UT’s Student Senate held a formal meeting on Tuesday, passing measures to support the extension of Hope Scholarship funding to summer study.

Adam Roddy, senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, sponsored this bill. He highlighted some critical benefits the funding could provide both to students and to the university at large.

“There is a minimal amount of financial aid available for summer studies, and the possibility to take class in the summer would free up classes in the fall and spring terms,” Roddy said.

He postulated that this measure could increase the state’s four-year graduation rate, and help students more efficiently achieve their educational goals.

“We want to send Nashville a message that this is a matter of concern for us, and keep this idea in their discussion,” Roddy said.

The entire senate pulled together in support of the resolution, with a unanimous verdict of 56 senators in favor of its passage.

We have done quite a bit of research, making sure that this is a statewide issue among UT institutions,” Ross Rowland, student senate chair and Tennessee Higher Education Commission representative, said. “Our main concern is that the legislature is unaware of this issue, making some whistle-blowing necessary on our part.”

A letter-writing campaign has been suggested to further support the bill.

“This is an issue that students all across the state have been concerned with for some time now,” Rowland said. “I hope the efforts to make this public to the legislature have a great impact.”

Rowland initiated the meeting with reports on the progress of initiatives the senate has been working on since last semester. He welcomed an official update from the administration.

Maxine Davis, dean of students, began by highlighting the importance the university is placing on the upcoming 50th Anniversary of African American Achievement on campus.

“The kick-off for the Achievement March will take place on Feb. 1,” Davis said. “We want all students to participate in that march, so please spread the word.”

The dean also updated senate members on the progress being made around bills passed last semester.

“Senate Bill 02-11 was passed to create crosswalks in front of Ayers Hall, and now that Ayers has been completed, Facilities Services would like to observe pedestrian traffic patterns before they put pathways in place,” Davis said. “It has the attention of the administration, and by the end of the semester that proposal should be moving forward.”

The senate had also been focused intently on improving the parking situation last semester, culminating in the passage of a resolution to make campus parking easier on students.

“A bill to extend the parking ticket grace period to 15 minutes is being taken up with Parking Services by the administration, and I will keep you updated as it progresses,” Davis said.

The dean of students also expounded upon the possibilities for honoring students at the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet.

“This is an opportunity for students to be recognized and honored for their achievements,” Davis said. “Particularly Torchbearer nominations should be considered with great importance.”

The dean was pleased with the recent accomplishments of the senate, providing representation for the university population.

“I want to thank you for the work your’re doing on behalf of our students,” Davis said.

The senate is also introducing a new computer program that will allow the direct uploading of proposed legislation online. The student senate database will allow senate members to communicate more effectively, more rapidly addressing student concerns.

“The student body has been wanting transparency from the SGA, and this new database system should facilitate that,” B.T. Peake, sophomore in computer science, said. “Attendance information will be made available to the public, keeping them more informed.”

Students will also be able to access proposed legislation online, as well as view the roll call voting records of student senators.

“We really appreciated B.T.’s efforts, and we look forward to the increased accessibility the site will bring,” Angie Sessoms, vice president of the senate and senior in English, said.