Newly elected Freshman Council President Yale Fairchild, an energy commerce major from Dallas, believes it is important for freshmen leaders to see how the SGA works and to interact with the senators.
The Freshman Council and Freshman Leadership Association members attended the Tech Student Government Association meeting Thursday night in the Student Union Building, a first for the freshmen appointed to the two organizations. The groups attended in an effort to improve their knowledge of the legislative process and foster stronger relations with the SGA.
“Being here tonight has given us a good first-hand experience on how the SGA works,” Fairchild said. “It has given us a feel for what it would be like to serve on the senate.”
Elizabeth Blayliss, a freshman with no declared major from Tulsa, Okla., and member of the Freshman Leadership Association, said she enjoyed attending the meeting and meeting the senators.
“It was so cool. This was my first time to see an SGA meeting,” Blayliss said. “They have clickers for voting and everything. It’s so legit.”
Sen. Drew Graham, the SGA Freshman Involvement Adviser, said the FLA is made up of 30 students selected through an application and interview process. FLA members must work two hours per week in the SGA office.
The FC is made up of 25 students elected into office by their peers, Graham said. The FC is in the process of writing a constitution that would create a new structure, allow rules to be set in place and allow for more interaction between the FC and the SGA.
Student Senate President Sarah Saunders said about 80 percent of FC members eventually join the SGA in some capacity and for that reason it is important for freshmen to understand what is going on with the SGA and to learn how student government works.
Also in the meeting, Senate Resolution 45.32, proposed by Sen. Ashley Larkin in response to the recent events at Fort Hood, was passed unanimously to sentiments and support of the SGA to the entire Fort Hood military base and all of the families affected. After some discussion the SGA decided every senator will sign the legislation. It also will be framed and sent to the members of Fort Hood.
Senate Resolution 45.30, which proposed the idea of placing crosswalks with road humps between the Commuter West Parking Lot and the United Spirit Arena, was placed on second reading and will be addressed at the next SGA meeting.
Martha Smithey, chairwoman of the Presidents Council on Gender Equity, spoke at the beginning of the meeting on gender inequality and several steps the university is taking towards these issues. The council advises Tech President Guy Bailey on matters related to gender issues and makes recommendations for change.
Issues discussed included inequality in salary by gender and the need for better recruitment and retention of female staff, faculty and students.
SGA President Suzanne Williams also spoke briefly before the meeting about sportsmanship issues. The Sportsmanship and Spirit Committees continue to combat the re-wording of the Tech fight song at sporting events and recently sent a survey to gather student opinions on the issue.
“Yell those words the right way and yell them loud,” Williams said. “You can still have just as much fun saying the right words.”
The final SGA Senate meeting of the semester will be hosted at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Senate Room of the SUB.
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