The final Student Senate of the semester on April 22 concluded with the successful passage of legislation and the approval of a new campus organization, the University Feminist Organization.
Senators passed one resolution and two bills. Doug May, senior music education major, presented the first resolution, which requested that “additional charging stations be added to such areas as Brewer Dining Hall, Barefoots Joe, the SUB hallway and anywhere else the administration deems an appropriate location for a charging station,” according to the resolution text. The resolution passed.
Gray Magee, junior cell and molecular biology major, presented a constitutional amendment regarding Senate attendance policy. The amendment changed the SGA constitution to allow senators to miss two Senate meetings per semester and place more accountability on the organization, without punishing individual senators for absences.
“We’re trying to foster more opportunity and not just catch people in red tape,” Magee said. “This amendment would follow the spirit of the law more than the letter of the law. Our superiors like this because it gives us more accountability for the organization rather than senators themselves.”
The bill was passed with one amendment. Constitutional amendments, after being approved by senators, must be voted on by the student body in the next election, which is April 23-27 on the Union University Portal.
The final bill was presented by Sierra Owens-Hughes, senior art major and senator for Kappi Pi. Kappa Pi, an honorary art fraternity that focuses on community service, was asked to paint a mural for the HUB Club in Jackson. Owens-Hughes asked senators to give Kappi Pi $100 from the remaining budget to fund supplies for the mural. The bill passed.
Lacie Fink, junior accounting major and SGA ambassador, gave an update on previously passed legislation. She said the Grant Events Center parking lot will be open for students during Senate times only. Residence Life recently ordered new basketball nets and basketballs for the Bowld Commons. Finally, the sign that marks the two-mile campus route will be moved to the Pleasant Plains entrance.
Before adjourning, Senators approved a new campus organization, the University Feminist Organization. Allison Pulliam, junior political science and broadcast journalism major, said the club’s goal is create a safe place for students to talk about gender issues, explore interaction between feminism and the gospel, create opportunities for service projects and host campus events.
Emma Kurt said visits from organizations like Union’s new EDGE program, Letters in Motion and Agape North were highlights from Senate this semester.
“Next semester I hope to have a continued rise in participation within Senate as senators become more invested in their roles as club representatives,” Kurt said.
