Correction: The Daily Cougar erroneously stated Michael Blunk’s position. He holds At-Large Senator Seat 2. College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Senator Seat 2 is filled by Rachael Coolidge. The article also incorrectly stated that SGA was planning to meet with UH Police Chief Malcolm Davis. SGA has already done so. The Orientation Task Force was also incorrectly referred to as the Student Orientation Committee, which does not exist.
The Student Government Association senate held its first meeting of the semester on Wednesday to address its fall agenda fall and put in place any unsettled appointments.
The meeting focused on the approval of two new appointments, and political science and communication senior Joshua Evans was elected to Senate Seat 1 of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
"I wanted to join this particular (45th) administration because I feel it’s going to be the most hardworking and efficient SGA ever," Evans said.
Evans said he hopes to address the student issues that seem to be overlooked, such as having students apply what they learn in class to the outside community.
"I want to take the class out of the four walls. If your major is in communication disorders work with those people in the community to enhance that learning experience," Evans said.
In addition to Evans’ appointment, communication junior Michael Blunk was elected to At-Large Senator Seat 2.
Blunk said as At-Large Senator Seat 2 he wants to focus on campus drug policy.
"I’m not here to convince everyone of what I believe (of drugs on campus), but to the weigh different options," he said.
Sen. Kelly Evans spoke about SGA’s initiatives to enhance campus security. Before a bill or resolution will be made senators will meet with UH Police Chief Malcolm Davis to get a better understanding of the UH Police Department system and ways to improve student protection.
"In the next few weeks we will set up a University townhall meeting so we can find out what input students have on the issue before we make any legislation," Evans said.
The meeting also included the correction of wording in a resolution to establish representation on the the Orientation Task Force, and approved the motion to table the approval of the 2008-2009 SGA budget until its next meeting.
SGA representatives also plan to collaborate with Business Services to ensure that Cougar Cash is accepted everywhere on campus, designate locations to offer USA Today, The Houston Chronicle and the New York Times for students and resolve problems students have receiving financial aid refunds.
"Through these efforts we will continue to transform this University and organization and continue to take it to great heights," SGA President Sam Dike said.
The next SGA Senate meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the University Center’s Mediterranean Room.
