The Student Government Association (SGA) approved two resolutions on Tuesday, one of which strongly urges the university to conduct annual safety inspections of all academic and residency buildings.
The resolution was written and sponsored by SGA Senator Jayden McQueen, a junior political science major from Crestview, Florida. McQueen is the chair of the safety and infrastructure committee.
She said the bill was inspired by recent Tropolitan coverage regarding the dilapidated conditions of Malone Hall, an academic building which will be undergoing $1.6 million worth of renovations next semester to address safety concerns. She hopes that annual inspections will prevent similar deterioration from happening in other buildings.
“We love our campus,” McQueen said. “We love to show it around.
“We love to have tours. We love to have visitors. We work, and we go to school in these facilities and buildings, so of course, the safety and infrastructure of all buildings should be of utmost priority because we can't say that we are Alabama's most beautiful campus if our buildings are falling apart.
“To have integrity in that and to own that is something we should strive for.”
The resolution calls for these inspections to be conducted by qualified experts and proactively identify infrastructure concerns to keep buildings safe, functional and up to date on safety and health regulations.
Now that the bill has been approved by SGA, McQueen said there will be discussion with an administrative committee on campus safety and environment. McQueen said there has already been signs of support from administrators.
“January, when we get back, I'm really trying to get the ball rolling on this,” McQueen said. “I feel optimistic that real change can happen.
“A lot of people don't think that SGA does anything, but tonight, we actually made some change, and I’m excited.”
The second resolution passed by SGA was a recommendation from Freshman Forum that Quizlet Plus – a premium version of an online studying program – be provided to Troy University students for free.
Layla Arne, a business major from Ozark, Alabama, is the chair of the student welfare committee, and she was one delegate who worked on the Quizlet resolution.
“Quizlet is one of those resources that everybody seems to use,” Arne said. “I know for a lot of my friends who are in biomed or nursing, they have a lot that they need for study material, and general Quizlet doesn't allow them to do that.”
While this was the last SGA meeting for the semester, the senate meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the senate chamber located in downstairs TC. To stay-up to date with SGA resolutions and events, follow their Instagram @troysga.