Student Government Association Senate rounded out its Executive Committee this week with a new parliamentarian, shed light on restructuring policies and approved the budget for fiscal year 2018, but Executive Committee members said more efficient funding is still a priority for SGA and the university.

Faculty Senate chairman and professor in the Department of Chemistry Jim McGill spoke to the SGA Senators in regard to recent university department restructuring proposals. He said the changes did follow university handbook policies, but the current policies pertaining to major academic restructuring were made during a financial crisis in 2000 and do not include opportunity for faculty members or students to voice their opinions.

McGill said more department restructuring is likely to take place in the spring semester, some staff members will lose their jobs and students will be affected. He said it is a top priority to see that the handbook policy is rewritten to keep student and staff opinion from being overlooked again.

McGill also made mention of President Donald Trump’s June 1 announcement that the U.S. will exit the Paris Climate Accord. He said Southeast intends to uphold principles of responsible stewardship for the environment and a new faculty organization for sustainability will be gearing up soon to usher conversation on the topic.

Treasurer Luke LeGrand said an ad hoc committee has been formed to focus on auditing line item accounts like club sports, Student Activities Council, homecoming and WINGS shuttles.

In an additional report about the university’s budget review committee, LeGrand said there has been a large increase in the cost of insurance for faculty and staff, about $430,000.

The committee is in the midst of a “three year master plan” to play out through 2020 that budgets for “highest estimated costs and lowest estimated returns” in order to budget accurately. LeGrand said the budget review is working to find substantial options for faculty and staff insurance and for an additional $1.3 million that has not been budgeted.

Director of Residence Life Kendra Skinner was a guest speaker this week. She said underestimates in last year’s budget resulted in a couple hundred thousand dollar loss.

Skinner said Residence Life spent more than $1 million in renovations and improvements to combat power outages for the Towers Complex. Cost of living dollars also went toward a new roof for the Towers Complex, new flooring, paint and more. Improvements to wireless internet in the residential halls is now first priority for Residence Life, specifically in Myers Hall. Skinner said the endeavor will cost about $1 million.

She also said 27 of the original 42 students who were housed in Cheney Hall still remain in the residence hall and are happy there due to its convenient location. Additionally, 11 students in an exchange program from Mexico will be housed in Cheney for about a month this fall.

After a unanimous vote, new Parliamentarian Reagan Tibbs was sworn in and said he wants to use his knowledge and experience to serve the Southeast student body. During meetings, Tibbs will be responsible for maintaining and facilitating proper procedures. In addition, he and SGA Vice President Dylan Kennedy will form a committee to review and update bylaws, some of which Tibbs said have not been amended since 1984.

President Peyton Mogley said the SGA executive committee met with SAC and Residence Hall Association recently to discuss ways to collaborate and take advantage of their respective budgets more efficiently.

Mogley also announced that Carpe Diem, an annual showcase being held on Nov. 4, will be hosted this year by the Office of International Education and Services. Mogley said the event has cost around $10,000 in the past but looks to cut cost and come out on top this year, rather than in a deficit.

“This year Carpe Diem will focus more on cultural identity that stems beyond nationality,” Mogley said.

Funds were allocated this week for Pride’s annual drag show as well as a trip to the Show-Me Pride College Summit in Columbia, Missouri. The Construction Management Organization also received funds for a competition in Nebraska, and the Public Relations Student Society of America was allocated funds for an international conference in Boston.