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Articles by Alex Gravlee
SGA passes amendment to let former campaigners serve on Elections Board
The SGA Senate passed a constitutional amendment at its meeting Thursday, allowing students to serve on the Elections Board after previously working for an SGA campaign. Per the SGA constitution, the amendment must be ratified by two-thirds of the students voting on the amendment via a referendum. The full text of the amendment will be available on the SGA website at least two weeks before the election, which will be Feb. 13.
SGA releases schedule for Green Week 2024
The SGA will hold its annual Green Week to promote environmental awareness and initiatives starting Monday. The schedule is as follows: Monday, Jan. 29: The SGA will be handing out a limited number of biodegradable confetti poppers for seniors to use in graduation photos. They can be picked up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the SGA office in the Student Center. Tuesday, Jan.
SGA Highlights: Discounted student rides, New York Times resolution
The SGA Senate passed five pieces of legislation and sent three to committee at its meeting Jan. 11. Among them was an act allocating the apportionment of seats for the 29th Senate. Under the changes, the College of Nursing gained a seat and the College of Education lost one. The SGA also passed resolutions that encouraged the University to provide free Dental Admission Test exam booklets at Gorgas, Rodgers and Bruno libraries and offer information about the exam on their website.
SGA highlights: Drinking straws resolution passed, alcohol awareness
The SGA Senate passed four pieces of legislation and sent three to committee during its meeting Thursday. Resolution to increase accessibility of drinking straws — passed The SGA unanimously passed a resolution that encourages the University to partner with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to increase the number of drinking straws at University-sponsored sporting events.
SGA passes resolutions to prevent plastic waste, promote Hallowed Grounds Tour
The SGA Senate passed four pieces of legislation and sent three to committee in a meeting Monday. Here are some of the highlights. Resolution to reduce single-use plastics in the dining halls — passed The Senate unanimously passed a resolution to encourage The University of Alabama to stop using single-use plastics in the Lakeside and Fresh Food Company dining halls with a deadline of the first summer 2024 Bama Bound session.
Students celebrate Diwali festival of lights
The Indian Students Association of Tuscaloosa and South Asian Culture Club celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, in the Student Center Ballroom from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday. The festival included food catered by Sitar and Bawarchi, music and dance performances, and a fireworks display viewable from the east of the Student Center.
Modern challenges Alabama’s diverse natural history
Environmental issues are a recurring concern for Tuscaloosa community members, as seen in recent efforts to protect water quality and combat pollution in the Black Warrior River. Although Alabama is widely recognized for its biodiversity, many of the state’s residents find that preserving and defending the natural landscape presents its own set of challenges.
SGA Recap: SGA to recognize student orgs during spirit week, new amendment to constitution
The SGA Senate passed two pieces of legislation and sent one to committee in a meeting Oct. 24. Amendment to update and clarify articles II and III — sent to committee The SGA Senate sent a constitutional amendment to the Rules Committee that would remove grammatical errors and incorrect references from articles II and III of the SGA constitution.
SGA Highlights: Bills on counseling center, exploring gluten-sensitive options at dining hall pass
The University of Alabama SGA passed four pieces of legislation and sent two to committees in its Oct. 12 meeting. Here are the highlights: Resolution to explore UA Counseling Center scholarships – Passed The SGA passed a resolution charging the Student Affairs and DEI committees with exploring the possibilities of creating a limited, needs-based scholarship that covers UA Counseling Center fees.
SGA to continue partnership with BABH, explores opportunity to reduce food waste
The SGA plans to fight food insecurity on campus by continuing its partnership with Beat Auburn Beat Hunger and potentially reduce food waste by implementing an app to allow students to purchase leftover food from local businesses.
SGA passes CrossingPoints bus stop resolution, approves funding, and more
The SGA passed five pieces of legislation and sent three to committees in its meeting Thursday. Resolution encouraging UA to add bus stops to accommodate CrossingPoints students — passed The SGA passed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation Services to add a Crimson Ride bus stop at or around University Boulevard and Anna Avenue.
SGA hosts DEI kickoff event for revised passport program
On Thursday, hundreds of students attended the SGA’s kickoff event for its revised Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Passport program on the Student Center lawn. Many organizations attended the event, including HallyUA, the Afro American Gospel Choir, the Indian Students Association of Tuscaloosa, and the Association of Chinese Students and Scholars.
SGA announces timeline for Battle of the Bands fundraiser
The SGA announced the second annual Battle of the Bands fundraiser, which will be held Nov. 2 in Druid City Music Hall from 7 p.m. to midnight. The Battle of the Bands is divided into three phases: the student band application process, voting to determine who will compete, and the event itself. Interested students may apply by Oct. 5 and are required to upload a portfolio with their application. After that, students will have from Oct. 9 to Oct.
