The Undergraduate Student Congress voted at its Tuesday meeting to recognize Black History Month, approve the allocation of funds and expel a member from congress.
A Visit from Inspector General Eric J. Soskin
Eric J. Soskin, the inspector general for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation spoke about the the role of the Department of Transportation and government career opportunities.
Soskin said the goal of the Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General is to create a safer and more efficient national transportation system.
He encouraged students to enter public service and described various government hiring programs available.
Black History Month Resolution
The Black History Month Resolution of 2024 recognizes February as Black History Month and honors Black OU students. It also condemns any policy that suppresses Black students.
Authors Hope Rhoads, human diversity committee chair, and Marilou Bento, external affairs committee chair, spoke on the resolution, saying that it is important to recognize minority student groups.
The resolution is given a recommendation of do pass and will be voted on later in the meeting.
The resolution ultimately passes with a roll call vote of 23-0-0.
Expelling a Member from Congress
The Expulsion Bill No. 1 expels Loni’e Austin, a member of congress, due to unexcused absences. A member with four unexcused absences must be expelled, in accordance with the SGA Bylaws.
The bill passes with a roll call vote of 23-0-0.
Allocation of Student Government Funds
The Auxiliary Allocation 13 Act of 2023-24 allocates Student Government Association funds to registered student organizations. It proposes distributing $7,086 among 11 organizations.
Of those organizations, the Student Bar Association is proposed to receive the highest allotment of funds, $1,000.
The act makes provisions for unused funds and outlines details of the fiscal year.
The act passes with a roll call vote of 23-0-0.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure.
