The Student Government Association (SGA) passed four resolutions about replacing National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) flags at Unity Park, a “Press the Button” campaign, a student-led sexual assault awareness program and a SGA mentorship program on March 14, the final meeting of the spring semester.

ER 22/23-06 sectioned off part of the SGA budget to annually purchase the NPHC flags displayed in Unity Park. President Carlee Bird, who has been in contact with NPHC president T’Nia Washington about the resolution, said per the last invoice, that amount would be $1586.19.

After the bill’s introduction, Senator Garrett Partain proposed an amendment to include a budget estimate clause. 

“For transparency’s sake, people can look at (the SGA archive),” Partain said. “I know if I was a student, I would think it’s a little weird that we have the price but we didn’t put it in there.”

The senators debated, with some saying the clause needed to be added to be fully transparent with constituents, while others argued that adding a specific cost clause would not be accurate if future organizations were added.

“As part of a multicultural Greek organization, having the amendment in there kind of eliminates the ability to add an amendment to support multicultural organizations in the future,” said Senator Ellie Foote.

The amendment did not pass; however, the resolution did.

ER 22/23-05 implements a “Press the Button” campaign, where once a year SGA senators would go across campus and make sure accessibility buttons are still functioning. The campaign would be in collaboration with Access and Accommodation Services and would allow senators to document any functionality issues with the buttons through the SGA website and social media. The resolution passed.

ER 22/23-07 implements a student-led sexual assault awareness and prevention program in collaboration with the Office of Title IX. The resolution would allow Arkansas State University to invite keynote speakers to discuss sexual assault, as well as set the event up to become it’s own student-run organization sponsored by A-State. 

The resolution passed. 

ER 22/23-08 establishes a mentorship program within SGA. The resolution would pair up a new senator with a returning one and would teach new senators how to create and format new resolutions. The returning senator would also be responsible to check in monthly with their assigned senator or senators. ER 22/23-08 passed. 

Before the resolutions were discussed, chief of staff Colten Sedman invited representatives from Arkansas Children’s Hospital to discuss Wednesday’s Watch for Red Wolves event, as well as to educate the senators about motorist and pedestrian law. 

“(We will be at) crosswalks across campus promoting not only the safety initiative event, but also safety for student pedestrians,” Sedman said. “(We will be) giving information out to drivers on campus just a reminder of safety for everyone.”

With this being the last meeting of the semester, Bird and her vice president Maddyson Lamb gave their final thanks to the senators. 

“I’m so proud of you guys,” Bird said. “I really have had the best time getting to work on SGA and I can’t wait to see all the things you do.”

Katey Provence, SGA faculty adviser announced this was also her last meeting, as new staff has been hired to work in the Leadership Center office. The transition to the new staff will happen in early April.

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