The AUSA Senate admitted last night that it violated the Senate constitution for allocating excess funds.

The Senate violated the excess funds allocation process by allocating funds to Fellowship of Catholic University Students, a campus Catholic group. This violated the Senate constitution because the request was presented by an adviser and the organization was not a Senate-licensed fundable organization. In addition, it did not take place on the correct day and the groups were not heard in alphabetical order, as required by the constitution.

Seniors Anderson Spensley and Chris Rutan first brought concerns to the Senate’s attention about the allocations. They were opposed to Senate allocating fees to FOCUS. Rutan, a former AUSA Senator, brought up violations of the constitutional procedures.

The constitution requires that when the allocation process is violated, all excess funds must be revoked.

The Senate decided against this because to rescind the funding of one group, even if allocated illegally, would only penalize other groups.

“In order to [rescind funding] we’d have to have [the groups] give money back that they have already spent…I really think we need to think about what we’re saying here,” AHUM-SOCS Senator Chelsea Smith said.

Instead, the Senate passed a bill 10/6 to run a full-page Clarion ad taking accountability for this misuse of student fees.

The bill that the Senate passed states, “the purpose of this bill is to demonstrate to the student body of the University of Denver that Senate can hold itself accountable for violating established AUSA Senate processes in the allocation of excess funds.”

The letter states, “Senate did not follow the prescribed procedures of allocation from the excess funds accounts…Senate hereby assumes full responsibility for this misuse of student funds.”

Senator Chelsea Smith said, “The point of the letter is to encourage conversation and accountability.”

Senator Brian Bau said, “This is certainly something that we have done, and we should be held accountable for.”

Smith said, “I think it’s important for us to take ownership of our Senate and our decisions.”

She said, “We can’t plead ignorance, it’s just not the nature of our organization to be able to do that.”

Gomez has formed an informal task force with Bau, Smith, President Stacy Porto and Advisor Jennifer Layton. The group will be addressing internal issues and exploring the possibility of forming a standing internal affairs committee.

The Senate invites concerned students to attend a forum Wednesday, March 6 at 5 p.m. in the Student Involvement Center to discuss the allocation process and possible changes.

In other Senate news, Don Enloe, assistant director of Campus Safety, addressed the Senate about Thomas Ware’s accusations that Campus Safety discriminated against him, and about thefts that have been committed on campus.

Two Campus Security officers confronted Ware in Penrose Library. Ware said the officers said he fit the description of someone they were looking for. Campus Safety is looking for a black male of slim build who is 6 feet tall. Ware said he was later told he did not fit the description, except that he was black.

Ware said this was an example of “direct singling out of a racial group based on race.”

In response to accusations about Campus Safety engaging in racial profiling, Enloe said, “I’m here to adamantly deny any of that; that doesn’t happen here.”

Enloe said, “we’ve had a series of thefts from offices and classrooms of purses, wallets, backpacks.”

Enloe said Ware matches the description of the suspect. He said, “In this situation we have a clear description of a black male…that’s why we’re contacting as many black males as we can that fit that description.”

Students who have concerns about Campus Safety are encouraged to contact Enloe at denloe@du.edu or Captain Mike Holt at mholt@du.edu.

Jenna Brown, Ombuds Officer, addressed the Senate about services that she offers.

Brown said, “my job is to provide confidential and informal advice for anyone…to encourage fair processes.”

She said DU has an obligation to follow their procedures. She said, “My job is to help folks figure out what those policies and procedures are.”

Her office is located on the first floor of the Margery Reed building. She is not available for walk-ins, but students can make an appointment by calling extension 4712, or by e-mailing ombuds-officer@du.edu.

The Senate is sponsoring a letter to administrators and organizations with ideas that were generated at the Campus Collaborative Luncheon. Bau said this will send the ideas “to the respective people that could make some of these changes happen.”

The Senate approved the National Residence Hall Honorary as a licensed, non-fundable group.

The Diversity Committee still has funding available. Any group that is planning a diversity project is encouraged to apply. Information is available at http://www.du.edu/orgs/senate/orgs.html.