Student Government started the first Senate meeting of the fall semester on a strong note as the Senate Chambers were full of both senators and potential senators. 22 senators were present and 19 potential senators showed up to the last Monday meeting of the year. Senate meetings will now be on Fridays at 3:15 p.m., unless stated otherwise.

Mental Health

The first piece of legislation that senators saw was a joint resolution between the Executive and the Legislative branches to advocate for a Jacksonville Mental Health Awareness Day. The date chosen by the Mental Health council, created by Student Body President Samantha Mims, was January 12. This was to represent that one in every twelve college students makes a suicide plan.

The bill will go to the University and Student Affairs Committee and then will return back to Senate before being forwarded to all nineteen members of the Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, and UNF President John Delaney.

Samantha Mims Update

Mims gave senators an update on current projects and what the Florida Student Association is up to.

Two of the biggest projects that have been underway since the end of the spring semester have some updates. The Starbucks Lounge renovation is set to be completed by the end of August, and the Nature Trail repairs is set to be completed by the end of the fall semester.

The FSA will be coming to UNF on Sep. 9 and will be discussing the finalized state legislative agenda. The agenda includes advocating for an increase in Bright Futures Funding, a rerouting of taxes on college textbooks to go to PECO (maintenance and construction funds for schools), and advocating for a statewide mental health awareness day.

Aaron Bean

Florida Senator Aaron Bean visited SG as a guest speaker and gave senators a quick run-down on what it was like to be in the actual Florida Senate. Bean came with big energy and a box full of his campaign materials. He gave senators phone pockets, water bottles, Chick-Fil-A gift cards, and sunglasses. Bean was extremely energetic and gave many tired students some energy to keep going through Senate.

Other Announcements

During the summer semester, Lend-A-Wing gave 761 pounds of food to students and 381 pounds of food was donated to the pantry.

The Osprey Voice survey regarding food options on campus is still up and can be taken by students. So far, 1,232 people have responded to the survey. This survey will help SG determine which food options should be brought to campus. The link will be closed on Sep. 8. You can take the survey here.

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