SGA passed a resolution setting expectations for how many SGA events a senator must attend at their Nov. 14 meeting. 

The resolution was passed after weeks in the making and two redrafts. It now requires senators to attend between 30% to 35% of SGA events each semester. 

The Light the Spine event was started by SGA three years ago to give clubs an opportunity to showcase themselves by decorating a board that will go up on The Pedestrian Spine.  

Senator Event Attendance Expectation resolution 

Senator of Innovation Isabella Polombo presented the Senator Event Attendance Expectation resolution to the Senate, and it passed unanimously. The resolution was designed to ensure that each SGA event has multiple senators for proper representation and support. 

If senators do not meet the 30% to 35% attendance requirement, they must meet with the speaker of the house and speaker pro-tempore to discuss ways to improve. If the issue persists, the next action is a written warning followed by a discussion on impeachment.  

This bill was initially introduced at the Oct. 10 SGA meeting but was tabled twice due to concerns over how attendance would be tracked, and to make the attendance requirement a range of percentages rather than one percentage to accommodate for variance in the number of events held each semester. 

Light the Spine bill  

SGA unanimously passed the Light the Spine Bill, allowing 35 clubs to decorate their boards to line The Spine. The event also aims to help students de-stress before finals week. 

The bill, presented by Senator-at-Large Emmanuella Appiah, approved $4,748.23 in funding including GAR for the event. Each club is budgeted $100 to buy lights and decorations for their boards. The funding will also provide Dunkin Donuts and hot chocolate for the event. 

“I love this bill … This event allows for clubs to bond and get to know each other better … And it’s also a really good opportunity for clubs to get their names out there,” said Senator of Education Trinity Maldonado. 

The event is on Dec. 4 from 6 – 9 p.m. 

Boards will continue to decorate the spine through the end of the semester. Clubs must remove their boards by Dec. 19 or let SGA know if they want their boards stored or thrown away. Clubs who have stored boards from previous Light the Spine events will still be allowed to use their $100 to replace broken lights or refresh their board. 

Post-election healing amid political tensions 

Before adjourning the meeting, Senator of the Arts Jordan Reynolds shared a letter to her peers about maintaining a united front as student representatives during post-election political tensions. 

She reminded her peers that they must facilitate a welcoming environment for all people, even if they disagree on certain issues.  

“Let us continue to listen to each other with open hearts and minds. Every voice has a place in our community, and everyone is entitled to be heard and appreciated. I encourage putting judgment aside and allowing room for genuine compassion and interactions as we reestablish trust in each other and create a supportive atmosphere for everyone,” Reynolds said. 

In other news: 

• Talia Hayes Perkins and Walat Gozeh have been appointed as students-at-large. These students can serve on committees and proxy for senators when they are unable to make it to meetings. 

• SGA invited the Air Academy High School student council to the SGA meeting so they could see how a college SGA meeting works and also to encourage them to join student government in college. The council also shared a presentation about the American Student Government Association event they attended in Boston. 

• Friendsgiving, one of SGA’s largest events, will be this Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. SGA passed the Friendsgiving bill at an emergency meeting that was held on Nov. 13. 

• The Senate meeting on Nov. 21 is canceled due to Friendsgiving. There will also be no Senate meeting on Nov. 28 because of Thanksgiving. The next senate meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5. 

Photo via The Scribe archives.