The Lane Student Government meets publicly every Thursday.
The senators introduced themselves at the beginning of the meeting. Eugene Kim, acting chair Jeremiah Vandagrift , Thao Nguyen and Tim Turganov. SGA President Amber Coleman is also present in the meeting.
President Coleman started the meeting by reporting on the Lane Community College Board meeting on April 21. “I spoke about our SGA website that we’re going to be creating to help students connect to sell and trade textbooks.”
Coleman also spoke briefly about student elections that are coming up. “Voting is May 26-28, and then results are available June 1.”
Students can sign up to vote at https://lanecc.campuslabs.com/engage/.
While many students aren’t aware of the importance of student government, the students elected to the student body government can significantly impact the college experience. The student body government can serve as a bridge to much-needed supplies/services or a significant barrier to progress.
The SGA has a prominent role in students’ experience at the college. Another important committee that crosses paths with the SGA is the Student Activity Fee Committee. The SAFC is not part of the SGA and answers to the President, Marge Hamilton. Many SAFC voting members are in the SGA. The members are selected from the following places, according to their own published policy:
- A student who will serve as an elected non-voting chair;
- Lane SGA Student Leadership Director, who will serve as a non-voting advisor;
- Two-Lane SGA Student Government elected representatives;
- Two student representatives selected by and from the “Union”;
- Two student representatives selected from other fee-receiving groups;
- The Council of Clubs chooses one student representative;
- Four at-large student representatives elected through the annual Lane SGA elections process.
Coleman hopes to get more students involved in student government. “I want to make sure that all students are aware that we have all these college councils, and there are some paid positions.”
Advisor Josh Baker announced The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund. The GEER is currently available for enrolled LCC students who did not submit a FAFSA and have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Information can be found on the GEER Grant website. https://www.lanecc.edu/studentlife/geer-grant
The SGA did a Gift Card giveaway at the beginning of the term and is doing a second one. “The SGA at LCC is giving away 12 $50 gift cards at the end of week 6,” Vice President Shana Weiland says. “Only LCC students are eligible for this giveaway. Winners will be notified Friday of week 6.” Click the link for more information. https://forms.gle/6Mk2WGM6wuGNTGHSA
The Senate also conducted the process of ratifying a potential senator, Garrett Hoppe. “The process is a time where we look at a potential senator who has met the ratifying requirements to petition onto the Senate,” Coleman said. A person can only petition onto a senate seat if the seat is empty.
The senate voted to table Hoppe’s ratification for two weeks when more senators are available to vote.
The next item the Senate spoke on was a slight revision to their bylaws and constitution. “We have a slight alteration to our constitution that we wanted to put on the ballot that would need [a] senate vote,” said Vandagrift.
The amendment to the Constitution will make the Vice-President the chair of the SAFC if the position is vacant. The amendment was approved unanimously. It will be on the ballot for the student elections.
Thao Nguyen made a funds request from the senate, sponsored by Ivo Decarlis, for $75. The funds were earmarked for an event called Lane’s Got Talent. Nguyen will receive the submissions showcasing students’ talents in song, dance, magic, comics or a visual project.
“The reason I want to do this project is that I want students to know more about LCC’s student government,” Nguyen said. “I understand distance learning can be tough during the pandemic, so I want to create some entertainment and help to release some stress.”
The senate voted unanimously to approve the funds. The senate will work on details for the funds in the next week.
To watch the full meeting click the link below.
