The Senate branch of the Student Government Association opened the floor for discussion on a bill that would require all senators to hold one office hour per week beginning fall 2014. 

The proposal sparked a lively discussion during Senate’s March 6 meeting.

Senator Jacob Ezell, co-author of the bill, believes the bill will help Senate achieve greater visibility on campus. 

“If students can see us in the office, they can have a better opportunity to talk to us,” Ezell said. “Students can know there is always someone in a set location (the SGA office) where they can talk to a senator.”

Senator Jensen Joiner believes all SGA members should be in support of the bill.

 “If we aren’t in the office, that’s an opportunity we missed to talk to a student,” Joiner said. “The purpose of this (legislation) is for us to be in the office to conduct SGA business. We haven’t achieved all of the SGA goals yet this year, so this bill is not asking a lot.”

The bill was amended to require all SGA members, including University Program Council delegates and members of Freshman Forum and the judicial branch, to spend one hour per week in the SGA office. 

“The only way this bill is going to pass is if all members of SGA are required to be accountable, not just Senate,” said Senator Jordan Graham. “Senate uses state money, but UPC spends student money to plan events, so they should also be required to be accountable to students.”

Freshman Patrick Wilson thinks there should be someone in the SGA office at all times for students to talk to. 

 “I think an hour is not too much to ask,” Wilson said.  “If you can’t give up an hour, you might need to find another (organization to join). It’s voluntary, but they should be able to spend an hour per week in the office.” 

As long as there is someone in the office at all times during the day, it doesn’t matter if they all spend an hour each week in the office, said Seth Myrick, a freshman.

The bill was tabled until the March 13 meeting so it can be presented to members of the other SGA branches for feedback before a vote is taken.