The Student Government Association Senate unanimously approved the extension of the election period to noon today because of problems on the online voting system.
The results will be posted at 3 p.m. today.
SGA Chief Election Commissioner Josh Sarkar said the voting period was extended because students reported having problems voting for their correct college candidates. By extending the voting deadline, students would be able to have one more morning to vote, he said.
The SGA Senate also passed legislation to amend current UH nondiscrimination statement providing equal treatment and opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation. The statement does not provide protection for gender identity and expression.
UH’s Clear Lake campus approved the phrase "gender identity and expression" to be added into the nondiscrimination statement in April 2006.
English professor Maria Gonzales and chemistry staff member Amy Hazilrigg said she came to the meeting to support the bill.
"The addition of gender identity and expression to our nondiscrimination policy will help to guarantee the full privileges of being a member of the University of Houston to all students," Gonzales said.
Social work graduate student Kara Smith said no civil rights movement has had significant impact without the support of the "assumed majority," and while the assumed majority will not benefit from the bill, she is still in support of it.
"I firmly believe in equal rights for those of different races, color, sexes, religions, national origins, citizenship status, ages, physical or mental disabilities or veterans status, which are all currently legally protected under law," Smith said. "Gender identity and gender expression is the next frontier in civil rights."
Smith said the bill does not imply the necessity of separate but equal facilities. Differences in gender identity and expression currently exist on campus and nothing would be required to change as far as separate accommodations are concerned like bathrooms and locker rooms, she said.
"Inclusion of the amendment would make those places safer for those who are currently unprotected by the nondiscrimination statement," Smith said.
Smith said she does not plan on giving any alumni support to UH until these inclusions have passed.
English freshman Rayah Bell said UH is a diverse campus and it only makes sense to provide protection for everyone.
"We’ve got so much that we’re working for, so much to work with our students and so much to do as far as progression goes," Bell said. "I believe that being as diverse as we are, we set a bar for all universities everywhere. Being leaders, we have a duty to protect ourselves and everyone around us."
SGA Senators Bilal Zakaria, Mujan Noroozian, Shameria Davis, Jason Cisneroz, John Phillips, Gus Forward and Mubeen Khumawala did not attend the meeting.
