ND profs design entry for 9 / 11 memorialLecture promotes peace

In the seven weeks since senators unanimously passed the Attendance Policy Amendment to the Senate bylaws, two senators may have violated the policy due to outside commitments. The policy requires that the stu­ dent union secretary and all senate committee chairs mark senator absences at their own discretion, but alert the Ethics committee when a senator has reached four absences. Missing a meeting or the accumulation of three tardies sig­ nals an absence, according to the Sept. 15 amendment. According to Senate minutes, Courtney Watson, senator from Zahm Hall and linebacker for the Irish football team, has missed three meetings and was tardy three limes; Sean Williams, senator from St. Edward’s Hall, missed four meetings and was tardy once. Joanna Cornwell, chair of the Ethics Committee, said no one offi­ cially informed her of any atten­ dance policy violations. Likewise, Emily Chin, student union secretary, who is responsible for taking atten­ dance and said she did not inform Cornwell of any senators in danger of violating the amendment. In re fe rence to W atson’s absences, Chin said she took into account his scheduled football prac­ tices and was aware of them ahead of time. She did not provide a rea­ son for failing to report Williams. Williams, a member of ROTC, said he has a ROTC class on Wednesdays beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m., but added that instructors can and often do keep the class later. Senate meet­ ings begin Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Williams said he informed Trip Foley, student body vice president, of the conflict last April. Watson was unavailable for com­ ment Tuesday night. According to Williams, he, Watson and Foley met to discuss his and Watson’s conflicts and both said they would try to attend meet­ ings if they could and are allowed to vote by proxy. “Regarding Sean Williams his absences have not become a prob­ lem and are fine. He has been working with his committee and he is actually presenting a resolution [at Wednesday’s meeting],” said Foley. “As for Courtney Watson, his absence has been noted and we are dealing with the issue. Courtney has a situation and it will be addressed.” Foley declined posed to attend their hall council meetings. Williams, a m em ber of the Gender and ResLife committees, is in compliance with Senate commit­ tee attendance regulations, said Courtney Badgely and Kevin Conley, chairs of the Gender and ResLife committees respectively. Williams said he to comment on the specifics of the situation, but said both men are contributing to Senate. Their s ituation was discussed and by the Senate S t e e r i n g Committee, composed of committee chairs. According to Foley, they committee is comfortable with Watson and Williams’ positions. “Students of Zahm and St. Ed’s elected these individuals knowing their commitments,” he said. According to the Student Union Constitution, senators are required to be active members of at least two committees. Senators are also sup­ "Students o f Zahm and St. Ed’s elected these individuals knowing their commitments. "