The Student Government Association meeting on Feb. 20 started with a roll call, followed by Tamia Smith, SGA president, sharing her letter to the university. Each time a letter is written on behalf of SGA, the general assembly must vote on it. The proposal for the letter passed without opposition.
Smith addressed the members by highlighting the importance of SGA’s mission statement. She also said there would be a public forum on Thursday, February 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in UC 2219-2220. This forum is for anyone who feels that they have something to share. An example in the letter was the concerns regarding funding for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
The organization’s executive vice president, Alicia Cotton, clarified that this forum is not just about the concerns regarding funding for DEI programs, but that it is open to any topic a student or staff member needs to share. She also clarified that there will be no SGA meeting next week, and the forum would take place instead.
Following the vote on the letter, the executive board opened suggestions for ideas regarding their annual Rice Day celebration. Each year on April 9, the executive board of SGA plans a birthday celebration for David L. Rice, USI’s founder and first president. The board said they extended an invite to Rice’s family.
The meeting adjourned shortly after closing suggestions for Rice Day.