Syracuse University’s Student Association meeting was canceled when it failed to make quorum on Tuesday night, despite the meeting change from the normal Monday night to accommodate members’ schedules.

‘I’m going to call this meeting right now – that’s it,’ said SA President Wayne Horton, throwing up his hands. With that, the nine voting members that did attend the meeting scattered and left.

The Assembly was scheduled to vote on a resolution asking the Department of Public Safety and the Office of Judicial Affairs to open a dialogue with SA on how exactly each organization uses Facebook.com. Horton said the goal was to alert students to how the SU administration uses the site and what students can do to protect themselves and their privacy.

‘We want to do what’s in the students’ best interests,’ he said.

Horton said he expects the bill to be voted on at the next SA meeting. The weekly meeting was moved because of Monday night’s men’s basketball game against West Virginia. Horton said he informed members of the time change Friday and expected they would be able to meet quorum.

‘I’m kind of pissed off, to be honest with you,’ he said.

Also delayed by the canceled meeting were three requests for special programming funds – two from University Union Cinemas and one from the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life. Horton said he was also going to ask more Assembly members to join the Finance Board, which currently has only four members.

Last year, SA canceled a meeting because of a basketball game when the budget for the semester had still not been passed, already more than two months late.

In a press release, Horton said he’s disappointed with Assembly members who didn’t show and they will be given demerits.

‘That’s it,’ said Assembly member Eric Morrissette, ‘no more moving the meeting day for basketball games.’

Joseph Wieder, acting chair of the academic affairs committee, said after the meeting that this week he plans to meet with Christopher Walsh, dean of financial aid and scholarship programs, to discuss the current state of how scholarships are appropriated.

He said the balance tilts too far in favor of incoming freshmen, leaving current students behind.

‘Many students who excel academically contemplate leaving because they are not getting financial recognition from the university,’ he said.

Wieder also said he and Horton also plan to meet with deans from The College of Arts and Sciences to discuss possible revisions to the freshman forum class.

Their proposal includes a greater emphasis on community service at local organizations.

‘It plays well with the chancellor’s initiatives of connecting with the Syracuse community,’ he said.

Published on February 21, 2006 at 12:00 pm