Viking_Yearbook_47

THE BEGINNING OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT AT VANPORT Although classes began at Vanport College in the summer of 1946, the or­ ganization of a student government did not t a k e p I ace un til the second m 0 nth of the fall term. During the summer there had been various student social functions including picnics, dances, and a [fip to Mt. Hood all arranged by the faculty. With the coming of the fall term arid a vasrly en­ larged student body there was soon a movement afoor ro organize a regular stu­ dent government. Mr. Hol- DOB TAYLOR land, at that time director JOHN LAUe of student recreation, called a meeting of students interested in forming a student government. Among rhose present at this first meeting were Dave Callison, Ed Cole, Eleanor Fixin, Don Christy, Don Lloyd, Hugh Mills, Jackie McElhiney, Anne Rourke, Bob Taylor, Montie Trask, Barbara Tague, Don Tweedy, Jack Stevenson, Roy Wright , Bill Weaver, John Sandvig, Lewis Smith and Herman Zukerman. From this group several committees were chosen. These were an athletic committee under Dave Callison, a social committee under Anne Rourke and a committee ro write a constitution for the Van­ port College student body. The latter committee, headed by Bob Taylor, finished its work and presented the finished constitution to the student body for approval in late October. The preamble was written by Bill Weaver and the body of the constitution put into its final language by Taylor. Having been approved by the student body after a limited debate over the number of counc.il mem­ bers the constitution of the Associated Students of VanForr College came into effect. EleCtions for Fositions on the council were held and the student government began ro function in mid November. (The members of the first council were Edward Cole, John Christy, Bill Kimmel, Ray lokting, Richard Meigs, Hugh Mills, Anne Rourke, John Sandvig, Jack Stevenson, Barbara Tague, Bob Taylor, William Walker, Bill Weaver, David Callison and Don Tweedie. ) Although the constitution as originally adopted provided for one election each school year, it was felt that more students would rake an interest in school activities if twO councils were elected each year. So in early spring an amendment was added ro the constitution providing for twO council elections a year. The new council elected under this amendment included John lauc as president and Roy Burnett, Ed Cole, Stanley Dean, Charles Fagan, Idamae Fuson, Ben Hamilron, Dick Hickok, Bill Hughes, Joseph T. Meier, Don Newman, Bill Mcleod, Jack Sollis, Richard Meigs, and Jack Stevenson. Continuing in the tradition set by the first council the new council worked as an effective liaison between students and ad­ ministration and as the coordinaror of exrra curricular student activities.