Discussion on the future location of ETSU’s Student Government Association’s office continued at the organization’s weekly meeting on Tuesday.
There are two pieces of legislation being considered by the senate.
One is in support of moving into an office space in the old craft shop in the Culp Center with other student organizations, and the other is in favor of remaining in its current location.
Parties on both sides of the issue agreed to an informal vote of what course of action the organization would support.
A committee consisting of members of the organizations being considered for the space met later Tuesday evening.
SGA members on the committee wanted to be able to represent the consensus of the organization.
Sen. Ethan Flynn asked for the organization’s executive officers’ opinion on the move, since their offices occupy most of the space and they would be affected the most.
President Jarrod Suits was in favor of the move, citing the current space is not fully used and he feels the SGA is isolated from students and other organizations.
Secretary/Treasurer Lindsey Houston supported the move as well.
“I think it is a good, basic idea,” she said.
She stated that details still needed to be worked out before any final decision should be made.
Flynn called for the non-binding, informal vote that resulted in 15 votes in favor of moving and 4 opposed.
The opinion of the organization will be finalized once details have been completed on the proposed new space have been completed and reviewed.
Suits briefed the senate on his meeting with other SGA presidents from the Tennessee Board of Regents system from across the state this past weekend.
New ideas were discussed, including proposing a lobbyist in the state legislature on behalf of student governments from across the state.
Suits opposed the idea because of the costs and the fact that larger schools in the system like ETSU would be forced to pay the greatest amount – $7,000 per year – for the lobbyist.
Suits also learned how other student governments function and found support from his colleagues on the idea of an organizational “Hub” like the one currently being considered for the old craft shop.
The SGA is currently seeking student input on the plus/minus grading system.
Students should e-mail the SGA or write their opinions down and put them in the suggestions and grievances boxes. One box is in the Atrium of the Culp Center. Another is in the Burgin-Dossett Hall.
President Pro-Tempore Renate Bennett presided over the meeting in Vice President Kayla Griffith’s absence. The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes.
The SGA meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Culp Center Forum.

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