Student Government Association senate seats are currently vacant including the secretary’s. SGA president Amy Whitehouse said there are currently only 14 of 26 senate seats filled after Mikal Huff abruptly resigned as secretary Feb. 1 via e-mail.
Huff told the Patriot Talon he needed to devote more time to his 15-hour course load. “I learned a lot from being secretary and had fun doing it,“ he said. “I would recommend it to anyone if they can manage the time.”
Whitehouse formally announced Huff’s resignation at the Feb. 4 meeting and said the officers are assuming his duties until the position is filled. She told the assembly there was going to be a special election to fill his position and if anyone had any nominations, they would take them later during the meeting.
Whitehouse said the requirements for nominees include:
2.75 grade-point average
Good standing with the University, both academically and behaviorally
Full-time student status, 12 hours for undergraduates and nine hours for graduates
Minimum of six hours of office time each week.
She said SGA adviser Ona Tolliver must verify nominees’ eligibility. Whitehouse said voting is set for the Feb. 11 meeting. She urged the senate to recruit new members whenever possible.
“The maximum number of seats allowed is three for each of the University’s five colleges, five for freshmen and three for each of the three on-campus housing complexes,” she said.
Whitehouse said being an SGA senator is more than just attending weekly meetings and a few events. “All elected senators must sign an expectations form, thereby agreeing to comply with its terms,” she said.
Whitehouse said students who breech the contract could suffer progressive discipline up to removal of office. “Part of our recruitment plan includes meeting with large groups of freshmen and sophomores to tell them the benefits of being a member,” she said.
“It’s important that all senators attend these meetings.”
Benefits include:
Representing the “Student Voice” on campus
Gaining valuable leadership experience
Networking with faculty, staff and administration
Being involved in programming campus-wide events
Influencing changes and improvements benefiting students, according to the senator-expectations contract
Whitehouse said go to www.uttyler.edu/sga/ for more information about joining SGA.
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