In a short-sighted move this week, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate voted against a resolution that might have given them a new parliamentarian.

Thirteen senators voted against a resolution -- with 11 for and two abstaining -- that would have called for the appointment of a secondary parliamentarian.

The Senate must find a successor for Matt Midles, its current parliamentarian, because he has a class conflict that prevents him from attending meetings on time.

Having a parliamentarian present at all times during meetings is important to help the vice president facilitate discussion and to provide a nonpartisan interpretation of Senate's governing rules, Robert's Rules of Order.

It's Midles' job to be at meetings, and because he hasn't always been present, Senate has been bogged down this semester in its ability to pass meaningful legislation.

Senators said Tuesday that they need a parliamentarian to help them amend and interpret their bylaws. One of the major changes to the bylaws could include allowing more than the current 30 minutes of open forum for students to speak at USG meetings.

Instead of doing what's best for Senate and students, some senators, such as Legislative and Appropriations Review Committee Chair Sean Miller, seem too loyal to Midles to vote for someone to take his job.

No matter how qualified Midles may be, his absence is the point. If he can't attend meetings, he can't perform his job. USG knew he had a conflict with Senate meetings at the beginning of the semester, and senators haven't taken the wise step of moving on.

The senators need to stop waffling about finding someone new to keep order. They have spent too much time already debating this purely political issue, while other constituent concerns need attention.