It was a night of emotional goodbyes and final farewells to student senators Wednesday, especially for two of the most vocal and active senators in recent Senate history — Jerry Fisher and Jeremy Griggs.
But before exchanging goodbyes, some exchanged a few arguments and harsh words.
Fisher criticized Griggs’ recent string of proposed legislation. He said he spoke to many University officials regarding Griggs’ proposed capital outlay fee. They said they had not heard from Griggs.
“Not only is this dishonest and unfair but ultimately and hopefully will lead to failure of these measures,” Fisher said.
Griggs read the capital outlay resolution Wednesday, which, if passed, would assess a fee of $10 per credit hour, for up to 15 credit hours, to finance Master Plan improvements.
A committee of administrators and students, with students getting a majority vote, would decide how to spend the money. The money could be used for a variety of improvements, from renovating existing buildings to constructing new ones.
“We need to do something to ensure we get the money there to fund our facilities for the future,” Griggs said.
Griggs quickly came to his own defense and said he was not trying to “push” his agenda onto the students. He was starting discussions that need to be started, he said.
In his three weeks as an appointed senator, Griggs introduced a total of six resolutions addressing issues such as part-time student fees and campus food services.
“I didn’t intend for any of these things to come up for strong debate until spring,” Griggs said.
Patrick McCune, former Student Government president, also made an appearance at Wednesday’s meeting, circulating a memo offering information to “aid” student senators in their decisions on “big issues.”
McCune cautioned senators about Griggs’ proposed capital outlay fee, telling them to be careful of SG looking hypocritical by passing a fee before doing necessary research.
Though Wednesday was Griggs’ final Senate meeting, his agenda will not leave the Senate with him. Fellow senators agreed to sign on as co-authors for all of his legislation, giving it a chance to be discussed and debated in committees.
In other business, senators agreed to send two of Griggs’ proposed resolutions — to establish a campus food service committee and a student commission on race and cultural issues — to Senate committees for debate.
The only resolution Griggs saw approved before his term ended was about traffic problems.
Wednesday’s measure requested the University administration and the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council “work quickly to ease the traffic problems at the intersection of West Lakeshore Drive, South Stadium Drive and East Parker Drive.”
Despite a few debates, many senators and executive staff members publicly thanked Fisher and Griggs for their service in the Senate.
“Both of these senators are phenomenal,” said Allen Richey, SG executive assistant. “Student Government will have a big void to fill.”
Wednesday was the final Senate meeting for many other senators. This Wednesday, the Senate will swear in newly elected senators.