SGA announces special election results
The SGA announced the unofficial election results for a Graduate School special election that was held Sept. 20. Kazi Shakib won the election with 143 votes, while the runner-up, Sam Badger, received 136. Of the 5,613 students in the Graduate School, 379 participated in the election; this means around 6.75% of eligible voters participated.
Student organizations urge students to register to vote on National Voter Registration Day
Vote Everywhere, a nonpartisan organization on campus that assists students in registering to vote, tabled on the Quad and Student Center Plaza on Tuesday afternoon, informing students on voter registration and talking about the importance of voting. Sept. 19 is National Voter Registration Day in the U.S. According to Emily Adcock, Vote Everywhere’s secretary, navigating the voting process is one of the biggest issues voters face. She said informing students is critical to the election process.
SGA introduces bill to better reflect current committees in Rules and Regulations
On Thursday, the SGA Senate sent a bill to the Senate Rules Committee to update the Senate’s rules and regulations to better reflect the committees currently in the Senate.
SGA DEI Passport program institutes new point system
The University of Alabama SGA brought back its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Passport program for the 2023-24 academic year with a new point system aimed to further encourage participation in DEI programming. Students and organizations may gather points by attending DEI-approved events classified as social enrichment, cultural exploration or educational engagement events.
The historic SGA shutdown 30 years ago
The University of Alabama SGA was founded in 1914. The organization claims 112 presidents over its 109-year history. So why is this year’s Senate referred to as the “28th Senate”? The answer lies in events that took place 30 years ago: the only time in the University’s history that the administration shut down SGA, a shutdown that lasted from spring 1993 to fall 1996. The following information was gathered from issues of The Crimson White printed during that period. Feb.
Get on Board Day draws crowd with 485 table
Hundreds of students rallied in the Quad on Thursday evening for this semester’s Get on Board Day, where 485 student groups, vendors and departments tabled to speak with students and promote their organizations. Get on Board Day is an involvement fair that is held every fall and spring semester. It provides an opportunity for new and returning students to become more actively engaged on campus, according to The Source.
SGA announces special election to fill vacant seat
On Monday, the SGA announced a special Senate election to fill a vacant seat for the Graduate School. The election will be held on Sept. 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on myBama. Candidates wishing to run for the position must submit an online application during the filing period from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 stating their intent to run. Campaigning students are also required to attend one of the candidate informational meetings held from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Aug. 28 to 30.
UA introduces four new bachelor’s degree programs
The University of Alabama is introducing several new bachelor’s degree programs for the fall 2023 semester, including business cybersecurity, applied liberal arts, neuroscience and sport management. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education, which reviews new academic programs for public Alabama universities, approved the majors during meetings in September 2022 and June 2023.
SGA senator declines Graduate School seat for 28th Senate
Editor’s note (Aug. 4, 2023): This story was updated to remove reference to a private Snapchat post John Dodd made to say he was declining his Senate seat because it did not serve as his formal announcement. Additionally, the story was updated to clarify that Dodd co-authored the resolution to remove Bibb Graves’ name from Lucy-Graves Hall. Dodd, a former SGA senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, declined his SGA Senate seat representing the Graduate School for the 2023-2024 academic year.
SGA senator declines Graduate School seat for 28th Senate
John Dodd, a former SGA senator for the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in public administration, declined his SGA Senate seat representing the Graduate School for the 2023-2024 academic year. Dodd did not run for the position during the election this spring but was voted in as a write-in candidate. Dodd received only two votes in the Graduate School election, which won him the last seat out of seven for the school. Out of the school’s 5,566 students, 329 voted.
SGA confirms Dobbs’ appointees; Elects senate leadership
Alex Gravlee, Contributing Writer The Student Government Association Senate confirmed President Collier Dobbs’ chief of staff and cabinet and swore in a new speaker of the Senate and secretary of the Senate on April 19-20. SGA chief of staff confirmed The SGA Senate unanimously confirmed President Dobbs’ chief of staff, Meghan Haran, on April 19. Haran said she looks forward to helping the president accomplish his platforms.
SGA encourages UA to compensate student recruitment ambassadors
NEWS Alex Gravlee, Contributing Writer The Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution encouraging the University of Alabama to compensate student recruitment ambassadors on March 30. It was moved to be immediately considered on the floor without having to go through the committee process. The legislation does not specify what kind of compensation ambassadors should receive, although according to Human and Environmental Sciences Sen.
112th SGA inaugurated in front of Gorgas House Museum
The University of Alabama Student Government Association swore in the members of the 112th SGA in a 25-minute inaugural ceremony on April 4 in front of the Gorgas House Museum. During the meeting, former Chief Justice Caleb Thome swore in the new chief justice, Abby Morthland. Morthland then swore in the eight executive officers, including SGA President Collier Dobbs, and the 50 senators elected during the spring 2023 General Election.
