Tears rolled and emotions stirred as Senator Abby Poole appealed her removal from SGA and members debated RSO funding at SGA’s final meeting April 14.

Poole, who had been a member of SGA for the past four academic years, had been given nine demerits for various infractions — such as missing a Feb. 3 meeting without notice.

Poole gave an emotional speech where she conceded her mistakes, but made her dedication to SGA clear.

“I’ve made SGA a priority for four years and I’m proud of the private leadership I’ve brought,” Poole said. “I’m not asking for a special exemption. I’m asking for context, not just in the last few months, but in the last four years.”

Poole said she joined SGA based on her high school experience and her belief in its difference-making ability on campus.

She also referenced the various committees she has been on during her time at SGA and how she made changes to SGA’s dress code policy to make it more lenient.

Poole said she was asking for that same grace in deciding her appeal.

SGA voted on the appeal during the New Business section of the meeting, during which members from both sides presented their case.

Executive Vice President Kylie McGraw emphasized the importance of standards within SGA and holding each member up to those standards — including attending meetings.

Other members discussed Poole’s years of service to SGA and her impact on other members.

The debate was lengthy, with those opposing the appeal being stalwart in their decision and those in favor of the appeal being heartfelt in their defense.

For the appeal to be approved, two-thirds of the quorum would need to vote in favor.

The means of the vote is not in the SGA constitution and it was ultimately decided to be an oral vote.

SGA adviser Taine Duncan said it was the first time SGA has had to make such a decision since 2017.

The stakes for Poole would’ve been not being invited to SGA’s end-of-the-year banquet and the removal of her SGA chord.

Ultimately, SGA decided to approve her appeal and she was allowed to remain a member of SGA.

While the appeal would take up a majority of the meeting, SGA would hear a budget appeal from the Students for Propagation of Black Culture.

SPBC secretary and treasurer Sydney Harris asked for $2825 for events in the 2025-26 academic school year.

Harris said SPBC had missed its original budget appeal and instead received around $1900.

SPBC has 70 members, with plenty of non-paying members also attending events, Harris said.

Members pay a $20 yearly fee, Harris said.

She also said it was the oldest non-Greek organization which looks to “promote unity among Black culture.”

Vice President of Finance Molly Austin said SPBC would likely be denied the funds, as it was standard policy to deny RSOs who miss their budget meeting a chance to appeal.

While several SGA members argued they should offer the same leniency to SPBC the same grace given to Abby Poole, Austin countered the real grace was allowing them to re-appeal in the first place.

Attributing it to the lengthy nature and high emotions of the meeting, members ultimately decided to table the decision for the summer senate.

While SPBC said it wanted a decision by the end of April, it would be OK with receiving the decision in the summer.

SGA elections concluded April 4 and with them came the news that Executive Vice President Kylie McGraw would serve as president for the next year.

McGraw said she wants to create a better understanding of what SGA actually does and focus on smaller, more attainable goals.