2008 Woodie Awards
SGA deals with frustrations
As the year comes to an end, SGA takes time to examine the ups and downs of the year
Misty Lester
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: News
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Like any other student organization, the Student Government Association (SGA) has its ups and downs. While SGA has been productive in certain areas for the 2006-07 academic school year, other issues have risen.
One of the issues called into question this year has been SGA member participation. The participation of Alexis Figueroa, MSUSA Cultural Diversity representative, was a specific topic of debate at Thursday's meeting, particularly because she has only attended one meeting since becoming a cultural diversity representative.
Her job description as a representative is to provide SGA with a weekly report on the progress that has been made. Because it is the time of year when stipends are disbursed, some SGA members were questioning whether she is qualified to receive a stipend. This is important because specific responsibilities are assigned to representatives within SGA, and if they are not fulfilled, some question if they deserve to be paid.
Figueroa has told SGA members she does not feel comfortable going to meetings because of a previous vote of no confidence. Many members addressed their concerns of not knowing what she has contributed as a member.
"To say that only one person on this body deserves to have their stipend removed is a personal attack," said Nathan Scheiber, constitutional chair. "It's really sad."
Figueroa could not be reached for comment by deadline.
SGA chair Jesse Boyer said it was somewhat of a conspiracy to deny certain members their stipend.
There are a number of SGA members that do not speak at meetings, and their progress is not documented, thus the only difference between those members and Figueroa is they attend Thursday meetings. Scheiber pointed out that Figueroa has class Thursday nights.
"I've only been on this body for three months, but I've never even seen this person, and I don't know what she looks like, so as far as I'm concerned, she doesn't exist," said Garrett Dahl, senator. "She may have earned her stipend, but how would we know, because she's never here."
One of the issues called into question this year has been SGA member participation. The participation of Alexis Figueroa, MSUSA Cultural Diversity representative, was a specific topic of debate at Thursday's meeting, particularly because she has only attended one meeting since becoming a cultural diversity representative.
Her job description as a representative is to provide SGA with a weekly report on the progress that has been made. Because it is the time of year when stipends are disbursed, some SGA members were questioning whether she is qualified to receive a stipend. This is important because specific responsibilities are assigned to representatives within SGA, and if they are not fulfilled, some question if they deserve to be paid.
Figueroa has told SGA members she does not feel comfortable going to meetings because of a previous vote of no confidence. Many members addressed their concerns of not knowing what she has contributed as a member.
"To say that only one person on this body deserves to have their stipend removed is a personal attack," said Nathan Scheiber, constitutional chair. "It's really sad."
Figueroa could not be reached for comment by deadline.
SGA chair Jesse Boyer said it was somewhat of a conspiracy to deny certain members their stipend.
There are a number of SGA members that do not speak at meetings, and their progress is not documented, thus the only difference between those members and Figueroa is they attend Thursday meetings. Scheiber pointed out that Figueroa has class Thursday nights.
"I've only been on this body for three months, but I've never even seen this person, and I don't know what she looks like, so as far as I'm concerned, she doesn't exist," said Garrett Dahl, senator. "She may have earned her stipend, but how would we know, because she's never here."