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SHAC fights SA takeover
By Kevin Lessmiller
“If it can be taken care of at a lower level, we’d prefer that it be taken care of sooner rather than later. But we’re willing to drag it out as far as it needs to go” – UWM SHAC President Nicole Senrick
The Student Housing Administrative Council (SHAC) lost its plea to stay independent on Friday when Student Association (SA) President Tyler Draheim approved legislation defining SHAC as an arm of the SA, a move SHAC officials are contesting.
The legislation, A Resolution Defining the Student Housing Administrative Council, was passed in an 18-5 vote at SA’s Sunday Sept. 21 Senate meeting. The bylaw effectively makes SHAC a standing committee of SA, with the SHAC President required to hold five office hours per week in the SA office.
Current SHAC President Nicole Senrick spoke on behalf of her organization, voicing SHAC’s disapproval with the legislation.
“They may not comprehend why we’re writing [our] legislation, and there could be an unnecessarily veto there,” she said. “They shouldn’t have the power to make that decision for University Housing.”
Draheim met with Senrick Monday Sept. 22 following the previous night’s SA Senate meeting. Draheim said they met for 45 minutes and are still “at ends”.
“It’s going to benefit them, [but] they’re not going to see it right now,” he said.
In interviews prior to Friday, Senrick said SHAC would continue to fight the measure should Draheim sign the legislation into effect.
“The next step would be to go to the student court and make a case there,” said Senrick. “Obviously, we’re going to take it step by step as things develop. We don’t want to jump the gun on anything.”
However, Senrick said that if SHAC loses a University Student Court case, they’ve considered the possibility of taking the matter to the UW System Board of Regents.
“If it can be taken care of at a lower level, we’d prefer that it be taken care of sooner rather than later. But we’re willing to drag it out as far as it needs to go,” she said.
In an interview with The Post Thursday, Draheim wouldn’t say whether or not he was planning on vetoing the resolution. But he did emphasize SA’s good intentions when writing the legislation.
“I support the legislation, my name was on it,” said Draheim. “I think it’s a great thing, I think it’s reaching out to students that we may not have had access to in the past. It’s expanding shared governance.”
During their meeting, Draheim said he and Senrick discussed simply opening lines of communication between SA and SHAC, without a resolution allowing SA to veto any piece of SHAC legislation. Draheim said that, in theory, that would work. However, the issue of future SHAC and SA leaders possibly not wanting to cooperate was enough to warrant the legislation.
“That’d be great, but what happens next year when I’m out of here, when she’s out of here, and somebody else comes in and they don’t want to work with each other?” said Draheim. “These bylaws kind of protect that. There’s always going to be a little more cohesion between the two organizations.”
SHAC was set to discuss the matter at its meeting last night.
> Comments
More SA nonsense on Sep 29, 2008 at 08:13 AM:
Who is Draheim kidding? This isn't protecting shared governance, it's protecting SA's stranglehold over whatever power it can grasp at. What sense does it make to force the SHAC president to hold office hours in the SA office? She represents students in the res halls, so what is wrong with her serving her time in the res halls?
If you want to promote better communication between SA and SHAC, set up regular meetings between their leaders. If there is a particular problem with how SHAC is running itself, by all means address it. But don't think anyone is fooled into believing that this move is somehow intended to "help" SHAC. Like the vast majority of SA actions in recent years, this is simply another attempt for SA to assert authority over a victim organization.
Pundit on Sep 29, 2008 at 05:49 PM:
SA has a kind of eminent domain over all officially recognized student organizations, including SHAC. Nikki, if you want to drag your feet on this, be sure to wear the thickest footwear you can find because they will drag you with great force; neither you nor any known political allies will have a fighting chance at holding any notable position in SA if you choose to stand on the shore as the tsunami rises. I usually don’t post video links to forums like this, but I believe this one is appropriate (substitute “SA” for “Amerika”): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYwlRH7R6DE
Outside Observer on Sep 30, 2008 at 08:26 AM:
Think of it this way Nikki:
Chair of SHAC (SA Committee) looks a lot better on a resume than President of SHAC (weak/over-taxing/operating without bylaws/have two candidates in a relationship running against eachother for president/freshman/crony/good old freshman club/glorified student organization/corrupt elections)... doesn't it?
Irritated Resident on Sep 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM:
Hey everyone- guess what? SHAC operates with bylaws and has been doing so for quite sometime! This may come as a surprise to you, Outside Observer, but I guess that's what happens when you stand around with your head in the sand. Oh and if you want to talk about corrupt elections, we ALL know that SA is the place to look.
PantherTalk Live on Sep 30, 2008 at 04:35 PM:
Check out this blog. There's a great radio show on it that really breaks down the SHAC situation very well. http://panthertalklive.blogspot.com
You know who.... on Oct 01, 2008 at 02:49 PM:
Just want to comment how impressed I am with the job President Draheim, Vice President Hughes and Speaker Kristopiet are doing. Its great to see the outstanding leadership. Now get busy with SFC and cut Athletics. No more free money for this bloated organization. I would also suggest ignoring the ASAP hippies, they lost, you won let them cope with that fact. Keep up the good work boys.....You know Ill be in touch.
someone For SHAC on Oct 01, 2008 at 09:20 PM:
Like they say, POWER CORRUPTS
Inside Oberserver on Oct 02, 2008 at 05:13 PM:
Though I am not 100% behind the current SHAC exec board, I must point out some fallacies in "Outside Observer"'s post. SHAC operates with bylaws, and a constitution, and I for one hold SHAC to these rules and will take action is they are not followed. Yes, we do have freshman in our organization however, what do you expect from a res hall organization set in res halls where most the residents are freshman? Furthermore, our exec board is made up of experienced SHAC members of sophomore status (with the exception of the Riverview Hall President, who is elected by the residents, and the graduate advisor). I will grant you the fact that our elections weren't 100% to IEC bylaws (more like 99%), but SA's elections weren't perfect either. Lastly, who gives a rats ass if two candidates for SHAC president were in a relationship? It really holds no relevance - only one is granted the position and if I'm not mistaken, they are the only one on the exec board. So there is no "crony-ism" in that respect. I don't know what your vendetta is against SHAC, but it is certainly a more legit organization than SA.
Outside Observer on Oct 03, 2008 at 09:59 AM:
8<'s 8<'s 8<'s
Tell the Truth on Oct 03, 2008 at 10:40 AM:
First of all let me begin by saying that what SA is attemping to do is very illegal. Not that SA thinks that the law applies to them. Second, when I think of SA and SHAC relations one name comes to mind Russ Ruden anyone? There are still people in SA now that where involved when this sleezy shit went down. Still think SA and SHAC relations seem like a bunch of future leaders coming together to sing kumbya in spaights? (oh wait, the current SA administration hates the "hippies" and for that matter anyone who isn't a white middle to upperclass male. Who knows Mr. Hughs and hasn't heard a sexist joke?) This seems like not only a power struggle, but also like SA doesn't like the fact that an independent and strong willed woman is in control in housing. Too bad these chauvanist crooks are too blinded by 36.09(5) to actually read it!
Closet Fan on Oct 05, 2008 at 05:55 PM:
This is a happy time because Draheim and Hughes can now spread their golden brand of leadership to the SHAC-ites! The SHAC youth need strong guidance in a cynical world of moral relativism. Draheim and Hughes to the rescue!