Dr. Katie High challenged SGA Thursday night to ensure that no group at UTM feels "disenfranchised."

High's challenge arose after a discussion with Chancellor Nick Dunagan and Dr. Luther Mercer, the new director of multicultural affairs.

High reported to SGA that she was "bothered and embarrassed" to learn that many African-American students with whom Mercer had spoken "feel unwanted on the UT Martin campus."

She reminded the Senate that African-American students comprise 15 percent of the total student population, roughly 800 students.

SGA moved to sponsor a reception for Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the UC.

In other business:

• The Elections Reform Bill (Senate Bill #3) passed, leaving less room for candidate error in campaigning. -The Parnell Amendment (Senate Bill #4) passed, meaning all legislation will be e-mailed to the student body before being voted on in the Senate. -The Senate voted to hold a "preference poll" in conjunction with SGA general elections to narrow the applicant pool for the Board of Trustees student position.
  The position, which is open to one UT Martin student every four years, will be filled by the governor in June. The student trustee is the sole student on the board, and represents all 41,000 students in the University of Tennessee system. Gov. Bredesen's decision is not tied to any suggestion made by such a preference poll but, according to SGA President Jennifer Ogg, when UT Knoxville held such a poll their nominee was appointed
• Ogg announced that the demolition date for Austin Peay Hall has been set for April 1.

The SGA senate will meet again on Thursday, Feb. 26, in UC 111.