By Elizabeth Guiten
Staff Writer
From key rings to a cafeteria lounge area and from the Delta Gamma Anchor Splash to a new podium proposal for Convocation speakers, resolutions were presented, discussed and approved by the Student Government Association on Wednesday.
Resolution 23, the “Key Ring Resolution,” was presented by junior class Sen. Matt Alloway.
In it he proposes that the dorm and apartment keys be distributed with a key ring already attached to them to prevent wear and tear to the protective rubber coating that covers them.
His premise is that because students must attach the keys to the ring themselves, the rubber coating is more likely to be damaged, forcing them to turn them in to our Housing and Community Living department for replacement. The resolution was passed without debate.
Resolution 27, which proposed “A New Orange Sign for the Orange Line” was presented by SGA President Jason Palmer.
His proposal for an additional orange line shuttle stop being placed directly across form the existing Lovernich Apartment blue line shuttle stop is based on the premise that there is no longer an orange shuttle line stop near the Lovernich Apartments save the one leading up to Drescher Campus at Via Pacifica. The resolution was seconded and passed without debate.
Also presented by Palmer was Resolution 28, for a “Cafeteria Lounge Area.”
Palmer proposed that Pepperdine create a lounge area near the fireplace in the cafeteria for students to use. His opinion being that the current chairs and tables that occupy that space are too uncomfortable to lounge in.
He proposed they be removed and replaced by a few couches, comfortable chairs, a big screen television, lamps and other various decorations conducive to a lounging and studying environment. The television that would be used would be the one previously in the Sandbar. The resolution met with approval and was passed.
“I think it’s a nice idea,” freshman Cara Van Meter said, “And I’d like to see the fireplace in use, but it doesn’t seem very feasible. The high noise traffic typical of the cafe is not conducive to a ‘lounge environment.’ Furthermore, the loss of that section of tables and chairs would contribute to a potential problem of overcrowding during peak hour of the ‘Pepperdiners.’”
Away in Sacramento lobbying to keep current funds for the Cal Grant, sophomore class Sen. Leon Dixon videotaped his proposed Resolutions 29 and 30. Resolution 29 proposed that Pepperdine cheerleaders be allowed early registration, on the premise that cheerleading is considered a sport and falls under the jurisdiction of the athletic department. He discussed the benefits for other teams in early registration citing that registering early allows athletes to plan their schedules around team practices and competition, and resolved that SGA support Seaver College in granting early registration to cheerleaders. The resolution was passed. Dixon’s Resolution 30 proposed excused absences for the cheerleading team. It, too, passed without debate.
“Baloney!” freshman Christopher Steiber said. “Unless they (Pepperdine) bring in scholarship athletes in the area of cheerleading, then they don’t deserve early admission. It would be the same as an intramural sport (athletie) asking for early admission. They don’t have scholarships so basically they’re on the same level.”
Presented by sophomores Karah Lockman and Meridith Kruse, members of the Delta Gamma sorority, Resolution 31 proposed that SGA allot 30 percent of its allocated philanthropy fund to them for their philanthropy event, “Anchor Splash.” The proceeds from the event go to benefit the Los Angeles Blind Children’s Center.
The allotment is necessary because Delta Gamma does not allow its chapters to spend money on philanthropy, resulting in the chapter’s dependence on donations. The resolution was approved.
Concluding the formal meeting was Resolution 32, authored by freshman class Sen. Zach Love, and presented by freshman class President Joanna Mason. The resolution addressed the issue of a new podium for Convocation speakers, citing that the current one was tattered and falling apart.
They proposed that Pepperdine purchase a new podium for Convocation and included the guarantee of Pepperdine’s Facilities Management and Planning to take care of the new podium by putting it away in a proper casing to prevent any future wear and tear. This final resolution was also approved.
Submitted February 26, 2004