A new piece of legislation was voted on at this week’s Student Senate meeting.
A representative from the Bhakti Yoga Club asked the senate for help in funding the organization’s travel expenses and guest-speaker fees. A motion to fund the Yoga Club $2,540 was approved. The senate also agreed to allocate an additional $900 to the organization for the Sept. 12 event featuring guest speaker, his Holiness Ramapada Swami. However, many members believe SMU is funding the event and see no reason for the Senate to contribute. Senator Hayden assured skeptics that if the club has already received the necessary financing, the senate rescend their extra funding.
Two representatives from the Advertising Club asked the senate for $650 needed to send four representatives to the annual American Advertising Federation conference in Washington D.C. on Oct. 18-19. The senate currently provides the Ad Club with $600. The funding includes a total of $1200 for the airfare for four people and a $50 AAF registration fee. After careful consideration and debate, the senate agreed to provide the club with $650.
Student Foundation President Abby Hoak announced that the Talent Show will be held on Nov. 9.
Senate President Katherine Tullos discussed the confusion of football-ticket purchasing. Tickets to games will now be available at Ford Stadium from 1p.m. to 3p.m. on game day. The change in venue of ticket pickup from the Mane Desk to Ford Stadium is to prevent students from giving away tickets they got for free and also to reduce the amount of vacant seats resulting from ticket holders failing to show up for the game.
Members of the senate agreed that the new ticket process was very hectic and preferred getting tickets at the Mane Desk. Tullos told the senate she would address the ticket problem when she meets with the Student Board of Trustees on Thursday.
Speaker Seikaly introduced a new piece of legislation to streamline the election code to the senate’s constitution, which was revised during general elections in February. The election code oversees all elections, including first-year elections held today. In passing the legislation, the election code will follow the revised version of the constitution.
Senator Jose announced the creation of an Election Appeals Board. It will be used only when appeals regarding elections are filed. The board will consist of five senators and three committee chairs. Senate members nominated candidates for the board and positions were filled during this week’s meeting.
Development of the board will resolve appeals more efficiently. The election code now requires Student Senate candidates to have an overall grade point average of 2.5, an increase from the previous rule of a 2.0.
Chair Kobler introduced a solution to parking tickets that he is discussing with SMU Police. Instead of paying the ticket, a student can take a defensive-driving course free of charge.
Tullos reminded senate members of next week’s Speaker’s Podium featuring Dean Siscoe and Dr. Tunks, in which they will discuss SMU’s Task Force. All students are encouraged to attend the meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the Forum located on the bottom floor of Hughes-Trigg.
