SGA update Oct. 22

The Student Government Association approved two funding requests, a senator application and passed two bylaw changes at their meeting, Oct. 22.

Former executive board member Reagan Tibbs was approved and appointed, as a senator for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by 23 positive votes during a brief closed session.

College of Education Senator Renee Owens brought back the discussion of the fall break options. She touched on the possibility of starting the fall semester two days earlier, which would allow a second fall break but would also affect the move-in days, residence hall training period and syllabus week. Bohnert displayed the potential new calendar where the break was scheduled in the middle of October.

The Art Guild president Maddie McDuffy requested $1,092 funding to decrease the cost of train tickets for members who plan to attend an art conference in Chicago.

“I actually went to Chicago last year,” First Year Senator Justin Tuschhoff said. “I got to visit the Art Institute of Chicago, and I think that just would be a really phenomenal experience for our students.”

The funding request was approved.

Facilities Management received an undesignated sum to buy 10 14-gallon recycling bins.

The two bylaw changes, Dr. R. Ferrell Ervin Excellence in Teaching Award and the Statement of Non-Discrimination and Anti-Hazing, were passed through unanimous votes.

The first bylaw change states the Excellence in Teaching Award Selection Committee will be assigned to a chief of staff instead of the University Affairs Committee chair. It also states the committee will not be considered as a public governmental body and will report directly to the SGA president.

“Somebody who’s just been teaching one course on campus and is here for a short period of time is typically not eligible for this award,” SGA advisor Michelle Irby said. “It’s typically somebody who’s 10-year track and teaching a full load, so we do verify that with the administrative system to check that piece of information.”

The second bylaw change added anti-hazing to the Statement of Non-Discrimination.

“I thought we did [have an anti-hazing statement], and then I realized that we didn’t. So, this is just adding the statement of anti-hazing,” Goffinet said. “It’s pretty basic and is required by every organization to have.”