At the Nov. 12 meeting of the Student Government Association, SGA president James Bonsall said the SGA has made a significant impact in the smoking ban enforcement.
“The administration does listen to us, but they don’t always act on what we have to say,” Bonsall said. “This time, it seems like they’re going to listen to us. The educational component might be an enforcement option and not a requirement.”
In addition, he said the SGA has worked with school administrators in an effort to reduce smoking enforcement fines.
“The enforcement and consequences will be much fairer to the students,” Bonsall said. “It’s looking like the fines will be less than previously announced. We’re happy with what we’re hearing but we don’t want to take credit for it.”
The meeting consisted of house-keeping items as the SGA voted to amend the constitution, including renumbering it and adding the position of secretary.
While the amendments passed, Bonsall said he objected to the addition of secretary to the document.
“[The constitution is] already too long. We’re just adding more to it than we really need,” Bonsall said. “The officer titles are already in the bylaws. Adding them to the constitution just makes a document that’s too long even longer.”
Johann Pedolzky, SGA senator, said he would like to see the SGA reduce the length of the constitution.
“I’d really like to see us work on reducing the breadth of the document,” Pedolzky said. “Right now, it is very inaccessible. We need to shorten it so any student can understand it.”
In other business, the SGA approved $297 for membership dues to the American SGA.
The money will come from Student Activity Fee revenue.
Pedolzky said he believes the SGA has tackled many issues important to student interests this semester.
“I definitely like to think we’re doing a good job fighting for the student body,” Pedolzky said. “We’ve addressed the recycling program on campus and attempted to address UCard and Dining Services issues.”
Pedolzky said he wishes students were more
involved with the issues at hand.
By ZAK OWENS
Staff Writer
zowens@ius.edu
