At the meeting of the Student Government Association last night, changes to the constitution, proposed by Alcie Maxwell, arts and sciences senator, were discussed. Maxwell proposed several internal improvements, and the discussion period was extended twice to allow for continued discussion.

He proposed a limitation on the number of times an organization can come before SGA requesting money in consecutive semesters.

“I really don’t understand the reason for this. If they want to come every semester, it’s up to the Senate to say whether they get it or not,” Ben Landry, public relations director, said.

“I would frown upon having something added to the constitution where they can’t apply for it. I would hate for a little something in the constitution to not allow an organization that works hard that needs money to not be able to get it,” he said.

To increase efficiency, Maxwell proposed a decision to choose between either enhancement of the finance committee’s power or an elimination of the committee.

He also suggested that it possibly be changed to an ad-hoc committee.

Scott Duplantis, SGA president, was opposed to the idea.

“As in most constitutions, there is a checks and balances system,” he said.

“The Senate should really listen to what finance has to say about a motion because if finance reads it and they don’t like it, then something is wrong.”

However, Maxwell said he thought the finance committee was not “being used as much as it should be used.”

“At least give the finance committee the power to kill a motion,” he said.

Maxwell also proposed letting the finance committee compose the budget.

Again, Duplantis was opposed to the idea.

“Nobody knows it better than the treasurer and the president, because they have time to sit down and look at it for an extended period of time, not just a half-hour,” he said.

“If that’s the case, it would take a half of a semester to get the budget out.”

Treasurer Katie Naquin said she was also opposed.

“I don’t think you realize how much paperwork is involved,” she said.

In other business, Duplantis announced the resignation of freshman division senator Mele Kaulahao from Thibodaux.

Allison Gilmore, education junior from Bourg, was appointed as senator for the College of Education. Gilmore was a member of the Senate prior to last fall.

Nicole Perero, student rights and grievances, said she received a complaint concerning the staff cuts in computer labs.