ASA Document #223
May 11, 1998
Modification of DRC Procedures
Background
Since the Districting and Representation Committee (DRC) was organized in 1994, it has allowed a representative to remain in his or her original district indefinitely, even when changes in the representative's title, department affiliation, or location would have otherwise dictated moving the person.
The DRC adopted this policy because it did not want to discourage anyone from participating in governance, and the DRC still believes this is important. But, after the DRC reviewed this policy, it decided that time limits were needed on this policy to insure that the interests of that district=s constituents could be actively represented. Accordingly, we are proposing the following procedure.
Proposed DRC Policy
When an Assembly representative has a change in title, departmental affiliation or location that requires moving that representative to a new district, the Districting and Representation Committee will take the following steps.
1. A DRC member will contact the representative to confirm the change and ascertain whether the district change is indeed required.
2. If the DRC determines that moving the representative is warranted, then, before making that decision, a DRC member will discuss the situation with the representative, presenting the two following options.
Option 1
The representative may move to the new district and notify the Secretary
of the Academic Staff that his district needs a new representative. Whenever
possible, the representative will suggest possible candidates who remain
in the old district for the position.
Option 2
The representative may continue representing that district for one year
or until the next election, whichever is later. During this transition
period, the representative will continue to represent the interests of
the district and will search for candidates to become the future Assembly
representative at the end of the transition period.