The Student Government Association swore in new senators on April 2. Along with the members that ran for senator, Josh Sesar and Elizabeth Jackson were sworn in after a vote was taken to waive their two-week probationary period.

Following the swearing of senators, the senate voted to take the meeting into executive session, in which all non-SGA members are required to leave the meeting until the senate is finished with their business.

The session lasted for more than an hour before non-members were called back into the meeting.

All new business on the agenda was tabled until the April 9 meeting.

Indiana has Sunshine in Government laws, which are designed to keep government meetings open to the public, except in special situations such as the discussion of personnel issues or pending litigation.

“This does not violate the Sunshine Laws,” Joseph Wert, associate professor of political science and SGA adviser, said.

Wert explained in matters of personnel, it is not a violation of the laws to call an executive session.

The SGA is not bound by Indiana Sunshine Laws.

According to the Sunshine laws, or Open Meeting laws, a public agency can call an executive session in matters of personnel if they are hiring or firing an employee. However, appointed officials are different.

When considering appointment of an official office all interviews of prospective appointees must be conducted at a meeting that is open to the public and a final action must take place at a meeting open to the public.

After SGA’s executive session ended, the meeting reconvened and those asked to leave were informed that Ben Taylor was appointed senate chair, Josh Sesar was appointed pro-temp, Jennifer Broadus was appointed treasurer, Flo Gonya was appointed senate secretary and Melissa Lamanna was appointed press secretary.

By LORI RICHIE
Staff Writer
larichie@ius.edu