Southwest Baptist University

Minutes

(What goes on during an SGA meeting?)

 

Student Government Association
02/18/08
Minutes  

1.1 Official Call to Order:  6:08 p.m.

·          Kyle Brosseau prayed  

1.2 President’s Report: Ivry Marie Karamitros   

·          Had a meeting with Dr. Taylor last Tuesday. They discussed four main points:

o    RA position in Maupin and Plaster, where they either do not have one or they are not in a paid position. In a meeting with Rob Harris, it was discussed why there is not an RA position for 1st floor Maupin.  They said it was not their decision but rather one that needed to go to Budget Committee. This issue was addressed to Dr. Taylor and he said that he would present that issue to Executive Cabinet in their next meeting.

o    Minority/Diversity officer position issue was addressed. Noel Levitz had told the University that a position should be created for any sort of minority student that came to this university. The transition can be quite a shock and so this person would be specifically involved with and be the comfort for these students. Discussed with Dr. Taylor the minority rally they had about two weeks ago and were able to discuss petitions and surveys. She would like to pass that petition for the creating of a position for the minority or diversity officer. We can never fully understand the position these students are in. If there is someone that can give their full and undivided attention to making these students comfortable and at home here than why not?

§  Jade: we have a specific person for athletic minority recruits, but does he recruit for minority non-athletes as well?

§  Chris: right now he is really focusing on athletes and not just minority students in general

§  Ivry: there is a need and a gap that is not being met.

§  Lydia : I think there is a lot more to this than just this issue.

§  Laura: we can’t solve it. There is only so much that we can do here at SBU. This is something that will help it here, but the problem will always exist in the world we live in.

§  Ivry: it is a necessity to have someone who says we want you here and you belong.

§  Lydia : there are people of every sort of background, white people from the ghetto and those from small towns. There is a way bigger issue. If we are going to open up the door than we need to open it all the way and make all students feel at home.

§  Mally: it is a two-way street. They shut us out as much as we shut them out.

§  Scott: the people who want to be accepted will find a way to and those who don’t want to than will find a way to not be accepted.

§  Kyle: everyone is discriminated against; it happens all across the board, a minority officer is the place to start. Is anyone opposed to the minority officer to begin with? With that there is the possibility that something else needs to stem from that.

§  Jordan : if this position needs to be created, then we need to implement it now because students are leaving because they do not feel at home here.

§  Mally: I am not against the idea, it is a wonderful idea. But, I am against the attitude it is going to create. It is a majority problem, not a minority problem. I don’t think it is really going to solve anything because it is a band-aid approach.

§  Lydia : if it is a band-aid approach than we are the ones that need to change it.

§  Dylan: I agree with Mally, if this is going to help those students than I am all for it. I think it is also an individual issue where we need to take the initiative and make an effort to step out of our comfort zone.

§  Ivry: I discussed this with Student Life because it all begins with Welcome Week.

§  Stephanie: so the purpose is to find common ground as well as be a support system?

§  Ivry/Chris: yes, this person will be working with Zach, Amy Welch, Rob Harris, and Student Life.

o    The issue with parking lots and the ice across campus was addressed. She asked politely how important it was for Dr. Taylor to address the Physical Plant, as well as the Budget Committee, as to how important it is for our campus to be a safe place especially where the Student Body is concerned. If we need to fulfill the obligations than they need to create the means for us to do so i.e. clearing the campus when ice or snow has happened.

1.3 VP Report: Joshua Kyle Brosseau

·         Nothing to report at this time.  

1.4 Treasurer’s Report:  Christopher John Dutschmann

·         We need 4 or 5 members to sit in on meetings for Budget and Finance Committee. That is still a month and a half away, but start thinking about that.  

1.5    Secretary’s Report:  Jessica Diane Boucher

·         Attendance and other business.

1.6 Open Discussion:

·         Jordan : I think it is time to address the Campus Beautification issue, especially since we had the Bearcats here this weekend.

o    Ivry: I agree. It all comes down to an issue of finances.  I requested several times to see where our money goes and have not been given any results. So either we petition and say please or we hire a lawyer and give the reasons why we need those numbers. Dr. Sells left money when he passed away and that money is being used to create a new entrance to our campus.

o    Mally: why are we building a new entrance when we cannot keep the water coming through the ceiling onto our heads? It was raining in Mellers last week.

·         Ivry: March 3rd there will be a big SGA meeting in the Union . There will be pizza and soda. It will discussion much like the one we are having right now. If we can get enough estimated students there I am hoping that we can invite the administration.

o    Mary: can be publicize for that?

o    Ivry: each of you need to talk to 10 friends, who can than talk to 10 more and so on. The hope is  that we should have enough people there

o    Kyle: we have also talked to Joanna Bellis, the publicity chair, about having this is the Monday night video as well as posters

·         Chris: we have also talked about having out Monday night meetings in the Union so we are no longer off the beaten path, so students see that we are common students.

·         Mally: I know we don’t have a lot of say in Mellers, but I have heard two complaints that I think we should have some say in. Why can’t Mellers open when chapel is let out? More often than not people are left out there standing. Also, why can we only have the big cups on one side of the cafeteria? They used to be on both sides but now they are only on one.

·         Stephanie: I heard several people mention things: wanting punching bags in the gym, SGA on facebook posting discussion topics, at a lot of events we give out Wal-mart cards but some people want gas cards as well, the gym: it said that all the sports teams have the intramural gym from 3-6 reserved. It is the same with the weight room, when they are in that it is jammed packed. Can’t they keep a half-court open for the rest of the students?

o    There is a group on facebook right now that is set up for SGA discussion. It is not facilitated by an SGA member, but it is a good start.

·         The issues of visitation as well the issue of not being allowed to see financial documents were both discussed in different groups and across the boards. No real conclusions were found.

·         The idea of petitions were discussed in regards to creating petitions for more visitation hours to better reach students as well as creating petitions for releasing financial records.  

1.7 Official ending Time- 7:20 p.m.

·         Closing prayer.

Past Meetings:

Monday, January 28th, 2008
Monday, February 4ht, 2008
Monday, February 18th, 2008