Ripon College Days

Now in her fourth year on senate, Sinnwell has become a leader and strong advocate for her ideals. And the secret of her success, she says, is her knowledge of the semantics.

"Historically there have been some senators more savvy with Robert's Rules of Order and they have been more familiar with the constitution and bylaws, therefore they have greater impact on the decision making process," says Student Senate advisor and Dean of Students Chris Ogle. "[Sinnwell] pays a lot of attention to procedural matters and that is good."

According to Sinnwell and those who have watched the senator at the weekly senate meetings, her clout comes from an acute ability to utilize procedure.

"Every year a couple of senators stand out," says Senate President Chris Elegersma. "Veterans of senate understand the workings and set an example for younger senators."

While Sinnwell's political moves have become notorious this year, lengthening meetings and annoying fellow senators, they have proved effective.

"You can use procedure to your advantage," says Sinnwell. "That comes with experience."

At a recent senate meeting the College Democrats brought a one-fund proposal to senate under open forum to purchase the rights to the film "Fahrenheit 9/11" and immediately senators were standoffish.

Most senators were skeptical of the proposal, which cost under $300, because it was not placed on the meeting's agenda. The Democrats failed to submit the one-fund the prior Wednesday in accordance with executive board guidelines.

However the College Democrats urged senators to provide the funding, calling it an emergency situation. The deadline for getting the rights was the following day, according to Shelby Deering, who presented the proposal with the organization's president Chris Wyckoff, a senior.

After considerable discussion the proposal was pushed to a vote and voted down, with a majority of senators abstaining. Noting the wiggle room for adding some votes, Sinnwell called for a motion to reconsider the previous question under the grounds that senators used the abstention incorrectly and called for them to make a decision.

With her nudging, the one-fund was again pushed to a vote. But this time around the senate narrowly passed the measure.

The next week, Sinnwell pulled a similar procedural move against a one-fund for rRRUMBA's Chix and Salsa event.

The group had asked for $225 to pay for food at the event. But Sinnwell, who didn't feel the group had provided any justification for how they would spend that money, sought to amend the one-fund to eliminate the food provision.

When her amendment came to a vote and it became clear it would not pass, Sinnwell voted against her own amendment. She then used her status in the majority to call for a reconsideration of the amendment, a request only those on the winning side of a vote can make.

But then Sinnwell faced a bind: For the amendment to be reconsidered, she would have to provide some new evidence to the senate. Temporarily unable to gather her thoughts, Sinnwell invoked personal privilege to take a bathroom break. She returned five minutes later with new evidence and ultimately won a compromise that cut more than half the food budget.

However, some believe while it plays by the rules, it holds up the decision-making process.

"I think the politicking goes against the spirit of what is going on," says rRRumba President Leslie Rivers, who helped present the group's one-fund.

"I get caught up in the procedural stuff," she says. "But if we don't use procedure, senate could turn into a high school student council."

Sinnwell says she has been interested in Robert's Rules since forensics and debate in high school. She was also stirred by political process when she studied for a year in Washington, D.C. in the D.C. Semester Program.

Her experiences in Washington watching national politicians have taught her the value of civic participation. "You can't ever stop fighting for what you believe," she says. "They all have passion and you have got to have passion in whatever you do."

As for a possible run for office someday, Sinnwell doesn't expect it anytime soon because her interests, she says, may carry her in different directions like the peace corps, but she isn't ruling it out in the long term.

"[Running for office] has always been in the back of my mind."

Article Tools