SGA senators are gearing up for elections as April draws closer with possible changes to the constitution and by-laws. With a surplus of RSO scholarships to grant, senators also look for those around campus who may need it.
Although SGA will no longer be able to provide thousand dollar scholarships annually to international students.
Sami Owens, director of International Student Programs and Services, spoke on behalf of the scholarships awarded to two international students a year, $1000 for each student, provided by SGA for academic success and ambition.
“The scholarships are mainly need based, but we take into account academics, community service and achievements as well,” Owens said.
SGA has been providing the scholarships with their funds, but after reviewing the guidelines have found that they will only be able to provide a single five hundred dollar scholarship a semester.
Therefore, SGA will no longer be able award two $1,000 scholarships yearly to international students. According to SGA Advisor Laura Knotts, it would be against the rules for them to do so.
“We do still have the money from Zombie Outrun, which totals at about one thousand. We could always use those funds for the students,” said Knotts.
Erin Foster, department head of research and judicial affairs, presented possible changes to the SGA constitution.
Article five, regarding the impeachment of senators and executive members, reads that only senators have the right to impeach.
“[My committee and I] feel that executives should also be given the right to impeach, as we are mostly the ones to come under fire for this,” Foster said.
Changes have also been suggested for article twelve, regarding the freshmen senate and number of senators for each college.
Foster said the change would move the number of freshmen senators from each college from two to three.
“We felt that this was a necessary change with the new college structure,” Foster said.
The student body will vote on all changes to the constitution during election time. Elections will take place April 2-3.
Tri Beta, a biology honor society, also came to SGA and requested a $500 RSO scholarship to help them co-host the regional conference of the honor society.
Foster said they plan to use the money to help those who cannot pay the registration fee. The fee is $110 per person.
“We also need to buy nametags and pay for travel expenses,” Foster said.
The ULM chapter of Tri Beta may have the chance to host a regional or national conference after co-hosting this upcoming regional conference.
Victoria Eymard, a junior kinesiology major, spoke on behalf of Phi Mu sorority for a $100 sponsorship for their upcoming volleyball tournament.
“All of our proceeds go to the Children’s Miracle Network, to the local hospital in Arkansas. The SGA would be on all of the t-shirts, and would reflect well on the SGA and your philanthropy,” Eymard said.
The funds will not be processed until April, detracting from the allotted number of scholarships for the upcoming month.
Due to paperwork concerns, Eymard presented her request early.
