SGC-BBC talks challenges, appoints new positions

Sofia Galiano/ Staff Writer

The Student Government Council at Biscayne Bay Campus announced the new chief of staff, chief justice, speaker of the senate and School of Journalism and Mass Communication senator.

During Monday’s Senate meeting, SGC-BBC president Jazmine Felix briefly discussed the challenges BBC and the Modesto A. Maidique Campus face before appointing the new positions.

She said while the main campus wants to expand by acquiring fairgrounds owned by the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition,  BBC’s struggle is pushing for Second Road to Success, a campaign advocating for a new access point on campus.

Felix also said there is talk of adding a parking garage at BBC within the next five years.

Camille Williams, vice president of SGC-BBC, said they will be partnering with the Glenn Hubert Library in a Refworks Workshop to survey students and facilitate their library needs.

On Friday morning at BBC, SGC will be meeting and going on a retreat for the weekend.

SGC-BBC advisor Rafael Zapata said Governor Rick Scott recently signed the University’s budget which did not include funding cuts.

“It looks like we are getting the amount of money that we expected and that’s a good thing,” said Zapata.

As for new positions, Karla Marte, a senior biology major with a focus in gynecology, was appointed chief of staff.

Marte, who graduated high school early at nearly 17 years old, said her experience working in the University’s bookstore, and her interviewing and recruiting skills make her a plausible candidate for the position.

Maria Pulido-Velos and Faedrah Mahotier, both senators of the College of Arts and Sciences; Allhan Mejia, senator of the College of Business Administration; and Gloria Valencia, senator of the Honors College came to a quorum, meaning they approved Marte for the position.

Whitney Saint Fleur, also a senior biology major, was promoted from justice to chief justice.

Both Mahotier and Mejia ran for speaker of senate. Vice president Williams broke the tie and chose Mejia for the position.

Mahotier and Pulido-Velos ran for speaker pro-tempore, with Pulido-Velos receiving the title.

Lastly, Sheni Kathymoon, senior advertising major and previous senator at SGC-MMC, is now senator of the SJMC.

-bbc@fiusm.com