The Story
Senate Passes Revised Nightlife Bill
Courtesy of Student Assembly.
The Senate approved a newly revised Defense of Nightlife Act this Tuesday, the first of which was vetoed after its unanimous passage last week.
The bill as it originally stood communicated the Student Assemblys desire to keep Starbucks out of Williamsburg through the action of a petition and to support improvement of the College Delly property.
Senator Zach Pilchen, a sophomore, provoked controversy over his addition of a newly- fashioned clause to this act, which the SA further amended to show its support for "additional vendors that would enhance the nightlife of the students" in the event that Starbucks does not buy out the College Delly.
"Getting a lot of signatures is not solving a real-world issue," Pilchen said. He argued that if the SA fails to take a stance, "were just going to see [Williamsburg nightlife] slide away into the dark annals of history."
His addition to the Nightlife Act aims to cover "anything that approximates the nightlife students would enjoy," hypothetically adding that the clause could even support "a strip club."
"Theres no one else even thinking of bidding," said Senator Victor Sulkowski, a senior, citing Starbucks as the only option to replace the College Delly.
Vice-President Amanda Norris, a senior, revealed that a nightclub and a local sub vendor also have interest in the property, although Starbucks still appears to be the frontrunner. Pilchen noted that, if Starbucks takes control of the property, it will bear the name "The William and Mary Starbucks."
After its emendation, which passed 5-3-4, the revised bill passed 8-6-0.
Other issues addressed this week included junior Senator Brett Phillips' presentation about future hopes for a "Newtown Day," similar to the current Busch Gardens Day.
Phillips also elaborated on a meeting this week with president Gene Nichol, at which Nichol expressed his desires for improved student voting rights and election uniformity.
"Your dormitory and place on campus allow you to vote," Phillips said. "Weve looked at a number of different statutes that other states use. Each one is pro-student."
Nichol intends to take this issue before a council of presidents from Virginias state schools to raise support. Despite disagreement over whether or not a similar bill failed at the General Assembly, there was a general consensus that the Student Assembly does not wish to take this issue to the city of Williamsburg or before the mayor.
Senator Scott Fitzgerald, a senior, introduced The Prevention of Illness Act, which would place "huge gumball-machine-like hand sanitizers" around campus. Estimated to cost $1500 each, the dispensers would ideally curtail the spread of infections and illness.
Fitzgerald also introduced The Senate Reform Act as well to caution senators from passing off their work to Executive Departments.
"The idea behind this is for our committee structures to actually make things happen instead of just discussing bills," Fitzgerald said.
Both bills were sent to committee for review.
In addition, sophomore Dave Johnson, a member of the Review Board, was confirmed unanimously by the Student Assembly body.