Judicial Board rules in Dobbs’ favor in election fraud appeal
The Student Government Association Judicial Board ruled in favor of SGA presidential candidate Collier Dobbs after a student submitted three appeals contesting his victory in the spring 2023 general election. Aaron Glidden, the student that submitted the appeal, initially submitted the complaints to the Elections Board but appealed to the Judicial Board after the former decided in Dobbs’ favor.
Electronic voting bill fails to pass in Senate for second time
The Student Government Association shot down a bill that would require electronic voting using Microsoft Forms in the Senate on March 9. This is the third time the bill, which would have gone into effect in the 28th Senate, appeared on the Senate floor and is the second time it was voted down. The initial vote on March 2 was nullified after Tyler Tannehill, the author of the bill, said he was not invited to a Rules Committee meeting to discuss his bill.
SGA Senate recap: 3/2/23
NEWS Alex Gravlee, Contributing Writer The Student Government Association passed four pieces of legislation, voted down another and sent four to committee on Thursday, March 2. Resolution commending the work of the University of Alabama Counseling Center — Passed The SGA unanimously passed a resolution commending the UA Counseling Center for its various programs and its “diligent, timely, compassionate, and student-centered work,” for the University and its students.
SGA encourages UA to increase student wages
The University of Alabama Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution encouraging the University to work towards increasing student wages and curating a new pay scale. This is the second time this bill has come to the Senate floor after being sent to the Student Affairs Committee. While the resolution does not specify a specific wage or pay scale, Arts and Sciences Sen. Xzarria Peterson, the author of the resolution, said $10 would be the best possible minimum.
Elections Board disqualifies candidates for VP for DEI; Arts & Sciences Senate
The Student Government Association Elections Board disqualified Senate candidate Jordan Suttles and vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion candidate Xzarria Peterson from the Spring 2023 general election. The Board ruled that both the Suttles and Peterson campaigns violated campaign ethics. It also ruled that the Peterson campaign committed election fraud.
Student files petition contesting Dobbs’ election victory
A student filed a petition to SGA executive secretary Josie Schmitt contesting the results of the spring 2023 election due to alleged misconduct and election fraud from multiple elected candidates. Petitioner Aaron Glidden said he was contesting the results for “numerous elected executive offices,” notably President-elect Collier Dobbs, through subsections one, three and five of Article IX, Section C of the Elections Manual. Glidden did not name other candidates besides Dobbs in his petition.
Candidates for president and executive vice president face off in debates
Student Government Assocation executive vice president and presidential candidates faced off in head-to-head debates the night of Sunday, Feb. 26 The debates were preceded by a candidate forum that convened in the Student Center Great Hall at 5 p.m. Kathryn Drago, the Coordinator of Alumni Programs at the Blackburn Institute, moderated the debate.
SGA Judicial Board shoots down appeal asking to nullify more than 30 acts
NEWS Alex Gravlee, Contributing Writer The Student Government Association Judicial Board dismissed an appeal filed by SGA Senator Tyler Tannehill on Feb. 8 that asked the board to nullify more than 30 acts passed by the SGA Senate between 2016 and 2021. Tannehill presented the appeal to the board after it nullified an act on Aug.
SGA allocates over $83,000 to student organizations in February
The Student Government Association Senate voted to unanimously allocate over $83,000 to 22 student organizations for February. The Financial Affairs Committee presented the funding requests at the Feb. 9 senate session. Thirty student organizations requested $123,311 total. The deadline to submit a funding request was Jan. 22, while the President and Advisor Approval deadline was Jan. 29.
SGA SENATE RECAP – 2/2/23 - The Crimson White
The Student Government Association Senate passed nine pieces of legislation and sent four to committees on Thursday, Feb. 2. Bill to mandate senators to attend monthly tabling events – Passed The SGA unanimously passed a bill that requires senators to attend tabling events to interact with and greet students and answer questions that they may have about the SGA. According to the legislation, “Senate leadership along with the director of initiatives” will coordinate the Senate tabling events.
SGA encourages UA to compensate BFSA ambassadors for Hallowed Grounds Tour
The Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution on Feb. 2 encouraging The University of Alabama to compensate Black Faculty and Staff Association Tour Ambassadors for giving the Hallowed Grounds Tour, which highlights the history of slavery on University grounds. According to the resolution, compensating ambassadors conducting the tour will give it the “resources and support necessary” to ensure it remains a “permanent offering” at the University.
Senator files appeal against SGA that calls for nullification of more than 30 acts
Tyler Tannehill, a senator for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, filed an appeal against the Student Government Association pleading to nullify 33 acts passed by the SGA from 2016 to 2021. The appeal comes after the SGA declared an act that required the posting of public Senate dockets unconstitutional last semester because the act did not require any “monetary allocations” and thus did not fit the definition of an act.
