and resolve many of our internal issues that take up too much time."
Long, who was elected committee chairman, said the panel will look at election procedures at other universities and may set up an elections board separate from SG to oversee future votes.
James, a junior who said he may consider running for president again next spring, said he has some doubts about the committee, but he is trying to keep an open mind. He also said he is keeping his options open, including legal action.
"I think people sometimes are too quick to hire a lawyer," he said. "I just want to make sure all of the avenues within the university are exhausted before that occurs."
"I realize that I'm not going to be president [this year], but I also recognize that I don't want anyone to feel like they got away with anything," he added.
cole@vindy.com