By Kathryn Flippin, Life Editor
Student leaders met to discuss the addition of a new sidewalk, alteration of a spring holiday and to bring attention to the scanning services in the library at the Student Government Association’s bi-weekly meeting Feb. 22.
The Engineering Student Advisory Council presented a bill allocating for $200 in order to support expensive design materials in the engineering design capstone course.
“This will in return bring impressive projects for the (engineering) department and will allow free publicity for Union,” Karl Magnuson, senior engineering major, said.
The bill was passed after voting.
Senators also voted to approve a resolution that supports student attendance on Good Friday in order to have the Monday after Easter off for traveling purposes.
“As a student who lives at least four hours away, I do not want to spend half of my Easter away from my family and on the road,” said David Clark, sophomore mathematics major who introduced the resolution.
Clark also said the substitution had been done in the past and he would like the administration to reconsider it as an alternative again.
Sophomore Council presented a bill to ask the administration for the construction of a new sidewalk behind the Penick Academic Complex from the door of the “D” hallway to the Blasingame Academic Complex.
“The sidewalk is rather narrow, and many students find themselves stuck in the mud after bad weather,” said Luke Trammell, sophomore political science major. “We just want the university to be aware of it so it can be fixed.”
Several senators agreed and voted to send the bill on to the administration.
The senior class closed the night by presenting a resolution to ask for the repair or replacement of the scanner in the library. The findings pointed out in the resolution said that the library produces inadequate scans, many of which are grainy and blurry.
One senator asked if the senior class could produce an example, but they said they had no tangible evidence to present.
Trey Smith, senior chemistry major and senior class treasurer, said he had experienced problems with the scanner firsthand and had been asked by many to make this known to the administration.
In addition to passing all the legislation of the night, James Barbee, junior elementary education major and SGA’s attorney general, swore in Anika Strand, junior social work major, as the new junior class treasurer. Strand replaced Jordan Wilson, junior accounting major, who became vice president of SGA in January.
Barbee also swore in Haaken Magnuson, freshman undecided major, as the new chaplain, and Jacob Hayes, freshman youth ministry major, as the new sergeant at arms. SGA selects these positions at the beginning of each calendar year.
“I am very pleased to serve as the chaplain for SGA,” Haaken Magnuson said. “I think it will be a great opportunity to minister to students by not just being available at meetings but by also being an encouragement to the staff.”
Kirby Lewis, junior political science major and SGA secretary, advised senators on the proper technique to send in and present a bill or resolution.
He also reminded senators about the SGA budget. He said it only allows for the allocation of $200 to each organization once in the academic year. If an organization would like more, he said they could present a bill at the last senate of the semester to contest for the remaining funds.
