SGA gets closer to key vote
Marissa Lang
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
The SGA last night appeared poised to pass a resolution expressing support for a Campus Drive route for the planned Purple Line transitway, despite contentious debate about language in the document.
The resolution, which is scheduled for a vote next week, chronicles the progress of the Purple Line issue and concludes with the Student Government Association's support of putting the light rail tracks along Campus Drive. State transportation planners have urged the SGA to support a Campus Drive route and have planned for the train to stop at Stamp Student Union.
Much of the debate last night centered on how explicit or concise the resolution should be, with Matt Verghese, the resolution's key sponsor, facing off against SGA Senior Vice President Brad Docherty. Docherty and Verghese ultimately backed down, however, and Docherty told legislators, "I think it's time for us to pass a bill."
Verghese also agreed to back away from debate, saying, "This bill could die today, and I don't want that."
The resolution made it out of the Campus Affairs Committee with seven of eight members voting in favor of the Campus Drive alignment. One member of the committee favored an alignment that would have run along Preinkert Drive, the committee report shows, but the member abstained from voting. Committee reports do not include names of members.
The SGA remains the only major student group that has not voted on a resolution regarding the alignment of the Purple Line, which has become one of the most controversial issues to face the university this year.
The Graduate Student Government and the Residence Hall Association have both supported Maryland Transit Administration's proposed Campus Drive alignment of the Purple Line, which would allow Stamp Student Union to remain the transportation hub and center of campus life in the future.
SGA President Andrew Friedson said that while other student organizations have attempted to influence the state's final decision on the alignment in taking official stances, the SGA has been working hard behind the scenes with the administration to reach a decision.
The resolution, which is scheduled for a vote next week, chronicles the progress of the Purple Line issue and concludes with the Student Government Association's support of putting the light rail tracks along Campus Drive. State transportation planners have urged the SGA to support a Campus Drive route and have planned for the train to stop at Stamp Student Union.
Much of the debate last night centered on how explicit or concise the resolution should be, with Matt Verghese, the resolution's key sponsor, facing off against SGA Senior Vice President Brad Docherty. Docherty and Verghese ultimately backed down, however, and Docherty told legislators, "I think it's time for us to pass a bill."
Verghese also agreed to back away from debate, saying, "This bill could die today, and I don't want that."
The resolution made it out of the Campus Affairs Committee with seven of eight members voting in favor of the Campus Drive alignment. One member of the committee favored an alignment that would have run along Preinkert Drive, the committee report shows, but the member abstained from voting. Committee reports do not include names of members.
The SGA remains the only major student group that has not voted on a resolution regarding the alignment of the Purple Line, which has become one of the most controversial issues to face the university this year.
The Graduate Student Government and the Residence Hall Association have both supported Maryland Transit Administration's proposed Campus Drive alignment of the Purple Line, which would allow Stamp Student Union to remain the transportation hub and center of campus life in the future.
SGA President Andrew Friedson said that while other student organizations have attempted to influence the state's final decision on the alignment in taking official stances, the SGA has been working hard behind the scenes with the administration to reach a decision.
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