SGA tables resolution in opposition to residency financial changes
SGA tables resolution in opposition to residency financial changes
Kennell maintains there will be no strict timeline for a vote on it.
Updated: March 31, 2023 at 10:33 a.m.
On Sunday night, the Bethel College Student Government Association (SGA) announced that it has tabled an executive order that was sent via email to the school’s community on Saturday.
The resolution opposes the institution’s 25% financial aid reduction for commuting students and move to charge students with a Medical & Emotional Support Accommodation. These changes were announced by Residence Life on Feb. 15. The Collegian previously spoke with residence life coordinator Chywonna Gonzalez and vice president Jayna Bertholf about the issue.
The resolution states that “the new housing policy directly contradicts section 5 of the Bethel College strategic plan by affecting students on campus in need of a single room; failing to meet the needs of a diverse student body; punishes students to have special accommodations…”
It also addresses the reduction in financial aid for commuters, noting married students and students with children, and “calls on Bethel College to suspend the current proposed changes to the single room housing policy and commuter housing policy until further conversation with the students; and … calls on the Bethel College administration to work with SGA and other students to hear concerns and coordinate a solution that works for all.”
“We’ve decided to table the housing resolution,” SGA president Taylor Dashney told the senate. “There are a few reasons for this decision. … We just felt it was best to table it until it could be rewritten.”
In a follow-up email to students, the SGA noted two reasons for Executive Order 90-004, signed by Dashney, to table the resolution: (1) the document was written incorrectly as a resolution is meant to be written and voted on by senators, and (2) the title doesn’t match the content of the document, which proposed a recommendation — thus making it not a resolution.
It was also announced that an ad-hoc committee consisting of senators Lucy Buller, Isaiah Smith, and Hayden Honomichl was formed to focus on the resolution. Bethel president Jon Gering declined to comment on the SGA’s decision to table it. The Collegian contacted Gonzalez and fellow residence life coordinator Larry Rice for comment. Neither responded.
Students at the meeting were given time to speak on the subject. A new version of the resolution will likely be proposed at the group’s next meeting in three weeks.
SGA vice president Josh Kennell maintained there would be no strict timeline for a vote on it. Students are encouraged to contact Dashney directly with questions, comments, and concerns regarding the resolution.