SGA

Puffing up on campus may go up in smoke if the Student Government Association decides to pursue a smoking ban.

At the SGA meeting on Oct. 22, SGA president Amy Whitehouse asked the senators to poll their constituents and collect data on if they support a campus-wide smoking ban. On Nov. 5, the senators turned in their findings of the smoking ban poll, in writing, to Whitehouse.

Student Government Association officials unanimously voted to pass their 2009-2010 fiscal year budget last week. Budget numbers increased from $29,972 in 2008-2009 to $30,461 for the fiscal year.

The budget allocated $10,000, which is the same from a year ago, to the Student Government Appropriations Committee. The committee allows registered student organizations to request funds for their organizations with a few guidelines.

Student Government Association officials plan to hear questions regarding the issue of the intramural “green space” during their afternoon town hall meeting scheduled for Nov. 11.

“The only thing that was major was the green space on campus,” SGA president Amy Whitehouse said. “I know the administration are looking into some things for change and I hope maybe at the meeting they will address that issue.”

The event is sponsored by the Student Government Association from 11-12:30 p.m. at the University Center ballroom.

“I would like to see that the students are able to come to the town hall meeting and be able to publicize their concerns ...

Student Government Association officials released election results conducted Wednesday and Thursday.

Mikal Huff received four votes to become the new SGA secretary. Student voters elected 13 senators ...

Student Government Association members agreed Thursday to investigate complaints about the lack of “green space” available for recreational sports.
Three students said collegiate sports teams receive preference to use the soccer practice field and other facilities, leaving intramural and club sport teams in the backseat.

“Coaches always say we have to be students first and athletes second. But we’re not even getting a chance to be athletes,” student Tim Records told SGA members during the organization’s weekly meeting. Records joined students Chris Stonestreet and Dean Mize in telling representatives they are disappointed in the way scheduling is being handled so far this semester.

Student Government Association officials will conduct elections on Wednesday and Thursday from  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Center and Hudnall-Pirtle-Roosth building. The SGA fall 2009 ballot is as follows:

Senator Positions
College of Arts and Sciences:

• Brakeyshia Samms
• Keelyn Swoape
• Shelby Morgan

College of Engineering and Computer science:

• Randy Owens

Freshman candidates:

Student voters elected Amy Whitehouse to serve as the new Student Government Association president.

Forcing Student Government Association candidates to disclose their criminal record when running for office would be an unnecessary obligation.

When the crime is related to specific duties of the job, such as the embezzling record of someone running for treasurer, it would be reasonable to require candidates to disclose their criminal record.

However, routinely forcing candidates to expose select details of their past, unjustly re-convicts them for a crime for which they have already paid the penalty.

For one, blanket disclosures serve only to label ex-convicts.

The SGA is big news this month due to the elections, but if next year is like this year, there will be senate seats available for the taking.

Student Government Association officials plan to conduct a mandatory candidates meeting on Wednesday for all students interested in running for office.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.