SGA proposes mandatory meeting attendance for cabinet members
Members of the Student Government Association (from left to right) Noah Burks, Daniel Gaken, Paula Lancaster, Tyler Zimmerman, Leanne MacKinnon, Neil MacKinnon, Shawna Patterson-Stephens, Zainab Naaz, Akshaya Baitinti and Kathryn House pose together for a photo at the Masquerade in Maroon and Gold event in front of the stage in the Bioscience Building on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (CM-Life | Claire Vachon)
The Student Government Association (SGA) proposed additions and amendments to its bylaws on Feb. 23. Members will vote to pass or deny the changes next week.
If the proposal is passed, Student Body Vice President Kathryn House said there will be changes to what’s required of cabinet members.
The president and vice president would be required to attend all SGA informal and formal meetings, including general board, executive board and cabinet. The president would also be required to collaborate with the vice president.
Every cabinet member will have to follow all general membership guidelines. House said there is currently no way to hold them accountable for missing meetings because they are technically allowed to.
Other notable changes were:
- Chief of Staff creating an attendance policy for Registered Student Organization representatives
- The elections director is becoming responsible for Speaker of the House elections instead of the treasurer
- Designated proxies can replace official representatives at committee meetings and vote in their place
Student Body President Akua Achaempong was absent for the general board meeting on Feb. 23.
Spring elections
Elections Director Carson Cooley introduced a new way for members to ask candidates questions for the executive board debate on March 16. Instead of an open Q&A during the debate, members will submit questions beforehand.
Cooley said this will allow him to screen through the questions and prevent any from being repeated. Campaign season for spring elections begins March 2.
In other news:
- SGA is hosting the Residents Housing Association’s Dream Leadership Conference on Feb. 27 in the University Center Rotunda from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The deadline to register for SGA’s March Madness All RSO Tournament is Feb. 28. This large festival of games and sports will happen on March 25. A location and time are undetermined.
