SGA’s primary directive initiative should be better regulated if implemented again next year, according to members.  

In Oct. 2024, SGA set three primary directives to help construct more intentional bills: accessibility, wellness and connectivity, according to previous Scribe reporting.  

All proposed bills were expected to meet the directives, but the execution fell flat, according to Speaker of the Senate Greg Abukar-Duru. “In the beginning, I did try with some senators to be more accustomed to the resolution of the primary directives, but, unfortunately, it didn’t work as well as I thought it would,” Abukar-Duru said.  

The resolution did not include repercussions for members of the senate if a bill did not include the directives. Instead, members were urged to strongly consider them during the bill process, according to previous Scribe reporting.  

The directives were intended to act as a guide to ensure bills aligned with UCCS’ needs and values. According to Isabella Polombo, senator of innovation, the directives provided “a clear vision and measurable goals for the year.” Polombo says the directives helped improve senator communication.  

Notably, SGA passed the fentanyl test strip bill and DEI resolution which prioritized all three directives, according to Abukar-Duru.  

Despite its lack of success this school year, Abukar-Duru hopes SGA will set primary directives again next year. “It’s really good at setting the tone and motion for senators to make bills, I think next year they can implement it better than I did, but I think it’s necessary because I don’t like the idea of making bills just for the sake of making bills,” Abukar-Duru said.  

Graphic via The Scribe archives.