The Student Government Association senate board began with approval of the minutes from last weeks’ meeting. Senator Chelsea Carrol motioned to go over the approval to change the general formatting of SGA’s bylaws and Constitution.
The senate discussed the removal of the Big Event from SGA’s Constitution on funding, as the Big Event wants to be it’s own organization. “It makes a lot more sense for them to be their own entity now, that’s the only significant change to the Constitution,” stated President Joseph Gills.
The senate focused their concerns on clubs and organizations, on campus, to come to SGA for funding purposes as its main item in discussion. To begin next semester, SGA’s executive board hopes to shift their attention to focus on approvals and allocations towards funding, and cut extra, small, additional conference costs.
Moving into New Business, Treasurer Jessica Darst began allocations of the Longwood Public Relations Student Society of America. Representative of PRSSA, Ben Stembridge spoke on behalf of the organization. Discussion to strike money allocations from the requested $328 to $175, moved into further talk over amendments for fixed mileage costs. The motion passed in changing the total allocated money to $135.
Motion passed of reallocations for the Sticks and Stones Campaign Conference of $1,250, to Student Educators for Active Leadership (SEAL).
The Rural Gaming Club asked for money allocations for their upcoming Quidditch event. The money costs covered uniforms and water for players. Senate members called to question over the high price range for the asking of three additional shirts. Motion failed, total remained still at $339.17.
WMLU asked for money allocations of $4,055 for equipment of remotes. Concerns arose over budget cuts; however, President Gills clarified, “something we really didn’t think about at the time,” explaining the money funded will not go to waste, “they [WMLU] do have a lot of organizations now, that the equipment could be used,” said Gills.
Representative of WMLU, Jason Tsai explained the reasons why WMLU needs the money. WMLU “keeps getting requested that we can’t fill out, [we] do not want to have to cut events, because WMLU cannot fulfill requires without the equipment used.” Senate debated the funding implemented in the WMLU budget. Jason added WMLU is “merely making this request in the demand of the campus.” Motion of reallocating $4,055 to WMLU failed; however, Treasurer Darst clarified that SGA will be “able to reallocate those funds, still have to get approval from SGA.”
In the executive report, President Gills discussed concern from students on the current sexual misconduct policy; Gills mentioned he spoke with Dr. Tim Pierson in talks of holding an open forum meeting for students on campus to voice concerns, have questions answered and clear any misunderstandings. Gills added that meeting date would be planned for mid to late April.
Gills also mentioned Virginia representatives will come and talk about the Virginia 21 plan in the next coming weeks.
Greenwood library also reached out to Gills regarding the Fort Finals event, to be held during finals week, of this spring semester.
In the next coming weeks, the senate board will discuss AJ Hadsell, ways to help spread awareness, the campus’ reaction to Title IX policy and cutting student activity fee from $5 to $2 per credit hour.
Gills reminded the board that the Big Event is this coming weekend, Saturday March 28.
Lip Sync is tonight at 9 pm, March 25 in Jarmen.
