ETSU Student Government Association Vice President Seth Manning made a statement at Tuesday’s SGA meeting on the men’s basketball team kneeling and the university’s response.
“I support our military personnel unequivocally, just as I do our ETSU athletes,” Manning said. “Those statements are not mutually exclusive. I support the decision that the basketball team made to kneel last week during the national anthem, and I say that as someone who comes proudly from a multigenerational military family.”
SGA President Shivam Patel also made a statement.
“Twenty-seven senators from the state of Tennessee have drafted a statement asking university presidents to prohibit their athletes from kneeling, which I believe is a first amendment violation,” said Patel. “My plan is to draft a statement and send it to the administration, possibly send it to the student body.”
Members of the SGA were advised to contact Patel if they wish to be included on the statement from SGA addressing their stance on the kneeling of the men’s basketball team.
Several pieces of legislation were read by SGA Vice President for Finance and Admistration Josie Ward, including the SSA-21-001, which is “a bill to amend the SGA constitution to eliminate potential biases for the student trustee selection process” and the SSB-21-001, which is “a bill which bans the use of Buc Fund monies from flowing to institutions with discriminatory policies.”
The SGA also revisited the SSR-21-001 bill asking the university amend it’s general policy on student conduct to create distinction between marijuana and harder drugs. The committee who met to vote on the legislation, however, did not meet quorum, so the bill will return to committee and will be re-addressed in the next meeting.
The committee then moved on to an interview with all three candidates for the student trustee position: Allen Archer, Caleb Atkins and Kara Gilliam. Archer was the first to take the floor. He described his job experience and his return to college, pursuing dual enrollment as an undergraduate and in a graduate program.
“I am honored to have made it to this point,” said Archer. “I have no doubt that whoever is selected will serve our university well.”
Atkins was the second to speak. Atkins listed his many associations with the college, as a leader with the Preview and Orientation Leader Organization, an honors-in-discipline student, a transfer student and a tutor in the athletic department, among others.
“I’ve felt a real sense of community, and I would like for other students to feel that as well,” said Atkins.
Gilliam was the third to take the floor. She addressed her passion for helping others who are struggling with mental health. She also addressed the kneeling debate.
“After reading President Noland’s statement, I’m disappointed,” Gilliam said. “I think that President Noland is a very respected voice in the community, had a huge opportunity to stand behind his students, and missed that opportunity.”
After the interview process, Gilliam was elected as the new student trustee.
“This is a momentous process,” said Manning. “Kara will become the first trustee nominated by the senate.”
