The Student Government Association Senate concluded its Walk in the Dark safety awareness campaign with a brief Senate meeting, lasting a little more than 30 minutes, on Wednesday night in the University Center, Mediterranean Room.
"(Walk in the Dark), was very good, but just because it was tonight doesn’t mean we can’t keep our eyes peeled," said SGA Vice President Jonas Chin.
After a quick run through the order of business, SGA Speaker of the Senate Alex Obregon highlighted the Minority Education Academic Determination group kickoff event, which took place Nov.13, and encouraged more Senate participation.
"We passed a resolution to support the MEADgroup, and we have hit the floor running," Obregon said. "We are getting a lot of momentum and I encourage all of you to join this organization and help mold it."
The resolution of involvement in MEADgroup passed the Senate on Sept. 10. The organization works to enlighten lower-income students on the possibilities of attending college despite their financial circumstances.
Last week, the SGA Senate received 744 student volunteers who signed up for participation in the MEADgroup Kickoff, sponsored by USA Today, UH Police Department and Monster Energy drink. In light of interested students with hectic schedules, Obregon said volunteers were not obligated to strict time requirements.
"(For people interested in joining) your only commitment is to attend one high school per semester," Obregon said. "Not having enough time is not a reason not to join."
On Thursday, representatives of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, presented MEADgroup with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for its philanthropic efforts within the community.
In addition to mentoring and encouraging college aspirations, SGA and MEADgroup will team with the UH Forensic Society and Hispanic Business Student Association to host a high school drumline competition in January, as well as a basketball camp for sixth, seventh and eighth graders on March 7 and 8.
Although no new legislation was presented to the Senate, votes were cast on two new appointments.
Carlos Reyes, a presidential appointment to Business Seat 2, addressed the senate, expressing his desire for improving study space for the C.T. Bauer College of Business and possible initiatives to create student volunteer escorts to sustain campus security at night.
"My main goal would be to have an easy connection to the police so if they see anything suspicious, they can go straight to them," Reyes said.
The second appointment, Brian Lopera to the academic affairs committee, received a personal backing from classmate Chin.
Chin, who after participating in Walk in the Dark made a late entrance along with Speaker Pro Tem Kelly Evans and College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Sen. Stephen Klesel, said Lopera’s academic success proved the nominee’s accountability.
Chin later thanked Senate volunteers for their participation in the UC 2010 Referendum voting polls that have been placed through out the Campus. Chin said results for the Referendum are expected to be available at noon today.
