SGA Report | Anti-racism training for CJP funded, Associate Justice opening posted
The group met outside of its typical schedule and will reconvene on Nov. 28.
The Student Government Association (SGA) met Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. for a combined senate and committee meeting to examine a bill. This was outside the bi-weekly schedule the SGA typically uses because the next meeting would land on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving break.
In an open forum, the Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace (CJP) reached out to the SGA about presenting an anti-discrimination resolution (found in the CJP’s online magazine, Survival) to the Bethel administration.
This resolution requests that the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) be a listed source in syllabi, First Year Seminar, freshman orientation, and Title IX training for Bethel students by Jan. 9, 2024.
KIPCOR would then be an additional resource for students to access when facing discrimination from peers, coaches, faculty, and others. As a third-party organization unassociated with North Newton Police, Bethel College, or the federal government, the hope is that KIPCOR can stand as a third-party intervener until the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fully operational in the Fall 2024 semester.
The SGA covered one bill to Provide Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace funds for members to attend anti-racism training. This bill was introduced by Senator Isaiah Smith who advocated for it and abstained from the vote.
The bill asked for $1,800 drawn from the RSO account — $300 for each of the six CJP members hoping to attend. The SGA has $750 in the RSO account and a bill cannot be passed without sufficient funds.
The bill was amended to reduce the amount to $600 to fund two CJP students. It passed unanimously, 5-0.
In an email distributed to the student body on Friday, the SGA announced an opening for an Associate Justice position in its Judicial branch.
This is a paid position and responsibilities include working with the other two associate justices to oversee the RSOs and help the SGA uphold the Bethel College Constitution. Those interested should communicate with Madison Bliss, Matthew Fleck, and Hayden Wallace.
The meeting transitioned to committee meetings and adjourned once those were concluded. The next SGA meeting will be Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. in WAC 203.