The Jan. 27 meeting of Student Government Association began by welcoming seven new Senators. President Michael Harriss gave his State of the Association address, which, coincidentally, was given on the same day as President Obama’s State of the Union Address.
Harriss reflected upon the trials and tribulations of SGA’s 37 General Assembly:  the record level of financial assistance given out this academic year, the creation of legislation which made Pius XII Memorial Library open 24 hours and five days a week, and the pitching of the idea of an outdoor recreation facility.
“We begin this semester with wind in our sails and prospects of a bright future,” Harriss said.
After reflecting upon the past semester, Harriss turned to SGA’s goals for the upcoming semester. SGA hopes to pass legislation creating an outdoor recreation center. Furthermore, Harriss spoke of revamping food services. Harriss acknowledged the criticism of Chartwells and the student response.
“If we can’t answer [surveys about Chartwells] with a resounding ‘exceptional,’ there’s something wrong,” Harriss said.
Another area of concern of SGA involves updating the services available in Pius Library. The last area for improvement that Harriss voiced is the need for student activism. He hopes to raise student awareness about the opportunities to voice their concerns and make SLU a better place. Following the State of the Association address, the Director of Housing and Residence Life Alvin Sturdivant spoke about changes in housing for the upcoming year.
Some notable changes include room rates increasing by an average of three percent for the 2010-2011 academic year. Sturdivant also discussed the new rule requiring freshmen and sophomores to live on campus.
SGA Vice President of Finance Robert Moehle spoke with regard to the issue of student organization funding. In order for a student group to receive its annual allocation, the group must attend an annual funding presentation, upload a constitution, submit new executive board information, upload their member lists and have a budget completed and submitted by March.
Moehle also presented possible alternative means of funding student organizations. The first allocation plan proposed taking the funding for club sports and putting it toward the wellness fee. This route would lead to a $75,000 surplus for SGA, and would allow for expansion of student wellness.
Further propositions included cutting funding for transportation, which would lead to higher allocations, with an increase in the student activity fee following. The final alternative presented suggested keeping club sports under SGA funding, which would lead to a $60,000 deficit, possibly leading to a large increase in the student activity fee.
•KSLU was allocated $349 to purchase new equipment
•SLATS (Saint Louis Athletic Training Society) was allocated $916 to attend an athletic training symposium in Atlanta.
•Tau Beta Epsilon, an engineering honors society, was granted a charter after completing their initial probationary period.
•The Irish dance team known as Elevation was granted a charter.