New senate bill changes up Rammys’ process

On Thursday, April 18, the ASU Student Government Association and the Special Events Committee held the 32nd annual Rammys Awards, the first under the new SGA Senate Bill 94.04. 

The bill was passed in the Spring of 2023 and established a “Rammys Selection Commission” to ensure a fair selection process for the Rammys. In the past, the SGA would collectively look over applications and then decide on a vote without any official process, which has led to concerns about bias in the selection committee. 

With the new bill, applications are graded using rubrics. The rubrics contain categories designed specifically for each application. Each category is graded on a five-point scale and the total amount of points determines the winner. The categories in which each nominee is judged range from qualitative to quantitative measures. A qualitative measure could be a GPA, while a quantitative measure could be the sense of community a nominee shows. 

The RSC is composed of seven SGA members who are nominated and confirmed by the student senate.  Before elections start, all members of the selection commission must disclose which student organization they are affiliated with to ensure bias can be checked. 

“We wanted to really streamline the process, make it as fair as possible,” said Kaci Wainscott, Special Events Committee chair.

Members of the commission who are in a student organization up for nomination are allowed to participate in the selection process. Within the commission, there is no majority of those in a student organization. If a member of the commission is individually up for nomination, they are not allowed to participate in the selection process. 

“We go through the winners at the end to ensure and like check and everyone had similar scores for everything so we try to eliminate as much of that bias,” Wainscott said.

When asked about the names of the RSC members, Wainscott was unwilling to share. 

“Many students are very passionate about their organizations and I do not want the Commission to be harassed or questioned about their voting decisions,” Wainscott said. “As the chair, I do not mind shouldering this responsibility for them.” 

The winners of the Rammys were as follows:

Promising Male Leader of the Year: James C. Bautista

Promising Female Leader of the Year: Tressa Reading

Most Valued Ram: Christian Bell

Quiet Influence of the Year: Ben Skipper

Adviser of the Year: Leah Carruth

Academic/Professional Organization of the Year: Ramgineers

Board/Council of the Year: University Center Program Council

Club Sports Organization of the Year: Rams Ultimate Frisbee

Greek Life Organization of the Year: Sigma Kappa

Honor Society of the Year: Honors Student Association

Multicultural/International Organization of the Year: Association of Mexican-American Students

Service Organization of the Year: PAWS-itive Rams

Special Interest Organization of the Year: Fostering Rams Success Organization 

Spiritual Life Organization of the Year: Newman Catholic Student Organization 

Rising Ram Organization Award: Women’s Health Club

Most Spirited Organization Award: Association of Mexican-American Students

Outstanding Community Service Award: Honors Student Association 

Dr. E. James Hindman Award: Honors Student Association