Multiple motions to allocate funding were passed during the SGA meeting on March 10, the first being moved by Vice President of Finance Molly Austin for a SAFA allocation of $134,737.13 to 68 organizations.

“28% of every organization received 100% of their budget, 50% received over 80% of their budget, and then we placed a focus this semester on musicians, speakers, performance and artists and 70% of organizations who requested money for that had that category fully funded,” Austin said.

Executive Vice President Kylie McGraw moved a senate bill that would change the demerit appeal timeline from two weeks to three days. SGA passed this unanimously. 

Senator Banks Austin, chair of the sustainability committee, moved that SGA allocate $1,512 for eight outside deck chairs, which SGA passed unanimously as well. 

The last motion to be passed unanimously by SGA was moved by senator Glenn McNutt for an allocation of $7,200 for trees to be planted around campus.

Fredricka Sharkey, director of media relations at UCA, spoke at the meeting about proper media relations training.

Sharkey’s presentation was titled “Media Relations 101,” and the first part of the process was to determine who responds to reporters out of the executive president, executive board and committee chairs. Sharkey also advised the senators to remember that they will be speaking from an SGA or organizational lens.

The second part of Sharkey’s presentation regarded interview preparation, where she said it is important that the senators ask for the context of the story, request questions prior to being interviewed, request and gather materials, prepare talking points, and maintain talking points.

The final part of Sharkey’s presentation was about asking questions before an interview, where she explained that reporters are not obligated to send senators their interview questions, but that it helps to prepare and gather facts and data for a good response back. Sharkey also reminded the senators that they can always decline to be interviewed.

UCA Provost Michael Hargis also spoke at the meeting as part of the central strategy team and asked the senators five strategic planning questions in order to make sure student voices are heard and reflected in the university’s future decisions.

The first question of Hargis’s exercise was, “What are UCA’s greatest strengths?” in which the senators responded with topics such as the student-to-faculty ratio, student life, and alumni involvement. 

The second question of the exercise was, “What are the biggest challenges facing UCA and how have they affected students?” and the senators gave their thoughts on topics such as Blackboard being difficult to use, a poor emphasis on connecting students to resources and the lack of attention for transfer students.

Hargis then asked, “Imagine it’s 2035 — what do you hope UCA is known for academically and culturally as it relates to the broader community?” and senators replied with how UCA embodies school spirit and campus involvement.

Hargis’s fourth question was, “If UCA could focus on improving just one thing, what would that be and why?” and senators responded with student success, alumni financial engagement and individualized advising.

The final question asked by Hargis was, “How can leadership better communicate decisions and involve the campus community in shaping UCA’s future?” and senators said that stronger social media influence would help keep students aware of what is happening around campus.