The Student Government Association (SGA) voted against a resolution to amend the SGA-funded housing scholarship, SR 22/23-01.

President Pro-Temp Garrett Partain sponsored and presented resolution SR 23/24-01. 

The resolution would add a section to the end of SR 22/23-01, which covers the cost of housing for fall and spring semesters for multiple students, to also cover the fees associated with staying on campus over fall, winter and spring breaks. 

“It would allow SGA to actually experiment with how the scholarship actually runs,” Partain said. 

The resolution states that 80% of funds allocated by SR/22/23-01 for the 2023-2024 school year, totaling $4,400, may be used to fund the proposed scholarship and create a committee to oversee the scholarship.

The committee would consist of two members of the executive committee, the president pro-temp, and two members of the SGA Senate.

The committee would be responsible for determining a start date for the break scholarship program, keeping track of effective methods in implementing the scholarship and presenting their findings in a report to the senate.

The committee would be dissolved upon the disbursement of all funds from the scholarship. The remaining funds, totaling $1,100, would be added to the scholarship fund for the 2024-2025 school year.

Two amendments to SR 23/24-01 were proposed, both voted on and passed before SR 23/24-01 as a whole could be voted on.

The first amendment edited SR 23/24-01 so students who already had their housing fees covered by other financial aid could still apply for the scholarship to cover their extended break fees. 

The second amendment altered SR 23/24-01 such that it no longer only applies to the 2022-2023 school year. 

SR 23/24-01 failed with 18 votes against it.

“I hope that SGA continues to consider student housing as an issue here. It is something that I am very passionate about, whether it be through homelessness outside of our campus or housing for our students over breaks,” Partain said. “It is an issue that I think is little spoken on and I hope that it is an issue that still continues to be talked about and worked on as we empower our campus community to live their best lives regardless of their home situation.”

Partain resigned as president pro-temp and senior senator, effective following the conclusion of the meeting. He resigned in order to attend The Inside Washington Academic Internship program in Washington, D.C. 

“I just wanted to thank everybody for being a part of SGA with me as my time here comes to an end,” Partain said. “This has been a very life-changing experience for me. It enabled me to practice and hone in on skills that would be completely impossible elsewhere on campus or in the wider world.”

The SGA senate voted Jonathan Schaufler as the new president pro-temp.

SGA Secretary Lizzie England also resigned to attend the internship program in Washington, D.C. and nominated Lizbeth Guzman as secretary. 

With the resignation of SGA President Caleb Thomas, Vice President Micayla McGowen became the new SGA president.

Thomas said he has been dedicated to being a student leader since his first day as a student. 

“Though I have loved and thoroughly enjoyed serving this campus, the passion I began with was somewhat lost,” Thomas said. “I think it’s the best interest of my campus, spirit and future to take necessary measures to further myself intellectually.”

The former SGA president said McGowen will strive to be a voice for the student body. 

McGowen nominated Senator Olivia Wham as Vice President.

Eight more open positions were filled during the meeting, including two senate-appointed seats. 

Jackson Richmond and Chase Felkins filled the At-Large Senator seats, Lesleigh Sulivan filled the Honors Senator seat, Brock Ballard filled the Liberal Arts and Communication Senator seat, John Volpe filled the Military Science and Leadership Senator seat, Maia Reynado filled the Nursing and Health Professions senator seat.

The senate appointed Nayeli Cerda as Action Fund Commissioner and Lucky Gilmore as Local Government Representative. 

Schaufler announced his work with other SGA senators on a resolution to provide lactation rooms on campus. Schaufler said the resolution would install lactation rooms in the Reng Student Union, Centennial Bank Stadium and First National Bank Arena. 

Cultural Diversity Director Amber Yates said she is working on an alumni panel she plans to name “A-State Through the Decades”. The alumni panel will be held Feb. 29 in the auditorium at the Student Union. 

President Micayla McGowen said the pickleball courts SGA helped finance are open and are located in the Red WOLF Center.

Sustainability Liaison Nicholas Sides said the food recovery applications are open and 14 applications were already received.

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