The Mississippi State University Student Association Senate met Tuesday to discuss five pieces of legislation.
Bill 21 was reintroduced to the floor and continued to generate strong opposition, even with SA Supreme Court members overseeing the process.
The bill was modified from only allowing senators to miss three office hours a term, to four absences a term, two per semester. After a quick introduction from Senator Williams, the bill was put to a vote. The bill failed to pass after it received 35 of the 42 votes needed to pass. Therefore, the issue is put to rest until a new bill addresses the topic.
The second major bill introduced was a bill centered around the ACCESS program at MSU. The ACCESS program helps students with intellectual disabilities learn to function independently, as well as receive an education tailored to their needs.
Written by Senator Stephanie Flynt and Senator Laken Vickers, Bill 22 institutes an Honorary ACCESS Rotational Term Seat, or HARTS, to allow ACCESS students to participate in the government body. After a graduate student working with ACCESS gave a summary of the program, debate ensued. While no one argued the program was a bad idea, some worried it was a bad implementation.
One senator proposed a “liaison” program allowing ACCESS students to have their voices heard in the Senate, but without having to alter the SA constitution or add a new senator seat. The counterpoint raised by writers of the bill was the whole point of the bill: to make ACCESS students feel included, not separated, and the Senate could act as an example for other organizations to follow. The bill passed 48 to nine.
Additionally, several resolutions were quickly passed. Resolution 28 expressed student support for one-dollar parking in Old Main, as well as earlier parking in the Lloyd Ricks lot.
Resolution 29 showed student support for sexual harassment prevention training requirements for Cowbell Cab drivers. Cowbell Cabs are a weekend transportation service for alcohol-influenced individuals.
Resolution 30 asked for temporary parking passes for Information Assistants, those who work at the residence hall information desks, because the majority of IAs are assigned outside of their parking zones.
In addition, a senator resigned this week but did leave a replacement in mind. Logan Timmis, an Inter-Fraternity Council member, was officially added to the roll call to replace the previous senator and will serve for the remainder of the term.