The Student Association Senate might consider a proposal this year to form two different off-campus districts in an effort to ensure equal student representation on the senate.

The proposal, which SA Vice President Greg Bliss said might not be addressed by the senate until the spring semester, would divide the off-campus district presently in place into north and south districts.

Both Bliss and former SA Senator Mike Goldstein said the proposal would result in a loss of senate seats for representatives of Greek Row.

“With off-campus seats, we’re faced with a big influx of people from greek houses,” Goldstein said. “The problem isn’t that people are greek. The problem is they’re abusing their social structure to try and make it a political entity.”

Goldstein, who is not a member of the greek community, added that last year the senate experienced “incredible disproportionate representation.”

Bliss said the “friction” between greeks and non-greeks “got out of hand” last year. “The greeks feel they have a lot to lose and nothing to gain (if the proposal is implemented).”

He said the majority of last year’s senate included members of the greek community and the John Lennon Society. “People from other parts of the campus don’t run because they feel they can’t win. That’s unfortunate, but in a way, they’re right,” he said.

Jim Valentine, former SA senator and member of the greek community, disagreed. He said the fact greeks hold seats on the senate does not mean they can vote to benefit themselves in any way.

“The people on the senate that were most involved last year were primarily the greeks,” Valentine said. “I don’t see any point in cutting down representation. And I don’t see how a person from the South side (of DeKalb) can have different views than someone on the other side of town.”

Valentine said about 35 senator petitions were turned in to the SA this semester, and about 31 of those people are greek.

Michele Gerritson, who is running for SA senate this year, said she would be “all for” the proposal, but the two-thirds majority senate vote needed for passage is unlikely to occur.

The issue was presented at the senate’s summer session, but no vote was taken. “Based on the reaction the proposal got over the summer, I’m not sure how much of a chance it has,” Goldstein said.

If the senate does vote in favor of the proposal this year, it will not take effect until next year, Bliss said. “The situation is not going to change overnight,” he said.