SGA Report | Fifth Talkaphone Tower shot down unanimously; Sajous, Honomichl sworn in

Sunday night marked the final meeting of the semester for the SGA.

Sunday night was the final Student Government Association (SGA) meeting of the 2022 fall semester. At the meeting, the group reintroduced a bill to fund the fifth Talkaphone Tower on campus, swore in a DivCo Secretary and a new senator, and closed by breaking into executive session to discuss the updates that are being considered for the revised constitution.

To begin, the group opened up the forum and discussed the Lighting of the Plaza event which was held on Nov. 28. In discussion, the senators mentioned the turnout of the event and evaluated how their funds were used for the project. They reviewed an anonymous complaint form submitted by the student body concerning the event. As this is meant to be an annual event, they made notes for their considerations next year.

Next up, the SGA reviewed Bill 90-014 to fund a fifth Talkaphone Tower. SGA originally partnered with the Women’s Association to fund the previous four Talkaphone Towers around campus in order to increase student safety. 

This bill was tabled two weeks ago at the last meeting to allow time for senate members to investigate the matter further since the need for the towers was being called into question. A survey was sent out to the student body to determine how Bethel College students felt about the addition of another Talkaphone Tower. After reviewing feedback that ranged from full to no support while being mostly unsupportive, the senate unanimously voted against the bill. 

“I’m pleased with the Senate’s actions to engage with the student body to determine their needs,” senior Taylor Dashney from Edmond, Okla. and President of SGA said. “Thank you to all who responded to let SGA know their desires. If any students wish to see another tower put up on campus, they can reach out to me via email.”

To conclude the evening, Ashley Sajous was sworn in as secretary of the Diversity Council and Hayden Honomichl was sworn in as a junior senator. 

For the rest of the meeting, the Senate broke into executive session with the exception of Dashney and Chief Justice Tanner Wallace, who were allowed to join the session. During this time, they discussed updates that may be made to the revised SGA constitution. 

Following the conclusion of the meeting, Senate members went on a “light walk” to determine areas of campus that might be dangerously dark and that would benefit from some illumination. 

There will be no other meetings this semester. SGA will return in spring of 2023.