In their second meeting of 2019, the Student Government Association senate heard a proposal for scholarships offered by SGA, information regarding the upcoming Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation conference and details about this semester’s meal donations through BiolaShares.

Vice President of community relations Katy Hendricks submitted an internal proposal for $12,000 to provide 12 scholarships of $1,000 for students in the fall 2019 semester. Students can apply by submitting essays during the spring on an essay topic decided by Hendricks and a committee of SGA members. SGA will review the essays, and the 12 winners will be notified about the scholarships at the end of the current semester. This continues an initiative that started in 2016, according to Hendricks.

SENATORS HEAR ABOUT SCORR

SCORR events coordinator  Rachel Surgalski, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, spoke to senators about the 2019 SCORR conference, which will be held from Feb. 21 to 23. The Biola-hosted conference brings speakers and attendees from across the nation and strives to facilitate conversation about racial reconciliation from a Christian viewpoint. This year’s events will include workshops and sessions with guest speakers, a large-scale worship session in different dialects and a poetry night.

The 23rd annual SCORR conference will focus on the theme “Legacy” by addressing the history of racial reconciliation through looking at the Old and New Testament, as well as different cultures. Surgalski stressed the importance of students engaging in cross-cultural conversations and relationships to cultivate love for God’s creation and his people. According to Surgalski, there will be different levels of workshops students can participate in to increase their awareness of racial identities as well as those of other socioeconomic statuses such as disabilities.

Vice President of diversity Mindy Kim announced that all SGA members will attend SCORR together on Feb. 22, and had attendees register for the conference during the meeting.

SGA INCREASES INVOLVEMENT IN BIOLASHARES

Off Campus Community senator Naomi Hidalgo and Hart Hall senator Noah Love, student representatives on Biola’s basic needs committee, gave a presentation about this semester’s BiolaShares meal donation. Donations will be accepted in the Caf from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1 and given to students in need of meals from Feb. 4 to Feb. 9. SGA is increasing their involvement this semester by also allowing students to donate meals at senators’ tables during SGA Hour.

Students can designate certain meal times to donate and can give as many meals as they would like from their plan during the week. In another change for this semester, an incentive to donate meals has been added. If a goal of 1,000 meal donations is met, either President Barry Corey or dean of Spiritual Development Todd Pickett will be dunked in Fluor Fountain.