SGA Senate passes resolutions

The Student Government Association recently passed two Senate resolutions this semester, each with completely different intentions.

The first resolution honors Martha Saunders and her commitment to the university during her time as the president of the University of Southern Mississippi, while the second is a plan to implement one-way traffic flow in the parking garage, which will include sign installation in hopes of making the parking garage safer.

The resolution honoring Saunders thanks the university’s ninth and first female president for her service during the five years of her presidency, along with her current service to the university.

Yolanda Cruz, a senate representative for the College of Arts and Letters and sophomore news editorial journalism major, said the decision to honor Saunders through a resolution was an easy one.

“The SGA Senate wanted to create a resolution to honor Dr. Martha Saunders because she did so much for the university during her time as president, and we felt this should not go unnoticed,” Cruz said.

A portion of the resolution states, “Whereas, Dr. Saunders has exhibited her passion for the growth and advancement of the University of Southern Mississippi.”

Saunders was inaugurated as university president in 2007. A two-time Silver Anvil Award Winner in Public Relations, she oversaw $225 million in new building projects on campus.

The second resolution is that of a completely different nature. Commuters, residents, faculty and staff are all frequent users of the parking garage located on campus near 4th Street. The garage has experienced cumbersome traffic flow and unclear directions. According to the second resolution passed by SGA, the two-way flow of traffic and the lack of proper signage in the parking garage will be addressed through signage that will help create a one-way traffic flow pattern throughout the structure.

Cruz said she is proud to be part of an organization, like the SGA Senate, that takes the time to work on a resolution to recognize a campus leader and make campus a safer place.

“As a student, I am very pleased that we have passed these resolutions,” Cruz said. “It shows that a person’s hard work will not go unnoticed and no one can disagree with making the campus a safer place to drive. It also pleases me as a senator because it shows we are being productive and really working for the students.”

For more information regarding SGA, visit www.usm.edu/sga.