The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a public meeting via Zoom Thursday afternoon.
Senators Skyler Walder and Danielle Williams were not present.
SGA President Stephen Washington opened the meeting by encouraging everyone to keep following COVID-19 coronavirus guidelines.
“We’re 10 weeks in,” Washington said. “We’ve made it very far, so let’s continue following the COVID-19 guidelines so we can have a better time in the spring.”
Senator Jordan Newsome-Little announced at the meeting that the Academic Affairs Committee met with Provost Tom Ormond on Oct. 15 to discuss giving students the pass/fail option for the fall 2020 semester. This option was available when the coronavirus pandemic forced the university to move online in the spring 2020 semester.
Newsome-Little said that she believes the pass/fail option promotes academic success.
Washington also shared his thoughts on the pass/fail option.
“This semester has been different for everyone,” Washington said. “It’s been a difficult adjustment period, and the pass/fail option is a good way to give students a crutch for that adjustment.”
Newsome-Little then motioned for the SGA to formally support the university offering students the pass/fail option for the fall 2020 semester.The motion passed with 24 votes in favor and one abstention.
Students in favor of the pass/fail option are encouraged to send a paragraph to Newsome-Little sharing their support. Her email is jn1256@ship.edu, and she will forward the letters to the provost.
Senator Chase Slenker then proposed changes to the budget and finance standing rules.
Slenker motioned to place academic Greek organizations into the campus club category for budgetary purposes. The motion passed with 20 votes in favor and one abstention.
During the meeting, SGA also announced:
• The Residence Hall Association held a haunted rail trail on Friday night.
• SGA is hosting a MOD Pizza fundraiser on Nov. 4. To participate, attendees are to tell the cashier at MOD Pizza that they are there to support SGA.
• Starbucks will be completely overhauled this coming summer to allow for mobile ordering and a new floor plan.
• Chick-fil-A is coming to the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) in the fall of 2021.
The meeting then moved into board reports.
Emma Poznick, the president of the Activities Programming Board (APB), told SGA that APB:
• Hosted a movie showing of the “Rise of Skywalker.”
• Hosted Sexy Bingo on Friday in the hockey rink.
• Rescheduled a meeting with Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) to discuss creating stronger bonds on campus.
• Is hosting a paint night on Oct. 28 in the hockey rink.
• Is hosting a Halloween event on Halloween with crafts and a movie showing.
The Campus Media Board was not present at the meeting.
The next SGA public meeting is Nov. 5 on Zoom.
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