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SGA holds special Senate meeting to discuss Intercultural Center proclamation

The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate held a special meeting on Wednesday, February 20, in Burchard 118. The meeting, called for by President Jason Chlus, was to discuss Proclamation P-19S-001, also titled “A Case and Justification on the Creation of an Intercultural Center.” Discussion of the proclamation was postponed at the Senate meeting this past Monday to Wednesday’s emergency meeting.

While there was initially some doubt as to whether the meeting could proceed in light of Stevens’ closure Wednesday afternoon, the Senate ultimately decided to hold the meeting regardless. There was concern near the beginning of the meeting that quorum would not be met. Quorum was ultimately met at 3:25 p.m., 25 minutes after the meeting was slated to begin.

The Proclamation calls for Stevens to create an intercultural center — a designated physical space that would “cultivate a safer space for underserved students and allies on campus, foster deeper understandings of equity and inclusion, and empower Stevens students, faculty, and staff,” according to the proclamation.

The meeting was preceded by an open meeting of the Rules Committee held the day before to discuss the proclamation. Many suggestions were pitched by Senators and non-Senators alike, which resulted in many amendments made to the Proclamation that would come to be discussed at Wednesday’s Senate meeting.

The discussion at the special Senate meeting began with a recap of the amendments compiled during the Rules Committee meeting, followed by a brief reading period where senators were encouraged to look through the extensive list of amendments on their own.

After several rescinded motions, the proclamation was approved at 3:38 p.m. and the meeting was adjourned.

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