Major topics discussed during the Tuesday, Feb. 4 Student Government Association (SGA) meeting included The Rotunda's sex column controversy and safe parking on campus after dark.
To start the meeting, SGA President Haley Vest swore in Student Diversity and Inclusion Council (SDIC) Representative De'Jon Bryant.
Treasurer Alex Julian brought forward several allocations for approval on behalf of the Student Finance Committee (SFC).
Julian moved to allocate $2,534.72 to B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Choir, $1,602 to the American Marketing Association, $619 to the Residential and Commuter Life Advisory Board and $1,618.67 to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. The SGA approved all allocations.
Julian then announced that club and organization budget packets are due Feb. 28 by midnight.
Julian said the next budget packet- related event, a Question and Answer session, will take place on March 14 and 15 in Lankford Student Union's Amelia Room. March 21 or 22 are the dates when organizations will face revisions to their respective budgets.
On March 26, line item budget requests are due to SFC. The SGA's suggested revisions are due by March 31.
The SGA will vote on the budgets in tiers during the April 8 and 15 meetings.
Senator Joe Gills presented a line item budget form to the Senate.
He said many organizations seemed to hold misconceptions about what SFC could fund.
The form will be included in the SGA's minutes to allow the senators and representatives to review it before it is brought to a vote.
For his Adviser's Report, Dr. Tim Pierson, vice president for Student Affairs and adviser to the SGA, mentioned the fewer than usual numbers of students who had not yet filed to live off campus with Residential and Commuter Life.
Several senators said this is because students may not feel the need to file their intent because they are aware they will most likely be able to move off campus.
Some students may not be able to move off campus for a variety of reasons.
Regarding the controversy surrounding The Rotunda's sex column, Pierson said student organizations, including The Rotunda, are a learning community for students.
He said he does not control The Rotunda or SGA.
He added that when organizations break university policy, this is a different issue.
For open forum, Senator O'Neishea Edmonds expressed her disappointment with The Rotunda for publishing the sex column, "Did You Know? Having Sex on your Period can End it Sooner."
Edmonds said that, as the student newspaper, The Rotunda should be informational, and she, among others, did not understand how The Rotunda could print the article when there were other topics to be addressed.
Edmonds added that the SGA allocates a significant amount of money to The Rotunda.
She said funds are carefully allocated to student organizations and that The Rotunda should be included in this.
She added that if an incident of this nature happens again, there should be repercussions. Vest said that while lines do need to be drawn, SGA should not do this.
She believes that the editorial board should manage the content carefully, but the SGA should not censor content.
Historian Paige Rollins said her main concern was that the issue of The Rotunda with the article was available during an open house with prospective students and parents.
RCL Advisory Board Representative Tristan Cunningham noted that the article did not personally attack anyone.
He said while the topic was not one he personally enjoys reading, the SGA should not control the student newspaper's freedom.
He noted that The Rotunda has done well and one article should not stain everyone's opinion of the newspaper.
Another senator said that The Rotunda generally does a good job and that the editorial board seemed to be taking care of the situation until an official statement was released.
Secretary Kendall Lofton reminded the SGA that even on social media, the SGA represents the student body as a whole, not one specific opinion.
On a different subject, a senator commented that she received a parking ticket for parking in the wrong zone and not having a decal.
She wanted to know where to park when going to her Conduct Board meeting.
Senator Shana Hoffman suggested that she park at a meter in front of Ruffner Hall after 6 p.m., as it is free to park there at that time.
The SGA also approved the addition of two constitutional amendments for Kappa Pi, the art honor society on campus.
It was brought to attention that some of the doors in Lancer Park had not been working properly recently. However, the issue has been taken care of.
An issue of concern to many students is that often times only one register is open in the Student Union during busy times of the day.
Another topic was brought up by Vest. She encouraged the SGA members to participate in upcoming #StopTheDrop and flu shot events which are being hosted by the SGA.
Queen Burrell, on behalf of the National Society for Leadership and Success, gave awards to Assistant Director for Student Union and Operations Jonnelle Davis, Administrative Assistant for the Student Union Angie Covert and Pierson.
Students, faculty, staff and community members interested in learning more about the SGA can attend the next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 3:45 p.m. in the Student Union.
