SGA turns attention to student involvement

The Student Government Association discussed several ideas that will increase student involvement and
representation on campus at its meeting yesterday afternoon.

SGA is looking into the addition of a free period to the school’s daily schedule for next semester and
semesters to come. According to Vice President Austin Wendt, the potential free period stemmed from
a lack of student involvement on campus, which is due to the fact that, for many students, there is not a
point during the day where they can attend meetings.

“A lot of students, especially our commuters…are here for class and then they go to work and do other
things on campus, so that inhibits them from being able to be involved in other organizations,” said
Wendt.

The free period would also allow for guest speakers to come to campus and for students to be able to
attend these speakers’ presentations.

“It gives teachers an ability to give [students] extra credit to go and see these speakers,” Wendt said,
“instead of them missing class time and missing out on coursework they may have missed out on to go
see a speaker.”

The organization is also looking to add more student representation to the academic misconduct appeal
process by having the SGA Supreme Court more involved. Wendt said that students feel the committee
is not representative of students. According to the current student code of conduct, there are three
faculty representatives and two student representatives on the committee.

“What we’re looking at is a new way to be able to have students keeping students accountable, so if it
goes through, it would be someone from the student Supreme Court that would sit on those
committees,” said Wendt.

Additionally, Director of Student Rights and Grievances Peyton Chiasson spoke at yesterday’s
presidential search committee public forum about a list that the executive board created of
qualifications they would like to see in the next university president.

Chiasson will also meet with Dr. James Stewart and Prof. Nicole Boudreaux this week regarding an
update on the student media referendum.

The organization also appointed five new senators at its meeting. Alyssa Arabie, Jayden Dugas and Erica
Tibbs will serve as senators-at- large. Matthew Birdsall will represent the College of Arts and Sciences,
while Hayden Robichaux will represent the College of Education.

SGA tabled motions to purchase a miniature torso model for the Tutoring and Academic Enhancement
Center and to fund the purchasing of movie rights for the Geology 152 class to hold a public movie night.

Went also announced that by the end of October, students will have the opportunity to download the
latest version of Microsoft Office onto their computers. Students will receive an email when access
becomes available.

SGA and SPA can sponsor around 20 more people for the Blessed By Downs Buddy Walk. Students can
register at the SGA office. Proceeds benefit Nicholls’ Bridge to Independence program.

The Homecoming Day of Service, which is sponsored by SGA and Circle K, will take place on Oct. 1 from
4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Registration can be found on the Nicholls’ website.