SGA Report | Constitution discussion kicks off spring semester

Leadership aims to leave lasting foundation for future administrations.

Sunday was the first official Student Government Association meeting of the spring semester. The group looked at some routine legislation including an Individual Scholarship Request (ISR) and a bill to grant YAWP!, the on-campus literary magazine, funding. 

The meeting opened with no news in open forum and proceeded into an executive session to discuss an ISR — which passed with a majority senate vote. 

Allison Weaver, Editor-in-Chief of YAWP!, introduced Bill 90-016 to Grant YAWP! funding. YAWP! provides a platform for Bethel College students, staff, alumni and community members to submit their literary work including poetry, prose, and short stories as well as visual art, digital media, and more. 

This particular bill would grant YAWP! a total of $1,200 to cover the magazine’s printing costs. This number has marginally increased by about $100 since last year to provide for an expected increase in submissions. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0. 

“All [of] that money is gonna go [toward] printing our magazines,” said Weaver. “We went over all of the fundraising money that we had fundraised and I was a little bit worried. People are gonna think that we don’t really need this money, but we really do need this money. Watching it pass was just amazing.”

The magazine has published a hard copy since 2014 — even through the COVID-19 pandemic. And with this funding, it’ll return again toward the end of this semester. 

Vice President Josh Kennell then gave an update on publicizing the new SGA constitution before the group broke into executive session (including all members) to discuss this document. This Sunday, the committees will meet and spend time going through the new constitution, piece by piece. The upcoming SGA meetings will be spent reviewing and discussing it. 

When asked about his spring goals for SGA, senior and Chief Justice Tanner Wallace from Chichaska, Okla. said, “Just the constitution and potential that it holds for the future of the Student Government Association.” 

Looking ahead, SGA President Taylor Dashney has some goals she hopes the group can take strides in achieving.

“My number one goal is to change the narrative of SGA,” said Dashney, senior from Edmond, Okla. “The organization has a lot of potential to be something so great for Bethel students and I want to begin to untap it before I leave.

“I’m fully aware there are only four months left of my time here as a Bethel student, which leaves little to no time to make as big of an impact as I want to make. However, as long as plans are put in place and positive change is made, I’ll be satisfied.” 

The next SGA meeting will take place on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the WAC, room 203.