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Thursday, August 7, 2025

In SGA: white nationalist posters and budget read

This week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting began with a brief vote on and approval of the new Auto Club constitution and a discussion on the white supremacy posters that have sparked debate around campus.

President Kevin Napier brought up the white nationalist posters during his executive report, stating that SGA does not support the posters and that they are not Lankford Student Union approved for posting. 

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson stated Longwood’s diligence to ensure that all students feel safe is one of their absolute beliefs and it’s difficult not to come out and make certain statements.

Pierson also reminded everyone to say something if they see something.

Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) Chief of Police Col. Robert Beach said that this is something the department has been seeing for years and that LUPD is conducting an "aggressive investigation". 

Beach said that even though no crime has been committed, the people behind the posters are trying to bully and intimidate other students, prompting LUPD to want to find out who is behind the fliers to have a conversation with them. 

According to Beach, when LUPD finds out whoever is putting up the unwanted fliers, they will let them know that those messages are not welcome on Longwood’s campus.

Larissa Smith Fergeson, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, gave a statement saying it’s important to understand that the leadership at Longwood is aware and concerned about this matter and Longwood will continue to be inclusive.

The meeting then moved into the first reading of the 2018-2019 budget, where Treasurer Dustyn Hall gave a presentation on the money that was allocated in the general budget.

Hall explained that there are five tiers to the budget:

  • Tier One: Student/Campus Welfare
  • Tier Two: Academic/Scholastic
  • Tier Three: Club Sports
  • Tier Four: Greek Oversight
  • Tier Five: Special Interest Groups

The overall total for the general budget started out as $695,502.76 until Vice President Tristan Hobbs moved to allocate $3,000 and $1,000 for the Hispanic Latino Association and Sports Club Council respectively.

After those allocations were approved, the general budget came to a total of $699,502.76, just short of $700,000.

Executive Senator for Senate Relations Benjamin Brody presented a parking resolution that states:

This resolution expresses the opinion of the Student Body in regards to decreasing the cost of parking tickets if paid in a timely matter. This resolution calls for a discussion with the LUPD and the Parking Citation Appeals Committee in an effort to reduce the price of parking tickets from $50 to $25 if paid within two university business days.

Brody went on to say that the parking resolution will not apply to people who park in a fire zone or students without parking passes. Hall moved to fast-track and approve the parking resolution and the motion was approved.

Senator Kiersten Freedman and Executive Senator for Committee Relations Joshua Darst gave a presentation on a new potential add/drop period extension policy.

Freedman said that extending the add/drop period to ten days would help with student retention and success. Freedman also said that since the curriculum is changing, it’s better to discuss this process now before the new academic year starts.

During open forum, Fiscal Technician and Administrative Assistant Trish McGregor announced that blue books are now available for free in the SGA office.

SGA also conducted the first reading of the new constitution and bylaws.

The next SGA meeting will be April 10 at 3:50 p.m. in the Martinelli Board Room located in the Maugans Alumni Center.