Senators on the Student Government Association met at 9 p.m. Thursday for the first time since Winter Break to discuss upcoming plans for the spring semester.

Freshman Council, which is administered by SGA Vice President Rachel Hammond, headlined the meeting. Hammond discussed upcoming events for the council, including an upcoming talent show and publication for incoming freshmen who wish to participate in SGA. Mansfield invited all the senators to contribute helpful bits of information that they think would be beneficial to new freshmen. James Orr, president of SGA, delivered his address to the body, elaborating on some of SGA’s achievements from the previous fall semester, and he gave the senators a quick preview of what was in store for spring semester. Some of last semester’s achievements include an SGA Relations Day and a Parking Forum that SGA held for the student body. In addition, SGA spoke with over 20 student organizations last semester while also managing to undertake and successfully approve the task of building a new recreational facility so as to better serve the students at UTM, Orr said.

Orr said one of the biggest upcoming SGA events is an interview process that is intended to more carefully consider nine different candidates for the currently-unfilled Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs position. James elaborated on the interview process by stating that all senators will be invited to come and question the nine candidates so that they can more accurately decide which of them will best serve the student body. In addition, each senator will be allowed to bring two friends with them to the interviews. If any student is interested in attending these interviews with a senator, he or she is encouraged to contact the senator of his or her college.

David Belote, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Director of Student Life, reported that “Phase II” of the projected housing plan for UTM is off to a good start. March 26 will mark the day that McCord Hall will begin to be demolished, Belote said.

The asbestos abatement program for the soon-to-be-razed hall is scheduled to begin in the next couple of weeks for side B of McCord. The second phase of construction is already behind schedule. Belote also acknowledged a possible record enrollment for UTM this spring semester. He stated that UTM has never exceeded a student population of 6,000 students. However, it is anticipated that the student body will reach nearly 6,200 students this semester.

Members of the Risky Business flag football team were also recognized for their recent accomplishments at the Senate meeting. The team traveled to Pensacola, Fl., Dec. 29-31 to compete in the National Flag Football Championship. The team placed 8th nationally in the women’s division.

Orr also selected three senators to serve on a newly-founded committee that intends to assist the new director of Sodexho, Chris Munkel, in a collaborative effort to improve the dining services offered to UTM students. The senators, along with some members outside of SGA, will meet with Munkel once a month.

Lauren Witty, representative of SAC, also was present to announce the SAC Super Bowl Party that will be held at 4 p.m., Feb. 5 in the game room. At 5 p.m., SAC will provide free hot wings, hot dogs and nachos to any student. She also proposed a potential concert for later in the spring semester. She announced that SAC is considering bringing in Gavin Degraw, and she noted that tickets would be no more than $10.

Three new members of SGA were sworn in at the Senate meeting. Alicia Weaver was appointed as the Executive Assistant to Orr, Ashley Donoho was appointed as the senator for the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and Lacee North was appointed as the Multicultural Affairs Chair.