SGA falls short of signature deadline
By Jordan Funderburk, contributing writer
Posted on October 12, 2006

Title IX spurred more debate within the Student Senate Tuesday, as an open forum was held to hear the opinions of those affected.

Following the meeting, SGA found itself unable to make significant progress on the issue without the desired 1,600 student signatures for their petition.

The open forum began with representatives from many of the cut sports to voice their opinions and answer questions the senate had for them. More details were given on the planned protest that Student Organization Services would be organizing.

The protest date is set for Nov. 1 on the commons. T-shirts will be sold and there are plans to bring in distinguished speakers who will support the effort. The rally is meant to stir up national and student attention to the issue.

Vows to stand beside each other were given between the student athletes and SGA.

“We stand with them before we stand with anyone else,” said Sen. David Allen (Sr.) when describing his proposed bill. Allen’s bill also called for a petition with 10 percent of the student body’s signatures, a number not reached by the meeting.

The petition was the main piece of legislation SGA would have voted on, however, without the desired number of signatures it was put on hold. It was decided to place the petition on the SGA Web site, as well as make an increased effort to get signatures.

Following the open forum on Title IX, SGA discussed the new Student of the Month program to acknowledge outstanding students in areas such as academics, extracurricular activities and sports.

Applications are available on the SGA Web site. Winners receive a bookstore gift certificate, a senate resolution to honor the winner, a month-long special parking pass and a free meal with JMU President Linwood Rose and/or Senior Vice President of Student Affairs Mark Warner at Madison Grill.

Finalists for Mr. and Ms. Madison were announced as well. For Mr. Madison, the finalists are seniors Mike Cordingley, Ryan Powell, Tripp Purks, John Robinson and Colin Wright. Ms. Madison finalists are seniors Linia Duncan, Beth Pope, Naomh Stewart and Emily Watson.