Newly passed legislation by the Student Government Association may leave students literally bumping into their local SGA senators.
The specifics of Article III Section 4, Part B of the SGA Constitution now requires all senators to work “at least one hour per week on SGA sanctioned functions.” The new duties include one hour per month to “meet with constituents.” This means SGA senators are likely to be seen handing out flyers, encouraging interested students to attend meetings and providing general information about the organization itself.
“I don’t see them often enough,” said senior Addie Jones, “like the president outside speaking to students and stuff.”
With more than 100 student applicants currently being considered for membership into SGA, President Josh Shearin points out that all positions for the senate are filled, but the SGA is stressing the need for student involvement.
“Come talk to us,” Shearin said. “At least tell us what’s on your mind.”
Corrina Jackson, SGA secretary of public relations, said, “I would like to see students at each meeting address the senators. As far as the SGA meetings are concerned we don’t have that many students.”
Jackson, Caroline Ross, secretary/treasurer, and Michael Drew, BUC (Better University Community) Fund chair are but a few of the new faces now participating in SGA.
“I wanted to know what went on in the senate and how students were represented,” Ross said.
Michele Miller, secretary of external affairs,, said, “This is probably going to be the biggest year for SGA ever.”
The question many non-members are often left wondering concerning SGA and its purpose is: what does SGA really do?
“All I know them from is from Homecoming and the concert,” said senior Rebecca Eccles. “I don’t really know what they do.”
Similar to our country’s federal Senate, SGA is divided at any one time into several standing committees, each with its own concerns and purpose. Currently there are committees dedicated to food service, suggestions and grievances, senate review, parking, traffic and safety, and public relations, among others.
“It’s like a full-time job,” Shearin said. “Last year we got one of the parking lots, it was primarily faculty, and we got that changed over to the students.”
Each student pays $20 per semester out of general tuition into the SGA BUC fund, also known as the “606 fee.” The BUC fund is often mistakenly referred to as the “student activity fee,” which is a separate and fluctuating yearly fee controlled by the Student Activities Allocation Committee.
“The 606 fee is an activity fee which by state law is under control of the student government,” said Dr. Steven Bader, senior associate vice president of student affairs.
The BUC fund is divided into two separate funds: 75 percent goes into a “superfund” that sponsors concerts and Homecoming. The remaining 25 percent goes into a “general fund” and is disbursed to student organizations that submit petitions to SGA, often to sponsor guest speakers on campus.
Student organizations are given an opportunity once a month to address SGA and request financial aid for their respective organization.
“We did not turn anyone down,” said Drew, referring to the most recent fiscal petition.
Guest speakers sponsored through general fund monies to other student organizations have been one of the more visible influences of SGA on campus.
The renowned poet, author and historian Dr. Maya Angelou visited campus last March on the heels of activist and scholar Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon. Several other SGA-sponsored speakers and events have also taken place within the past year.
Country star Dirks Bentley will be the latest famous face brought to campus by SGA for the fall concert. Bentley is the result of yet another SGA student poll providing students a democratic opportunity to vote for their favorite band or rock star out of a list of potential musical acts.
“I would like for the student body in general to know that these preferrence polls that we put out for them are really important,” said SGA adviser Dr. Sally Lee.
Students are invited to attend meetings every Tuesday at 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Culp Center.
For more information e-mail: sga@etsu.edu or call 439-4253.

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