The Round Table Rack of The Mind: Emergency Senate Meeting.

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Daniel Kofi Awuku-Asare, Contributing Writer.

The first emergency meeting of the Student Government Union (SGU) of Saint Leo University for the 2012 Fall semester was held on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at the Donald R. Tapia School of Business Building Room 308.

The meeting kicked started at exactly 6:15pm with an opening prayer offered by Senator Kara Marino. All 30 members of the Senate were present at the start of business.

The agenda of the day was briefings of the proceedings of the American Students Government Association Conference held in Washington DC on Sep. 27 through the 30.

By the constitutional stipulations of the SGU, Article III Section 6, the Senate is entitled to convene a meeting for regular business at least, once in a semester of the academic calendar.

Some members of the Executive Board participated in the conference in Washington, including the President of the SGU, Katie Gwinn. In her opening address, Gwinn expressed her convictions on the Conference and encouraged the Senate to remain committed for the new reforms of the new administration.

In her update, Gwinn mentioned few policies in other universities that sought to address the concerns of the student body and threw the suggestion regarding such policies to the Senate to make the survey and find out for them, if that is something the students here at Saint Leo would want to consider. Some policies brought up were “Smoke Free” and the Alcohol Medical Amnesty Policy; the latter, Gwinn stated, is a kind of policy, which allows students to rush alcohol abuse victims to the hospital, which under normal circumstance is not permitted by law.The Executive Board indicated that the Union enjoys an advantage of the constitutional barking and faculty support. Besides, it has institutional alliances with the Students’ Government Unions at the states’ universities. Above all, it is recognized by the American Students Union at the national level.

Vice President of Operations of the SGU, Corey DeHate, emphasized on capacity building, trainings and role sensitization exercises for the Senators. He was not oblivious of the demanding nature of the job of the Senator, but he encouraged the Senators to be more committed to the cause.

“The work is tedious though, but it comes with a reward”, DeHate added.

It looks as though in principle, the Senators were in tune with their task and had avowed commitment to that. In a piece of the questionnaire handed out on what the Senate is required to do, the following responses were generally elicited:

Give voice to the voiceless
Represent the interest of students on campus
Address students concerns as promptly and fulfilling as expected
Liaise with the right authorities to coordinate and administer the core objectives of the university as an academic institution and a community

Build a spirit of excellence in the students through core programs.

In an absolute affirmation to these, the Senate observed that all three Classes had had their special sessions to select their Chairs for the Class Committees as stipulated by the SGU constitution, with the exception of the Seniors’ Committee which had few things to resolve with their group to accomplish the task.

Senator Sarah Mauter questioned on the issue of attendance in the House, particularly in a situation of conflict of interest. In response, DeHate mentioned that attendance to the House’s business is as important as any other business on the agenda of the Senator, and for that reason, mandatory and constitutionally bound. He however admitted that under exceptional situations communicated formally through the channels of communication in the Senate excuses of absenteeism could be granted.

The Vice President of Activities, Stephanie Reyes, lamented the lackadaisical and nonparticipating attitude of some student organizations on campus basically because of their inability to fund their programs and activities. She was however, positive and assured the entire representation of campus organization in the Senate, who had upright standing, that the Campus Activities Board is willing and would give budgetary funding to any such organization in that situation. She therefore, encouraged the Senators representing their individual student organizations to endear to drive more student involvement in their programs. She added that such social activities deepen the socialization process and consolidate the total socio-psycho development of the individual.

With the new reforms in the administration championed by the Executive Board, the Senators were particular about how petitions could be filled to bring amendments and improvements in the old order; for which concerns, DeHate pledged the Executive Boards commitment and readiness.

In order to broaden the scope of communication, and advertise the programs of the Union, the Executive Board informed the Senate, that it had taken the bull by the horn by creating SLU, SGU page on face book for such purposes. Prior to the session, DeHate indicated a couple of schemes which are available in the SGU, for the students’ benefits, such as the SGU scholarship, and the Ana Di Donato scholarship. This he indicated is available online and students could verify qualification status and proceed to apply under Financial Aid. He was hopeful of the already cordial relationship that exists between the University authority on one hand and the student front on the other.

In her concluding remarks, Gwinn entreated the Senate on the need to build a more united Senate, as a student front, to champion the good cause of the student populace.

At exactly 6:40pm, Corey DeHate, Vice President in charge of Operations moved for the adjournment of the Senate until Wednesday, October 3, 2012 when the Senate was expected to reconvene at the TECO Hall at 6:15pm, and that was unanimously seconded by the House.

The Proceedings for the October 3, 2012 Senate session began in earnest as scheduled. The full complement of the House was not realized, but 2/3 representing quorum was formed. The House went through the minutes of the previous meeting, and it was upheld. A critical look was given to the Procedural Order of the House including proper ways to file a motion and adopt it.

By the provisions of Article VI Section 1 Subsection A, a proposal of the Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society) presented to the House by its representatives asking to be incorporated into the SGU was considered. The House through a roll call vote approved the proposal, subject to Article III Section 7, which empowered the 2/3 section of the House to do so.

The Phi Alpha Theta subscribes to the core value of community, which is embedded in the University’s core values. It participates in the annual UN Model sessions held in Penn State, and had over the years distinguished itself, by bringing home honors among other important conferences and activities it participates. Membership is opened to all History majors’ as well as students in other ‘majors’ of disciplines who qualify for Associate Membership. The House was therefore fully convinced that its incorporation into the Union was a step in the right direction.

A seven- member standing Roles Committee was constituted with its members comprising: