BY ALANA PERRY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The student government association (SGA) had its last meeting of the semester Nov. 20. Submit any questions or comments for the SGA to sga@bellarmine.edu.
Each SGA meeting begins with reports from the executive board and committee leaders. Here are the notable reports:
President Amanda Martin gave the president’s report. She recognized Austin Black as the member of the month and said he has completed the most service. She reminded the assembly Dr. Rhodes Day will be Dec. 3 and explained four nominees will win awards.
Vice President Jess Winters gave the educational affairs report. She updated the assembly on a bill passed previously for the purchase of green books. The small green books will be available free to students outside the Student Activities Center (SAC) during finals week.
Vice President Tom Finch gave the finance report. He said the spring 2016 budget was ready for approval and an extra $4,000 was available for allocation as Resident Student Organizations (RSOs) made requests for more funds.
Vice President Jacob Schuhmann gave the public relations report. He reminded the assembly and the RSO leaders present that a public relations form is available on UKnight, and RSOs can request help with PR this way.
Bryce Chalfant gave the election and surveys report. He reported the results of the SGA approval survey data. He said 218 surveys were completed, and of those, 131 left additional comments.
Chalfant said many of the comments revealed students did not know what the assembly does, and overall the assembly has a 77.6 percent approval rating.
Ellie DeVries gave the mission identity report. She said her committee will be hosting an Illuminaria event Jan. 7.
Austin Black gave the food services report. He said cross contamination has become a problem in the area of the university dining hall (UDH) behind the register, which is designated for students with dietary restrictions. He encouraged everyone to visit that station first and then proceed to the rest of the food in the UDH.
He reminded the assembly the mobile register system has been implemented at basketball games so students are able to use flex dollars.
Black also said student focus groups will be utilized by Sodexo staff as they explore the idea of a new food station in Café Ogle.
Trevor Stantliff gave the environmental report. He said most of the environmental stickers, which arrived the previous week, have been placed on the paper towel dispensers on campus. He said the recycling bins that were approved for purchase in a previous bill are ordered.
Aly Rauen gave the publications report. She said the SGA has a blog at Bellarminesga.wordpress.com.
Drew Chandler (newly appointed) gave the technology report. He said his committee will be meeting with their adviser soon.
Dr. Helen Grace Ryan gave the adviser’s report. She said early next semester the campus will be holding workshops concerning campus security and the possibility of a violent intruder. Ryan said Matt Greele is the new associate director of the career center, and he begins in January. She said an interim director of public safety will also begin in January. Ryan also said admissions will be housed in the Centro building starting in January, and the business school is moving to Miles Hall.
In a notable address to the assembly Martin submitted her official fall 2015 President’s Report.
“We increased our collaboration with other organizations, held more recreation events, and passed legislation based on student needs. We have worked diligently to make SGA more transparent and effective for the entire Bellarmine community,” Martin said in her report.
The spring 2016 budget was approved with the following additional allocations taken from the flex account of $4,000:
-Bellarmine Radio – $920
-Colleges Against Cancer – $1,000
-Club Bowling – $400
-Better Together – $120
-Rugby – $960
-Men’s Club Volleyball – $200
-Women’s Club Volleyball – $200
The full budget may be viewed on the SGA UKnight page.
Here are the bills presented at the meeting:
Finch presented a bill to approve the spring 2016 budget. The bill passed with the additional allocations listed above.
Winters and Rauen presented a bill to allow four students from The Concord to attend a conference hosted by the College Media Association in New York City. The bill passed and $4,165.84 will be taken from the SGA contingency account to fund the trip.
Junior Representative Aaron Patterson presented a bill to purchase doughnuts and cupcakes for a monthly “Table Talk” meeting with SGA representatives and other students. The bill passed, and $147.36 will be allocated from the SGA PR account to pay for the sweets.
Black presented a bill to provide 300 doughnuts, 19 gallons of coffee and 9 gallons of hot chocolate for students during study day and finals week. The bill passed and $561.75 will be taken from the SGA general account for the purchase.
Solorio and Martin presented a bill to purchase the LiveSafe security app. The bill passed, and $7,125 will be taken from the SGA general account to purchase the app and improve the culture of care at Bellarmine through community bystander intervention in security concerns.
During open discussion, the assembly brought up three main topics:
– The open discussion held on campus dealing with race, ethnicity, etc. went well.
– Members of the assembly have not been fostering an environment of openness and acceptance to all individuals on campus.
“Rooted in the spirit of Bellarmine is the intrinsic dignity of the individual,” Chief of Staff Ryan Stevens said when he brought the issue to the attention of the assembly.
He said the Office of Multicultural Affairs has proposed a diversity workshop that would continue the dialogue into next semester.
Martin said, “You’re right to have your opinion, however, we do need to make sure we are respectful.”
She said as president she will be adding a new inclusivity committee to the SGA assembly next semester and non-elected members will be involved.
-Schuhmann reminded members of the assembly to promote SGA social media.