Student Senate honored members at its meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Student Senate President Taylor Russ, Vice President Katherine Tullos and Chief of Staff Katie White presented awards for Senator of the Year and Chair of the Year. Senators Aisha U-Kiu and Benjamin Hatch received the Senator of the Year award and Chairs Christine Dougherty and Cheyenne Rogers both got the Chair of the year award.
Giving the award to two people was not meant to dilute the award, said President Russ.
“There was just so much hard work done that has to be recognized,” he said.
Senators also discussed Mayor Laura Miller’s comment on the recent change to the Environment Committee. Certain senators raised questions about where she got her background information and invited the mayor to come speak at a senate meeting. Mayor Miller said she was flying to Los Angeles, Calif., but would contact senate when she returns.
In other business, students spoke to senate about their desire for LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) to receive probationary charter at SMU. Students addressed concerns about LULAC being or having ties with extremist groups and explained that they wanted to inform SMU students of the scholarships and programs LULAC offers to its members.
Senate voted to approve the Organizations Committees recommendation for probationary charter for LULAC and for temporary charter for the Triathlon Club.
Senate also voted to approve the Finance Committee’s recommendation to fund Crossroads, SMU Bhakti yoga and SMU baseball in block.
Lee Arning, director of emergency management at SMU, spoke to Senate about campus safety. Many students asked what they were supposed to do if their classroom was attacked. Arning answered by saying his focus is to find a way to inform students of a danger in an efficient and effective way so they can have a chance to do anything at all. His said his main concern was about establishing a system to decide when to inform students of an issue and finding a quick, universal way to do it.
Students with concerns about safety should contact Arning at [email protected].
