2008 Woodie Awards
Silence is golden
Reagan Williams
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: News
The normal calm of SGA senate meetings was interrupted Monday night with several controversial discussions.
The meeting started with an annual senate tradition. All of the senators were placed with a member of Freshman Forum to be their "big," or their mentor until the end of the spring semester. For the "littles" to find out who would serve as their mentor, they played a game. The senators would sing the first line of a popular or classic song, like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "1,2 Step," and their little would have to sing the second line.
"It's karaoke at the senate," said Russell about the big/little revealing.
The atmosphere was definitely different when Student Bill 54 was presented. It did not amend anything in the constitution. It added something completely new. The bill said that all electronic devices had to be silenced during senate meetings. The punishment for a noisy cell phone or other device would be a tardy.
"The embarrassment is punishment enough," said Senator Clint Mead. He believed that the bill should be voted down since most cell phone interruptions are accidents.
"A silenced phone is the best phone," said Senator Tremaine Kelley in response to Mead's statement. At the last senate meeting, Kelley asked to leave early due to a family emergency that he was silently informed about via text message. He went on to say that in case of an emergency you can still have your phone but, it needs to be silent to avoid distractions.
"This meeting is supposed to be professional," added Parliamentarian Rachel McCombs.
Senator Ted Hunt felt that the bill would only add more paperwork to senate meetings.
Tensions grew even more heated when Vice President of Student Senate Justin Lord would not allow the meeting to adjourn until the slots to work the blood drives had been filled. The blood drives would be forced to shut down without SGA workers.
"If you have no time to be a senator, please leave," said Kelley. "We need to take a look at ourselves. We are supposed to set the example."
Student bill 55 was passed instantly. There was no debate. The bill specified how executive assistants are to be appointed.
The senate meeting also included giving out the awards for the float and banner competition from homecoming week.
Allison Land was awarded Senator of the Month for October. She was praised by the executive officers for her dedication. She was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for all of her help during homecoming.
This Saturday, when JSU plays Samford, there will be a joint tailgating party at 10 a.m. The game begins at 12 p.m.
Also during the senate discussion, Senator Lynnley Clark suggested that there be background checks for all residents in university housing.
Allocation applications for any organization ended November 18.
The meeting started with an annual senate tradition. All of the senators were placed with a member of Freshman Forum to be their "big," or their mentor until the end of the spring semester. For the "littles" to find out who would serve as their mentor, they played a game. The senators would sing the first line of a popular or classic song, like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "1,2 Step," and their little would have to sing the second line.
"It's karaoke at the senate," said Russell about the big/little revealing.
The atmosphere was definitely different when Student Bill 54 was presented. It did not amend anything in the constitution. It added something completely new. The bill said that all electronic devices had to be silenced during senate meetings. The punishment for a noisy cell phone or other device would be a tardy.
"The embarrassment is punishment enough," said Senator Clint Mead. He believed that the bill should be voted down since most cell phone interruptions are accidents.
"A silenced phone is the best phone," said Senator Tremaine Kelley in response to Mead's statement. At the last senate meeting, Kelley asked to leave early due to a family emergency that he was silently informed about via text message. He went on to say that in case of an emergency you can still have your phone but, it needs to be silent to avoid distractions.
"This meeting is supposed to be professional," added Parliamentarian Rachel McCombs.
Senator Ted Hunt felt that the bill would only add more paperwork to senate meetings.
Tensions grew even more heated when Vice President of Student Senate Justin Lord would not allow the meeting to adjourn until the slots to work the blood drives had been filled. The blood drives would be forced to shut down without SGA workers.
"If you have no time to be a senator, please leave," said Kelley. "We need to take a look at ourselves. We are supposed to set the example."
Student bill 55 was passed instantly. There was no debate. The bill specified how executive assistants are to be appointed.
The senate meeting also included giving out the awards for the float and banner competition from homecoming week.
Allison Land was awarded Senator of the Month for October. She was praised by the executive officers for her dedication. She was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for all of her help during homecoming.
This Saturday, when JSU plays Samford, there will be a joint tailgating party at 10 a.m. The game begins at 12 p.m.
Also during the senate discussion, Senator Lynnley Clark suggested that there be background checks for all residents in university housing.
Allocation applications for any organization ended November 18.