During the month of February, the Pittsburg State Student Government Association senate passed a resolution with the goal of improving inclement weather safety standards. This resolution specifically targets on-campus student employees who may have to travel to their on-campus jobs even when classes are cancelled.
“This resolution is designed for student employees and to protect their safety,” Charlie Judd, SGA’s Grants and Giving chair, said. Judd is a senior elementary education major and authored this resolution. “The way the system is set up, student campus workers have to come in to work during snow days, even though the university is closed for their safety. With the passage of this resolution, hopefully help change that and protect students so they don’t have to face this harsh weather.”
Specifically, the resolution states that “the Overman Student Center and Axe Library close building operations or have a late opening and early closing whenever inclement weather conditions warrant a university closure, and that students may not be penalized for absence.”
“This will affect students who work for the university and possibly affect campus hours for the library and student center,” Judd explained. “What inspired me was this past snow day when I was scheduled to work, I couldn’t come in because of the road conditions. Luckily, I have a great boss and team, and was able to help find someone to cover for me, since I couldn’t make it in. Not every person is going to have that supportive team behind them, so hopefully this resolution will help change that.”
Student Government Association values the opinions of students, and it was important that this resolution was discussed directly with the student employees who would be affected.
Judd said that student opinions were taken into consideration by him “talking to students about what impact this would have on them, specifically students who use the rec, and what we can do for those students. Also, talking to student employees who were affected by this, and coming to a middle ground on what is best for the students.”
Josh Lawrie, a sophomore exercise science major, is an employee at the student recreation center. Also an SGA senator, Lawrie explained, “I think when the resolution was brought up, people automatically thought about asking student employees. When we came back to talk about it, people asked the students they knew that had an on-campus job and got their feedback.”
Lawrie has also experienced working as an on-campus employee during inclement weather. “There have definitely been instances where employees have been unable to make it to work because of the dangerous conditions. But there have been zero accidents as long as I’ve worked there.”
He later added, “I think the resolution will definitely help the other areas of campus. At the Rec, we already do something similar to what the resolution is.”
This resolution has been passed by the SGA senate, but still has a few steps left before it come to fruition. It will be reviewed by the Faculty Senate, the inclement weather committee, and the president’s cabinet.
SGA is an active organization that aims to better the quality of student life, campus, and the community. Student opinions are a priority to SGA, and students are welcome to bring up issues directly to the senate.
Judd explains that “Students can make their voices heard by coming in for student opinion time during senate, which is in Russ 409 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. If they are able to, they can come to the office or fill out the student feedback form on our Engage page, as well as contact anyone in SGA.”