After seating the committee for the Year 2000 Mary A. Breummer award and Joseph F. Hodes Student of the Year award, the Student Government Association addressed the issue of when the latter is presented.

This year’s presentation of the Mary A. Breummer Award-an award recognizing one faculty, staff or administrator who has made the greatest impact on the improvement of student life-is scheduled for the Student Leadership Awards Banquet on April 17.

With no debate, the senate passed resolution (SR)-0028-00 requesting that the administration “reinstate the formal presentation of the Mary A. Breummer Award” during commencement exercises.

Prior to May of 1997, the award was presented as part of the annual exercises. In 1998, the award was presented to Director of Student Life Phil Lyons during the Baccalaureate Mass. In 1999, Campus Ministry director Michael Doody, S.J. received the award during the pre-commencement exercises of the College of Arts and Sciences.

SGA president Jay Perry said that he had brought the issue to the attention of University president Lawrence Biondi, S.J. in early February.

The resolution states, “Fr. Biondi’s response was that the award was more appropriately presented in a pre-commencement ceremony, as it could be given in the presence of more students.”

However, Perry noted, commencement exercises attract the largest gathering of students as opposed to pre-commencement exercises that are limited to individual schools and colleges.

“There was no student input in the decision [to change the presentation date] in the first place,” Perry said.

The resolution states that “this award should be made in the presence of the largest number of students possible, and the commencement exercises would offer such a venue.”

“Not only is this a slap in the face to students, but a slap in the face as well to Ms. Breummer,” said Marguerite senator Nick Fagan, referring to the Saint Louis University volunteer in the office of Mission and Ministry for whom the award is named.

Fagan said that he was offended by how the change was implemented. “It’s a shame that Fr. Biondi is playing personal politics with an award that’s so big,” Fagan said.