New Office Policy Becomes Main Point of Interest

By Michael Walsh

A new policy involving what students can use the Student Government Assosciation’s office space and for what reasons became a main point of the open floor portion of SGA’s first meeting of the semester after Vice President Christopher Kyle brought up the executive decision to keep the SGA office for SGA-related business only.

Prior to the new policy, students could have access to the office’s computers for personal use, but some SGA senators thought the office became too lounge-like, leading the board to adopt a new policy.

“We are not closing the door on [students],” said Kyle. “It’s just making the office SGA only.”

A major opponent of the decision was Senator Omar Morgan, who questioned the decision on the basis of SGA’s mission statement that every member of the student body is a member of SGA.

“I think it’s insult to lock students out,” said Morgan. “It gives us a bad representation.”

Kyle went on to say that “It’s not meant to kick anyone out but it’s to make the office more productive.”

Senator Eric Bergenn commented on the idea of limiting the use of the computer’s to students who have to do homework as being a possible movement towards creating a social group in the office, as student access might be limited to friends of SGA senators.

“There are other areas on campus designated for [homework] and there are only five computers for us senators to use,” said Bergenn.

Senator Drew Blythe added that “If they are there for SGA matters then we aren’t turning them away.”

The senate noted that students can use the computers as long as it’s SGA-related business they need them for. Repercussions for not following the new office policy could result in a deduction of a senator’s assigned stipend, but that, according to Kyle, will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.

Dr. Laura Tordenti, Vice President of Student Affairs, was on hand to speak, saying that she is confident that this will be an exciting and productive year.

“I think we got off to a great start at the beginning of the year,” said Tordenti.

Tordenti also spoke of yesterday’s three building evacuations.

“The situation in James could have been worse, it could have been a tragedy,” said Tordenti. “It was really comforting to know that [the Red Cross and Homeland security] could deliver that fast.”

Tordenti confirmed that students are moving back into James hall today.

While some of the committees hadn’t met yet, there were some announcements to be made, including the scholarship committees hopes to make unique scholarships that will apply to all students and the conference committee’s desire to hold one conference for SGA and one conference for the entire student body. The elections committee announced that it will use paper ballots only for upcoming voting due to a technical problem with CCSU email.

Kyle went on to address his hopes to build a stronger communication between SGA and the Central Activities Network.

“It’s been a goal of mine to work with CAN to help them out with their spring concert to help make it bigger than in the past,” said Kyle. “I’d like to bring in an ad-hoc committee to help.”

The next SGA meeting will be on Sept. 22 at 3:30 p.m. in Bellin Gallery.