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of dental medicine, and a strong vision for expanding the impact of the school,” Weber and Brashear wrote in their statement.

Beyond his positions in the ADA and ADASRI, Araujo received his Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Community Health from UB and held senior research positions at Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. He has also earned the International Association for Dental Research and American Association for Dental Research William J. Gies Award and the International Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UB Alumni Association.

Dr. Araujo will begin his new position on May 15.

Email: jasmin.yeung@ubspectrum.com

Proposed changes to SA council coordinator positions fail in senate vote

Senators were concerned that the change would make it easier for the SA president to “stack the senate”

The Student Association (SA) rejected a 30-page proposal that would’ve amended the SA’s by-laws. The proposal would’ve changed the appointing process for council coordinator positions, allowing the SA president to hire them directly.

Council coordinators are senators who represent SA-recognized clubs during votes. To ensure that these seats are held by unbiased representatives, the positions are appointed by a senate vote

Members of the voting senate voiced concerns that the proposed change would make it easier for the SA president to “stack the senate,” a major reason for the proposal’s failure. The proposal would have increased the number of “hired seats” (positions appointed directly by the SA president) on the senate from four to 11 positions. A majority vote of two-thirds, which is used for all major decisions in the senate, requires 15 of the current 23 senators to agree.

Matthew Dowd, SA Hobby Council coordinator, explained that the change was introduced as a way to give the council coordinators more tools. Dowd is also a Spectrum staff writer.

“Council coordinators are paid by SA but not governed by them,” Dowd said.

“If they became hired and had their constitutions rescinded, SA could control them a lot more. But they could get new tools from SA and more solidified responsibilities, so it would be easier to hold them accountable.”

Dowd explained further that the club council — a meeting of club presidents — has not reached quorum in a while, meaning not enough members have been present to hold an election of council coordinator positions.

To solve this issue, the existing by-laws allow the president to appoint any vacant council coordinator positions without a vote after the first month of classes. The amendment would make this process more permanent, rather than a backup plan.

This proposed amendment would also impact senate elections. If not enough people ran for election, the empty seats would be filled by last year’s senators.

Some senators suggested several amendments to the proposal, including one that would remove the council coordinators’ senate seats altogether.

The proposal is being amended by the SA e-board before it will be brought up for vote again.

The Student Association didn’t respond to requests for comment or clarification.

Email: news@ubspectrum.com

SA Senate passes resolution to amend election rules Resolution removes restriction on campaigning in public forums with 10 or more non-candidates

The Student Association (SA) Senate passed a highly-contested resolution last Monday to remove an election rule that prohibited campaigning for SA positions in forums with 10 or more non-candidates without approval from the Elections and Credentials Chair.

SA Senator Cameron Kiner introduced the resolution, which was approved with six votes in favor and five abstentions. The change will allow candidates to campaign freely in forums, regardless of the number of attendees.

The previous rule existed to ensure all candidates have a fair opportunity to be heard and adhere to all UB and SA rules concerning the use of space on campus.

Proponents of the amendment argued that SA lacks the power to fairly enforce this rule, considering some violations — especially those occurring in classrooms — will inevitably go unreported.

“This change is in recognition that we don’t have the power or strength to enforce this rule,” Mathew Dowd, the SA Hobby Council coordinator said. “Why try to punish people if some candidates are going to be able to get away with it and others can’t?”

Dowd is also a Spectrum staff writer.

Members against the amendment argued that without forum restrictions, candidates could use positions of power to propel their campaigns in ways that may be inaccessible to opponents.

“Stripping this rule [means] you can campaign at Late Night at UB — couldn’t do that before,” SA Senator Tyler Herman said. “You already have to be in a position of power to do that. It’s like we’re just pumping up people already in power who can get the forums.”

Email: news@ubspectrum.com