SGA holds town hall and weekly meeting

The Student Government Association (SGA) had an eventful week with a meeting on Wednesday and a town hall last night.

SGA President Tyler Clark, head of the Constitution Rules and Revisions committee, reviewed various bylaw proposals Wednesday. The SGA plans to consolidate campaigning rules, add new department representatives and change the club payout percentages for Spring Sing.

Sophomore Abigail Kent shared details about the Spring Sing philanthropy efforts. The team raised almost $7,000 and plans to continue their relationship with the Down Syndrome Association of Oklahoma (DSACO) by hosting an Easter egg hunt for children involved.

The Master’s Garden will have another build day this Saturday at 10 a.m. The Eagles Health Initiative will provide lunch and a kudo to all students who choose to attend. 

Moderated by Liz McElroy, SGA’s faculty sponsor, SGA executives Tyler Clark, Taylor Dotson, Chaise Lucero and Emily Rowland answered a multitude of questions proposed by the student body at yesterday’s town hall.

The tuition increase and $300 student activity fee were heavily addressed topics at the meeting. The SGA provided a financial breakdown outlining where all the money from the increased student activity fee will go. While the SGA will still receive $25 per student from the activity fee, other organizations such as Eagle Media, residence life and athletics will now receive additional funding from the institution.

Executives also attempted to explain the reasoning behind the 5.8 percent tuition increase, which students can expect in the fall.

SGA executives confirmed the building of a new cafeteria, which will extend the student center and face towards the clock tower. Executive Treasurer Taylor Dotson also discussed the possibility of extending cafeteria hours until 8 p.m. during the school week.

Spiritual Life concerns, such as the role of women in chapel, guest speakers in big chapel and the amount of kudos required per semester, were also discussed at the town hall. Though the University faces backlash each time a woman speaks in chapel, as Tyler Clark suggested, students plan to act against this notion.

The SGA is planning to create a new Spring Sing committee geared toward providing clarity between Spring Sing judges and the student body. The new committee will review all Spring Sing bylaws and help the event run more efficiently.

Students also discussed rules concerning off campus housing restrictions. Though the decision to reduce these restrictions is left up to the board of trustees, SGA executives plan to present the student body’s concerns to the board.

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