Controversial legislation struck down

By Shelby Leonard

Lariat Reporter

With a final vote of 22 to 25 Student Senate vetoed the proposal to reword the phrase “homosexual acts” in the Sexual Misconduct Code Non-Discrimination Act in the Student Senate meeting Thursday.

The proposal would have removed the phrase “homosexual acts” and replace it with the phrase “nonmarital consensual deviate sexual intercourse.”

Senior Trenton Garza debates on an SR bill to reword Baylor’s misconduct code, removing the phrase “homosexual acts” with “non-marital consensual deviate sexual intercourse.”  The proposal, which was authored by Garza, was passed by student government on Thursday in the Cashion Academic Center.  Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor
Senior Trenton Garza debates on an SR bill to reword Baylor’s misconduct code, removing the phrase “homosexual acts” with “non-marital consensual deviate sexual intercourse.” The proposal, which was authored by Garza, was passed by student government on Thursday in the Cashion Academic Center.
Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor

Student Body President Wesley Hodges has the authority to sign or veto any piece of legislature. Following considerations, Hodges decided to veto the bill.

The veto by Hodges was returned to Student Senate to be voted on, in accordance with the Student Body Constitution.

The Student Senate vote followed an open forum debate with alternating pro and con speakers.

A necessary two-thirds vote is needed to override a veto. The final vote count was 22 in favor of upholding the veto issued by the Student Body President, and 25 in favor of overriding the veto.

As a result of the vote, it was concluded that the question of modification should not be referred to University administrators or other representative entities for further investigation at this time.