Union University’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its biannual “Dub Senate” on Nov. 17 in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel.
With the university’s president Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver in attendance, senators presented a total of 11 items of legislation, including two bills, four resolutions and five constitutional amendments.
Oliver began the evening by thanking students for allowing him to serve in such a rewarding position as university president. He then opened the floor for questions. One of the questions presented referenced rumors of the university opening an on-campus Chick-fil-A. Oliver confirmed that there will be a need for food services on the west side of campus when the new McAfee School of Business building is completed; however, no final decision has yet been made on how the need will be met.
“Nothing is official until it’s official,” Oliver said.
Among the evening’s events, 2021 SGA Attorney General Ethan Voss swore in Micah Mcgee as the new attorney general. After this, Mcgee proceeded to present and swear in the rest of SGA’s new executive office for 2022.
The following are the new officers for SGA student council:
- Steve Williams – SGA Executive President
- Ethan Voss – Executive Vice President
- Samuel Eudy – Vice President of Administration
- Breezy Edmondson – Vice President of Finances
- Abbie Aspenwall – Ambassador
- Nicholas Bitterling – Chief of Staff
- Eva Grace Bedell – Homecoming Director
These members were sworn in to preserve, protect and defend the Union Student Government Association constitution.
Steve Williams reported the current standings of legislation that was passed during the fall semester of 2021. Williams announced that a wage raise for on-campus jobs will occur in the following fiscal year, Buster Bucks will become an available payment method in Modero and Barefoots Joe starting the fall semester of 2022 and a printer has been moved to the second floor of the Logos. A printer will be placed on the third floor of the Logos after it has been purchased.
After Williams’ report, legislation was presented.
The first resolution considered asked to enforce the university’s rule that footwear is required in all academic buildings. Though there was little debate, the vote was closely divided among senators, and after a careful count, the resolution passed.
The second resolution asked that open dorm hours should be extended to a set standard. It proposed that the quads have open dorm hours from 2 p.m. to midnight on Monday through Saturday and noon to midnight on Sunday. Furthermore, certain days, such as university observed holidays, would receive specialized hours.
A short series of questions were asked of the resolution. Sponsoring senators clarified that a “better set standard” meant uniformity of hours and that this resolution would only apply to the quads. After making these clarifications, the resolution passed.
The third resolution requested that the university would consider providing free feminine hygiene products in all campus bathrooms. The resolution passed with no debate.
Lastly, a resolution asking that the university would implement a system requiring maintenance to notify students before their arrival to fill a work order. The argument was rooted in the belief that living spaces should hold an atmosphere of privacy. With no questions from the floor, the resolution passed.
During the meeting, senate also passed two bills to fund student organizations and five bills to amend the Student Government Association Constitution and bylaws.
Senate bill 200 – 44 allocated $200 to PRSSA—the Public Relations Student Society of America—for the use of funding the spring semester conference trip.
Senate bill 200 – 45 allocated $200 to Turning Point USA for the use of sponsoring two children for Carl Perkins Christmas.
Senate bill 200 – 50 amended the SGA constitution to add the clause “within the bounds of the SGA mission and preamble” to the roles of executive officers and to remove “2020” from the homecoming director’s role.
Senate bill 200 – 51 amended the SGA constitution to clarify the exclusivity of candidate requirements for the executive council.
Senate bill 200 – 52 voted to amend the SGA constitution to add freshman council mentors to the executive council.
Senate bill 200 – 53 amended the SGA constitution to place the homecoming director and freshman council mentors within the executive branch and cabinet.
Senate Bill 200 – 54 amended the SGA bylaws to replace all instances of “secretary” with “vice president of administration” and “vice president” with “executive vice president.”
Vice President of Finance Hattie Thomasson reported that, after passing two bills, SGA’s finances sat at $1,600. However, because senate cannot use more than half of its budget in a single semester, the $200 allocated to one of the evening’s passed bills will be pulled from another section of the SGA budget. SGA’s budget will begin at $1,800 in the spring semester of 2022.
New Executive Vice President Ethan Voss adjourned the meeting after addressing the senators.
“If you want to change what the view of SGA is, you start with the senate. I feel like that is what we’ve done this semester and last semester, and I’m very excited for what the future holds,” Voss said.
