High school students could join SG

Addy McPheron

Colleen Anderson, Associate News Editor

High school students could be eligible to debate legislation and vote on campus issues if a proposed amendment reaches a three-fourths majority in favor when it reaches the floor in two weeks.

If passed, it would change a section of the SG constitution to allow high school students enrolled at UT to be part of senate. However, they would still have to meet all the requirements that current senators are held to under the governing document.

The amendment, proposed by SG Senator Robert Worthington, must be read during three different SG sessions before it can be considered in a vote.

Worthington said he thinks recruiting members early on could ultimately be beneficial for SG.

“I went to Toledo Early College High School; this is my seventh year here,” Worthington said. “I believe the students there will be here longer than a lot of people, so I believe that it’s a chance for student government to get a really good foundation, and then students can become leaders early on.”

SG Internal Affairs Chair Cody Spoon said he thinks the input of a non-collegiate student might add a new perspective to SG.

“I guess you could see maybe a huge difference in opinion, maybe students with collegiate experience on campus might have differing views,” Spoon said. “But at the same time, that difference in opinion could actually turn into a benefit, as a variety of opinions is kind of what you want in a government.”

Currently, the SG constitution includes a section that forbids categorical discrimination based on numerous factors, including sex, orientation and age.

Chief Justice Sebastian Wright said Worthington noticed the original line in the constitution concerning age and decided to propose an amendment.

“He does come from that background, Toledo Early [College] High School,” Wright said. “I guess just nobody really thought about it before, and he’s trying to make sure that everybody gets representation, because that’s just the kind of guy he is.”

Spoon said one of the possible issues with the amendment would be an imbalance of high school and college students.

“I think it should be revised to allow a limited number of them to join, just in case the situation should arise where there’s more high school students involved than actual college,” Spoon said. “Other than that, I would say it seems like a pretty good idea.”

Worthington said he thinks the amendment will be passed when it goes to a vote.

“I think it will pass,” Worthington said. “I think if it doesn’t pass, we show discrimination based on age, and our constitution is pointless either way.”

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