The Student Government Organization (SGA) concluded a busy evening by approving $41,673.50 in funding across seven resolutions. SGA also hosted guest speakers assistant vice president for marketing and communications Tonya Wells and director of new student programs Katie Krodinger.
Wells and Krodinger discussed the marketing and planning for the 150th anniversary of SEMO and several follow up events.
“If there’s a way to get college students to an event, cake, puppies and free T-shirts will pretty much do it,” Krodinger said.
Freshman computer science major Shaket Regmi was sworn in as the SGA senator for the Harrison College of Business and Computing, leaving one vacant seat.
SGA voted to allocate $773.50 to the student organization Women in Economics for three students to attend the Forte Campus to Leadership Business Conference in Dallas, Texas on March 1. The conference is expected to enhance leadership skills, career development, and be an opportunity for networking. A resolution to increase funding to over $1,500 failed in a 17 to 12 vote with three abstaining.
SGA senator and sophomore biology: pre-physician assistant major Sydney Blackmon approved of the decision to allocate the money to Women in Economics.
“Not only are they bringing value back here, but they’re spreading value beyond SEMO,” Blackmon said.
Alpha Eta Rho, a student organization involved in aviation, was awarded $2,400 in funding for the Sun and Fun aviation expo in Lakeland Florida on March 28. The event will be a networking opportunity for the 22 SEMO students involved.
SGA approved $1,500 for the SEMO chapter of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). The student organization will be attending the USITT National Conference in St. Louis on March 15. The 15 students involved will be able to present their portfolios to a national audience.
A resolution passed making SGA the sponsor of the Power of Women Luncheon and Expo in April. $1,000 is to be allocated to the event which will provide female students with mentors, community resources and other opportunities.
“Funding will mainly go to luncheon tickets — the price of the meals,” SGA president Joel Philpott said.
Six student organizations, the American Choral Directors Association, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Redhawk Swim Team, Redhawks for Christ, Students for Life and the Sustainability Club were unanimously recognized by the SGA.
The SGA also voted to approve two years of funding for a new Graduate Assistant (GA) to oversee the Engage SEMO student portal system. The senators set aside $36,000 for compensation for the 2023 to 2025 academic years. The GA is expected to be marketing based.
