SGA plans to establish emergency assistance grant

An emergency meeting of the Southern University Student Government Association Senate has put plans in place to allow grants to be given to those students in need, create a joint session of the SGA Senate and Faculty Senate and to begin legislation to increase the student health fee.
President of the Senate Channing Blake called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m. Although it was immediately apparent that Senate President Blake lacked the necessary number of senators (quorum) necessary to do anything official. This did not hinder the Senate from the task at hand, a necessary balloting issue on a new grant program.
A special session of the Student Senate called on the executive order of SGA President Carey Ash was called in order to convert the Student Loan Program into a Grant Program.
“My predecessor attempted to reinstitute the loan program he was a visionary,” said Ash.
“I like the idea of students being able to get emergency assistance I just don’t believe that they should have to pay those funds back.”
President Pro Temp, Stasha Rhodes, at the conclusion of Ash’s request for the idea to be sent to the students in a referendum, took the extraordinary steps necessary by submitting the idea as Senate Bill Number 1.
Rhodes quickly received the support of her fellow senators although there were not an adequate number of members present in order for the Bill to pass, thus leaving the bill pending until the next regularly scheduled senate meeting.
“I am enthused about the program and it serves as the mark of the SGA assisting not only the entire student body, but the individual student as well,” said Rhodes on the legislation regarding the grant program.
Rhodes then surprised the Senate by introducing legislation to increase student’s health fee from $40 to $60 according to Senate Bill Number 2.
“For too long the student’s have had substandard health care and it is time that they received quality care,” said Rhodes.
This legislation was voted on as well, but it too lacked the necessary votes to be passed and will stand pending until the next regularly scheduled senate meeting.
Rhodes also urged, “the student’s support of the health referendum”, saying, “the health center is important due to the declining health care of our black students, and if we continue to invest in our health we will reap a great harvest.”
At the conclusion of the meeting Ash surprised the Senate calling them into special session to be held on August 31st at 4:30 p.m., in the High-Tech Auditorium of P.B.S. Pinchback Hall.
Executive Order VI calls the Senate of both the Faculty and SGA to meet and come to conclusions regarding issues affecting the University.
“We (SGA) and the Faculty Senate are stronger united than we are divided,” said Ash. Issues Ash claims that should be discussed are registration, both teacher and student attendance policy and parking.
Ash hopes that the Joint senates will become permanent in the hopes of guiding the university to new heights.
Senate President Channing Blake declined comment on the legislation and projects pending in SGA.