Low senator occupancy, amendments, chairs and finances were amongst the topics discussed at the Student Government Association eighth session of the 49th general assembly.
The session commenced at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation from Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Financial Affairs Sheri Hardison. Hardison discussed the 2024 fiscal year, which ended in August, and UTSA’s budget. According to the data, the net capital assets for the 2024 fiscal year equaled $907,000,000 with the total endowment equaling $315,000,000. This is an increase from the 2023 net capital assets of $882,000,000 and total endowment of $287,000,000.
Following Hardison’s presentation, Study Abroad Director Mean Avellana presented study abroad opportunities for students attending UTSA.
The SGA then moved into voting procedures. Voting commenced on the induction of Sahana Baba as the Business Affairs Chair. Baba was elected unanimously in a voice-vote by SGA senators. Senators and attendees spoke on Baba’s collaboration skills and charisma as reasons to vote in Baba’s favor. The reasons stopped here.
The chair of internal affairs was also voted on. Sarah Esther Sarabia received a nomination by Speaker Madeline Snyder and was elected unanimously in a voice-vote by SGA senators.
“We all see how empty the senator chairs are. We need senators,” SGA President Aydan Villarreal remarked preceding the vote for Sarabia.
Chief Elections Commissioner Michaela Mgba opened the next voting procedure by offering a recommendation to amend the procedures of elections and SGA body for the 50th General Assembly of the Student Government Association at UTSA. The proposed amendments included moving Senate seat elections to the fall and increasing the number of elected officers from three to five.
Snyder presented an amendment to Article 2 Section 2A General Elections. Snyder’s proposed amendment held that “The Spring General Elections shall serve to appoint the office of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Speaker of the Senate, and Deputy Speaker of the Senate” and “The Fall general Election shall serve to appoint all Senator positions and any vacant SGA officer positions.”
The amendment was passed with 16 senators voting in favor and one senator abstaining from the vote.
There was no advisor report. The session adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
The SGA will host Mindful Masterpiece with SSO’s on Feb. 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m in the Student Union Rowdy Lawn. State of the Student Body will occur on Feb. 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Window Lounge. The association will hold their Valentine’s Day Event, “For the Love of Roadrunner Productions,” on Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Central Plaza.
