February 5,2020 Senate Meeting

By:Alexis Butler

Students were able to voice their concerns regarding Alabama State University during the student senate meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

For the first time, the student senate meeting was held in the study room of Facility two dormitory.

“We’re bringing the senate meetings to the students,” said senate president Tyler Rice.

Lauren Shaw started by suggesting ways that ASU could receive monetary donations from parents. “You can call parents at the end of each semester and see how their child is doing,” Shaw said. She then explained that at the end of each phone call the university could attach a way for parents to donate a minimum of five dollars.

Transfer student, Yasmine Whitehurst, discussed her difficulty of receiving financial aid from the university. Whitehurst has maintained a B average, since transferring to ASU, but has not received any scholarship aid from the university, including trust funds. “I apply for scholarships every semester and they tell me the same thing ‘your at the top of the list,’” she said.

Other students addressed issues of parking, food choices and allergies, professionalism of staff and availability of scholarships.

Senate Pro-Tempore, Trentqual Rhone, mentioned to the students that the senate is just a “voice” for the student body and sometimes it is difficult to have the administration listen to their concerns, “there is strength in numbers,” he said.

While students were able to voice their concerns,the student senate also passed several bills and resolutions.

Sen. Nastazia Heholt presented a bill to require the student body attorney general to write an advisory opinion within 48 hours of a probe. This will ensure that the attorney general is fulfilling his or her position, properly.

Sen. Janet Lgah-Bona proposed a resolution to repair the recital halls for the purpose of safety and retaining large crowds.

Senator-at-Large, Dax Craig, presented a bill that would provide branded polo shirts for SGA officers, to provide “uniformity”.

Rhone presented two resolutions and a bill. One resolution was a calling for the reconsideration of the university policy that allows history and political science courses with low enrollment. Rhone then went on to his next resolution, “Support of the Faculty of the Senate.”

This resolution is to support the faculty senate’s resolution to have the university to present Fred Gray Sr. with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Rhone then presented a bill to create a process that establishes legislative committee jurisdiction and requires that all legislative actions are presented to and approved by the appropriate legislative committee(s) before they can be presented before the full-student.

As the student senate meeting came to an end Rhone encouraged the students in attendance to organize themselves in order to build a united voice. Everyone has to use their voice in order to make administrators listen.The best solution would be for students and SGA officials to organize protests, petitions, strikes, and utilize their social media presence.

Those who were interested in making change and coming up with a strategic plan to get other students involved in making a difference at the university, met with senators after the meeting was adjourned.