Among the six bills the SGA passed last night, largely without debate, were the two that legislators spent most of the session debating: a resolution recommending the removal of the word “rioting” from a list of reasons students could be expelled and the establishment of a campus resource book for incoming freshmen.

In a three-hour meeting, legislators also passed four other bills quietly and unanimously. One addressed general operations funding for legislative meetings next semester, another created a fund to establish “Support Haiti Day,” another allowed for a summer move-out donation drive and yet another created a rooftop garden for The Diner. Yesterday’s meeting marked the second in a row where an unusually large amount of resolutions were approved en masse.

Removal of “riot” language:

North Hill Legislator Natalia Cuadra-Saez sponsored a bill that demands the removal of the word “rioting” from expulsion-worthy offenses as listed in the Code of Student Conduct.

The bill yielded the most contentious debate of the night. Cuadra-Saez argued that the term is too vague and bears the risk of indicting innocent bystanders. She added that all of the other offenses listed alongside rioting — assault, theft, vandalism and fire-setting — cover all offenses that could occur in a “riot” situation.

“I think that one word has created a lot of anxiety for a lot of students,” she said.

Others said the bill should instead argue for a clear definition of what is meant by “rioting” instead of the word’s removal.

“Rioting is an essential part of the Code of Student Conduct — it needs to be referred to directly,” South Campus Commons Legislator Lisa Crisalli said. “This is something that results when a crowd of people are influencing the behavior of others or they’re raising the sentiment to do something.”

Ultimately, the original language of the bill passed in a 14-11 vote.

Campus Resource Book for the Class of 2014:

Co-sponsored by freshman legislators Diane Berringer and Zach Cohen, this bill funds the printing of 4,000 copies of the 56-page booklet the two legislators created that they said will provide information to incoming freshmen about such things as where to eat, what to do in D.C., how to get to area airports, what student groups there are and other tidbits essential to attending this university.

“It allows incoming freshmen to feel more comfortable as they enter the University of Maryland,” Cohen told the legislature.

But others balked at the $8,200 price tag, arguing that the material will be available online and that the cost should not fall entirely on the SGA.

“It’s simply irresponsible,” said neighboring commuter legislator Dylan Winslow of the price.

SGA President Steve Glickman also chimed in to the debate.

“This is something that you can’t get anywhere else; this is something that comes from experience,” he said.

The bill passed in a 19-11 vote.

SGA-RHA Summer Move-Out Donation Drive:

Every year, summer move-out brings in dumpster loads of dorm casualties — unwanted but useable goods.

This bill sponsors advertising for an event that would separate “actual move-out waste from salvageable items.” The event has been in the works in partnership with Goodwill, who will take the items for their community locations, since last summer. The bill was sponsored by South Hill Legislator Kevin Ford and passed unanimously.

The Diner Community Garden:

This resolution, which transfers $2,500 from the SGA’s legislative reserves to the Dining Services department, will fund a rooftop community garden atop The Diner. Sponsored by Agriculture and Natural Resources Legislator Jesse Yurow, the funds will cover seeds, tools, building materials and decor for the space that has been offered up by The Diner facilities staff.

The bill passed in a unanimous vote.

Haiti Day:

A bill funding the creation of “Support Haiti Day” — a day-long event held by UMD

Students for Haiti — will highlight relief efforts, educate students about Haitian culture, history and politics and raise awareness of how students can help. The resolution is another notch for the SGA’s philanthropic streak this semester: Earlier, they sponsored meal point donation drives to fund both Haiti relief efforts and “Keep Me Maryland” — a program aimed at providing tuition money to students who would otherwise be forced to leave this university. This bill was sponsored by Denton Legislator Ian Winchester.

The resolution passed unanimously.

aisaacs at umdbk dot com