Senator Erich M. Fabricius submitted the following report on Sunday, August 26, 2001, on behalf of the Government Operations Committee, and pursuent to its August 22, 2001 recommendations, with 2 members voting in the affirmative and 1 in the negative:

Attendance:

There were four (4) Senators (Denton, Engler, Fabricius, Mangum) present;

There are one (1) Senator (Brown) absent;

A quorum was present.

Background:

The Wolf Aides Act, Government Bill 30 of the 2000-2001 Session, formalized the existance of the NCSU SG Wolf Aides Program. One provision of this act stipulates that the "Program shall encourage Wolf Aides to seek and hold other positions within Student Government."

The program, now in its fifth year, is executing a series of changes in an effort to increase its utility to both the student government and the student body. One key change is the consolidation of the program into a single semester. The Director of the Wolf Aides Program, Ms. Brook Colgan, has expressed a desire to advise Wolf Aides not to become SG officials so that they might focus more effort on the program. Most hold the view that the aforementioned statute presently precludes her from issuing such advice.

Debate:

Concerns were voiced that a policy keeping Wolf Aides out of office during their fall semester might leave them without a position to fill in the spring. Senators also argued that such a policy would reduce Wolf Aide interaction and separate the program more from the student government. Some felt that quality people would be lost to either the program or the branches.

The majority believed that the Wolf Aides Director was the best authority on the administration of the program, and should be granted practical flexibility when possible. Statements were delivered regarding past experiences with office holding Wolf Aides drifting from the program as they progressed in their service. Senators also felt that the program could be given discretion without comprising the fundamental principles the statute protects.

Recommendations:

The standing committee recommends that a bill be drafted and subsequently fast-tracked to amend the Student Body Statutes to grant the Wolf Aides Board of Advisors discretion in advising Wolf Aides to serve in additional branches of Student Government.