SHSU Student Government Association wants more student involvement

Student Government Association President Tyler Eberhart focused his report Tuesday night on the lack of attendance among the appointed senators. Eberhart commended those who attended the meeting but announced that unexcused absences will not be tolerated.

"You are all expected to serve here first," Eberhart told the senators. "We need accountability to motivate the senate."

According to the SGA list of senators, 19 of the 35 members are required to attend each meeting in order to meet quorum. If the attendance does not meet quorum, a meeting cannot commence.

"I think there's a lack of student involvement on the campus as a whole. I don't believe it's just an SGA problem," Secretary Courtnie Crayton said.

According to the SGA Senate Meetings for Fall 2011, the Sept. 20 meeting is the only one to not meet quorum; many other times have come close.

The SGA was only able to pass two bills and four resolutions last semester out of 13 meetings. In comparison, the University of Maryland, with a similar sized student government of 41 legislators, passed 13 bills and 26 resolutions in the fall semester.

At Tuesday's meeting, SGA successfully passed their first resolution of the year, The Willie Fritz and Bearkat Football Appreciation Act. The act will award a plaque for the football team and designate February 8 as Bearkat Football Day.

Chiefs Brian Howard and Treveon Murdock both announced their resignations while Vice President Jason Tilton discussed the need for four more election commissioners. Chief Kendall Scudder reported the petition to make Huntsville wet, stating that voters must be registered in the city of Huntsville in order to vote. It was also announced that the library will be open 24 hours a day during spring finals week.

The senators are also currently discussing projects for the spring semester including the "Sammys", All Paws In, Miss Sam Houston pageant and Big Town Hall. SGA has officially changed its meeting times to Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and encourages students to attend.