SGA debates votes, ban over dinner with dean

Author: Dan Stevens

The Student Government Association (SGA) held its weekly meeting this past Sunday at a new venue, convening at Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson's house to discuss SGA matters and share dinner. Over the course of the meal, the SGA discussed several important matters including smoking on campus, the Student Co-Chair of Community Council (SCCOCC) and SGA President election results, the 2006-2007 SGA Cabinet and the long-term prospects for the organization.

During dinner, the Senate discussed the proposed soft radius smoking ban.

"The consensus of the Senate was to place signs that said something along the lines of, 'Please keep a respectful distance when smoking' in areas where smoke is particularly bothersome," SGA President-elect Alex Stanton '07 said.

The SGA also discussed the publication of the SGA and SCCOCC election results. After a widespread campaign last week to have the results made public, the SGA agreed that such a result was desirable. The SGA decided to send an e-mail to the student body clarifying the exact results of the elections. They acknowledged that this would improve the transparency of the SGA and help elected students understand more clearly the intentions of the student body.

On Tuesday, the organization publicized the election results in an e-mail to students. Stanton garnered 59.9 percent of the vote in the presidential race, and SCCOCC-elect Annie Williams '07 won with 48 percent of the vote. Abstentions constituted 15.4 percent of the vote in the presidential race and 19.9 percent of the vote in the SCCOCC election.

On Sunday, Stanton also addressed the need for a new SGA Cabinet position. Often times, the SGA forgets about bills they have passed and consequently fails to implement these measures. The new position, Chief of Planning and Implementation, would be in charge of overseeing and completing such measures.

Many members of the SGA also noted the student sentiment about a lack of rehearsal space in the Center for the Arts (CFA). The Senate agreed that this is an issue that must be further investigated, and plans to continue exploring options by meeting with the chair of the Music Department and director of the CFA.

The SGA also assessed the SGA performance for the year and discussed what can be changed to make the organization more cohesive as it looks ahead to the 2006-2007 academic year.

"I think everyone had a good time and it was a relaxing change from the pace of the last few weeks," Alpheus Chan '08 concluded.