The Student Government Association (SGA) held its first in-person Senate meeting of the year, intended to be an introduction to the bill passing process for new senators, in Hooper Auditorium on Aug. 31.

Vice President Amy Zhang explained that to begin the process, the author of the bill being debated presents their bill to all the senators. From there, the senators enter a period of friendly debate – at this point, senators only comment on the bill and propose small, surface-level amendments. After the friendly debate, the senators then have a period of critical debate. During critical debate, critical amendments can be proposed, which suggest big changes to the bill. After the periods of debate, the senators vote on the bill and decide whether to pass it or not.

Senators present two bills during Tuesday’s meeting. Neither bill was written to be passed. They served as an introduction to the debate and voting process to help the new senators.

Sen. Hayden Anderson presented the first bill of the meeting. The bill was made to encourage more communication between teachers and students due to the rift created by online schooling. However, the bill also included several outlandish clauses, such as one requiring all visitors to dance while on campus.

Sen. Rice Guigley presented the next bill, which was intended to replace the current punishments for tardies with less severe ones. Among other provisions, the bill called for the celebration of a student’s departure from the school once they accrue eight tardies. The event would include cancellation of all classes, dining hours and dorm room electricity. This bill was also rejected though by a smaller margin.

Junior Sephora Poteau said she enjoyed learning about Senate procedures.

“It was nice knowing how to speak in front of our fellow Senate,” Poteau said.

As the Senate is an opportunity for students to have a say in school policies, several senators are eager to begin working on bills. Poteau said she already has an idea for a bill she would like to present, though she said she is not yet ready to share details.

“I’m excited to try and make a change in the school,” Poteau said.