By: Austin Strykowski

Image Credit: UConn Today

On February 18, 2025, the Senate of the Associated Student Government (ASG) passed an amendment to Article I, Section 7 of the constitution, which would force ASG “to act in a non-partisan manner at all times.” On March 17-19, however, that amendment will be subject to the will of the entire student body in an at-large vote, only needing a simple majority to pass.  

This bill seemingly comes as a reaction to the recent Ohio Senate Bill 1 which states that a goal of universities is to “affirm and declare that its primary function is to practice, or support the practice of, discovery, improvement, transmission, and dissemination of knowledge and citizenship education by means of research, teaching, discussion, and debate.” 

This, in turn, raises concerns over the extent to which the student government will allow itself to become nonpartisan, should both bills pass. 

Nonpartisanship, when involved in a governmental organization, can either apply to political parties themselves or to political ideologies.

Should the Miami College Republicans or Democrats decide to form coalitions to formulate policy in the student government, this would likely be considered partisan.

However, if a group of representatives are working together to form legislation that leans more conservative or more liberal, would this be considered partisan as well?

The vague nature of the amendment provides room for this debate and could have unintended consequences for ASG. 

Moreover, what if a person or a group of people were to violate this amendment based on what is perceived to be acting in a partisan manner? Would they be removed from the government, their legislation stricken entirely? These questions would need to be answered before moving forward with a bill.

This amendment does not seem to be widely known across the student body as many students prepare to go on spring break and finish up midterm course work. A large portion of students do not pay much attention to ASG and only interact with them if they need funding for a club. 

While the vast majority of students do not pay as much attention as they probably should to ASG, there is an Instagram account named “vote_no_miami,” which has positioned itself against the passage of this amendment. 

Their following is small, roughly 40 followers at the time of writing this article, but this group raises concerns over free speech in ASG. They believe that the passage of this amendment will restrict speech for students who want to raise concerns to ASG and for the representatives, as it may constrict what ASG is able to do with legislation.

More information will likely come after the votes are cast, but ASG will need to answer the questions regarding the vagueness of the amendment before any work is done.