The SGA voted yesterday to approve $3,000 for new furniture in the SAC.
Senior Senator Jazmyne Sutton wrote two resolutions about the SAC. The first resolution listed the problems that students, faculty and staff had previously voiced about the SAC. The resolution recommended that the SAC officially become a part of Pepperdine’s renovation plans in the future. According to Sutton, both Dean Mark Davis and Dean Tabatha Jones saw the resolution.
The second resolution Sutton wrote was submitted last week after she met with Dr. April Marshall, chair of the International Studies and Language Division, Lawrence Levy, administrative assistant, and Shannon Latson, office manager.
“They told me the Seaver College budget manager had been up to tour the building and recognized the SAC needed some work. Currently, the Seaver College budget only covers academic needs, so the classrooms will receive new furniture,” Sutton said.
However, this would have left some areas of the SAC untouched, and Sutton saw that as an opportunity to step in. Since the lobby and the Ciao Room are not academic areas, they are not going to receive new furniture.
“All year long, we as a senate have talked about doing initiatives that enact lasting changes around campus, and I knew the SAC fit the bill. I brought the resolution forward last Wednesday and everyone seemed to be in full support,” Sutton said. “Now that funds have been approved by SGA, I am starting the process of working with the ISL [International Studies and Languages] staff and Campus Planning to purchase the furniture.”
The Seaver Academic Complex houses the International Studies and Languages Division.
“I can’t speak for them directly, but from what I understand, their requests for funding are usually ignored,” Sutton said. “So they were happy that more voices were being added to their pleas. I am so excited that SGA could stand alongside them for this project.”
Spanish professor Dr. Paul Begin expressed appreciation for SGA’s concern. “First, any contribution is welcome and we in SAC are very thankful for the SGA contributing to the environment of the SAC. We are especially grateful that they noticed the disparity in classroom conditions in comparison with other divisions,” Begin said. “What will be very nice is a permanent structure that is on par with what other divisions have on main campus. This will truly enhance the academic experience of International Studies and Language majors. But this is not for SGA to cover.”
Sutton and the SGA will be working with Marshall, the ISL staff and Campus Planning to get new furniture for the lobby and the Ciao Room.
