SGA Passes Two Emergency Legislations, Swears in Three New Senators
The Student Government Association (SGA) received insight from USD’s Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs on resources it will provide for students. SGA also introduced Senate Bills (SB) 77, 79 and 80 and passed bills 78 and 81 as emergency legislation unanimously. Three new senators were also sworn in by SGA President, Caleb Weiland.
Marcus Destin, Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, is the advisor for the seven multicultural boards across campus. He said the office strives to ensure people and organizations are continuing to stay involved with events that impact the university.
“We’re here to support, educate and celebrate…I’m a strong believer that I’m here to support you all in that,” Destin said.
SGA voted unanimously to pass SB 78 “Veterans Club Special Appropriation” and SB 81 “Safe Rides Budget Allocation” both as emergency legislations.
Supported by the Finance Committee, the budget request per SB 78 totaled $3,250 with SGA allocating $2,000.
SB 81 acts as a resource for not only USD students, but all Vermillion community members to request a “safe ride” home during the weekend hours of 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Safe Rides is a federal grant program associated with local student governments and will take effect starting Sept. 9.
“This is a really good opportunity. I have had a lot of conversations about it and we’ve moved it up from November to September. Next weekend, the communication director for us will be posting on social media about that as well,” Weiland said.
SGA also approved SB 77 “A Bill Codifying When Amendments Take Effect” for its second reading next week. Senator Josh Styskal said several changes being made to governing documents would create recurring confusion of when amendments to those documents would occur. The bill looks to solve this issue by allowing for further discussion of these problems among the senate.
SB 79 “Psychology Club Special Appropriation” requested $3,250 with SGA allowing for $1,000 for the 22-23 fiscal year. SB 80 “PAVE Special Appropriation” requested $1,375 and SGA approved $840.
Three new senators were sworn in under oath by Weiland: Muhammad Aheed, Chelsea Carter and Griffin Petersen.
SGA will meet next week in the Freedom Forum at 6:30 p.m.
