The Student Government Association (SGA) senate convened on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 9:30 p.m. in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel to consider four pieces of legislation, one of which was voted down.
In the absence of SGA Vice-President Savannah Garner, President Pro Tempore Tad Binkley led the meeting as the body discussed the legislation, including a revised version of a resolution concerning costumes that failed in the senate on Sept. 27.
Senate Resolution 200 – 39, titled the “New Costume Criteria Resolution” by its sponsors—senators Jack Waters, Caleb Simpson and Jack McDonnell—was met with mixed support and disagreement from the senate body. While the text of the resolution was altered between Sept. 27 and Oct. 20, the content still proved to be a point of contention.
Debate centered on the question of cultural sensitivity, particularly regarding Halloween costumes. Supporters argued that costumes portraying various cultures or traditions should be encouraged as an act of honoring those people groups, while detractors contended that such costumes can be offensive when worn by those outside the group being portrayed.
Both sides voiced a support for Christ-honoring costumes, citing scripture and missionary work in their appeals to fellow senators. Multiple senators requested to pose a series of questions to Simpson, who presented the resolution from the stage. Members from around the room addressed the floor, arguing points directly to their peers. After numerous questions and speeches from both supporters and detractors, the resolution ultimately failed.
“We knew it was an uphill battle going into it, because generally speaking, bills or resolutions that are re-submitted are going to have a hard time,” Simpson said.
The meeting also marked the first time in five years that it has been necessary for the president pro tempore to lead the senate. Unless circumstances prevent it, the SGA executive vice president is responsible for chairing senate. However, on Wednesday night, Tad Binkley facilitated the proceedings from the stage, maintaining order by calling upon senators who wished to speak, conducting and counting votes, and providing for the overall needs of the meeting.
“My title is pro tempore, and what that is basically whenever Savannah is gone—she’s the vice president—I fill in for her,” Binkley said. “I was nervous at first. But then I talked to Ethan about it, and we went over what I would do, and I felt good. I really enjoyed it; it was fun.”
In addition to deliberation on the costume bill, the senate passed three pieces of legislation:
Senate Resolution 200 – 38 asked that Union change the point of sales system in the campus coffee shops to allow students to use Buster Bucks at Modero and Barefoots Joe.
Senate Bill 200 – 36 sought “to provide for the allocation of two hundred dollars to club volleyball by the treasury of the Student Government Association.”
Senate Bill 200 – 37 asked for “the allocation of 200 hundred dollars to Lambda Chi Alpha to cover the cost of pumpkins for pumpkin smash.”
Senate will reconvene on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 9:30 p.m.