SGA President Jennifer Berry made a surprise visit to the Student Government Association meeting Tuesday after an extended absence due to illness.
Berry had taken a leave from both the SGA and school because of her health. She is now back in school and trying to catch up.
Berry stayed at the meeting long enough to greet Senators and listen to a guest speaker who came to talk to the Senate.
Larry Coleman of the College of Medicine spoke on behalf of the ETSU Veterans’ Affairs Standing Committee, which is trying to erect a memorial monument in front of Memorial Hall (Brooks Gym) in honor of former ETSU ROTC-commissioned officers who died in military action and will feature these officers’ names.
The committee has already gained the support and approval from ETSU administration, however, Coleman came to ask for the SGA’s support of the monument.
President-elect Jarrod Suits said that Coleman has hopes of the SGA being able to motivate students in support of this project and perhaps even be able to generate funds.
The SGA also voted to pass Sen. Ethan Flynn’s resolution that called for an organizational block of time to be added from 11:15 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This was one of Flynn’s major platforms during the SGA election in order to get students more involved on campus, especially commuter students.
“I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback,” he said.
However, some senators were concerned about the possibility of this limiting class selection for students. “If they’re already cutting it, why cut it more,” said Sen. Diana Bowers.
Flynn said that classes would not be cut, but would simply be shifted to another time. He also said that this period of time would ideally be used for events and lectures, and that organizations would not be required to have their meetings at this time.
Dr. Sally Lee, SGA advisor, announced that despite the budget crisis, the SGA did not run out of money and that cabinet members and the executive branch would be paid their salaries. Vice President Aaron Caton and Secretary/Treasurer Priya Ponnapula will both be paid through the end of the semester.
However, next semester, the salaries of the executive branch will be affected by the budget cuts at ETSU.
SGA’s operating budget, which it receives from the Student Activity Allocation Committee, was reduced by $5,700.
The SGA received $31,700 this year, but will only receive $26,000 next year.
This does not allow for pay raises. The president’s salary currently pays 100 percent of the current cost of in-state tuition. The vice president and secretary/treasurer’s salaries pay 50 percent. However, when the tuition is increased, these salaries will stay at the current pay and will not rise with tuition meaning that President-elect Suits will not receive 100 percent.
The operating budget also does not allow for the cost of food or travel, except for Tennessee Board of Regents mandated trips for the president.
“We can make it on that,” Lee said.
Suits is seeking applicants for next year’s cabinet members. This is not restricted to SGA members.
Anyone interested should go by the SGA office and apply. Also, 606 applications are due this Friday and must be turned in by 2 p.m. in the SGA office.

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