The Student Government Association (SGA) were unable to vote on any bills during their legislative body meeting on Monday, Oct. 6 after first-year Sen. Jayden Cochran was absent.
SGA were depending on Cochran to make an appearance, Vice President Madigan Balfe said, to be at quorum. According to its constitution, the legislative body of SGA can only enter quorum and vote on bills if a supermajority — or half plus one — of its members are in attendance.
Because this year’s voting body is made up of 14 senators, SGA needed eight present to be at quorum; without Cochran they were one senator short.
Cochran did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“They [Cochran] were supposed to be here later,” Balfe said, “but I think the event [Cochran was attending] is still going on, so they were unfortunately [un]able to be here in time for us to vote.”
As a result, three club constitutions were tabled for next week’s legislative body meeting. The senators still discussed the bills, though they were not voted on.
The first, a constitution for Student Alliance for Vitalizing Earth (SAVE), saw no opposition or discussion from the senators.
But a constitution for CuerpoBeat, a student-run fitness club, generated some buzz. It was not immediately clear if the club was a CrossFit or dance-related club.
Senators seemed mostly concerned with whether or not the students in charge of the club were licensed to train others.
“Kids could probably get hurt if they’re doing it the wrong way,” first-year Sen. Rylee Conley said.
Keely Sapienza, who oversees SAIL and the process of drafting club constitutions, cleared up confusions.
“I talked to this club and the two students that are overseeing it right now are certified in this type of dance,” Sapienza said, “And then, as their members join, they can get certifications as well. So, then they’re all able to teach.”
The final constitution, for the Point Park Transportation and Mobility Club, was referred to as a “personal project” by President Christian Rangel.
“Since we are a school in Downtown Pittsburgh, the transit hub of the region,” Rangel said, “I thought it would be beneficial to have a club focus on information about transit. Informing the student body about everything transit-oriented and also advocating for better transit and mobility infrastructure.”
Rangel seemed to have jumped the gun, though, as he had not sought approval through SAIL before holding a vote on his constitution. He said he would do so by next week.
The next SGA meeting will be held on Oct. 13 at 3:15 p.m. in LH 200.
