Thursday’s Student Governing Association meeting served to educate new senate members about the processes and formalities of SGA. Kyle Nuss, speaker of the Student Senate and senior in architectural engineering, explained proceedings to new senators as the meeting progressed.
During the first open period, Jatin Rayalu, junior in open option, spoke on behalf of the smoking community at K-State against an all-university smoking ban.
“I am a smoker,” Rayalu said. “I have also been on the receiving end of second-hand smoke. And let me tell you, even smokers don’t like it.”
Rayalu suggested having specified smoking areas, similar to the University of Arkansas, that are clearly marked on campus and on campus maps. He also encouraged SGA to work to ensure that campus police are enforcing the rules already in place.
There are also plans for a change in decoration in the K-State Student Union’s Big 12 room, where SGA meetings are held, to more prominently display members of the Big 12 Conference and update the adornments. These changes will take place over the summer.
SGA is currently searching for a Student Senate parliamentarian. Any legislation changes are due by April 30 at 4 p.m. to senator Ben Brown, chair of senate operations.
Senators were asked to turn in committee preferences by Friday at 7 p.m., so each committee chair told the senate what their committee is responsible for and when it will meet. Committee chairs were later unanimously approved and sworn in by student body president Eli Schooley, senior in political science.
Schooley also appointed the cabinet members, which were unanimously approved and sworn in.
SGA introduced a new section to their business for minor allocations which will involve group funding under a sum of $850. In meetings the group and amount will be read and require a three-fourths majority to be approved through the committee.
The 52 senators present approved the amendments made to the College of Human Ecology College Council Constitution.
During second open period, Ellen Collingwood, sophomore in business administration, encouraged new senators to work with their mentors while adjusting to their time in SGA.
“Please build those relationships with those who have been in the senate for a while,” Collingwood said.
Commendations were given to the K-State Open House staff and those involved in planning the event and also to Frank Tracz, director of bands and professor of music, for being inducted into the American Bandmasters Association and for the notoriety and leadership he has brought to the Pride of Wildcat Land.
SGA will be accepting applications for at-large committee members until May 10. Applications can be found online and must be turned into the Office of Student Activities and Services in the Union.
