With their left hands placed on the Student Government constitution, John Woodard and Taylor Parks recited the oath of office and officially became the next leaders of the executive branch of SG at Wednesday’s senate meeting.
In addition to the new president and vice president, 35 new senators were sworn into office.
Before the newly elected officials were sworn in, however, senate members voted on five pieces of legislation.
SGR. No. 24, a resolution commending Texas A&M’s Student Government President John L. Claybrook for vetoing a “Religious Funding Exemption” bill that would have allowed students to opt-out of their student fees going to LGBT-related groups, passed with 98 percent in favor.
University Center for Freshman Year senator and co-author of the resolution Jacob Boudreaux said he completely supports the action taken by Texas A&M’s SG president.
“I viewed this as a clear violation of human rights,” Boudreaux said.
SGFB No. 17, a financial bill to allocate a total of $45,000 to help purchase technology for the new Career Services facility, passed with 100 percent in favor;
$29,790.50 came from the SG initiatives account, and the additional $15,209.50 came from the SG surplus account.
SGFB No. 15, a financial bill to allocate $2,600 to the Global Brigades Medical Chapter at the University for a one-week volunteer trip to Honduras, passed with 97 percent in favor.
Similar bills also passed to allocate money to both the International Student Association for a festival and to the Louisiana State University Dance Marathon.
Earlier in the night, as former SG president Taylor Cox gave his going-away speech, he spoke on the way SG has been run.
“We have carried ourselves with integrity this past year,” Cox said. In regard to the newly sworn-in members, Cox said, “You’re here to make a change. Make that change.”
He told the new members at times their work may be difficult, but to continue in their work.
“I promise you, it’ll all be worth it,” he said.
