The aroma of fresh popcorn invited students, staff, and Student Government Association members into the first Senate meeting of the semester in the Smith-Brown Memorial Cotillion Ballroom on August 27, 2024.
After a roll call, the meeting began with various updates from each Senator. In the College of Agriculture and Family Consumer Sciences, over $40,000 in scholarships was reported to have been issued to students. Then, the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies senator announced renovations to the news and podcast rooms in Stewart Hall with the addition of newly furnished lounge rooms. The college also plans to launch a new Digital Media major soon.
Similarly, The College of Science and Engineering senator announced 2 new majors: Computer Engineering and Construction Management, and stated that James Hall will be getting torn down in Spring 2025 and replaced with a $50 million building.
This was followed by an update on Housing by Residential Life and Housing Senator, Joi Jones, who stated, “Res-Life explored all practical options for students this upcoming semester such as off-campus housing and even hotels… unfortunately transportation and security were issues, so these options could no longer be explored.” Jones then explained that White Hall had been converted to an all-female dorm due to low male enrollment numbers and that the $75 Housing Application fee, implemented in Spring 2024, is being used to facilitate improvements throughout the department.
In addition to these updates, IT announced its plans to address issues with faulty routers and Canvas, Facilities & Grounds advised students to use disposal systems around campus to minimize litter, and Academics warned students of the upcoming purge being held on August 30, 2024.
The meeting then shifted to budget approvals for SGA including the Royal Court, Men’s Federation, the Association for Women Students, and the Student Government Association itself.
A representative for the Men’s Federation presented their budget with expenses for programming, event security, and scholarships, amongst other costs, totaling $18,500 for the academic year. Similarly, an AWS representative then presented their expenses for the year, rounding out to $19,700 in total. Each budget was unanimously approved with a “yea” from the Senate.
Miss Southern University, Faith Woods, then rose to present her anticipated expenditures for the year. With costs such as Coronation ($40,000), Court Initiatives ($15,000), Football Games & National Conferences ($17,500), and Apparel and Miscellaneous funds ($14,500), the Royal Court’s budget was unanimously approved for $108,000 in total (full breakdown on page __).
When asked, “In what ways are you highlighting retention and success in your initiatives?” Woods responded, “Specifically with the study rooms… I believe students need open spaces to study 24 hours a day. That would increase retention rates by providing spaces to study so they (students) won’t have to go all the way to the library… They’ll always have a place to study.”
Following Woods, President Kennedy Orr presented the overall budget for SGA, including the Senate, Class Cabinets, and Judicial Branch. The Class Cabinets received a combined $30,000 for the school year ($4,000 respectively and $5,000 for Junior/Senior & Freshmore week), while the annual SGA Retreat was reported to cost $15,000. Including other expenses such as programming, security services, scholarships, and travel, the SGA budget rounded out to $150,000 (see the full breakdown on page __).
Public expressions began with Ashley Lovelace, president of the Southern University Gospel Choir, following up on an issue with the organization’s student access fee which was reduced from $3 to $1 due to allocation for a new student union. “I would like to know when that money is going to be possibly restored since we’re on pause right now for the student union,” Lovelace asked.
President Orr responded, “I understand that there is a concern about the fees, and myself and Dr. Walton will be having a meeting with finance… to talk about bringing those fees back up to where they were before the allocation.” Plans for a new student union are currently at a standstill due to a lack of prioritization from the state according to President Orr.
When asked how SGA plans to combat this lack of concern from the State, Orr expressed, “I have a board of regents student position… I’m a voting member, so all the information I’m learning from those meetings I’m happy to share with you all.” Orr also encouraged students to attend the Board of Regents meetings to hear directly from State and University officials and have their concerns addressed. The meeting then ended with a final roll call.
Behind the Senators on a large screen, was a QR code that linked attendees directly to a feedback form to present any concerns they have to the Senate. With an option to remain anonymous, submitters were informed to email [email protected] to have their concerns expressed at upcoming senate meetings. The Southern Digest will continue to cover updates regarding Senate Meetings as they develop.
