After a long year filled with heated debates, 10-and-a-half hour funding meetings and new legislation, Student Government Association wrapped up its year with a final meeting in Busch Student Center’s Wool Ballrooms. The reason for the venue change was to accommodate the guests for the yearly SGA awards ceremony.
The meeting kicked off with the presentation of the Joseph F. Hodes Student of the Year Award. Presented by Hodes himself, the honor was awarded to senior Alexandra Chapman. Chapman, aside from her excellent scholarship, has contributed greatly to the Saint Louis University community through the Billikens After Dark program and SLU Students for Haiti, Hodes said.
Hodes reiterated SGA’s ability to have a lifelong impact on its senators.
“In addition to improving your campus, a lot of the tools you learn here will serve you well in future life, and someday you will then use them in your careers and community,” Hodes said.
The next award given was the George D. Wendel Civic Leadership Award, which was presented to Senator Jon Roper for his efforts in the SLU community and the greater St. Louis area.
After presenting the awards, Senate got down to business, passing unanimously a bill that amended the association’s bylaws, revising the duties of the Diversity and Social Justice Committee and the Diversity and Social Justice Vice President.
The final bill of the year voted on requested funding for SLU Urban Planning Association to purchase hammocks to put around campus. The bill passed unanimously, and SLUPA was awarded $698.56 for f hammocks.
“I think this is a really good thing for the Quad. We’ll be getting a lot of benefit from this amount of money,” Internal Vice President Andrew Miller said.
Hammocks have been on campuses such as Washington University in St. Louis, and have been well received. SLUPA hopes to put the hammocks near the library and other low-traffic areas in the Quad. After the final votes of the year had been cast, the E-Board extended its thanks to all the senators and fellow E-Board members, and President Michael Harriss presented his President’s Award. The award is given to someone Harriss described as “the MVP of the Senate this year.”
The award was given to Vice President for Diversity and Social Justice Jamie James.
Upon receiving the award, James received a standing ovation.
“This year, I had given it a lot of thought. My gut instinct told me who it should go to. [James] has an unwavering commitment to improvement, and responded to unexpected trials and tribulations [by] utilizing her unique skill set,” Harriss said.
After the final award had been presented, Senate wrapped up the meeting by “passing the gavel,” giving each senator an opportunity to speak about his or her experiences with other senators and SGA in general.
The special moment was filled with thanks, well-wishing, humor, memories and friendship. Harriss personally thanked each senator and shared his feelings about each and every one, thanking everyone for loyalty and service to SGA.
