The Board of Regents voted on the hiring of new staff and amendments to the Student Government Association constitution on Jan. 23.

A revision to SGA’s constitution was proposed to change the definition of a student within the context of elections. The judicial board determined the previous academic year that the requirements for a student to vote in SGA elections were the same as to run for office, though recommended that the student senate review the constitution for clarification. In response, the student senate passed Bill 90-25-V1 unanimously on Sept. 3, redefining a student as a person currently taking a course at Murray State University, excluding faculty, staff and dual-enrolled students.

Another revision involved bolstering the qualifications needed to apply for SGA’s executive positions. The amendment, passed by the student senate on Oct. 29, proposed for students to have one academic year of involvement with the organization to apply for SGA president, student regent and executive vice president. One semester is to be required for the positions of vice president of administration and vice president of student connections. Previously, no prior involvement with SGA was required in order to run for these positions. 

SGA has also cited a lack of actionable power in the role of vice president of finance due to increasing University financial responsibility standards and waning cash transactions. Therefore, this role was proposed to merge with that of the vice president of administration, creating a new position, the vice president of student connections. 

All amendments were passed.

“(The revision is) to ensure the person has experience in the past with student government,” Khatib, SGA president, said. “We have currently 10 vacancies and any student can apply for that vacancy, get the position and just be consistent as a member and after a year they’ll be eligible to run for president.”

The athletics committee motioned to hire Benjamin Madsen as the new head women’s soccer coach. Madsen formerly served as an assistant coach at Auburn University, having coached 16 All-SEC selections since 2012. Auburn University cites his qualifications as a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Lincoln Memorial University in 2003, a NSCAA advanced national diploma and a national goalkeeper diploma. Madsen’s employment was approved following a verbal vote from the board of regents.

The athletics committee motioned to hire Benjamin Madsen as the new head women’s soccer coach. Madsen formerly served as an assistant coach at Auburn University, having coached 16 All-SEC selections since 2012. Auburn University cites his qualifications as a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Lincoln Memorial University in 2003, a NSCAA advanced national diploma and a national goalkeeper diploma. Madsen’s employment was approved following a verbal vote from the board of regents.

Laura Foltz was also officially appointed as vice president of finance and administrative services and as a member of the Board of Regents in a verbal vote.