Undergraduate Student Government President Yaser Alamoodi's veto of the proposed mandatory meal plan could have sent a profound message to the Arizona Board of Regents -- if the veto had actually passed.
The veto was deemed invalid after Alamoodi failed to notify the USG Senate president within 24 hours of its signing, as stipulated in government bylaws.
Alamoodi said he didn't know he needed to notify Senate President Cledwyn Jones about his decision in writing.
"I take full responsibility for not being aware of the little obscure part of the bylaw," he said.
Alamoodi said he believed his quotes stating his intentions in a State Press column and news story were sufficient notification.
But members of the Associated Students of ASU should have informed him of the bylaw, he said.
Jones, who is chair of the logistics division of the meal plan committee, said he did not learn about the veto until he checked with the ASASU business office at the end of last week.
"The bylaws state, simply, the process failed to be completed," he said."I would be remiss in my duties if I allowed the vetoes to stand."
In response to the invalidation, Alamoodi, along with the Senate University Affairs Committee, proposed several resolutions to the meal plan proposal at the Senate's Tuesday night meeting.
The resolutions would reflect Senate support of monthly installment payments, more efforts to inform students about the plan and exemptions for students with financial hardships.
The committee also proposed adding an all Maroon and Gold plan, and looking into adding off-campus M&G options. M&G can be used as cash at any on-campus food establishment. The Residence Hall Association proposed similar adjustments when it reviewed the proposal last month.
Ultimately, no decision was made with regards to the resolutions, which were sent back to the University Affairs Committee to be reworked.
The Arizona Board of Regents Capital Committee also met Tuesday morning to discuss issues relating to the meal plan.
During the meeting, the committee discussed the impact revenue from the meal plan will have in enhancing eating facilities on campus, said committee member Robert Bulla.
"[The Regents] agree the concept is OK, but details are not finalized," he said.
Bulla said the regents are open to listening to input from many sources.
"We value all input from all students regardless," he said. "But nothing is as easy on he surface as it seems."
Reach the reporter at kristi.eaton@asu.edu.
