At the Student Senate meeting Wednesday night, Associate Dean of Students Darrell Ray addressed the on-campus armed robbery that occurred Tuesday night.
“I want you all to be aware of your surroundings,” Ray said. “And I want you to look at communicating safety as a message to your constituents.”
Student Senate Speaker Colorado Robertson invited Student Government President Cassie Alsfeld to discuss SG efforts toward a campus safety awareness campaign.
“I just got word about the incident on our campus, and I’m just floored,” Alsfeld said. “I just can’t believe things like that are happening on our campus. We need to go out there and make sure our buildings are safe.”
Alsfeld urged senators to get involved in distributing leftover key chains labeled with emergency response numbers stored in the SG office. She also announced intentions to prolong the annual Public Safety Day to turn it into a week-long event.
Alsfeld said the need for increased funding for student organizations was brought to her attention while walking through Free Speech Alley on Tuesday. She said her position often calls for the need to cut through red tape to get things done.
“I hope we focus not on ourselves, which we often do, and let’s focus more about them,” she said. “Lets go out there and talk to the organizations, talk to the councils, talk to the people sitting in the Quad, the people on the football field and the people in the Natatorium.”
Sen. Sabina Tungaraza, assistant director of finance, announced approval for $1,000 of expenditures from the corporate sponsorship account to host a guest speaker in February. Tungaraza said Noliwe Rooks, author of “White Money Black Power,” is on the agenda to speak to students.
After Alsfeld addressed the impending necessary staff changes to move forward for the semester, four new resolutions came before the Senate and were deferred to committee hearings next week.
The Senate unanimously passed a legislative order to appoint the standing committee membership of the 27th Senate. Additionally, in a unanimous vote, the Senate passed legislation to commend the football team for winning the 2007 Bowl Championship Series National Championship. Sen. Andrew Remson, chair for the Academics, Athletics and Administration Committee, introduced the resolution this past week and said it is a nice honor to the team and the biggest accolade the Senate can give them for their achievements.
Sen. Micaela de Gruy, assistant director of programming and Students on Target director, said Groovin’ on the Grounds will take place Saturday, April 12 this year, in an effort to turn the event into an all-day music fest. Sen. Dixon McMakin, director of athletics, announced the 2008 Mardi Gras Mambo Court. He said voting for court will begin today, and students will be able to vote using their PAWS account under Student Services until Jan. 30.
Sen. Andrew Palermo, chair for the Housing, Infrastructure and Technology Committee, discussed plans to implement a new housing roommate-matching program. He also said the committee plans to find a solution to fixing up the University’s testing labs.
Following the swearing in of three new senators, Sen. Whitney Breaux, chair for the Students’ Rights and Welfare Committee, called the Senate’s attention to their conduct during session.
“We need to take note of how we represent the student body in this room,” Breaux said.
Senate Speaker Pro Temp Jacqueline Delery, Arts and Sciences council member, announced her resignation.
“Some personal issues have come up recently, and so unfortunately I have to offer my resignation,” Delery said.
—-Contact Natalie Messina at [email protected]