Editor’s Note: Student Association Vice President Halston Hales met with Reflector staff wrtier Laci Kyles to discuss his platform and what he has done to improve student-faculty relations. This is that interview in question and answer format.
Q: Can you refresh us on your goals that you wanted to accomplish once elected?
A: One of the major things that I wanted to do was (improve) the legitimacy of the senate. So far, it’s been a substantial difference. The senate has just as much authority as the executive branch and, unfortunately, a lot of senators last year were much more timid and not very involved in passing legislation, and I wanted to change that. So far, it’s been good. There are 48 senators, (and) seven of those are returning senators. I wanted to make it radically different than what it was before, and I get the opportunity to mentor 41 senators about the senate and the process, and that’s exciting to me.
Q: In the spring, one of the aspects of your platform was to make it easier for students interested in doing research to get involved. What is the status of that project?
A: I haven’t been able to move on that as much as I wanted, which is frustrating. Basically, what I’d like to see happen is a clearinghouse for individuals that want to do research at an undergraduate level to be able to access that information. There’s trouble when you get to the logistics of it… It’s a hefty undertaking. A very realistic goal is to have a consolidated listing of information … I’ve actually wanted to have a log-in system where you log in with your net ID … kind of like the Career Center site, (but) it would be similar to the Difference of One site. Unfortunately, at an institution this big with so many people doing research all over the place, it’s hard to do. I still intend to accomplish something along these lines and plan to have some resources available by March when we leave office.
Q: How is SA working to become more transparent with the student body?
A: Any organization can do a better job of being transparent. SA is making strides with it. We’re making an effort to put everything (regarding the senate) online… I’m being very transparent about the operations and goals of the senate to each Senator.
Specifically, one of the things I’d like to see the senate doing over the course of this semester and next semester is more research … The constitution grants them a certain level of authority to do investigations. They could ask for presentations from anybody on any topic, basically. For example, any of them could introduce a resolution on any topic such as expenditures, and we could have the treasurer come (to a meeting) and present a full account of SA and where all the money is going.
Q: How often are senate meetings held?
A: The constitution dictates how many senate meetings we have. They are held the first and third Tuesdays or every month, with the vice president able to call special sessions … In November we will have three meetings because it never fails, legislation can be overwhelming at the end of the year. The nonofficial ones are treated as special sessions.
Q: How are you contributing to sustainability efforts across campus?
A: Actually we’ve created some ad hoc committees this year, which is a pretty big change from last year’s senate. Last semester, we created these, and they’re basically one-year temporary committees within the senate. There are five standing committees, and I created three other committees: campus outreach, redistricting and sustainability.
Q: What do each of these ad hoc committees do?
A: The constitution requires that we have a senate outreach day, and we haven’t done that in a long time, so basically we were breaking the rule because of ignorance. I wanted to change that. We’ve talked about a “Get to Know Your Senator” day. The campus outreach committee is working on that. The sustainability committee is working on the need for SA to take a stance on sustainability at an official level, such as whether or not SA approves or disapproves an action, and that’s a transparency thing, too. As for redistricting, if you look at the proportional representation, students are getting double represented. For example, if you live off campus, you have multiple senators plus the senator for the college you’re a part of, as opposed to someone who lives on campus. One is population based and one is based on equal representation for each college. The system may not be working as best it could … The redistricting committee chairmen are looking into other options and are working to bring it before the student body.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: It’s important for everyone to know that senate meetings are open to students, and y’all are welcome to attend. They’re in Fowlkes Auditorium on the third floor of the Union. The November meetings are on Nov. 8, 15 and 29.
