UTM’s Student Government Association closed out its 61st General Assembly by passing several orders of business.
To begin the meeting, one of the two SGA Advisors, Steve Vantrese, made a heart-felt speech reminding the students that it would be his last SGA meeting. He thanked the students for allowing him to be involved in SGA and reminding them they have “63 years of SGA” backing them.
The Assembly voted on several pieces of legislation that were addressed at their last meeting. The Assembly approved an amendment that will now require members of the SGA to attend at least one event during Diversity Week.
The Communications Committee will no longer be required to present legislation before the Assembly. They will, however, still be allowed to write and present the legislation if they desire, but will no longer be required to do so.
Legislation that would require all appointed Senators and Senators At Large to take a test allowing them to join SGA failed to pass. This legislation brought much debate to the table. SGA President and Vice-President Elect, Alex Wilson, strongly encouraged the Senators to “vote this down” because he feels there are several means available, and this would seem less inviting to students wishing to join. Several appointed Senators were opposed to the passing.
“With this, you are not elected, you are appointed by an elected person; there is no incentive to run,” Senator Brittney Meskimen said.
After much debate, the legislation failed to pass. The Assembly did pass legislation that would move the current power of writing the Constitution test, which each person running in the election must take, from the Chief Justice to the Election’s Commissioner. They believe this would make the process fairer in the case that a Chief Justice would be running in an election.
The Assembly also approved legislation that will hold the Chief of Staff and Chief Justice more accountable to the student body.
Throughout the semester, the Assembly has been working to approve revisions to their Constitution. They continued to do so tonight by approving Constitutional revision packets four, five and six. The Assembly believes the revisions make several things more clear for future assemblies and more fair for current and future UTM students.
They did vote to remove the GPA standards in Revision Packet 6, which were presented at the last meeting.
“I think it is a little exclusionary to say these people should have a higher GPA. They have already been elected; they should be able to serve in these positions,” said Senator Michael Boyd.
The revisions passed with only a few amendments being made at the last Senate meeting.
The Assembly also voted on a piece of legislation that would benefit students in the Education Department. Currently, the Education Department is trying to add on a $200 fee to student teachers. The Senators, after hearing from a student at the meeting, decided they “do not support the fee increase for students” and will be submitting written documentation on behalf of the students to Chancellor Rakes.
The 62nd General Assembly will take office on April 25.
