Staff Editorial

VSA must play by the Rules

Vassar Students Association (VSA) Council meetings are run using Robert’s Rules of Order, which include formal terms for making motions and passing amendments.

Robert’s Rules include language such as “I move to friendly amend this to…” or “I move to allocate $200 to…” and the like.

When discussing whether or not they can make a motion or to clarify what exactly is being proposed and voted on, Council starts to spin their wheels when they “talk about talking.” Without a strong grounding in the rules of discourse during meetings, official business cannot be conducted in a timely and efficient manner.

At the past three VSA meetings (the first three of the school year), students who sit on Council have not appeared to be well-versed in these rules and how to use Robert’s Rules language effectively. A few members who have served on Council in previous years have been helping newer members by suggesting language verbatim, but all Council members—including dorm presidents, class presidents, and executive board members—should review these Rules in order to engage in effective, productive dialogue during meetings.

All student organizations have a period of adjustment at the start of the semester. It would be unfair to say that a new VSA Council should be already fluent in Robert’s Rules. However, the importance of the VSA as a governing body for more than 100 organizations and as individual representatives for respective constituencies requires a higher standard of operation. The Miscellany News staff encourages Council members to familiarize themselves with Robert’s Rules and to conduct meetings in a formal, professional language.