Possible relief efforts for the earthquake in Haiti were mentioned at the Student Government Association meeting on Thursday, Jan. 21.
SGA president James Bonsall suggested a peanut butter project that could be easily donated by students around campus.
The SGA kicked off the spring semester by electing three new officers and planning a visit to the Indiana Statehouse.
During the year’s first session on Jan. 14, the SGA elected Ruben Dodge, computer science freshman, as the technology officer.
Kevin Evans, education freshman, was elected as treasurer, and Jennifer Broadus, education sophomore, was elected as pro-temp.
A pro-temp is an elected official who fills in when a certain member is absent from a meeting.
Evans, who used to work in sales, said he’s worked with auditing in the past when he was a front desk manager for a hotel.
“I’m ready to jump in,” Evans said.
Ruth Garvey-Nix, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, addressed the SGA members about the changing TARC schedule and the school’s tobacco policy.
Garvey-Nix also commended the SGA on their involvement regarding the current TARC bus schedule changes. Because of SGA involvement, only the Saturday route will be cut.
“Thirty percent of our students come from Louisville,” Garvey-Nix said. “It’s because of our involvement they listened.”
Seuth Chaleunphonh, dean of Student Life and acting director of Residence Life, asked members to stay involved with upcoming events, such as the Feb. 5 leadership conference.
A brief discussion was held during the officer reports with Bonsall talking about students’ disappointment with prices at the IUS Bookstore.
Spencer Castile, SGA senator and business sophomore, said students have been having trouble with the IUS Bookstore.
“Many times students buy books and can’t return them because of missing software, which they never used for the class,” Castile said.
The Jan. 21 SGA meeting began with the passing of a bill that would provide $300, with a limit of $8 per person, to be spent on lunch for anyone attending the Hoosiers for Higher Education Statehouse visit on Feb. 2.
The HHE trip to Indianapolis, which more than half of the SGA members said they plan to attend, will give students an opportunity to meet legislators and hear speeches by IU President Michael A. McRobbie and Purdue President France Córdova.
Newly-elected treasurer Evans introduced a bill which would allow SGA sophomores to be elected vice president. Currently, the vice president must maintain a 2.5 GPA and have a junior class standing.
“This would encourage young students to get involved,” he said. “It’s an apprentice sort of thing.”
Also, Bonsall proposed a motion that would change the time of SGA elections. At the moment, executive and senate elections are held before and after spring break.
If passed, both elections would take place before the spring break, which starts on March 21.
A special order was issued to appoint two senators.
Nick Garing, political science junior, was elected as a probationary senator, and Ashley Summers, undecided freshman, was re-elected to her senate seat after she took time off last semester.
“I just got involved so I can be a part of what’s going on around campus,” Garing said.