SGA Proposes New Resolutions
Liberty University’s Student Government Association proposed new legislation and is awaiting further approval from administration. Out of the proposed resolutions, three of them are notable to Liberty’s on-campus student life and have been highly favored in the eyes of the student body according to polls conducted by delegates in the representative branch.
The first of the three resolutions being passed on to administration is the nursing CSER resolution. According to Daniel Hostetter, the speaker of the House of Delegates, this change is vital for the well-being of nursing students who feel the tiresome effect of full-time student life.
“This resolution gives nursing students the ability (to) earn CSER credit with their clinical hours. The rationale for this one is that nursing students are extraordinarily busy,” Hostetter said. “So, they don’t often have time to have an additional 20 hours per semester for CSER, and clinicals really are an act of service because they’re really out in the community; they’re working with patients and caring for them.”
The research and polling necessary for this resolution were done by Delegate Madeleine McMahan representing Liberty’s School of Nursing. The proposal was initially rejected by the house, yet McMahan continued in her efforts to help nursing students. With some modifications and additional research, the idea was accepted with a standing ovation.
Second is the Flames Pass modernization resolution which would include the National Suicide Hotline, LUPD’s number and Title IX’s number printed on the back of all new Flames Passes following the resolution’s approval by President Jerry Prevo. Student Body President Evan Kluth who signs off on legislation before it moves up to administration believes that this change is practical and important for students.
“People won’t have to look up what the number (is) for this or that; it will be readily accessible,” Kluth said. “While my Flames Pass is not the first thing I think about in an emergency, it’s still good to have especially when you’re not thinking. It’s a very doable, a very relevant thing in case of emergency.”
Based on research by Delegate David Roebuck, universities who have this accessible information help enhance the student body’s feeling of safety when informed of who they can call in case of emergency.
The third resolution awaiting decision is feminine hygiene products to be placed in restrooms across the campus. Hostetter believes that this change as well as the others shows the importance of the SGA and their involvement in the student body.
“A delegate realized the need in the community … to help all female students across campus have access to the products that they need,” Hostetter said. “All these (resolutions) really address the holistic well-being of students, how to make a campus a good place for students, which is why SGA exists.”
These potential resolutions are only made possible by members of the House of Delegates who present ideas based on their research. Hostetter, who speaks on behalf of the delegates who conducted research and proposed the change, believes that Liberty students should care about this legislation.
“These are really practical changes suggested by students, backed by student polling and research. These are very high-quality resolutions that are supported by a wide coalition of delegates and senators and signed by the student body president and will hopefully be implemented,” Hostetter said. “We are hopeful that those will be signed by President Prevo in the next few weeks.”
The role of the student government according to Liberty’s website is to “be a bridge between students and administration.” These changes reflect the influence that students can have on campus life. The resolutions will be signed later in the semester.
Licari is a news reporter.