Students who have dreamed of joining a “high court” may soon have that opportunity at the College of William and Mary.
The High Court Constitutional Amendment Act and the High Court Act, proposed at Tuesday’s Student Assembly senate meeting, will effectively change the name of the Review Board to the High Court if approved after committee review.
“First of all, perhaps a minor reason, the Review Board is not that cool of a name and they don’t think it gives them enough legitimacy, and I fully support it,” Senate Chair Will McConnell ’14 said. “Second reason, which in my opinion is the most important … the Review Board, strictly speaking, is not a review board.”
Much like the U.S. Supreme Court, the Review Board does not have the authority to review specific bills, which is the senate’s job.
The High Court Constitutional Amendment Act changes the SA constitution and must pass in order for the High Court Act to pass. As a change to the constitution, the act needs Undergraduate and Graduate Council approval as well as senate approval to pass. The act will pass one month after the senate approves it, if no other SA body stops it.
McConnell assigned the bills to the executive and policy committee. Senior Advisor to the President Neal Chabra ’14 reminded senators to encourage their friends to vote, citing TurboVote, the service mentioned in College President Taylor Reveley’s recent email to the student body.
“[TurboVote] allows students to receive reminders on Election Day,” Chabra said. “The site will also direct students on how to register to vote.”
Senators relayed the summaries of the past Sunday’s committee meetings.
“I’ve actually spent more time explaining the meeting than [being in the] meeting,” Sen. Daniel Ackerman ’16 said. “The highlight was when Will moved us to adjourn.”
The SA will be present during lunch and dinner at the Sadler Center again this semester.
“We’ll just talk about different bills that are on the floor for the senate and any questions that students have,” Sen. Seth Opoku-Yeboah ’16 said. “Students may also bring forward their concerns and different ideas they have and ways we can get involved.”
Sen. Colin Danly ’15 expects the Know Your Rights cards to arrive Oct. 1. Once the cards arrive, Danly will introduce a new bill outlining their distribution.
The application for Homecoming grants is going to the administration for approval this week.
The SA is also considering canceling the tailgate currently scheduled for fall break.
“We could use some money,” Danly said.