Legislation was introduced last night at the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate that would allow Academic Assembly to issue executive orders on academic matters.
North Halls Sen. Alex Ibrahim said equal powers of the Senate and Academic Assembly was the original intent of the USG Constitution.
"To give powers to one [body] and not the other is saying Academic Assembly is inferior," Ibrahim said. "It is important to put us on an equal playing field."
Under the current USG Constitution, the assembly is not allowed to determine executive actions on academic matters. The legislation was tabled for deliberation and will be voted on Tuesday by the Senate. If it passes, it will need to go to the assembly and the USG Supreme Court in order to amend the Constitution.
Last November, former Academic Assembly President Mark Levin filed a complaint with the USG Supreme Court claiming the assembly could issue executive directives under an alternate copy of the USG Constitution.
The court maintained the current copy of the Constitution on record in the Office of Unions and Student Activities was the official document, and therefore the assembly could not give executive orders.
USG President Galen Foulke said he is not in favor of checks and balances in a student advocacy.
Foulke said last term's Senate was "fairly opposed" to allowing the assembly to assign executive stances, but he is unsure what this Senate will decide.
USG Vice President Luke Adams said the legislation will clear up the last term's constitutional controversy.
Academic Assembly Vice President of Operations Ashley Harris said the assembly was not approached about the possible amendment, but she is in favor of the equality of powers in USG. Harris said the assembly has no specific directives for the executives at this time.
The Senate also elected a sergeant-at-arms to escort potential appointees off the floor during debate. Four senators were nominated for the position -- the most for any post so far this term.
After two rounds of voting, Town Sen. Eddie Fisher was chosen for what he called his "intimidating" stature and attendance record.
