The legislative proposition to raise the required grade point average for ASNMSU senators, vice president and president failed Thursday evening at the ASNMSU Senate meeting.
However, with 13 in-favor and 14 opposed, the decision was not unanimous among Senate.
The legislation, written by Graduate Sen. Krisstal Clayton, aimed to change the senator requirement to a minimum 2.5 GPA and the president and vice president requirement to a minimum 3.0 GPA. As it stands, the academic requirement to be considered for candidacy is to be in "good standing" with the university, which is a 2.0 GPA, according to the 2008-2009 ASNMSU law book.
"We're student leaders and because we're student leaders, I think we should have a higher GPA [requirement] than we have now," Clayton said.
College of Arts and Sciences Sen. Martin Rivero said he opposed the legislation because it promoted elitism within student government.
"It discriminates against students academically," Rivero said. "We want to promote student government as inclusive."
Rivero said the proposed bill would have made it more difficult for students to get involved in student government.
"We have to represent all students, not just students with stellar GPAs," Rivero said.
Rivero said senators should be held to a professional standard, not an academic standard. He added the legislation would prohibit several senators from re-running for their seats come election time.
"Senate should not have the right to limit student choice and representation," Rivero said. "If that is what students want, I believe they should have the vote, not senators."
College of Arts and Sciences Sen. Deborah Albo said she supported a constitutional referendum, which would allow all students the opportunity to vote on the issue.
Albo said Senate prompted her to "be better" academically, and said students should have the same opportunity she had.
"This excludes people from the process," said College of Arts and Sciences Sen. and Student Regent Chris Anaya.
Anaya said because a person is eligible for candidacy, does not mean they will be elected.
"I think it should be up to the students," Anaya said.
College of Business Sen. Antonio Reza-Valencia said the protocol and rules of the Senate should be made by the Senate, not the students.
"The students trusted us to make the decisions that will affect them in the future," Reza-Valencia said. "I think it's a good idea to set our leaders to certain excellence standards, especially the president and vice president."
Reza-Valencia said he questioned the intent of the senators who opposed the bill.
"I think you come to school to get good grades, and then get involved, not the other way around," Reza-Valencia said.
He said GPA does not affect leadership, but said student leaders should lead by example academically.
Clayton said there are current stipulations in place, but this amendment would set an example of academic responsibility.
"I'm not trying to keep anybody out," Clayton said, in reference to allegations of promoting an elitist student government.
Clayton added ASNMSU offers several positions for involvement with student government. She said "student voice doesn't stop" just because an individual cannot run for senate.
"I don't understand how this is such a rough requirement," Clayton said, and added that a 2.0 GPA is just shy of academic probation.
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