SGA Executive Board

SGA Executive Board

By Emily Temple (Whetstone Staff Writer)

After rejecting a request to donate money toward a gift honoring departing President William N. Johnston, the Student Government Association reversed itself March 30 and approved giving $10,000 toward a $1 million “symbolic” gift.

The SGA congress rejected the initial request for the money because the administration had tried to eliminate student fees in February, jeopardizing student independence. After a month of protests, Johnston restored fees that kept organizations, including the SGA, independent.

“[The fee issue] definitely has an impact on how students feel toward the administration,” SGA President Fred Sottnick said.  “When discussing the situation, I could see that students were hesitant to allocate the money toward the gift.”

Some students suggested less than $10,000 for the gift, citing the concern that students still don’t know how the funds will ultimately be used.

“While I do believe President Johnston and his wife should be recognized for all that they’ve done, is $10,000 necessary?” freshman Savanah Love asked.

Sophomore Kenny Ciccoli, on the other hand, said he was confident that the amount is reasonable.

“I really don’t think a $10,000 donation is out of range,” he said.

Cory Brown, treasurer for the SGA, agreed.

“It’s no big hit,” Brown said.  “Because the issue with fees has been resolved, organizations will still have the freedom and money they need to run.”

The gift amounts to about 10 percent of the SGA’s $100,000 budget.

Savannah Durham reminded students that the president played a role in bringing back student fees.

“He’s complied with our wishes, and worked well with the SGA board,” said Durham, SGA vice president, who will be president in the fall.

Some members of the SGA said they believe the two issues should never have been connected.

“I feel as though the president and his wife have nothing to do with the policy the CFO tried to administer,” SGA Secretary Jabresha Nelson said.  “As a student body we should want the president, who’s been here since I was a freshman, to feel appreciated as he leaves Wesley College.”

When the gift was first introduced, students also cited its mysterious nature as an argument against its approval.   Chris Wood, vice president for institutional advancement, told the SGA the money will be a “symbolic gift” to Dr. and Mrs. Johnston and go toward improvements on campus, among other unknown projects.

“We’ve received no details,” Sottnick said on March 16.  “All we know is that it will be announced at commencement.”

Love said that is what concerned her most.

“I’m sure that the money will be used for good, but I still feel it did us an injustice to keep it a secret,” Love said.

While this concern was raised at the March 30 SGA meeting, students are less bothered by it now.

“All of the funds that SGA has given to these types of projects have always benefited students,” Durham said.

“Yes, we knew more when we were giving those funds,” she said.  “But I believe that the majority of administration and staff at Wesley College have our best interest in mind and will use these funds accordingly.”

Durham is certain that the gift represents most students’ wishes.

“I would definitely say that the majority of people were OK with approving the gift,” she said.

According to Nelson, the congress voted 28-2 to approve the $10,000 gift.

“I would personally like to see it go to the new Student Activities building,” Durham said.  “I feel like this gift could be enough money to help break ground and start construction.”

The Student Activities Center, which is still being planned, will host Wesley athletic events for the basketball and volleyball teams as well as other activities for all Wesley students, according to the construction updates on Wesley’s website.