Rapping her gavel, Student Government Association Vice President Emma Kurt quieted Harvey Auditorium for the last senate meeting of the semester Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.
The most hotly debated topic of the night was a resolution proposed by freshman council to allow co-ed intramural teams.
Freshman council researched Liberty University’s co-ed intramural policies and suggested similar guidelines, such as only allowing co-ed teams in non-contact sports, like volleyball or Frisbee, and requiring teams to have an equal number of guys and girls. The resolution ultimately left the nuances of the rules to the discretion of the administration.
Several senators debated the definition of “significant” student interest and whether enough students would be interested in forming a co-ed team to make the resolution worthwhile.
“I stand opposed to this bill because we only have 3,500 students on campus, and a very small number of those actually play intramurals,” said Christian Winter, senior Christian studies major. “To throw in a third section of intramurals, we’d have even less teams to compete against each other.”
Rian Trotter, senior broadcasting major, disagreed.
“If there aren’t enough people who are interested, then it fails,” she said. “This is just saying to the university that there is some interest, can you look into this? I don’t see why we can’t ask at least for that option.”
Others believed it would pose too great a risk of injury for girls who may be physically smaller than the guys they would be competing against. Benton Hurt, SGA treasurer, pointed out that the administration would take care of liabilities, and girls would still have the option to join a girls’ team.
Some argued the change would benefit the intramural program because it would encourage more involvement from students who are not a part of Greek life.
“I think a lot of our students who are not in Greek life would be more interested and could easily form a team,” a freshman council representative said. “This would actually improve student involvement in the way that there would be greater opportunity to form intramural teams if you do allow both guys and girls.”
The resolution passed with a majority.
Senate also approved asking faculty to consider allowing departmental chapels once or twice a semester. This resolution would allow departments to offer a chapel that addresses topics specifically related to their students. This would help apply student’s faith to their learning as well as build community, senators argued.
Junior council presented a resolution requesting the administration to consider allowing EDGE mentors and students to use part of the former library as a lounge during the space’s transitional period. The resolution passed with little debate.
Other business included recognition of the J.H. Eaton Society, a club created to promote fellowship among theology and missions students.
“Our motto is 2 Corinthians 2:17. Now because this is the school of theology and missions, the actual motto is in Greek,” Jacob Smith, co-creator and senator for the club, said. After speaking the Greek, he gave the English translation: “’As from God, in the sight of God, we speak.’”
The club will host events, such as teatime and coffee hour, to promote fellowship and encourage students’ intellectual and spiritual lives. Students of all majors are welcome to join.
Eddie Echeverria, junior political science major, addressed the senate about the Jackson Exchange Club, a new organization that is expected to start in the spring. The goal of the club is to help victims of child abuse.
“What I’m asking is for people to use their time, to use their involvement to do a good work here,” Echevarria said. “You don’t want to miss out on something positive that we do here.”
To conclude the night, Mu Kappa and the Society of Physics Students received Perfect Attendance Awards, and each class council received the Organization Award for presenting legislation that was passed by the senate, approved by administration and implemented on campus.
