SGA reverses portion of senate nomination bill
By Alex Hilton, contributing writer
Posted on December 7, 2006

SGA’s Executive Council decided to reverse a portion of a constitutional bill that was rigorously debated during last week’s Student Senate meeting.

The bill, which involved speaker of the senate elections, was changed last week to say only full-time undergraduate students would be eligible for a nomination.

“Undergraduate” was removed from the bill, which will now allow graduate students to be a part of the applicant pool.

The weekly meeting also showed the work an executive board member has put in for the last semester and the passion one religious organization has for its cause.

Junior Lee Brooks, vice president of administrative affairs, gave his midterm report at the meeting explaining how his goals as vice president have been cultivating throughout the semester.

“When I started campaigning, I had five platforms on which I described what I wanted to bring to JMU and SGA as serving as vice president,” Brooks said.

His first platform, which had previously been to try to open Java City on the weekends, was instead replaced by opening Starbucks on Sundays.

The second program, Take Your Professor to Lunch, where JMU students and faculty have an opportunity to eat together, was brought to 20 classrooms this year. Brooks hopes to reach 50 by the end of the year.

Reforming the parking situation, the third platform, is being developed through building the new parking deck, by the Quad, which is still under construction.

“We are hoping to have 800 parking spots, while also pushing to further develop the old deck to have more student parking, while now the first two floors are mainly for emergency vehicles,” Brooks said.
Brooks’ fourth platform, formulating classes about JMU’s history, was met with a few complications, including lack of faculty and time.  Instead, he said, he would like to have a lecture series about the history of JMU, including myths, athletics and stories about the school through the years. Brooks would like to bring in old history professors and alumni who could share their experiences and knowledge.

“I’m super excited about that idea,” Brooks said.

The final platform, a student television show, was not possible because of the lack of a television station at JMU.  Brooks is looking into a way for clubs to advertise, show students’ media or have sporting events played. 

A bill allocating $660 to the Catholic Campus Ministry was also passed. The money will go toward new hymnals to use at its several weekly masses on campus.

While the organization is non-profit, it takes weekly collections for charity, Alternative Spring Break trips and other activities.  CCM is also trying to fund a new extension on the house.

“Giving money to these groups shows that we are giving them our support,” Sen. Jessica Landis (So.) said.  “It is a long-lasting, great cause and they will really appreciate the money.”