Photo courtesy sga.famu.edu
As this week’s senate meeting commemorated the first day of Black History Month, Senate President Shanel Brown and acting Senate Pro-Tempore William Walter kicked off the meeting with Black History trivia.
The senate heard five bills this Monday during its weekly meeting. The Internal Development Select Committee and the Elections and Appointments Committee each passed new legislation.
The first bill that was discussed was Legislation SB21SP-002, titled “IDSC Big/ Little Mentoring Program.” It was introduced by IDSC Chairwoman Makira Burns and sponsored by OFC Vice Chairman Joshua Clements.
The bill, originally introduced on Jan. 25, seeks to cultivate strong relationships within the senate and aims to pair each mentor with newly elected, or appointed senators.
“One of the most important benefits of becoming a mentor “big” is that it allows you to positively change the life of a younger individual “little.” When Big’s defend, ignite and empower their Little’s potential, they are helping to ensure that they receive their brightest future possible.” Burns read.
The legislation was swiftly passed after a unanimous roll call vote from the senate.
Legislation SB21SP-003 was also read for the second time and was unanimously approved. The aim of this bill is to amend chapter 600 of the FAMU Student Body Statutes. This bill was authored by the Election and Appointments Chairwoman Maya Robinson and Vice-Chairwoman Theresa Jean-Louis.
“These changes will allow the student body to continue to conduct successful elections to come and therefore be it enacted to the chapter 600 in the FAMU Student body statutes.” Chairwoman Robinson stated.
The election reform committee is deviating from traditional, in-person practices. This legislation suggests they look to conduct election applications and voting online going forward and declare that applications will be accepted via iStrike.
Vice-Chairman Gilbert also brought up a concern about members of the Elections and Appointments Committee running in elections and proposed they take a temporary leave of absence rather than having to resign.
“That’s something I think would be more beneficial because, at this point, it’s kind of an unfair rule for members of the Elections and Appointments Committee if they are running and participating in an election in any way,” Gilbert said.
More information is to come on the remainder legislation, as they will be revisited next week.