On Thursday night, SGA passed legislation that would support an increase in the “Non-Athletic” student fee of $5 per student each semester.
On Oct. 25, SGA held a regular senate meeting, appointing new positions and discussing a new music fee for students.
During the meeting, the UTM Music Department gave a presentation on why they need financial help from students. Following the presentation, Sen. Brittney Meskimen presented legislation, proposing a $5 fee for students each semester to go towards the Music Department.
According to the legislation, titled Music Access and Support on Campus, the fee “will be enacted in order to support the activities of the Department of Music and its students as they continue to provide service to the collegiate experience of the University of Tennessee at Martin.”
Within this legislation was a description of how the Music Department benefits the collegiate experience, giving “significant musical experiences for all students” and providing “guest artist performances and guest speakers that benefit the entire campus collegiate experience.”
Greg Frye then motioned to send the legislation back to the committee to provide more time for students to form an opinion, and while the motion was properly seconded, it failed to pass with seven voting yes and nine voting no. Afterwards, a debate took place, and once the long discussion was over, Kristal Henderson motioned to end the debate, and the conversation ended.
Then, the Senate voted on the fee, and it was passed with 12 saying yes: Kristal Henderson, Mitchell Poke, Erica Pugh, Riley Rich, Rick Drewry, Cassie Rogers, Madilyn Peay, Blake Stevens, Rachel Steiner, Nick Berry, Rachel Pittman and the Freshman Council; six saying no: Taylor Flannagan, Anna Dicus, Greg Frye, Brian Carmichael, Alton Alexander and Jana Vestal; and two abstentions: Lacey Wilkerson and Brittney Meskimen.
The legislation is now being reviewed by SGA President Alex Wilson for the final approval within SGA.
Other business included several members taking new positions. Rachel Steiner was appointed as senator of Health, Education, and Behavioral Sciences and Nick Berry and Rachel Pittman were appointed as senators of Humanities and Fine Arts.
The secretary general, vice president and the president also gave the executive reports. Secretary General Jake Hart reported that members were doing a great job with office hours and absences.
Vice President Teresa Fowler reported that any more unprofessional resignation letters that are received will not be accepted by the EC and if the individual does not supply another letter, he or she will be up for impeachment. President Alex Wilson said that there are only two open positions within SGA and that recruitment from non-represented areas on campus went well.
Wilson also talked about how he met with the student organizations review board and how four new organizations were approved to be sent to the University Council for approval. Also, Wilson, Fowler, SGA Advisor Steve Vantrease and Hart are looking into software that is more user-friendly than OrgSync.
SGA members also had the opportunity to dress up in Halloween costumes in order to remove a half absence.
The next SGA meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 9 p.m. in UC, Room 111.
