Tuesday, March 15 the Student Government Association met at 9:15 p.m. in Johnson Hall.
After the University Committee report, Bobby Adams responded to concerns regarding his position as a graduate assistant for SGA during his president address.
“I do not have time for drama. However, I do have time for your concerns. Some people have concerns about overlapping of authority on that. The graduate assistant is the administrative role outside of the student organization,” said Adams. “It allows me to focus more of my time on SGA than splitting it between GA and SGA.”
Adams has filled this position since the beginning of the spring 2016 semester. Marc Burnett, vice president of student affairs, appointed Adams to the graduate position after Adams applied in the fall of 2015 for the graduate assistant position. The GA position was vacant during the fall 2015 semester.
The graduate assistant position for SGA serves solely as an administrative position, and the position does not have a defined role in the SGA constitution.
During the president address, Adams also addressed another issue brought to his attention. Earlier in the spring 2016 semester, Adams unconstitutionally appointed two senators, Victoria Cass and Zach Crannigan, to the SGA senate.
According to the SGA constitution, when a vacancy occurs, a committee shall be formed to appoint a replacement in the open position.
During the meeting, the SGA voted to appoint Cass and Crannigan to the Senate. The vote passed with one SGA senator abstaining from the vote.
“It was my mistake,” said Adams. “If you notice a problem, please bring it to our attention. Because if it is not brought to our attention, we can’t fix it.”
Four S.O.L.O. applications were passed during the SGA meeting. “I Heart Tech Week,” Engineers Without Borders, ASCE and the E-Club presented S.O.L.O. applications for funding during the meeting.
Savannah Savage, SGA secretary, presented a $12,000 S.O.L.O. application requesting funding for “I Heart Tech Week,” which was unanimously passed by the Senate. The $12,000 will provide funding for a basketball tournament, faculty and staff appreciation cards, Tennessee Tech t-shirts and tank top, laser tag, temporary Tech tattoos, food for students throughout “I Heart Tech” week and advertising for the event.
Savage addressed the SGA senators before the application was voted on.
“I hope that this week can help the students create a better love for Tech through each of our events. I know I wasn’t always the biggest fan of Tech but this week helped me appreciate it so much more,” said Savage.
Engineers Without Borders applied for $5,000 to fund an annual 5K the organization hosts. The SGA senators approved the Engineers Without Borders application unanimously. The engineering club that will be hosting this event and needed the money to provide a professional timing service, bibs for runners, t-shirts, bags, water bottles, event insurance and a band at the finish line, which will be in front of Prescott Hall.
The ASCE was unanimously approved for $1,100 to go toward the remaining funds for the Engineers Without Borders 5K. Engineers Without Borders paired with the ASCE for help.
The Engineering Club was approved for $200 for prizes and pizza at their video game tournament Friday, March 18 in the Multipurpose room in the Roaden University Center.
