Union’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its biannual Dub Senate Wednesday night, April 15, at 9:30 p.m. in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel.
Senate passed two bills, one resolution and four amendments. Senate also approved a new organization. However, opposed to last semester’s Senate, students had the opportunity to hear from Union President Dr. Samuel “Dub” Oliver and ask questions regarding the university.
Oliver began the session by celebrating the men’s soccer team for winning the Gulf South Conference Championship as well as the debate team for winning the IPDA National Debate Tournament.
He encouraged students to be present by quoting Psalms 90:12 which states, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
“When you have the chance to go see someone you love, go,” said Oliver. “You will never regret going.”
The floor was then open for questions to Dr. Dub, and the first question was regarding masks.
Oliver mentioned that their current decision is not to have a mask requirement on campus next fall. However for this semester, the university decided to allow faculty and staff to take the opportunity to be vaccinated before further decisions were made.
“Safety is a priority, but it is not the number one priority. Faithfulness is,” said Oliver.
Oliver was then asked to address rumors about the Brewer Dining Hall being remodeled. Oliver discussed that there is a plan in place to remodel Brewer, and this should be completed by the end of 2021.
Following, students asked Oliver about changes to Union’s core curriculum. Oliver added that the university is excited about the updated core curriculum that will be implemented by in the fall of 2023. The theme of the new core is “Being Human in God’s World.”
Another student asked if Union will require a COVID-19 vaccine, but Oliver said they will encourage it but will not require it to attend.
Oliver also added that the 2022 January term will be the last January term. The January term will become May Term in 2023. This will end the spring semester earlier, move the spring commencement ceremonies earlier in May and shorten the current winter break.
Following Oliver’s address and the series of student questions, the focus shifted to the approval of a new organization. Turning Point USA is the new student organization which requested to be recognized by Senate. Senate approved it.
After the organization was approved, legislation began.
The first bill (200-12) requested $200 to be allocated to the Interfraternal Council for their campus-wide shrimp boil event. Senate passed the bill.
The second bill (200-13) requested $200 to be allocated to the Pre-Health Club to pay for suture supplies and CPR class charges. Senate passed the bill.
The junior class presented a resolution (200-14) asking the Office of University Ministries to provide more diversity with Chapel speakers and topics. Senate passed the resolution with an additional amendment that specifically included a clause about diversity in race.
The Constitution Committee approached the floor with four amendments to pass.
“These amendments are important to provide clarity to future decisions and situations that could arise in SGA,” said Ethan Voss, freshman SGA attorney general and broadcast journalism major. “We hope that the bylaw amendment will allow senators to have a better understanding of how we use our funds while allowing more organizations to receive financial assistance.”
The amendments focused on clarifying the roles on freshman council and correcting the council’s procedure. The amendments also focused on the responsibilities for impeachment proceedings with additional specification about the allocation of Senate funds to organizations. All four Senate amendments passed.
Voss was excited to hear from Oliver and Steve Williams, SGA ambassador, about how Senate and SGA are making a difference on campus.
“It was nice to see SGA become a place where students are able to bring policy recommendations to the administration and watch them be considered and put into action,” said Voss. “It was nice to see all of the hard work we put in behind the scenes finally pay off.”
Photo by Kristi McMurry Woody
