In its penultimate meeting of the semester, the Student Government Association (SGA) passed a resolution to allow students to use flex dollars to buy merchandise at Textbook Brokers, filled an at-large senator position and elected a local government representative.

Senator Caleb Sterrett, a junior civil engineering major from Dumas, Arkansas, presented SR 25/26-03, which would allow students to use their flex dollars at Textbook Brokers to purchase merchandise, including apparel, accessories and spirit wear. 

The resolution passed the senate in a unanimous vote. 

“Official A-State merchandise can often be expensive for students, creating a barrier to full participation and supporting athletic events and campus traditions,” Sterrett said. “Greater access to merchandise would increase participation, unity and visibility in the student section.”

Flex is a declining balance account that operates like a debit card. Flex dollars are included in many meal plans and can be used in venues across campus, including the Acansa Dining Hall, Chick-fil-A and the Northpark Quads University Market.

Sterrett said Textbook Brokers is already embedded in the A-State system, as students can use financial aid funds to purchase textbooks. He said this demonstrates that integration with student accounts is possible. 

Sterrett, who also serves as the director of athletic engagement for the Student Activities Board, said the resolution encourages the administration to explore a partnership with Textbook Brokers, ensuring the resolution supports student needs and existing vendor agreements.

Jake Williams, SGA president, said SR 25/26-03 can be very useful for students. He said he looks forward to working with Sterrett to help him talk to the administration and move forward with the resolution.

In other business, SGA also filled an at-large senator seat and elected a local government representative. 

Senator Clinton Gore, a political science sophomore from Marianna, Arkansas, was nominated and elected to fill the local government representative position.

Carter Malone, a first-year computer science major from Forrest City, Arkansas, filled the at-large senator seat. 

“When I entered this room, I just felt the presence; it was just real civil and proper,” Malone said. “I just feel like I was meant to be here. I love being professional, I love handling business and I love taking care of other people.”

Malone said he feels like a great representative of first-year students. He said he will listen to the problems first-year students are having and bring them to the senate. 

One problem he said he has already noticed is cleanliness in the Acansa Dining Hall. Malone said he has talked to staff but is not ready to present a resolution yet. 

Malone said he will be a good steward of his position and will not let it go to waste.

Lastly, SGA postponed reading a new executive resolution for grammar until the last meeting of the semester.

Williams said the resolution, ER 25/26-03, proposes including safety evacuation routes in the coursework for making connections and first-year experience classes.

“It’s something that’s really important, and very simple that I feel all freshmen should know,” Williams said. “So it’s something that we’re excited to create a project to work toward.”

The SGA president said the executive board plans to use an emergency clause, allowing the senate to review the resolution for grammar and content and vote on it in one meeting.  

Williams said he feels the executive board is reaching students and keeping its campaign promises. He said he is excited to continue working and improving next semester.

“SGA is there for all students. Definitely come by the office and chat with us, we’d love to get to know the student body.” Williams said. “Any issues you have, always bring them to us and we’d love to make campus better.”

The SGA office is located on the second floor of the Reng Student Union, in the Leadership Center. 

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