Nicholls State University - La Pirogue Yearbook (Thibodaux, LA)

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Plagued by resignations by Claire Clements Resignations plagued the Student Government Association, as only half of the Student Senate elected in April of 1976 remained in office a year later. Lack of time due to academic work or other commitments was the reason given by most of the resigning senators. That's been a big headache I've had all year, Danny Cavell, SGA president said. Cavell, a senior in social studies edu- cation, achieved much publicity last year, as he was elected SGA vice presi- dent on a write-in ballot. Cavell was also one of ten undergraduates named to the Nicholls Hall of Fame during the spring graduation ceremonies. Despite frequent resignations and appointments, business went on as usual in the senate. Cavell cited senate help as a major factor in the success of his projects. I think I've accomplished a lot of things I had planned, he said. One of the first projects of the fall semester was the finalization of the legal aid program. Lloyd Bourgeois, a Thibodaux attorney, was hired to assist with student legal problems for two hours each week. The SGA also sponsored enrichment courses in ballet exercise and guitar. Barbara Costello, a life sciences and technology senator, taught the ballet classes and Iulie Hourcade, a freshman education major, taught the guitar classes. In an effort to inform freshmen about the services and purposes of the SGA, senators and executive officers spoke to guidance classes. Other projects included the institu- tion of the Student Informational Serv- ice telephone line. Volunteers operated the line five days a week to answer questions on lectures, sports, entertain- ment and special events. Other SGA officers for the 1976-77 year were Danny Lafont, vice president: Dave Doherty, treasurer, and Sue Hall, secretary. Ricky Gambre and Debbie Martinez were elected freshman class president I if Danny Lafont SGA Vice President -S Danny Cavell SGA President and vice president in run-off elections in September. Cambre, a general business flaw optionj major from Lutcher, defeated Tim Gary by one vote. The vice presi- dential race was also close with Marti- nez, a medical technology major from Houma, defeating Sammy Barker by four votes. Financial legislation began with a lengthy debate over the amount of executive scholarships. The financial committee, chaired by senior class president Vic Lafont, recommended raising the scholarships from S125 to S138 a month. Tommy Lyons, Student Entertainment Board director, asked for an increase of S40 a month, making his salary 3150. Motions to put the raises into effect failed. The senate approved an operating budget of 317,000 for the fall, but had to review and amend the SEB budget due to a decrease in enrollment of full-time students. 4'.f I ,Ny x Q J mf, . A I3, A if b 'QV Z .f -. ' ',a,N '?'. ' Dave Doherty SGA Treasurer s GA

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Plagued by resignation Several appointments to the judicial Board were approved by the senate during the year. Al Suffrin and Hono- ray Lewis, appointed by President Ver- non F. Calliano and Dr. C. C. Varvaro, vice president of student affairs, were approved at the first fall meeting of the senate. Suffrin, the board's chairman, resigned at the end of the fall because of graduation and Carl Chauvin. appointed by Hunter Leake. judicial Board advisor, was elected new chair- man. Calvin Morvant, sophomore class president, was appointed by Dr. Calli- ano to fill Suffrin's seat. The senate was presented with a list of grievances by Hurst Bousegard. Ir., Carl Chauvin, Perry Pitre and Andrew Sioux Hill during a meeting in the fall. Arguments between the students and the senators lasted for over an hour, disrupting the regular order of business. Crievances presented included the senate's refusal to operate a proposed refrigerator service, a proposal by busi- ness senator Mark Landrieu to pur- chase SCA t-shirts, a lack of diversity in the senate and the alleged apathy of Student Rights Chairperson Wayne Fernandez. The lengthy debate ended when vice president Danny Lafont told the stu- dents they would have to bring their complaints through the proper chan- nelsf' Terry Mayfield, business senator, was removed from the senate due to excessive absences. He appealed the decision to the judicial Board, which upheld the senate's ruling. The judicial Board nullified the fall election for SEB director and two con- stitutional referenda. Reasons listed for the nullification were a lack of public- ity prior to the election, negligence of working responsibilities by poll work- ers, the lack of sufficient guidelines for accepting write-in votes and illegal campaigning during the election. Doug Robison, a general business major from Thibodaux, was the only candidate for SEB director. Education senator Stephanie Delaune and junior class president Tommy Lcgendre became oppo- nents for SCA president in the spring elections. tfx S cont. The two referenda concerned the election of four at-large senators and the transfer of SEB records to the SCA treasurer. The referenda were approved during the january election in which Lloyd DeMers, a psychology major from New Orleans. was elected SEB director. The senate approved DeMers' five qfx 'sv-'A All K w- . ,-. T N3- I fl' - , ..,-5:5-Nz, ' . .. .. , ,gtk gm ' 1 f QQ f is 'Q f -' '- 'Q 'tt' . ff'-. lt, - ,A .,-15 , va..'-5,191-M 1 . 3 i!ff:Y Qff'w f,,41 A ' '- ' aah M. :Wx-r galil -7 t M' S 4. 1 -7' ' 4 4 4 ,. ., if f Q' - s 'PY gem' ' '- ' 'A . -w. v 'lfisf iff ' Ml K -, . t -.tx L ,af y 6 if -VF' SCA secretary Sue Hall helped to cut and serve watermelon during the summer watermelon party. committee chairpersons at a meeting following the election. Seven weeks after the election Cavell read DeMers' one-sentence letter of res- ignation to the senate. Senators ques- tioned the reasons for the resignation and the financial committee conducted an investigation of SEB finances under DeMers' administration. Senate ques- tions were answered in the committee's report, with all equipment purchases by DeMers being accounted for. X 5 J 1 ' N' Q-1' .,., .9 .ar .44 l' .inihrough