The Student Government Association passed a motion at its Nov. 2 meeting to invite all local Board members, President Christy included, to its next meeting to discuss the Heemstra housing situation. This came about after the SGA took on the role of liaison between the Board and student body.
On Oct. 12, SGA invited Christy to attend its meeting and speak about the Board’s decision to build suite-style housing instead of a new residence hall. After Christy’s presentation, SGA members decided that the information Christy provided them was not information that was being passed around campus, and that a forum or meeting of some form was in order. They tabled the discussion until their next meeting on Oct. 22.
Heemstra representatives attended the Oct. 22 meeting. They approached SGA and requested it act as a liaison. After an hour and a half, the discussion was tabled until the Nov. 2 meeting.
Heemstra representatives were also present at the Nov. 2 meeting. They brought a petition with them, which as of Nov. 2 had 602 signatures. The signatures are from current students, a few professors and a couple of prospective students who felt strongly enough about the issue to sign.
Widespread campus concern, along with Heemstra’s request, prompted SGA to take a more direct role.
“In the same way that SGA constitution calls us to relay information from the administration to the students, we are also called to represent student concerns to the administration,” said Wes Garcia, president of SGA. “Our decision to act as liaison stems from this understanding.”
Heemstra plans on presenting Christy with its petition. The Heemstra representatives acknowledged that while Heemstra residents love their building, it is not the building they are fighting for. They are fighting for their community.
The SGA meeting ended with a passed motion to invite the 13 area Board of Trustees members to its meeting on Nov. 9.