UCF’s SGA Overrides Ehasz Veto, Issues Press Release

KnightNews.com received the following press release from the UCF Student Government Association Senate regarding the Senate’s fight to change SGA’s Code of Ethics. KnightNews.com streamed live video of this issue last night. We’ll have more to come soon on the developing story.

HERE’S THE RELEASE SGA WROTE AND SUBMITTED TO US:

UCF Student Senate Override of Veto on Bill 42-79

September 3^rd, 2010- On Thursday, September 2^nd, the Student Body Senate voted to override a veto by Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Services, Dr. Maribeth Ehasz, on Bill 42-79, Revisions to Title XI: The Code of Ethics. Dr. Ehasz is Senior Student Affairs Officer who signs all bills passed by the Senate for them to be enacted. According to the Constitution of the Student Body, the Senate has the power to override the veto of the Senior Student Affairs Officer by two-thirds (2/3) vote. The final vote count of the override resulted in 30 in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstaining.

Over the past couple of months, the topic of gender identity has been brought up in Senate with both this bill and a resolution. Resolution 42-50 calls for greater inclusiveness of transgender students at the University of Central Florida. The resolution passed on both 2^nd and 3^rd readings during last night’s session.

As a result of the vote, the bill will now go to the President of the University, Dr. John C. Hitt, for an ultimate review, also according to the Constitution of the Student Body. The review of the President may take as long, as there is no set time limit for his decision.