The Student Government Association discussed restructuring its organization at the Oct. 13 meeting.
On Oct. 5, the SGA talked about bringing in new senators by having the deans of each school select five students to be placed on a ballot, and the top two voted in by students would become senators.
Matt Owen, political science junior and SGA senate chair, explained the way elections work now.
“You have to petition the student body in order to be put onto the ballot,” Owen said. “If we started doing it this way, then we wouldn’t have many at large seats left to fill.”
Jen Crompton, assistant director for Residence Life and adviser for the SGA, said they need to consider adding a resident student on the senate, as well.
“If this plan goes into effect, there would only be six at large spots open,” Crompton said. “I know this wouldn’t leave but five left open, but you should think about putting a resident on here, as well. They need a voice, as well, if each school is going to get one.”
Stephen Prather, radiology junior and SGA senate pro-tempore, said they only have 24 seats, which is not a large voice considering how big the campus has grown.
“We should think about adding in more seats, so we have more percentage of the student body,” Prather said.
Crompton also brought up some issues that could possibly show up if this plan went into effect.
“What if you have two open seats for the schools?” Crompton said. “Would those seats go at large after being vacant for so many months, or would they be strictly reserved for the schools and the senate deny students who would like to fill those spots.”
The SGA brought back a bill allocating funds for office supplies. Some of the supplies included binders, a cork board, paper clips, highlighters, staples, hand sanitizer and window cleaner.
Prather said he would like to put the bill into emergency status so it could get passed earlier.
“I think this is important for us to have,” Prather said. “We need more office supplies.”
The bill went into emergency status and was passed.
Josh Kornberg, communications senior and SGA president, said he will be giving his address to the students on Oct. 27.
“Around 12:30 p.m., I will be in The Commons giving my student body address,” Kornberg said.
Kornberg proceeded to talk about tutoring vouchers that the SGA gives out, and where the funds come from.
“Three people have applied for them this semester,” Kornberg said. “The money isn’t getting put back in there because they came from credit card royalties, and they aren’t issuing those cards anymore, or the royalties are going to another organization.”
Stephon Moore, journalism freshman and SGA press secretary, talked about his finding on the bulletin board.
“The bulletin board idea has turned more into a text messaging service,” Moore said. “Students who sign up for it would get notifications on what is happening on campus according to their likes.”
Moore also talked about what else he is working on as the new press secretary.
“I am setting up a Facebook page for press releases and minutes,” Moore said. “My committee is working on updating the bulletin boards to show our government and ways to reach them.”
By BRYAN JONES
Staff
jonesbry@umail.iu.edu
