After an extensive discussion, the AUSA Senate voted not to support Referendum I at their meeting last Tuesday evening.

A debate that lasted over an hour ultimately ended with the Senate coming up one vote shy-seven out of 15-in order to meet the necessary requirement of a majority vote.

Several senators abstained and affected the vote’s outcome. The majority of the senators, however, agreed that Referendum I, that would allow benefits to same sex couples in Colorado, was an issue they would support personally.

However, several wondered how the vote would impact the University of Denver.

Those who abstained said that a vote would not have significant impact on DU.

“As a member that voted to abstain, I personally believe strongly in Referendum I.B I do not believe that it is the Senate’s place to make such a stand.B I abstained because I personally believe in the issue but could not vote yes because it is not in the senate’s jurisdiction. I do believe, however, that this created some great discourse within the community,” said AUSA Senator Joe Pellar.

Others that voted for the resolution, however, saw the results in a different light.

“I think it’s something that these people (the abstaining senators) should be held accountable for,” said AUSA Senator Michael Nicoletti, who brought the issue to the Senate. “We’ll get the information out there, and see how the campus reacts to their votes.”

The president of the Queer Strait Alliance, Moises Munoz stated his disapproval that so many senators abstained from the vote.

“It worries me, as it should many students that the people we elected to make decisions on our behalf, refused to make any sort of decision,” said Munoz.

Overall, President Aaron Schwarzberg was pleased with the meeting’s drawn out discussion.

“I’m glad the meeting went long because everyone was able to say what they felt strongly about and everyone debated on the topic,” said Schwarzberg. “I was happy with the amount of contribution each Senator was able to give.”

The meeting also discussed the possibility of the AUSA purchasing its own server. In a small presentation given by Liz Sanchez, a new server would allow Senators to post updates, view their funding requirements, have full interaction with the website and allow easier maintenance.

The new server would cost somewhere near $4,000.

Among other topics discussed, there was talk of possibly using polling booths for the freshmen Senate elections, which will be held this Wednesday.

According to Troy Hoshimoto, AUSA Sophomore Senator and President Pro Tempore, the voting system will remain online, as it has the past few years. There are seven freshmen running for the Senate.