The April 5 SGA meeting proved to be one of the most in depth conversations of the semester.

The meeting began with a presentation by Maggie Gough, student wellness manager at NKU. Gough briefed the body on a recently signed healthy food policy issued by the university.

The policy solidified what the university has already began to impliment with the HealthyU program – calling for dining services and vendors to offer access to ‘wholesome, nutritious food choices.’ Gough said this policy was in response to the university’s ‘responsibility as an institution to deal with this (obesity/overweight epidemic).’ Gough said NKU would be working with Chartwells to implement the policy in the dormitory dining areas as well.

Steve Meier, assistant to the Dean of Students, said he would like to see more votes in upcoming SGA elections. This year’s election saw a turnout of just over 690 students out of more than the 15,000 students currently enrolled at NKU. That number represents approximately 4.5 percent of the student body. Meier said the key to getting more votes was a competition for every position in SGA.

Senator Leigha Phelps presented the first reading of the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) resolution. The reading of the resolution culminated a long effort by Phelps and her committee members to decide what students wanted done at the CRC. If passed, the resolution called for a recurring replacement fund for equipment, increase student employment at the CRC and make renovations to the facility.

The SGA body continued to hear proposed changes to the constitution. One senator called the entire reading into question and asked if the body was following proper procedure.

fter extended debate among the members, the body recessed for five minutes, and by the end of the adjournment, it was determined that policy was in fact being followed. The body finished reading the proposed changes, which, if passed, would result in major changes to NKU’s student government.

Next week, SGA intends to have the first reading of a per-credit-hour resolution -‘ more heated debate will likely ensue.

Story by Vern Hockney