SGA announces spring election timeline
The SGA will hold its Spring 2023 General election on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Standard Time on myBama. A run-off election will be held on March 2 if necessary. The candidacy filing period begins Feb. 6 and ends Feb. 10 at 11:59 pm. Candidates must attend one of the candidate interest meetings with their campaign managers if they want to run for office. These meetings will be held over Zoom at 6:15 pm from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.
Dunkin’ reopens after renovations to praise from students and employees
NEWS Alex Gravlee, Contributing Writer After being for most of the fall semester, the Dunkin’ in Lakeside Dining Hall reopened with praise from students and employees regarding the new modern aesthetic and updated equipment. The cafe is now equipped with a tap dispensing system that employees can use to quickly pour cups of coffee or tea rather than baristas brewing them. The renovation also adds digital display menus and extra storage space.
SGA Recap: Tabling legislation no longer allowed; judicial review processes updated - The Crimson White
The Student Government Association Senate passed an act revising the duties of committees, a bill implementing legal standing and a statute of limitations for judicial review. Additionally, three pieces of legislation were sent to committees, while one failed. Bill reforming the responsibilities of Senate committees – Passed The SGA unanimously passed a bill that would revise the duties of Senate committees, most notably replacing the action of tabling an act with postponing it.
SGA swears in senators; apportions Senate seats
The SGA Senate swore in three Senators for the College of Social Work, Graduate School and the Culverhouse College of Business while also approving a bill to reapportion Senate seats on Thursday during a special Senate session on Jan. 12 called by SGA President Madeleine Martin. The new senators were elected in special elections following the departure of former Senators Justin McCleskey, Sarah Pierce and CJ Pearson.
SGA sends judicial standing and statutes of limitations bill to committee
The Student Government Association Senate sent a bill requiring legal standing for panels of inquiry and the implementation of a statute of limitations for the judicial review process to the Rules Committee on Nov. 17. The bill would give the Chief Justice the option to deny panels of inquiry into the constitutionality of an SGA Act if complainants don’t prove their “injury of fact” as a result an unconstitutional law.
Special election fills Senate seats in social work, business school
The Student Government Association announced the unofficial Nov. 17 special election results for the Culverhouse College of Business and School of Social Work senate seats that evening as the polls closed at 7 p.m. The results will be finalized on Nov. 28, three class days after the election, per the SGA Elections Board Manual. Ragan Hope Wilson won the School of Social Work seat, previously held by Sarah Pierce, with 19 votes.
SGA President Martin delivers first State of the School address since pandemic
SGA President Madeline Martin gave her State of the School Address on Nov. 8, 2022, where she placed an emphasis on equity while touting her progress on campaign promises. This is the first State of the School Address since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SGA Constitution mandates that the SGA president deliver the address on the second Tuesday of November each year. “Equity really sits at the forefront of every initiative we do,” Martin said.
SGA SENATE RECAP: Week of 11/3
The Student Government Association Senate passed two resolutions and sent three bills to committees on Nov. 3. Resolution calling for improvement of Rodgers and Gorgas Libraries – Passed The SGA unanimously passed a resolution calling for the improvement of Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library and Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering. The bill was originally sent to the Academic Affairs Committee when it first appeared on the Senate floor on Oct. 20.
Senate sends bill revising block seating rules to committee
The SGA Senate sent a bill that would change the application process for student organization seating at athletic events to the Student Affairs Committee during its session on Thursday, Nov. 3.
SGA Senate elects new speaker following Pearson resignation
NEWS TOP STORIES Alex Gravlee, Contributing Writer The SGA Senate elected now-former Secretary of the Senate Taryn Geiger to be speaker of the Senate on Nov. 3. Olivia Frazier was selected to be the new secretary. These decisions come after former Speaker CJ Pearson resigned at the end of October. Once Geiger was elected to the position, the Senate moved to immediately elect a new secretary of the Senate. Frazier was the only one nominated and was elected soon after.
SGA provides feminine hygiene products in Student Center - The Crimson White
The University of Alabama has started to provide free feminine products in some women’s restrooms in the UA Student Center. This change comes over a year after the SGA encouraged the University to support the implementation of free feminine hygiene products on campus. The products are located in dispensers in the first– and second-floor women’s restrooms in the Student Center. There are boxes with products in the third-floor women’s restroom. The products were installed about a week ago.
Jessica Lopez wins graduate SGA senate seat in runoff election
The Student Government Association announced the unofficial results for the Nov. 1 run-off special election for the second graduate school seat. The election opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. that day. Jessica Lopez won the seat with 15 out of 32 votes while Heaven Cauble received 14 votes. Only 32 out of 5,522 total Graduate School students voted in the special election, just 0.58% of graduate students.
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