Treasurer Jessica Darst began with the FCC report. $781.86 was allocated to Lambda Pi Eta for their Southern States Communication Association Convention in which extra money was needed for hotel fees.
$187.76 was allocated to SGA for a reception following the Building Community event.
Re-allocation of $40 was passed to fund staf shirts for Lancer Productions.
Re-allocation of $475 passed to fund catering for BSA’s “All that Jazz” concert series.
Historian Ellen Kensy opened her report with a request by Art majors to start an organization within the Art department. he motion failed as concerns were brought up that cited only those who have taken a particular ceramics course are allowed to join the art organization, as that does not constitute being open to all students. Senate questioned the selection process that requires a course. A representative estimated around 10 people expressed interest in the club and to work on projects. Motion was called to question for a second time, before the motion failed.
Kensy moved to approve the Hispanic Latino Association to begin on-campus. Senator Chyanne Trowell added the importance to have diversity organizations on-campus, and could help lead to increased diversity on SGA’s senate board. Motion passed.
A motion passed to amend the Constitution for Longwood Ambassadors.
Senator Leighan Worden presented and discussed changes in the new process of SGA’s bylaws.
President Joseph Gills stated that senate members had expressed interest in the discussion of Title IX. During open forum Jennifer Fraley, Title IX coordinator, spoke to answer the senate board’s questions.
Fraley discussed that there is a 92 percent compliance rate regarding the completion of MyStudentBody. Fraley also encouraged active bystanders to report any cases or incidents to the Title IX oice.
Gills mentioned many student concerns about the Title IX component in Athletics regarding recent news reports of athletics, and questioned where Title IX is taken into account.
Fraley commented that “student- athletes are students irst and foremost,” and that under that, Title IX works on a case-by-case basis.
Dr. Tim Pierson also added, “every student falls under all policies,” and that students are notiied of all policies that they are responsible for in the student handbook sent out at the beginning of each academic school year.
Fraley added that Title IX “can’t talk about certain cases,” however, Fraley clariied that diferent sanctioning is put in place for what is appropriate in each particular case.
After the senate questioned what constitutes who can be an athlete or not under Title IX infractions, Fraley commented that is a question for the Athletic department. Trowell clariied a senate member’s question that under the Athletic department, if the student is not convicted of a felony, they are permitted to continue to play in games.
Dr. Pierson also discussed that institutions are on diferent levels on “how up to date each individual institution is” under Title IX and are all mandated to take correct steps under Title IX.
Fraley also stated that Title IX works to educate students throughout the year, not just in the beginning of the academic school year in MyStudentBody.
In open forum, a Criminology major student was admitted for the Masters program in Sociology last semester, but the program was cut. he program cut seems to be unfair for many other majors have various programs. Dr. Pierson questioned that the decision was already made, and wasn’t sure if the issue could be revisited. Senator Chelsea Carroll commented on behalf of the Student Council for Higher Education that “Criminal Justice was not making the numbers,” as to why the program was cut, and stated, “unfortunately, there is nothing we could do.” Carroll encouraged the student to continue to meet and discuss the issue with the student council.
A recent issue regarding ethnicity discrimination was brought to the senate board, Gills reminded students to ill out incident bias forms irst and foremost.
Gills also discussed BSA’s concerns over the recent hate crimes. he SGA executive board met with BSA’s executive board to talk about events and ideas to bring awareness to campus. Gills and President-elect and Senator, Constance Garner, wrote a letter to President Reveley in response to BSA calling attention to the issue. he letter concerned a lack of diversity on-campus and a call for continued education on the subject.
Gills moved to amend the bylaws, adding Diversity and Social Justice Committee to SGA’s constitution. “his will always be a priority from here on out,” said Gills.
Senator India White added that the committee would want to have an event partnering with Lancer Productions and will have more information in the fall semester.
The Committee has also been working with Curry Residence Hall for an event on Diversity, including a button campaign that will serve as a reminder of education on the subject. he inal date will be released sometime next week.
hTe Police Brutality Open Forum is at 5:30 p.m. in Wygal today.
Next week’s SGA meeting, Tuesday, April 14, will look to be held outside the Student Union.
