Tracy Greene, South Dakota State University’s lawyer, addressed the Students’ Association Senate on Monday, and eight new senators were sworn in.
Open Forum
Greene, vice president & general counsel at SDSU, spoke about legal advice for students and a spreadsheet that provided summaries of certain laws and concepts used for training university staff at the beginning of each academic year.
The spreadsheet contained measures in free expression provisions, intellectual diversity law and divisive concepts.
Free expression provisions was the first topic discussed.
“We want this to be an open and expressive campus where people can freely express themselves within the parameters of the law,” Greene said. “The only thing we restrict is when it becomes unlawful, threatening, threatens violence goes into those discrimination and harassment portions.”
The campus grounds are open for speech and protests by students, student organizations, employees and guests, Greene said. But, third parties are asked to register before they express themselves on campus.
Also, anyone who wants to express themselves, they are allowed to freely go to the green spaces unless the area is restricted for reservations.
Next, was the intellectual diversity law. Greene said that the law prevents people from telling others to have certain beliefs.
Last, divisive concepts were mentioned. This concept, prevents a professor from making others adopt certain beliefs. Professors only express those beliefs if it is mandatory in the curriculum.
Greene encouraged feedback for any changes to the drafting of new policies since there is a process to creating new policies.
“The very important thing is that we draft it up, we work it through committees, we talk to people and gather feedback,” Greene said. “We put it out that everyone can provide us campus feedback, and that includes the Students’ Association.”
Committee and Staff Reports
SA President Trinity Peterson and Vice President Hayden Bentz met with Kimberley Grieve, temporary interim associate vice president for Student Affairs and special assistant to the vice president, to discuss a football safety communication email that was sent out by Peterson along with Grieve and Justin Sell, director of athletics.
Grieve spoke about the game safety communication email and thanked the Senate for releasing the letter to students.
“There was so much campus spirit but we just want to make sure that everybody’s safe,” Grieve said. “It’s all of our jobs to make sure that there’s safety thanks to everyone.”
Peterson also announced a general activity fee survey that is planned to be released within the next month. Also, her free “Aunt Flo” period project will be available in the main bathroom inside the Miller Wellness Center.
“It’s something we’re looking to expand, obviously the Union was our initial idea…because it’s such a heavily-trafficked building here,” Peterson said. “We really want it to be in every bathroom because when it happens, you don’t get to pick what bathroom.”
The Senate voted and approved the 2024-2025 General Budgeting Philosophy, the Resolution 24-2-R that allows free period products in additional student union restrooms.
Buildings like Rotunda, Briggs Library, Wagner Hall and other central areas are where they are looking to expand Aunt Flo, SA Peterson said.
Bentz reported that the board of directors met Friday night to nominate eight new senators out of nine applicants who would be formally approved after the meeting and welcomed all of the new senators.
Peterson swore in and approved the eight new Senators At Large.
Finance Chair Grace Peterson said the budgeting philosophy is open for voting after the meeting.
Peterson said the Finance Committee met last week, and members of the School of Performing Arts Center, the student health clinic, the Student Union and the Miller Wellness Center explained how GAF funding is used within their areas. Those organizations are the recipients with the largest amount of SA funding.
Government Affairs Chair Claire Koenecke reported members of Brookings City Council will attend once a month to Student Association meetings once a month to discuss what is happening to council at city-level.
Unfinished Business
The commemoration of 24-1-C was approved as well, which recognized September as National Suicide Prevention Month and Tuesday Sept 10, 2024, as World Suicide Prevention Day.
“I think it is super important that we recognize that mental health is something that we…are going to prioritize here,” Chief of Staff Rylee Sabo said. “Prioritizing it in past budgets…providing free counselors for students here on campus…national suicide prevention month is super important to recognize that we are here and we are here for each other.”
Bentz also shared a story of a family friend that died by suicide and spoke on the importance of this commemoration.
“If you are ever around someone that feels that way or if you ever feel that way, it’s never the right decision to make,” Bentz said. “You’ve always got a person to talk to with me, at least.”
Sabo added that there are crisis hotlines within the commemoration for those that need it.
The National Suicide Hotline can be reached at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The hotlines are available for anyone wanting help or needing a talk.
New Business
Commemoration 24-2-C was introduced, which will designate Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 2024 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Commemoration 24-3-C, will meanwhile honor Ari Limoges, the student success adviser and multicultural affairs & accessibility, due to her work in advising students at SDSU, particularly for her dedication in guiding Latinx and Hispanic students.
Both will be voted on at the next meeting.
