ASWC Resolutions

Resolutions are non-binding documents that reflect our interest or intent within Whitman College, within the Walla Walla community, within the United States, or within our international community.

To propose a resolution, first contact your Policy Chair at aswc_policy@whitman.edu or the ASWC Secretary to obain a bill number for your resolution so ASWC can keep track of them.  Additionally, you will also need a sponsor from a current Senator or Executive Council member (he/she can also help you write the resolution).  Next, please follow the guidelines below.  Lastly, contact your Policy Chair to submit your resolution to the Policy Committee for review, or submit it to the Senate.  

Here are some guidelines for writing a resolution: 

a.      A resolution must identify and explain the problem that needs to be addressed (the WHEREAS portion) and propose a solution that will address the problem as identified (the RESOLVED portion). 

b.     The first portion of a resolution identifies and states the problem that needs to be addressed.  The problem should be stated in factual terms.  Opinions are not expressed in this portion of the resolution.

c.      Each fact should be listed as a separate sentence or paragraph that begins with WHEREAS, and is followed by a semi-colon.  The final WHEREAS ends with a semi-colon followed by “therefore be it”.

d.     The RESOLVED portion of the resolution states the action that you propose to address the problem identified in the WHEREAS portion of the resolution.  Because resolving most problems involves an exercise of judgment, this is the portion of the resolution where the author expresses their opinions.  If the author proposes more than one solution, each separate solution to the problem should be listed as a separate sentence or paragraph that begins with the world “RESOLVED”.

e.      When a resolution contains multiple “RESOLVED” statements, they are linked by the phrase “and be it further” at the end of each RESOLVED statement, except the last one.  When properly written, this section “stands alone” or clearly restates the problem in summary form and explains to the reader the action necessary to address that problem, without having to refer back to the “WHEREAS” statements. 

f. Number each line of your resolution so that it is easy for readers to follow during review.

 

---

Below is a list of resolutions, when they were passed/failed, and a short summary.  To view the document itself, please click on the link. 

 

Spring 2008:

1. Cascade Climate Challenge Declaration [passed in Senate]

2. Symposium Call to Action Resolution [passed: 4.13.2008]

3. Ensuring Students' Representation [passed in Policy Committee 4.25.2008] 

Spring of 2007:

1. The Evaluation of Reading Day Act 

2. The Free Expression Wall revised [passed: 5.6.2007]