By Jackson Chadwick
On Thursday, October 22nd, the Student Government Association unanimously passed a constitutional amendment sponsored by Senators Marissa Kearney and Stephen Rykola. The amendment, titled the “Constitutional Amendment Pertaining to Pre-Releasing Resolutions and Meeting Agendas” requires any resolutions and meeting agendas to be released to the student body no less than twenty-four hours before a Senate discussion. This responsibility would fall under the jurisdiction of SGA’s PR Committee.
Also on Thursday, SGA members addressed the prior week’s meeting, where a contentious discussion took place with former Senator Mo Zaidan. Since then, a debate has emerged among Suffolk students as to whether SGA was suppressing Zaidan’s right to free speech. This issue was discussed at Thursday’s meeting among Senators and students alike.
Senator Sabrina Liu began the discussion by noting that while everyone is entitled to free speech, actions have consequences. She reiterated that SGA was not trying to suppress Zaidan’s or anyone else’s free speech.
Senator Stephen Rykola read aloud a statement expressing his thoughts on the matter. He remarked:
“I am astonished at the fact of how out of hand the conversations we had got, and how escalated it had become. There is no one party at fault for this either. During our meeting, and after, it showed that we need to do better and to be better.
Rykola emphasized the use of Robert’s Rules, which is a commonly practiced parliamentary procedure used in SGA. Later, Vice President Lukas Phipps also encouraged his fellow Senators to become more familiar with the rules.
Rykola then spoke in admiration of the right to free speech:
“Additionally, Madam President, let the record reflect this to the Former Senators’ (Zaidan and Zampitella). I am truly sorry that the impact of our meeting has caused them to leave. I know that the pressure may have felt like the hand was being forced on them, however let me state that this will not happen again.
“As someone who values both differences in opinions, beliefs, and values; as well as the freedom to speech, I will not let these past events stop the fight for what we believe in.
Gerardo Saenz, who was a member of the school’s Turning Point USA chapter, spoke in opposition to SGA’s treatment of Zaidan, arguing that they were “prohibiting” free speech. Saenz remarked:
“The first amendment is neither right-wing or left-wing . . . I want everyone to join me in coming together as one diverse student body . . . together we rise, divided we fall . . .
Senator Kostas Loukos referenced his intent to hold a special meeting of the SGA following the 15th’s heated meeting, noting how some may have misconstrued why he called for it to take place:
“The intent of the special meeting request was not at all to censor a member of the organization . . . I think it’s a little bit absurd that it gets twisted around . . . to imply that the request was to censor free speech.
“I’m glad that people are coming to SGA now, I wish they were coming for different reasons. I encourage people to pay attention to SGA, not just when it blows up on social media.