The Student Government Association’s Campus Observation Committee has killed a resolution that would have extended to UTM faculty and staff limited use of the UC student Fitness Center, the committee announced at Thursday’s Senate meeting.

Campus Observation Committee Chair Sen. Kaylis Magras briefed senators on their rationale in nixing the resolution, saying the Fitness Center belongs solely to students, since it is funded from student fees.

“The Fitness Center is an area for students to use exclusively,” Magras said. “It’s one of the very few places we can call our own. The committee doesn’t think it is a viable option to open the fitness center up.”

In killing the resolution before reaching the Senate floor, the issue cannot be revisited until the next Senate convenes in April 2007.

Additionally, Magras told senators his committee is working on drafting recommendations to Sodexho Dining Services to improve health-conscious menu offerings in the Skyhawk Cafeteria and crosswalk lighting, as well as increase the number of recycling bins on campus.

In his report, SGA President James Orr announced to senators he would be serving as a student representative on the search committee to find a replacement for retiring Chancellor Nick Dunagan.

Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jerald Ogg will chair the committee. Also slated to serve on the committee are faculty members Ann Duncan, Nell Gullett and John Schommer; student representative Caroline Tippens; staff members Youlanda Jones and Lt. Steve Sherfield; administrators, Shannon Burgin and Jim Byford; community members Michael Bobo and Joe Brasher; and UT Board of Trustees members Barbara Castleman and Jerry Jackson.

Orr also announced he would soon issue weekly radio addresses on UTM’s student radio station, WUTM 90.3 FM. Orr said his weekly address is part of an ongoing effort to improve SGA communication with students, and he will discuss upcoming SGA-sponsored events and activities. Orr’s radio program will air at 9 a.m. and noon every Monday.

In other business, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution outlining “Senate Rules of Order,” which will supersede Robert’s Rules of Order in Senate meetings. The resolution, recommended by the Procedures Committee and approved by Orr, grants committee chairs authority to refer issues to standing committees and gives the chairman of the Senate the “ability to change the order of the agenda” for Senate meetings.

The next SGA Senate meeting will take place at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 in UC 111.

As always, students are welcome and encouraged to attend.