SGA hosts more committee elections, judical branch progresses
The Student Government Association's House of Representatives and Senate came together for a combined meeting Tuesday evening in the University Center Auditorium.
House Speaker Christian Dunn said the collaboration was happening so representatives could learn more about the senators and what they're doing for their respective colleges, as well as to host a "mini-election" for the Bylaws Committee.
Dunn said he hopes the Bylaws Committee will update the association's policies to be more accessible to students across campus and to give students more say in how the association operates.
"There are things (in the bylaws) that can be updated, but haven't been," he said. "I personally want students to have more say in policies, as opposed to it just being SGA enforcing them."
Two representatives and two senators were elected for the committee. Those students were:
- Rep. Aliza Punches
- Rep. Trevor Muchabaya
- Sen. Aspen Duffield
- Sen. Kathryn House
Senate Leader Drea Hammond introduced her six present senators to the representatives, and let them share their "senate project" ideas, which are individual projects each senator works on to better their college or community. Some ideas included an all-nighter event in the Student Activities Center for the College of Arts and Media, a convention for students of undecided majors to explore what majors are available at CMU, and a broader internship fair for the College of Science and Engineering.
"I wanted to get the senate projects rolling earlier this year," Hammond said.
Judicial branch taking it 'step by step'
SGA's justices have finalized the creation of a case consideration form for plantiffs (or applicants). Chief Justice Madison Coleman said they created the form to help streamline the process of submitting and reviewing cases, that way the justices can determine cases they should or shouldn't take.
"It makes it easier for members to see the content of the cases, why they're submitting them and if we can do anything about it," she said.
Coleman explained that the branch can only take action in two areas:
- Civil disputes, such as a person against a registered student organization (RSO) or an RSO against SGA
- Disciplinary action cases, which involve judging if the actions of an SGA cabinet member goes against the constitution and bylaws.
She said that by creating the form, they weed out cases that don't fall under those two actions.
"We've been going step-by-step to figure this all out," Coleman said. "This was the main form we needed (to create)."
Coleman said their next steps are to present the form to SGA's general board for approval. She said once approved, it would be public on the association's Engage page and any student can submit a case for consideration.
In Other Events:
- President Carolina Hernandez-Ruiz announced that SGA, the Resident Housing Association and Program Board will be hosting a Fall Fest event at 10 p.m on Nov. 23 in the SAC. She said the event is part of Student Activities and Involvement's "Fire Up All Night" event series, and that they will be hosting a silent disco, conducting giveaways, showing a movie by the pool and more. She said those interested in volunteering may sign up online.
- Vice President Aashka Barot announced that voting for the Sustainability Fee Committee election is now open on Engage. She said their are five candidates running, and the ballot will be open until 5 p.m this Friday.
- Treasurer Akua Acheampong said the Student Budget Allocation Committee has been slow on responding to funding requests due to finalizing things internally. She apologized for the delay, and informed those who haven't applied for funding that the application closes on Feb. 28, 2025.
