Leimenstoll vetoes stipend elimination

A controversial bill that passed through Student Congress has hit a roadblock after a veto from Student Body President Will Leimenstoll.

The bill — which would eliminate the $2,400 yearly stipend allotted to the student body vice president — passed through Congress with a two-thirds majority on Nov. 13 after a contentious debate.

But Leimenstoll officially vetoed the bill five days later, stating that without a stipend, the position would be inaccessible to some students who rely on income from part-time jobs.

Congress can override Leimenstoll’s veto if two-thirds of members present at next Tuesday’s meeting vote in favor — but there’s no saying which way the decision will fall.

Proponents of the bill say the Student Code does not require the vice president to stay in Chapel Hill for the summer months.

The other executive branch members who receive stipends — president and treasurer — are both required to stay for the summer.

But Leimenstoll said a new bill has been proposed this week that would add summer duties to the vice president’s job description — which he thinks could change how some congress members vote.

“We’re hopeful that this was their underlying reason for starting to pass a bill, and this would address that just as well — if not even better,” he said.

Speaker of Student Congress Paige Comparato said congress members might have their minds made up before next week’s meeting.

Because of the rules surrounding the veto process, there will be no discussion before the vote to override, she said.

“It will be a very different mood in the room than the last meeting,” she said.

“Generally, everyone will have done a lot of research on this already, and they will be ready to hear the veto message and then vote.”

Student Body Vice President Rachel Myrick — who would not be affected by the bill — said she donates her stipend back into campus funds because she receives a scholarship.

But for students like Leimenstoll, who receives financial aid and has had a job every semester, the stipend is essential.

Jocelyn Burney, a co-sponsor of the bill to eliminate the stipend, said accessibility to the position is a systemic issue — not something limited to the availability of a stipend.

“Do I think that the money alone in that stipend is going to determine whether or not someone will take that position? I’d say no,” she said.

“In order to be student body vice president, you need a certain level of experience and leadership.

“If you are in a financial situation where you need to be working, you can’t get the experience required to then apply and be accepted to the position.”

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