The Student Government Association finalized homecoming plans and pushed sweeping procedures reforms closer to a vote at Thursday's meeting.

President Jennifer Ogg opened the meeting with a report on SGA's 9-11 ribbon campaign. Ogg said fans at Thursday night's football game had responded positively to the red, white, and blue ribbons and cards handed out to them as they entered Hardy M. Graham Stadium.

Ogg then briefed the Senate on events that took place at a student government conference of the five University of Tennessee campuses. The student governments will be working together to lobby the state government in Nashville on behalf of higher education and to push the Board of Trustees in Knoxville to change visitation hours in on-campus housing.

She closed her report by saying that, from speaking with members of other student governments, she has been made even more aware that UT Martin is "blessed with an administration that really listens."

University Center director Steve Vantrease briefed the SGA on the continuing search for a replacement for Denny Bubrig as coordinator of Greek life and student organizations. He said there are currently 24 applicants, and the search committee hopes to narrow the selection down to eight applicants soon.

Joey Pierce, Campus Observations chair, introduced the Gripe Line (x7786) for students to call with complaints or suggestions for the SGA.

In old business, the Senate reviewed the homecoming committee's recommendations for the events to be held on Monday, September 29, at Pacer Pond. These include a cook-off and the announcement of the Homecoming Queen candidates. The evening will conclude with a bonfire and fireworks.

In other business:

• The Senate tabled the Senate Bill 1 (the “Maxey bill”), an amendment to the UT Martin SGA Constitution concerning the process of filing bills. The proposed amendment “establishes a record keeping system that is public record and makes every senator accountable for their actions on paper,” said Senator Matt Maxey (College of Business and Public Affairs).

“I was tired of being caught off guard, walking into a Senate meeting to find a new bill in front of me that I had to vote on that night. I thought things could be fairer for every senator if they each had ample time to prepare for a bill,” said Maxey. The bill will be brought to a vote on Thursday, September 25.

• Joey Pierce presented a resolution “to recommend to the UT Board of Trustees the presence of UT students, as well as members of the Board of Trustees, to serve on the search committee for the next President of the University of Tennessee.” Mirror resolutions are being presented at Knoxville and Chattanooga, and a similar resolution requesting faculty presence on the presidential search committee is being drawn up for the UT Martin Faculty Senate. The resolution passed.

• Chief Justice Nikki Draper swore in members of the Freshman Council Executive Council.