SGA Beat

Author: Mario Ariza

Vrutika Mody '09 made her debut at the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting Sept. 29 as Speaker of the Senate. Mody is tasked with keeping this house in order, and after a short, informative session for the members concerning Roberts Rules of Order, the discussion of new business commenced.

The first order of business concerned the approval of this year's SGA Finance Committee guidelines. Presented to the Senate by Caroline Woodworth '09 last week, the guidelines were approved by a 10-1 vote with 2 abstentions after a 15-minute question and answer session in which Woodworth explained the rationale behind the college's new 300-mile driving radius for its vans, the cycling clubs exceptional status and the May 1 student publication deadline.

The SGA Cabinet's Library Information Services (LIS) and dining point man, Jonathan Kay '11, presented the senators with updates on his communications with the new Director of LIS, Mike Roy. Kay asked the senators to get the word out about the library's new Mac power chargers and invited any senators willing to join him in discussions with Roy, who seemed "very excited to make things happen" and expressed a desire to "connect LIS back with students" through a dedicated focus group.

Kay first fielded questions from the senators concerning the printing situation on campus and the possibility of wireless internet in dorms, then about the campus' dining situation. Noting the lack of juice during dinner, students' unfavorable reviews of coffee offered this year and $40,000 a year that the college loses in dishware, Kay called for legislation from the senators that would address these issues.

The remainder of the meeting consisted of an in-depth report from SGA president Bobby Joe Smith III '09, in which he informed the senators of some bad news. It seems that the Addison County Transit Resource (ACTR) board will have to start charging for rides. President Smith is exploring options, and tentatively proposed for examination the possibility of subsidizing student rides with direct, yearly payments to the ACTR, to tune of 5,000 dollars a year. One senator asked, "Why can't the students just pay it themselves?"