By Genesis Benavides
The Student Government Association held their last meeting of the 77th Session April. 9 in James A. Thomas Hall. The staff and members made rulings on different matters that affect the student body here at UNC Pembroke.
The meeting covered the NC House Bill 812, the Athletics Appreciation Act, and the Decompression Area Act. The SGA brought forward many acts to the meeting and this way the other students knew what was affecting the student body.
“Joining SGA can mean attending Senate meetings, which are open to all students,” Advisor of SGA Dr. Kyle Smith said. “There are a few non-elected students who attend SGA regularly, and we would love to see more of that.”
In the meeting the House Bill 812 was discussed, and that authorizes an act to appropriate funds for a presidential library for President Donald Trump at UNCP. There are appropriated funds from the General Fund to the Board of Governors, the sum of ten million dollars in non-recurring funds for the 2025-2026 year to be administered to UNCP to construct a presidential library for Trump. UNCP was not consulted on the bill before its introduction. UNCP does not take the position of any bill under the consideration of the UNC System policy on institutional neutrality.
The Athletics Appreciation Act was read in the meeting first. This act was to commend UNCP’s 2023-2024 athletics season. The UNCP teams captured 11 conference titles and a total of nine teams had a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or better across season. Men’s basketball, baseball, swimming and wrestling all appeared in national polls. Congratulations would be granted from the Student Government Association to the student-athletes who show great credit to the student body but to UNCP and the community of Pembroke. This resolution is effective upon enrollment.
The Decompression Area Act was next on the agenda. This act was to repurpose the mediation room into a decompression room. The reason for this act is because the growing mental health needs among college students are recognized in the wake of Mental Health Awareness Week.
The last SGA meeting of the 77th session ended with the farewell of the 2024-2025 Student Body President Magally Ortiz-Rojas and Vice President Teresa Fernandez.
“I hope the student body can be more involved with SGA, especially in the next coming years. Even if not elected in,” Fernandez said. “UNC Pembroke students are SGA. Everyone has a voice, and I hope the student body can learn how to use their voice within the Senate to fight for their needs, rights, and wants.”
The Student Government Association represents the voice of the student body. Sharing student concerns and issues that are raised to Student Government Association from the students. Senators work with administrators daily advocating for the needs of the student body.
“The biggest strength behind SGA is civility with conflict and unity no matter what. Despite what others may believe,” she said. “SGA can agree to disagree but all in all we stand to one absolute motivation: to represent the rights and concerns of the student body.”
