This Week in Student Government - 8/29

(Source: via Flickr)

Here is a recap of The Student Government Association (SGA) at UT-Tyler's Aug. 29 meeting.

Student government met in different room for the first time in its semester. The room did not have a traveling microphone, so I couldn't hear comments as well through the video. SGA will be in a new room next week. 

President's Welcome and Roll Call

Speaker's Podium: Student Government Advisor Joshua Neaves

Neaves encouraged student representatives to run to represent constituents and avoid personal issues. It's important to represent issues that are important to students, he said. 

Also encouraged committee meetings, especially Student Government Appropriations Committee (SGAC), to start since student organizations are already meeting and want their appropriations money.

Neaves then sought feedback from members on Welcoming Week.

Feedback on Welcoming Week:

One senator said Chick-Fil-A at the soccer game had positive feedback. The feedback was that more events like this should happen in the future.
One senator expressed interest in a pool party.
One senator asked if staff are reviewing events to ensure they are accessible to students with disabilities. Neaves said yes.

Neaves also asked for feedback on students' experience of first week of school.

Assembly feedback:

-Parking is still a concern, according to a senator. Neaves said the concern is that parking is a topic "that student government has not taken seriously." He encouraged the association to take up the issue this year.
-One senator expressed concern about student motorcycles taking up full parking spaces. Neaves said it is a good question for authorities who perhaps can see if the university can get more motorcycle parking spaces.
 

Officer Reports:

SGA President Dix
-Said executive leadership met over summer and already started on working on agenda.

Vice President Luna:
-Working on Constitution Day.

Treasurer Carnes:
-Working on appropriations committee and has met with organizations to let them know about appropriations committee.

Student Voice Reports:
-Honors College Senators: Honors College provides rigorious learning, small class size, requires 3.5 GPA and has contract classes emphasizing community service and leadership. Change of location has apparently resulted in less community. Some complaints about the point system from honors college students.
-College of Education and Psychology: New dean for college. One building elevator is down and education is losing its advisor.
-College of Pharmacy Senators: College can be removed from other events, so working on keeping students involved. College also has new dean and senators are preparing to meet with her.

Old Business -
None

New Business - 

Discussion on new housing move-in from Senator Jen Chandler: 

Housing Update

Update on "Big 3" Questions they get most often.
1. Housing coordinator left in June, but now have new assistant director, assistant housing office coordinator and a residence ed coordinator. Currently, have Foundry and Victory Village do not have a residence coordinator currently. They are seeking positions. All RAs, HAs and ARCs filled except for positions at Foundry. Email Shanese Williams (shanesewilliams@uttyler.edu) with interest for the position. 

2. Contract with Foundry for seven lots for upperclassman on summer wait list. For Freshman, were in LaQuinta, but all are now into on-campus housing. OHall, double rooms are now trios to accommodate for these things. Aiming for trios to be removed after Census Date, hopefully by October 1.
3. Housing developments - all three llcs are up and running. Pre-nursing, honors and first generation LLC up and running. 

4. New nursing community at Victory Village. Were set aside buildings 1 and 2 in case they didn't get filled. They were filled with Freshmen.

New Business (cont.)-

New Judicial Board (SGA Supreme Court) Nominations - postponed until nominees can be present next week.

Senator Swear-ins:
-Dix swore in senators who had not previously been sworn in. (Number unknown.)

Advisor Comments:
-No comments

Announcements:
-Fall elections Sept. 5-7
-Student Union Advisory Committee and Fine And Performing Arts Committee (Cowan Center oversight) needs student members. Contact Cdix@uttyler.edu
-SGA Secretary position open. Applicants must have been SGA member for at least eight meetings. Special election if more than one candidate.
-Online senator training available for new senators and those previously unable to attend.

Adjourned after 43 minutes into meeting.

Meeting video available on YouTube. 

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Twitter: @Jhescock12

Feature Image: Via Flickr. (Source unknown!)

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