SGA holds Senate meeting, New Officers installed

On Wednesday September 17, 2014 the Student Government Association held its Senate meeting in the Mocha room of the Smith Brown Memorial Student Union. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and was called to order by Vice President Sara Martin, a senior political science major from Denham Springs, Louisiana. After the invocation, roll call and adoption of the agenda was done by was done by the secretary of the senate. The sociology club pleaded their request for organizational funds. After a fairly brief discussion the sociology club was granted the needed funds for their trip to attend a march in New York City, New York. Next Nicholas Harris, President of SGA, presented his executive report. In this report Harris brought attention to issues affecting the student body such as the number of waste containers places around campus, which is affecting the accumulation of trash, and the amount of lighting, which ensures the safety of the students. After Harris’ report, cabinet appointments for the executives, association for women students (AWS), Men’s Federation, and each class president’s cabinet were approved. Also approved were the officials for the Senate and the judiciary positions by Harris.
Clifton Bluen, of the Men’s Federation and a member of the judicial branch of SGA, requested an amendment to the judicial branch.
“As we’ve seen through the years, the judicial branch isn’t very popular among students,” said Bluen.
“We haven’t had a full judiciary since 2010,” finished Bluen.
Bluen’s request proposed that quorum, which is where the minimum amount of students were required to be present to conduct business, is amended so that they can receive representation from each class. After the bill was deliberated, the Senate passed it.
Concluding the meeting officials were administered the oath of office. The oath obligates an official, whether elected or appointed, to uphold the constitution of SGA, which ensures that they are doing
their best for the student body and not for anyone’s personal interests.
Students in attendance were proud of what was accomplished throughout the meeting. Some were even intrigued by the information that was provided in a professional manner.
“I believe that Senate meetings are very important, being that it is vital that the student body gets the opportunity to come out and stay informed and updated about campus wide events,” said Kyler Lastie, a 19-year-old sophomore civil engineering major from Houston, Texas.
Students sitting on the board were proud and encouraged by the turnout of the meeting. The senate encourages students to get engaged in the conversations about what needs they have on campus as well as what concerns or bothers them.
“We are here to be a service to our university, and the students most of all,” said Martin.
Martin stated that to get students involved, a meeting is planned to occur where they aren’t dressed formally and not following Robert’s rule of order, so that students can comfortably express themselves. The next Senate meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.