Tempers Flare at SGA Full Body Meeting
Dervedia Thomas
Issue date: 9/13/08 Section: News
"A virtual tug of war" with the department of Student life and the Student Government Association on opposing ends, is the best way to describe the events that unfolded at SC State's second SGA General Assembly on Sept 17.
President George E. Cooper in his first SGA meeting was thrust into the position of referee, as emotions ran high and tempers flared.
Students and members of the SGA alike, unabashedly vented their frustration about budgets, refund checks, the unexplained removal of three elected SGA officers, SC State's Health Insurance and Maintenance of Facilities.
BUDGETS
SGA President Whitney McCrea' frustration with Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Valerie Fields (who was standing less than 10 feet away from her), became increasingly visible as she explained to the student body that her attempts to receive a copy of the SGA budget [from Fields] were unsuccessful.
This statement prompted a student to demand an explanation for the lack of disclosure.
Fields explained that the information was presented to McCrea, but she [McCrea] wanted additional information which was not prepared. Fields also made reference to the time of the request [12 am on the same day] alluding that insufficient time was given to prepare the additional data.
McCrea rebutted by asking "why should we have to wait so long for something that takes only 10 seconds to print out?" McCrea also said that the information received only showed a balance of $5000 which she insisted is inaccurate, because every student pays a $70 activity fee.
McCrea also expressed the difficulty she experienced getting this information in the past and said she was even told by one of SC State's Budget Analysts that this information could no longer be given to any student including the SGA President.
President Cooper intervened putting an end to the exchange which was becoming heated, by explaining that not all of the funds raised by the student activity fee is allocated to the SGA hence the reason for the reduced figure. This fee he explained, is also distributed to other organizations and departments including athletics.
President George E. Cooper in his first SGA meeting was thrust into the position of referee, as emotions ran high and tempers flared.
Students and members of the SGA alike, unabashedly vented their frustration about budgets, refund checks, the unexplained removal of three elected SGA officers, SC State's Health Insurance and Maintenance of Facilities.
BUDGETS
SGA President Whitney McCrea' frustration with Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Valerie Fields (who was standing less than 10 feet away from her), became increasingly visible as she explained to the student body that her attempts to receive a copy of the SGA budget [from Fields] were unsuccessful.
This statement prompted a student to demand an explanation for the lack of disclosure.
Fields explained that the information was presented to McCrea, but she [McCrea] wanted additional information which was not prepared. Fields also made reference to the time of the request [12 am on the same day] alluding that insufficient time was given to prepare the additional data.
McCrea rebutted by asking "why should we have to wait so long for something that takes only 10 seconds to print out?" McCrea also said that the information received only showed a balance of $5000 which she insisted is inaccurate, because every student pays a $70 activity fee.
McCrea also expressed the difficulty she experienced getting this information in the past and said she was even told by one of SC State's Budget Analysts that this information could no longer be given to any student including the SGA President.
President Cooper intervened putting an end to the exchange which was becoming heated, by explaining that not all of the funds raised by the student activity fee is allocated to the SGA hence the reason for the reduced figure. This fee he explained, is also distributed to other organizations and departments including athletics.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
D
posted 9/18/08 @ 10:04 AM EST
This is an excellent piece of writing. Great Job.
Charles H. Bowens
posted 9/18/08 @ 4:58 PM EST
Such exchange between the department of student life and the students is extremely unhealthy for the University. It reminds me of the attitude and treatment of students by some SCSU staff members during the sixties when I attended. (Continued…)
T
posted 9/23/08 @ 1:39 AM EST
First of all, I think its a student's right to know where their money is being spent on in their Student Fees alongside to paying for their education. (Continued…)
T2
posted 9/23/08 @ 11:55 AM EST
First, does anyone not see the neccessity of the removal of the positions? I want my student leaders to be competent, intelligent, and above all, free of all criminal activity, no matter how large or small. (Continued…)
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