SGA Update 2/25

The Student Government Association welcomed two guest speakers to discuss issues on campus, elected a new Faculty Senate representative and approved two funding requests at its meeting Monday, March 25.

Dean of students Sonia Rucker came to bring awareness to Senate Bill 259, a new bill proposing changes to Missouri’s Title IX law.

The current Title IX law was put in place to hold students accountable for sexual misconduct, Rucker said.

Senate Bill 259, if passed, will affect both Southeast and other Missouri colleges because it will allow more protection for the person accused of the misconduct by allowing them to defend their character and the right to due process. The accused will be allowed to appeal the given sanction to state commissioners if they feel the punishment is unfair. The proposed effective date of this bill will be Aug. 28.

Rucker explained the Title IX committee at Southeast is concerned this bill will interrupt the process that was strategically put in place to protect students at the university.

Rucker also added in the event the accused does decide to appeal a sanction and the victim and/or Title IX committee is found to have falsified information or failed to receive due processing, they will all receive civil penalties.

Rucker said she would like students, faculty and staff to be aware of what could take place with Missouri’s Title IX law and look more into the details of this proposed bill.

“If passed, this bill will have a chilling effect on people involved in a sexual assault case” Rucker said.

Director of the Annual Greek Week blood drive came to express the need for more blood donors and stressed it is not restricted to students in Greek Life.

Toler emphasized the lack of blood supply in the United States and the importance of participation from Southeast's campus and community to help reach a goal of 1,400 units of blood.

Associate professor in the Department of Accounting, Economics and Finances Roberta Humphrey has been elected as the Faculty Senate representative after a professor of chemistry, Jim McGill, stepped down from his position in Senate.

Senate asked Humphrey why she wanted the position, and she responded, “I love to see students succeed.”

SGA went on to approve funding requests from two student organizations for a total of $5,300.

The Indian Subcontinent Student Association was awarded $3,000 for food and a venue for their annual Indian Night on March 30. The event will allow students and faculty the chance to experience Indian culture, food and entertainment.

The Nepalese Student Association was awarded $2,300 for Nepal Nigh, a cultural event April 6. The funding will go toward food and a venue.