The Undergraduate Student Government passed a resolution with hopes of increasing communication between USG and school administrators and discussed the possible renaming of Hanna Hall.
The body held discussion and passed Senate Resolution 2016/2017 – 05. This resolution aims to increase the communication between University administrators and USG by asking administrators to seek input from USG “when making decisions that concern student safety, financials and the student experience.”
Members of USG had mixed feelings about the resolution, as some felt that it didn’t address the problem in a productive manner.
“I get that major departments should reach out to us… but sometimes it can be inefficient,” Senator Del-Marcus Goolsby said. “There’s a bigger problem.”
Goolsby was referring to the lack of a clear path for improving communication in the resolution presentation.
“We can’t set a clear path…we can’t do more unless we’re in the know,” one senator responded. “We need to be included in these decisions… the University needs to be made aware of that.”
One decision this senator referred to specificly was the recent housing decision to close Harshman Hall and lease off-campus apartments.
“It’s extremely critical to not only us as current students, but the students who come after us,” Senator Bryce Davis said. “I’ve personally experienced a variety of departments that have decided to change programming or the direction of their office in ways that have critically injured the student experience.”
Davis and many other senators hope that the passage of this resolution will open more communication between students and administration.
Senate Resolution 2016/2017 – 06 was also discussed on Monday evening. The proposed resolution requested that “the Board of Trustees consider major accomplishments over donations when deciding a name for newly built or renovated buildings” and “opposes the renaming of Hanna Hall.”
Some members of the body said that the practicality of the board’s decision to name buildings based upon donations outweighs the sentiment of the proposed resolution.
“We need to seek alternative forms of revenue other than tuition,” Senator Joseph Tansey said. “If we don’t find new ways of fundraising, then it’s coming out of students, and I can’t, in good conscience, vote for something that would increasingly put higher education out of reach for lower income families.”
Some members suggested a compromise of sorts that could keep the Hanna name but use donations as a way to name future buildings and buildings without people’s names, such as East Hall.
The resolution was tabled indefinitely to be brought up in discussion at a future USG meeting.
The topic of hall names will be discussed, but not voted on, by the Board of Trustees at its next meeting on Friday, Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Room 308. All are welcome to attend and observe all meetings of the University governing bodies.
Vice President Richard Racette gave housing announcements, mainly pertaining to upperclassmen desiring to live on-campus next school year. Students who completed the lottery system created by Residence Life have been approved to live on-campus next year, Racette said.
Students, including current first-years, interested in living in the apartments that will be leased by the University beginning in August 2018 will have a separate application process. Interested students should use MyBGSU or contact Residence Life with any questions.
Senator Kennedy McMillen ran against Senator Del-Marcus Goolsby to be elected to internal affairs chair Monday night.
President Amanda Dortch reminded USG members about their roles as representatives.
“When you come into this room you are no longer just speaking for yourself,” Dortch said. “You’re speaking for the student body, the people who you serve.”
